Compound Miter Apparatus

A guide apparatus for performing compound miter cuts using a saw blade, the guide apparatus comprising

• a gauge including:
• a base support member;
• a first flap connected to the base support member along a first hinge;
• a first locking element connected between the base support member and the first flap, wherein the first flap is rotatable along the first hinge to define a predetermined lean angle, with the first locking element used to fixedly hold the first flap in place at the predetermined lean angle orientation;
• a second flap connected the first flap along a second hinge, the second hinge disposed perpendicular to the first hinge;
• and
• a second locking element connected between the first flap and the second flap, wherein the second flap is rotatable along the second hinge to define a predetermined miter angle, with the second locking element used to fixedly hold the second flap in place with respect to the predetermined miter angle;
• a plate for attaching to a miter saw in a manner parallel to the saw blade, wherein upon initiating a compound miter cut, the second flap of the gauge is brought into contact with the plate to orient the saw blade to the desired compound angle as defined by the combination of the predetermined miter angle and the predetermined lean angle;
• an arm pivot index member disposed to move with the rotation of the saw blade, the arm pivot index member including a pair of opposing stops to define complementary locations of the bevel angle portion of the compound cut;
• and
• a table pivot index member coupled to a cutting surface and including a pair of opposing stops to define complementary locations of the miter angle portion of the compound cut.