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This easy-to-build tracing box is a bright idea for your shop drawings

Close is not enough
Unless you are satisfied with a cut that's just “close” to 45°, forget the blade tilt indicator that is installed on your saw. To set the blade at exactly 45° to the table surface, use a small plastic 45° drafting triangle—available at art supply stores. Raise the blade as high as it will go and tilt it close to 45° (the indicator on your saw can manage this). Now set the base of the triangle on the surface of the table and slide it up to the blade. It will be easy to see what adjustment is necessary to get the blade to exactly 45°.

Cut the hardboard for the bottom and dry fit the four sides and bottom in place. Some more masking tape at the corners will hold everything together. The plastic top needs to slide out to allow access to the light fixture. To do this, shorten one side down to the bottom of the top groove. Mark this now with the box assembled, then take the box apart and rip the side down to size.

Before putting the box back together, drill the vent holes and cut the cord access slot in the appropriate locations. To assemble the box, spread some glue on each of the four corner mitres, and bring the sides together, capturing the hardboard bottom as you do so, white side up. Use a strap clamp or even a few wraps of surgical tubing to hold everything together while it dries.

The last step is to cut the plastic top to size and round its sharp corners using sandpaper. Drop the light fixture into the box, plug it in and flip the switch.

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