Haven't you wondered at least for once what makes the compound miter saw stand out? Mitering becomes much effortless when you do so with this particular device. If you're a beginner, your question would be how to use a compound miter saw?
Using a compound miter saw is very simple. It would help if you placed the workpiece on the table, powered the saw up following proper safety instructions, and cut the material by pulling the blade down. Using a compound sliding miter saw, you must remove the edge from the right side towards the fence. After cutting, turn the power off before pulling the blade up.
If you want to learn vital information about the compound miter, see dig deeper into the article.
What Is Compound Miter Saw?
A compound miter saw is a tool used for crosscutting woods. Different variations of wood cutting, such as square, beveled, and angled type cutting, can be done accurately with this saw. The way the tool lets you angle and bevel a wood simultaneously makes it exceptional.
Professionals primarily use it for working on precise but complex compound cuts. Using it for chopping crown moldings and other materials would benefit you the most. You will end up with the most accurate angled cuts in that case.
Type Of Compound Miter Saw
There aren't a lot of variations when it comes to the compound miter saw. Usually, there are two types of a compound miter saw.
You will want to know each kind, particularly for choosing one.
Compound Sliding Miter Saw
The job of a sliding miter saw is working on both compound and cross-cuts. The tool includes a left angle to enable compound cut capacity and rails, on the other hand, for cross-cut accommodation. As a result, you get the appropriate depth for cutting by slide.
Dual Compound Sliding Miter Saw
If you intend to avoid hassle and save time, it is the right pick. A dual compound sliding miter helps you cut from both rights and left. It would include a miter table, sliding rails, and beveling for both sides.
If you're wondering how it saves time, you should know how the left bevel works. It eliminates the requirement of the flip of your material. The saw is an expert at the crown, and base molding cuts flat.
You should learn Different types of miter saws
(First of all) Know Your Tools (Compound Miter Saw)
If you want to understand your miter saw better, you should gradually know about the tools. Except for some specific parts, all compound miter saws tend to include the components mentioned below. Take a look.
Guard: You will find the guard of your miter saw around the blade. The guard covers the entire top half and a part in the bottom. That part would be connected to the hinge. The guard's main job is to protect the blade when you use it or when it's not used.
Although you can't move the top half, the bottom half is movable. When you lower the blade down, it swings open and pivots up into the top half. The guard maintains a balance between those two.
Blade: Any cutting with the miter saw would involve the blade. The edge size would limit the scope of materials you can cut with the compound saw. However, the length of the blade depends on the size of the saw you have purchased—the standard blade size is 12 inches in diameter.
Size isn’t the only thing to worry about the blade. You should learn so many other details about the edge to get reliable service. That’s why consider researching how to pick the right miter saw blade when you pick up a saw.
Handle/ Power Switch: Power switches of most saws are integrated into the handle. The handle gives you total control over the device. That's why those handles come with an ergonomic design. You can power on and off the trigger, holding the handle within a few seconds.
Fence: The fence is the sturdy surface where you keep the material for cutting. It keeps the material stable. The wall is placed on the table in a 90° position with the saw's blade.
Some saws offer you great fences that can be moved around frequently. That way, you can work with the workpiece conveniently.
Table: The table is the large main base with which the saw is connected with other components. The table works as both the base and the actual work area. Many tables tend to have clamps. The blade goes into a slot on your table when you bring down the blade.
Vise: The vise supports to stabilize the workpiece when you bring the blade into them. The saw will have the vise at least on one side so that the larger workpieces remain stable.
Scale: The scale determines the angle between the workpiece and the miter cut. You will find an indicator on that saying what degree you're at. Some scales can lock the workpiece.
The tools meant to cut bevels have a different scale for positioning the left side.
These are the essential components that a miter saw must offer. But some of the devices provide extra features and details such as laser projectors, dust bags, ports for a vacuum, etc. They help to keep the workpiece more stable workpiece area clean
How to Use a Compound Miter Saw?
If you're a beginner at mitring, you first need to know that using a compound miter saw is a straightforward task. As hard as it is to recognise the different components of a miter saw, you must follow a couple of steps to use it. Anyways, let's get started.
- Place the workpiece or material you're going to work on the turntable.
- Before powering up the saw, you need to bring the blade down and check if it fits with the workpiece or not.
- Now plug the device in and bring the blade down using the handle. If you're using a sliding compound miter saw, bring it down and slide it towards the fence.
- Once you're done with cutting, before pulling the blade up must turn off the power, and that would be all.
Using any of the two types of compound miter saw would require the same process. As we’ve mentioned above, with a sliding or dual sliding one, all you have to do is pull the blade from the side towards the fence.
How To Change/ Replace A Compound Miter Saw Blade?
Working with a dull blade is super irritating. It takes a lot of time, and that hardly impacts the workpiece. You need to change the old edge with a new one to return to a reliable cross-cutting experience.
Follow the steps mentioned below to replace your dull old blade:
- The first step yours should be unplugging the saw; you can't change the edge when the device is plugged on.
- The blade has a bolt cover on it. So, what you need to do is unscrew it using a screwdriver. Slide the blade guard and bolt cover to get the bold head out.
- To prevent the spindle lock from spinning, hold the spindle on the motor with your right hand.
- Now take the wrench, and use it clockwise to loosen the blade head bolt.
- Remove that bolt and the washer so the old blade can come off quickly.
- Now place the new blade in place of the old one pointing it down. Attach all the bolts using your finger first. Then use a wrench to tighten them.
- Once you're done, plug the saw in and try it. Make sure the device doesn't make any vibrational noise.
How To Unlock a Miter Saw?
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Operating with a miter saw gets easier when you understand the miter saw a locking and unlocking system.
However, to unlock a miter saw
- You need to open the head of the saw first. Now press the handle on the saw down.
- Then you are to pull the pin under the handle to release the lock.
- After that, you will find your blade moving up and down.
Compound Miter Saw Tips
Chopping off wood or your workpiece might not go smoothly sometimes. God forbid a particle may jump off into your eyes, or any other mishap can occur. So keep these tips in the back of your mind while using the device.
- Anytime you use any compound miter saw must use eye and ear protection.
- Don't wear any loose cloth while working.
- Secure your long before turning the saw on.
- Keep your hands at least 6 inches away from the blade and turntable.
- Keep your arms straight instead of crossing them.
This is how you maintain safety during the project. Afterwards, search online and find out how to clean a circular saw blade. If you want your saw to run long, then keeping the edge clean is unavoidable.
For more information Miter saw tips and tricks | You should learn
Final word
Now that we've ended our discussion, and you now know how to use a compound miter saw? Unless you get a device with many unique features, the process would be the same as we've written above. Check the manual before using the saw.
Do not forget to follow the safety measures when you plan on working on the material using a compound miter saw. Eyeglasses and ear protection can't be ignored.
