A miter saw is the tool for tasks that call for precise lumber and moulding cuts– particularly angles. The tool named for reducing miters does so much more.

Types of Miter Saws

With a board flat on the base of a miter saw, any angled cross the vast face counts as a “miter” on any kind of miter saw. Transform the board on its edge, place it against the fencing, as well as you’ll reduce a “bevel.” Many saws reduced from 90 to 45 levels in both instructions, and also some saws can cut up to 55-degree angles.

Saws start to vary when you take a look at their blade size– frequently 10 inches or 12 inches. The bigger the blade, the much deeper and wider its maximum cut. Normally, a 10-inch miter saw will certainly cut a 2 x 6 at 90 degrees and a 2 x 4 at 45 degrees; a 12-inch miter saw will cut a 2 x 8 at 90 levels and also a 2 x 6 at 45 levels.

Saws additionally vary by whether the blade arm just turns (a standard miter saw) or both swings as well as slides (a gliding miter saw). The sliding activity can reduce even bigger boards. A 12-inch variation, for instance, will reduce a 2 x 16 at 90 levels and also a 2 x 12 at 45 levels.

Either can become a substance saw– the blade arm both swings at an angle as well as tilts at an angle to the bed of the table to cut both a bevel as well as miter at the same time. This is mostly made use of to cut crown moulding.

Cutting with a Miter Saw

The cut angle as well as timber density figure out where the blade will contact the product. When marking a board, expand the line throughout the supply, drop the blade to the timber to check your positioning, and also readjust the board as needed prior to beginning the saw.

When you’re reducing a board, rest majority its size on the saw. If the board is too long, stack a few scraps next to the saw to sustain the overhanging board. For a timesaving solution, place your saw on a saw stand with assistances for long stock.

Place the stock against the fence at the back of the saw base, and also hold it with your hands (or a clamp) at least 6 inches from the blade. Only after that should you begin the saw.

Constantly keep your various other hand on the saw take care of. Both arms must be straight out in front of you, and your feet securely planted.

Never ever cross your arms when running the saw.

Start the saw at the top of the operating placement, allow the electric motor ahead up to speed, as well as bring the saw down right into the timber. When the board is cut right via, launch the trigger and enable the blade to completely quit prior to you elevate the blade.

Find out the kinds of cuts you can make with a miter saw. See our DIY Basics video:

2 Time-Savers

You can accelerate repeated cuts in two methods: As opposed to separately measuring parts for similar short cuts, note the part size on an item of covering up tape affixed to the fencing. Remove the tape when you’re done.

For also higher accuracy, affix a quit block. Affix pieces of double-face rug tape to the back face of a 3/4-inch-thick timber scrap. With the saw unplugged as well as the blade down, measure from the blade teeth to a point on the fence equivalent to the part size. There, press the taped block versus the fencing.

With completion of a board pushed lightly versus the block, make your cut. Each part you reduced afterwards will certainly coincide length– simply blow away any type of sawdust that can pile up against the quit block.

Quick Tips for Miter Saw Success

• Constantly cut the manufacturing facility end from a board before measuring and also cutting a component for much better fit and also much less sanding.

• Let the saw do the work; do not force the blade with the wood.

• Even more teeth amounts to smoother cuts. Make use of a blade with greater than 50 teeth for building and construction cuts. For fine cuts, such as moulding, use a blade with greater than 90 teeth.

• Dealt with lumber normally has a higher dampness content than building lumber, so make use of a reduced tooth matter also for great cuts. The open spaces in between the teeth get rid of the particles as well as placed less pressure on the electric motor.

• Preferably, reduced one angle end of a part prior to you mark and also reduce the opposite end.