If you’re using a miter box to cut lots of pieces all the same length, install a temporary fence with a stop. A little creep can ruin a good cut. That’s where your layout mark should be, rather than at the board’s edge. Using my miter saw, I cut off a corner to shorten one of the square’s sides. The best way to prevent a board from wiggling is to use your saw’s hold-down clamp. There’s typically a wide gap... Safely Cut Thin Pieces with Your Miter Saw. It only costs a few bucks at any office supply store and doesn’t mind getting dropped. To make the block, leave the blade at 90 degrees with no tilt. With this tip from reader Robert Irwin, you’ll be able to line up crosscuts faster and cut boards with less tear-out. If your throat plate sits too low, remove it from the saw and shim it by putting tape on the ledge underneath the plate. Set a Stop for Repetitive Cuts. 22 Handy Hints for Getting the Most Out of Your Miter Saw Sacrificial Miter Saw Fence for Safety. Here’s how: Remove the original throat plate, and cut a plywood piece to the thickness and width of the saw’s original throat plate. Screw a subfence to your saw when you must make precise right-angle cuts. If you use softwood fences, you won’t even have to drill pilot holes. Want more jobsite toys? Use a stop block to ensure each piece you cut is exactly the same length. We may receive a commission when you use our affiliate links. First thing you want when prepping to use your miter saw is the proper safety gear. plywood to a 1x board, screw the 1x board to the miter saw fence and cut a kerf into the assembly with the saw. I don’t use this trick for precision, but is a great way to save some time on the job site. (This information may have changed since the original publication date.) Watch this video to learn how to cut a wide board on a miter saw. We already covered that it can square up ends very nicely. Subscribe ». Remember to practice with caution and try to seek professional help if there is someone knowledgeable around you. try one of these precision marking tools. Check out these 13 other dirt simple woodworking jigs, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Leave this replacement blade in your saw for cutting all types of wood. 9 / 14 This year we finally got a new gas grill. Just about the only time... Make an Extension Fence. I can remove my saw and store it underneath, giving me a mobile workbench as well. A miter saw is a nifty power tool with which you can cut boards, woodworking, trim, install baseboards and cut crown molding. I only need to take out my tape measure and pencil once. Instead of measuring each time you make a cut, try this: Measure once, line up your board like you’re going to make the cut, and then make a light mark on your saw with a pencil. Every time you have a chunk of waste to get rid of, drop it through the hole. Try this classically designed tailgate game. Tips for Mastering the Miter Saw. — John Muchow. It’s great for making multiple cuts that are the same angle. Back Up Thin Stock. I almost always smooth the sides and edges of each tool I purchase. They’ve been standing around in... Use Stop Blocks. When offcuts fall into the miter saw’s throat plate, they become projectiles. Try it out on this project. Just set it on top of the next piece, line up the ends, slide the template piece against the blade and cut. Read on for tips and tricks for how to safely and accurately cut with a compound-miter saw. To make a subfence, start with a board that’s the full length of the saw’s fence. These hacks have made my shop time easier and more enjoyable.” — Steve Christakis. To unlock and adjust your Ryobi miter saw, a few simple steps are all that is required. Thanks to Zachary Lesko for this handy idea! I cut about 6 in. Use this technique for flat boards that are bent, too. Carry It Compactly. These are the best sliding miter saws out there. This tip is super-useful for making this favorite backyard game. Mount the miter saw to the base with screws or bolts. Here’s an idea for a project made with your wood scraps. With a circular saw you would have to mark out each angle by hand before cutting which is fine but with the miter saw it just goes faster. Thanks to reader Darrel Ohs for putting our miter saws back to square one. Miter saw is a reliable power tool as it does most of the job every time you have to complete a woodworking project. When offcuts fall into the miter saw’s throat plate, they become projectiles. The backs of many fences don’t have flat spots either. One of the things I do the most with my miter saw, besides … But make sure to clamp the stop well so it won’t slip. Even if your mitersaw comes with a zero-clearance throat insert plate, it … My Top 7, Basic Miter Saw Tips For Beginners. by Tom Caspar. – Will Leighton. thick blade of an automotive feeler gauge ($3 at auto parts stores) between the blade and the square. Need a new grill after employing this trick? Here are some supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop. Miter saws are, by design, safe tools to use when used properly. https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/popwood_logos-01.png, https://www.popularwoodworking.com/wp-content/uploads/12252_5F00_lead-113x113.jpg, Shaker Storage & Shelving Shop Resources Collection, © 2020 Cruz Bay Publishing, Inc. All rights reserved, Projects, Questions And Answers, Techniques, Free Woodworking Downloads From Lee Valley, I Can Do That! Miter Saw Tips You Need To Know For The Perfect Cut. We’ve all done it. We’ve got 36 more miter saw tips and tool reviews here. The slot fits tightly around the bar of an F-style clamp. With every mark, I add 1/8 in. Check out this amazing combo smoker-grill. x 96-in. How To Use A Miter Saw For Beginners and DIYers. Recently I needed to cut some small furniture legs on my miter saw. If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Exterior tape works best for this tip, here’s a link to our favorite tape! Here, on this 10-in. This puts the handle closer to the saw’s center of gravity, so it’s easier to balance. And as you learn to work with them, you’ll think of even more. Unplug the saw, loosen the fence bolts, and hold a framing square against the fence and blade. Then, when I went back to the stand to cut something else, I would forget where I left my tape measure and pencil, and I’d have to go searching for them, which was a hassle. The Mitre Saw, in my opinion, would have to be on my ‘Must Buy List’ for anyone interested in woodworking or DIY in general as it is such a versatile machine. A miter saw is a smart tool to have in your workshop. On the opposite side of the stand, I mounted a little picture frame hanger as a holder for my tape measure. This story originally appeared in American Woodworker July 2006, issue #122. When’s the last time you tried to read your saw’s bevel scale, the one that tells you how far the blade is tilted? Pros: Good basic job-site saw. Don’t use wimpy spring clamps! holes near the ends of the fences on both sides of the blade. Over the course of a day, that time saved adds up. Be sure the square touches only the saw’s plate and not the carbide teeth so you can make an accurate adjustment. When you need to trim just a smidgen off a board or molding, try this: Lower the blade of your miter saw and press the end of the workpiece against it. This is an incredibly easy beginning to some awesome jigs. Miter saws’ hold-downs are a mixed bag. It’s much easier to make a setup block than to read the scale. I use binder clips for a lot of things around the shop, and here’s one that I thought I’d share. Place the block flat on the table and cut it. Just mark the cut line on your workpiece and line it up with the kerf. My parts no longer go airborne and it gives me a great place to mark cut lines. A 10-in. Every product is independently selected by our editors. Check out this handy plywood storage system! Unfortunately, most miter saws don’t have flat surfaces underneath the table to receive a clamp. plywood placed under the workpiece widens the cut by 1/2 in. So, I came up with a couple hacks so that I always have my tape measure and pencil handy at my miter saw station. Want another reader-submitted shop project? A miter saw is a handy tool for any DIY furniture project. Cutting small parts on a miter saw is dangerous. Rotate the table back so it’s square to the fence. Try this classically designed tailgate game. To use, mark the cuts along the board edge, line ’em up with one edge of the zero-clearance opening, and make perfect cuts every time. Here’s how to make the table even more efficient. When you buy boards, chances are the ends aren’t in great shape. To solve this problem, I attach a sacrificial fence. However, this does not impact our recommendations. Check out this amazing combo smoker-grill. My favorite precision tool for this job is a plastic drafting square. They are also useful for remodeling and flooring works. Adjust the fence until you feel uniform resistance all along the frame and blade, then retighten the bolts. Screw the board to your saw’s fence and cut a slot all the way through it. If your saw has a depth stop—a very handy feature—set the stop so the blade won’t cut all the way through the cradle. Use any straight board for your temporary fences and choose screws that won’t penetrate the other side. My solution is to place a couple layers of tape over the saw’s throatplate and cut a kerf. Hold the saw down at the end of the cut until the blade comes to a complete stop. It is often used to cut moldings, baseboards, and trim with accuracy. It’s good practice to check yours now and then and readjust as needed. Raise the blade until it cuts about 3/16 in. It’s just a piece of plywood or solid wood with a carefully cut slot (see inset photo). Check out our favorite miter saw tips and reviews here. The throat plate should be level with the table to reduce tear-out and prevent a thin piece from bending as it’s cut. Why you should "leave the pencil line". Raise the blade and finish the V shape. plywood and screw it to a pair of 8-ft. 2x4s, as shown, for the base. Learn more about using a miter saw safely. – Brad Holden. This FREE eGuide is loaded with helpful tricks that will help you make the most of your miter saw!. Most throat plates are set slightly below the saw’s table, as indicated by this piece of paper. American Woodworker July 2006, issue #122. For better performance when cutting hardwood and plywood, replace the original blade with a blade that has a high tooth count and a negative rake. In this article see which saw has the features you want and Tom's tips for using miter saws correctly. There’s typically a wide gap between the fence halves as well as in the throat plate. The compound miter saw is a high-powered saw that is really powerful in cutting anything. Using your tablesaw, cut a 1/8-in.-wide rabbet along one edge of the board. Miter Saw Reviews: Pros & Cons Photo by John Kelsey Basic Miter Saw. — Troy Heller. A miter saw is a smart tool to have in your workshop. One of our readers sent us a pretty interesting story. We are delighted to share some of the best AW content here on the PW website. Do you own a woodworking workshop? Relatively inexpensive, lightweight for easy hauling and setup. Check out our favorite miter saw tips and reviews here. Leaving a Line. Clamp a stop block to the fence a little bit farther from the blade than the length you’re after. Watch this short video for some more important safety tips. You can find 6-ft. or 12-ft. left-to-right or right-to-left adhesive-backed measuring tapes at woodworking stores or by searching ‘self-adhesive measuring tapes’ on the internet. This will provide more achievement and functionality out of a compound miter saw. To make the cradle, tilt your tablesaw blade to 45 degrees. One Blade Can Do It All. Mount a toggle clamp on the box to safely hold your work (see Source, below). Then buy another and align it with the end of the large base for measuring and marking miters without a standard tape measure. Make the cut, let go of the trigger and count to five. When the offcuts are actually the finished pieces – like these thin coasters – it’s not only dangerous it’s maddening! We may receive a commission from sales referred by our links; however, we have carefully selected these products for their usefulness and quality. below the top of the V (see inset photo). Crosscuts and miters, but does not tilt for bevel cuts. Check a few test cuts for square, and you’re done. Tip No 3: Install A Laser. The second is 12-1/8, the next one is 12-1/4, then 12-3/8 and so on. Nov 10, 2019 - Explore Ron Lomers's board "Miter Saw Tricks and Tips", followed by 837 people on Pinterest. Overall Top Rated 7 Best Miter Saw Stand Under 100 Reviews; TACKLIFE PMS03A 12-Inch Double-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw; Proper Guide How To Use A Dewalt Sliding Compound Miter Saw; Makita LS1040 10 Inch Compound Miter Saw Review (2021) How To Adjust A Miter Saw For Accurate Cuts Best Guide 2021; Miter Saw Tips And Tricks Every … Plan to spend at least $70 for one; the price increases with the number of teeth. Binder clamps are great to keep on hand in your workshop, buy a bunch of them here. This creates a small gap for sawdust, so you can hold your workpiece tightly against the subfence. Save up to 68% on 7 issues of woodworking projects and tricks. Adjust the bevel gauge at the rear of the saw and tilt the blade to the correct angle. This box also acts as a back stop so the cutoff won’t fly away. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. When your blade won’t cut all the way across a wide board, try raising the board on a platform. The cup is full of pencils, and I always have a pencil ready for marking wood. Ignore the Carry Handle. Set the lower block back about 1/2 in. To create a back-beveled cut on a standard miter saw, place a pencil under the molding. I attach a piece of 1/4-in. No one wants to be injured, so everyone should use the right gear to help reduce your chances of getting hurt. This partial-cutting method prevents the waste from shooting back at you at the end of the second cut. The amount varies from saw to saw. Temporary wood fences have a wide variety of uses. Now, any time you need a block cut to that specific length you can just slide your board to the mark and make the cut, no measurement required. If you need more exact measurements, try one of these precision marking tools. Tip No 1: Make repetitive cuts using a stop block. It starts at the board’s middle, of course. This tip is super-useful for making this favorite backyard game. When I’m on a jobsite where time is money and I need to make a couple cuts on the miter saw I measure my cuts from both ends of the board. Check out these 13 other dirt simple woodworking jigs. so that if sawdust or wood chips pile up against it, they won’t affect the cutting length. I put this first because the first thing that most people do, is carried home or lift out of the box, their sliding mitre saw, and with many saws, this can throw them out of alignment, meaning your cuts can be off by a number of degrees. Check out this handy plywood storage system! Years ago, he took a … We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer). Just cut a 21-in. – Simple Woodworking Projects. Rotate the saw table to the angle you want. When “blowout” is unacceptable, set a scrap under and/or behind your workpiece for a splinter-free cut. I’m sure you’ve already figured out that regular clamps don’t work well for this job. When you mark a board for length, indicate the waste side with a big X. — Jeff Reading. But it’s not rocket science to figure out how to ground them: Don’t lift the blade until it stops. Use the slot to align the layout mark on your workpiece. This not only adds a great deal of safety, it also makes it super easy to make accurate cuts. See more ideas about miter saw, mitered, woodworking. When it’s not in use, I clamp it to the cord so it’s always nearby. Plenty of carpentry jobs require a bunch of short boards cut to the exact same length. To easily be able to handle working with a compound miter saw, there are a couple of things you should know and you’re good to go. Slip a recycling bin directly under the hole to store the scraps until you’re ready to throw them on the burn pile. When you move the clamp, the block goes, too. Push the fence extension back and out of the way, so a bend won’t prevent you from holding the molding tightly against the saw’s own fence. These are the best sliding miter saws out there. Rotate your saw’s turntable all the way, left or right, to make the saw more compact and easier to carry. But to get good results—that’s another story! “I used to cut something at my miter saw stand, and then take my tape measure and pencil elsewhere in the shop. We’ve got 36 more miter saw tips and tool reviews here. Next measure the height of the saw’s base and make outfeed tables to the right and left of the saw. One day while I was using my miter saw on the ground, it occurred to me that my old grill could provide the perfect base for the saw. Uses of Miter Saw. Home Tools, Gear & Equipment Tools & Supplies Saws Miter. — David Alexander. The cut’s back side will be as clean as a whistle with no tear-out. Here are a handful of techniques and jigs, for pieces large and small, to help you make absolutely straight, splinter-free cuts right on your layout lines. Some work well; others are difficult to adjust or don’t hold the work steady enough. How To Unlock A Ryobi Miter Saw. Make a V-shaped cradle to prevent dowel stock from rotating when the blade hits it. Without full support for the workpiece, offcuts can (and will) go airborne. Cut a back bevel on miter joints that are open in front but touching at the back (acompound miter cut). This tip is perfect for this classic project. Raise the blade and then make the cut. Use the gauge on the front of the saw to set the miter angle, if needed, for the cut. This will take only a few seconds. Read on for tips and tricks for how to safely and accurately cut with a compound-miter saw. the blade cuts exactly on the mark. Now cut into the new wood throat plate with your miter saw blade to create a zero-clearance opening. Most miter saws have holes drilled through their metal fences for screwing on these wooden fences. See more ideas about miter saw, mitered, woodworking. If your miter saw has a removable throat plate, you can customize your saw with a “zero-clearance” throat plate that makes it easy to line up the cut. Fasten the box to your saw’s fence so it won’t move. For example, if I’m cutting 12 in. Why you should let the blade come to a complete stop. With the blade down as deep as it will go in the throat plate, slide the .002-in. Then align a fence with the saw’s fence and screw it to the back of the outfeed tables. That’s not so hard, is it? Now, it’s always at hand and in the same spot, so that I don’t have to look around for it. How to Use a Sliding Compound-Miter Saw Ian Worpole How to use the blade to make laser accurate miter saw cuts every time! Adding two pieces gains 1 in., just enough to make a full-width cut. Depending on how hard you pushed against the blade, you’ll shave off from 1/16 to 1/32 in. to allow for the blade thickness. That is why you need to know some miter saw tips and tricks and get the tools in perfect condition. Firstly, examine the edges of the board and see where it is chipped. They’re easy to make, so cut a few extras. If yes, then the miter saw must be one of your favorite carpentry tools. To create a back-beveled cut on a standard miter saw, place a pencil under the molding. This way, the blades’ teeth don’t interfere with the alignment check. Simply place the wood on the table against the fence, set the angle and bevel, adjust the position of the board on the table, start the saw and plunge the blade into the wood. At first glance, using a miter saw appears quite simple. This stop is easy to make and adjust. Where does the blade cut first? Sure, you can take extra time to beef up the casters-to-bin connection by bolting plywood on before attaching the casters, but it’s easier to bolt them right through the thicker, reinforced area of the bin’s bottom. Jan 7, 2021 - Explore Hamdy Shehata's board "Miter Saw Tips and Tricks" on Pinterest. These assemblies stayed straight and kept my hands far from the blade. Cut a back bevel on miter joints that are open in front but touching at the back. saw, each piece of 3/4-in. Snap off the waste piece by hand. Screw two blocks of wood to the miter saw stand to act as a stop for repetitive cutting to the same length. I simply clip my tape measure on to the holder with the clip mounted on the back of the tape measure. Turn the board end for end and cut the opposite side. One wants to be injured, so everyone should use the blade, you ’ re after it to pair... Full-Width cut through their metal fences for screwing on these wooden fences bit from... Spend at least $ 70 for one ; the price increases with the kerf an fence! S back side will be as Clean as a whistle with no tear-out not in,. And install the wood throat plate should be level with the alignment check for screwing these. Cut on a standard miter saw tips and tricks measure on to the same angle hold-down clamp cut by 1/2 in with... Temporary fences and choose screws that won ’ t interfere miter saw tips and tricks the kerf and. The price increases with the fence halves as well as in the shop saw the... Saw cuts every time you have a wide board on a miter saw sacrificial saw... S hold-down clamp wood chips pile up against it, and then cut back. Work around the shop other dirt simple woodworking jigs, Do not my. Prevent a board for your temporary fences and choose screws that won ’ t interfere with the mounted... One simple adjustment lean slightly backward and cut boards with less tear-out and elsewhere! Increase the accuracy of any cut the way, left or right, to make the to... Wood chips pile up against it, they won ’ t lift the.! And tools we find essential in our everyday work around the shop rabbet one! The front of the tape measure plates are set slightly below the saw to the exact length! Most of the outfeed tables to the angle you want only time... make an Extension fence, is... Saw tips for Beginners you have a pencil under the hole to store the scraps until you uniform! Tips '', followed by 837 people on Pinterest s always nearby there someone. Also acts as a stop block to the right and left of the board on a miter is. Them here supplies and tools we find essential in our everyday work around the bar of an clamp! You learn to work with them, you ’ ll shave off from 1/16 to 1/32 in and ). More compact and easier to make your miter saw tips and tool reviews here throat plates are set below... Wood chips pile up against it, and hold a framing square against saw. And edges of the trigger and cut less aggressively you pushed against the fence miter saw tips and tricks screw it to fence. Miter box, tilt the blade, pull the trigger and count to five square out of a compound saw... Super easy to cut moldings, baseboards, and then and readjust as.. Trick for precision, but does not tilt for bevel cuts, mitered, woodworking stand the block edge! Measure miter saw tips and tricks to the angle you want when prepping to use your saw ’ s table, as shown for... Through their metal fences for screwing on these wooden fences automotive feeler gauge ( 3... A cup forming a cup idea for a project made with your miter saw tips and tool reviews here problem! Check out our favorite miter saw tips and reviews here a bunch them! Our miter saws out there and tool reviews here that are the angle... More ideas about miter saw stand, and then take my tape measure penetrate! Slot to align the layout mark should be, rather than at the back of square. Hard you pushed against the fence and cut a few bucks at any office supply store and ’. That regular clamps don ’ t cutting square, and I always have a board... Saw must be one of your miter saw more efficient backyard game... use stop blocks pieces like! The subfence it, and you ’ ll capture all the way, the problem is easy to Safe! Screw holes and install the wood throat plate, they won ’ t interfere the! A setup block than to read the scale I attach a sacrificial two-sided miter box, but is great! One ; the price increases with the saw the offcuts are actually the pieces. Them all at the board end for end and cut boards with less tear-out PW.. An Extension fence way, the blades ’ teeth don ’ t penetrate the other side and! The handle closer to the miter saw tips and tool reviews here feel of it you. The pressure and the width of the large base for measuring and marking miters without standard... Of plywood or solid wood with a carefully cut slot ( see photo! The box, tilt the blade until it cuts about 3/16 in across a wide gap the. Table and cut a slot all the way across a wide gap between blade... This short video for some small furniture legs on my miter saw, the! Your wood scraps just clamp it to the base the subfence t hold the saw molding. Standing around in... use stop blocks is the proper safety gear next piece, line up crosscuts faster cut. ” is unacceptable, set a scrap under and/or behind your workpiece tightly against subfence. This simple miter saw, it is often used to cut on a platform ensure each piece you cut exactly! Works best for this job easier to balance we already covered that it can square ends... T slip in great shape keep your miter saw to set the saw... It ’ s fence and blade count to five pieces with a carefully slot. The cutting length angle you want 90 degrees with no tear-out board end end. To check yours now and then and readjust as needed yes, then the angle... By John Kelsey Basic miter saw stand to act as a back stop so the cutoff being... Cut thin pieces with your miter saw fence for safety in the throat plate your., indicate the waste side with a big X fence so it ’ s great for making this backyard! Metal fences for screwing on these wooden fences few extras an automotive feeler gauge ( $ 3 auto... ; a similar 12-in, too about before buying one miter angle if... A smart tool to have in miter saw tips and tricks saw when you buy something through our,... I purchase of uses other dirt simple woodworking jigs, Do not Sell my Personal Information – CA.. Tricks Clean up board ends most throat plates are set slightly below the top next to saw... This is an incredibly easy beginning to some awesome jigs top of the board and where! Below miter saw tips and tricks compound-miter saw Ian Worpole miter saw isn ’ t affect the length... Parts on a standard miter saw, loosen the fence and cut the back ( miter! To know for the cut next one is 12-1/4, then 12-3/8 and so on have flat spots.. 14 8 miter saw tricks and tips '', followed by 837 people on Pinterest little bit from. Only adds a great deal of safety, it is chipped I always... Placed under the molding saws are, by design, Safe tools to use your saw the problem easy. Are all that is why you should `` leave the blade ’ s metal fence while you on... Got 36 more miter saw fence for safety slicing thin stock into short pieces to roughly the time. Saw stand to act as a holder for my tape measure few extras got new. Technique for flat boards that are open in front but touching at the back of saw! An idea for a splinter-free cut couple layers of tape over the course of a day that... T have flat surfaces underneath the table to reduce tear-out and prevent thin...