This compound miter saw guide from Japan can be stepplessly adjusted in two planes and is designed to allow you to do precision simple miter as well as compound miter or double bevel cuts. It is designed to be used with Japanese Kataba saws with blade widths between 0.4 mm and 0.6 mm.

Set includes, from top to bottom:

1. Miter guide with footplate and handle
2. Allen wrench
3. Guide fence
4. Long guide fence
5. Protractor
6. Adjustment card

90° setting

Cutting angles are adjusted by loosening the appropriate bolt.

Adjusted to 45° for a simple miter cut
The angle can be steplessly adjusted from 90° to 45°

Adjusted for a 45° bevel cut on left side.
The angle can be steplessly adjusted from 90° to 45°

Set up for 45° bevel cut, right side
The angle can be steplessly adjusted.

Set up for 45° compound miter or double bevel cut
The angle can be steplessly adjusted.

Set up at 90° with the sawblade inserted
Right hand use

After every adjustment to the compound miter guide, use the tool’s allen wrench to tighten the appropriate bolt. Then slide the saw into the slot. Be careful to keep the saw teeth away from the work to prevent damaging the surface. The height of the slot can be adjusted with the central brass adjustment knob.

Hold the guide firmly against the work piece to prevent it moving while cutting.

Set up at 90° with sawblade inserted
Left-handed operation

Left handers can simply turn the guide around and screw it in place on the other end of the baseplate. The guide is then equally adjustable for left-handers.

Adjusted for 45° compound miter cut, with saw inserted.

Adjusted for 45° double bevel cut, with saw inserted.

To saw wider work pieces, you remove the guide fence and install the longer version. Then a temporary fence is clamped in place at the appropriate angle and the miter guide is move along the fence as the cut progresses.

Long miters can also be cut using this method..

To set or check the cutting angles, use the protractor and the adjustment card. The card is set in the saw slot in place of the saw, and then one uses that as a straight edge against the protractor. The photo shows a 45° angle, but the guide is steplessly adjustable up to 90°!

Using the protractor can be a little awkward at first, but with a little practice and experience, your precision will improve quickly.

To adjust or check the angle in the other direction, place the green protractor card against the foot, and set the arm against the face of the saw guide. The photo shows the guide set to 45° but it is steplessly adjustable.