Quote Originally Posted by JohnnyEgo View Post

One word of caution I learned the hard way, just in case you aren't already aware; it's a bad idea to use the miter gauge and fence at the same time on a cross-cut piece. That is because as the cut side drags along the fence, it can shift angle minutely such that it binds against the blade and the fence.

If you keep on trying to power through the cut, it can bind the blade completely. Or even worse, it can release unexpectedly and catastrophically. In my case some 20 years ago, it did just that, and that is why I can only give a movie 1 3/4 thumbs up, and my parents still talk about the Christmas of 98.
Yea, am aware of the bind (which also causes the cuts to be off) and have only done it occasionally on the wide boards that cause me to use the mitre gauge off the deck. It's usually soft woods or chip/pressed or mdf but I probably should have used a clamped straight edge and skill saw, but my skill saw is pretty wobbly.

I know of the thumb game. Took a good good chunk of mine out on a router when I was a lad and forcing the piece through. Not quite down to the bone, and it surprisingly grew back in.