If you have a miter saw, you are already a few steps ahead in woodworking. It takes your woodworking to a whole new level with its amazing cutting technique. But if you are using it as everybody else does, then you are definitely missing the point.
In this article, we are going to share some unique miter saw tips and tricks with you. These tips will definitely help you to make the best out of your miter saw machine like never before. Excited? Well, stay tuned till the end of this piece to get an in-depth idea of how to use a miter saw in a better and more efficient way!
What Is A Miter Saw Used For?
Well, a miter saw is basically used for having three different types of cuts. As we have already mentioned, these cuts are crosscut, miter cut, bevel cut, and compound cut.
Let’s find a bit more on these cuts.
Crosscut
The crosscut is generally the regular standard cut you get from different saws. It cuts straight through the middle of the wood and splits the wood piece into two parts. There is not angle formed, and the cut is just a regular one.
Miter Cut
As for the miter cut, this is what the miter saw is famous for. It’s the angled cut that we are talking about here. There is a scale on the flat surface where you place the workpiece. The scale indicated different angles on it. When you are placing the wood piece on the flat place, you are going to place it according to the angle you need it to cut at.
So, when you simply place the piece at the desired angle, simply run the blade through the workpiece, and you will get the angled cut.
Bevel Cut
A bevel cut is slightly different than a miter cut. You need a compound miter saw for this purpose. A single-compound miter saw will give you a bevel cut from only one side. Again, a dual-compound miter saw will give you the cut from both sides.
In this cut, the blade goes through the thickness of the wood piece and gives you a smooth slicing experience.
Compound Cut
A compound cut is basically done by the compound miter saw, as well. It gives you a cut that has both the elements of a miter cut and a bevel cut. That means you first place the wood piece at the desired angle on the flat board beneath the blade. Then you place the compound miter saw blade towards the thickness of the wood. Once you run the blade, you get a smooth compound cut.
So, what can you do with a miter saw?
Well, there are plenty of works that you can do with such a versatile saw. If you are making some boxes, gates, frames, ledges, etc., that need miter cutting, you need a miter saw for that.
Again, if you need to extract a smaller piece of wood from a larger piece, then you need a miter saw, too. Even when woodworkers construct roofing and fencing, they bring a miter saw to trim out the excessive parts from the wood pieces.
Miter Saw Tips And Tricks: You Should Master
So, now that you are up for using a miter saw, here are some tips and tricks that you need to keep in mind to make the best out of your device.
Clean up board ends
When you buy the boards, they aren’t in the greatest of shape, right? If you are planning to use these boards for cutting with a miter saw, it may not end up in anything good. So, try trimming off the ends of the boards before cutting.
Use Stop Blocks
To make even cut on multiple wood pieces, you need to use stop blocks. Just measure the wood piece length and clamp a piece of scrap wood to the fence for benchmarking. Just line up the wood against it, and you’re good to go.
Make an Extension Fence
If the length of the wood piece is longer than the fence of the saw, consider using a larger board as an extension fence. There are holes in the saw fence for this purpose.
Making Micro Adjustments
When you are cutting wood pieces, make sure you are making some of the tiniest of adjustments for this purpose. Placing the piece accurately at the right angle with the help of a scale is quite necessary.
Holding small pieces
If you are cutting small pieces of wood, then you don’t use your fingers to hold it as it may cause accidents. Use long wood pieces or clips, or even pencils to hold the smaller pieces in place.
Cutting to a line
Sometimes, you may cut through the drawn line right in the middle. But it may end up cutting a bit more than you expected as the blade length is typically ⅛ inch. To avoid this, keep your eyes on the line and remember which side of it needs to be kept. Then cut through the edge of the line for a perfect cut.
Shaving a board down
At times, you may end up cutting slightly away from the cutting line. To shave off the excess parts, you need to press the rear part against the blade to flex it a little. Now lift the blade up and press it down. You will get a nice shaving of the board.
Get a Stand
Although a miter saw doesn’t need a stand to work properly, having one will definitely increase accuracy and productivity. Plus, using a stand will ensure that you are standing in the right position.
Avoid Hasty Moves
A miter saw is a dangerous machine to use. Take your time in setting up the wood piece and placing the blade in place. Never hurry or be hasty when you are working with such a device.
Use the Right Type of blades
Before starting to cut, make sure you are using the right type of blade for the wood piece. Measure the thickness and the angle to check if the blade is right for this job. However, if you don’t know how to unlock a miter saw, it will be a bit tough to do.
Never Cut Pieces Smaller Than 8-inch
If you are going to cut wood pieces that are smaller than 8-inch, there is a huge chance that you won’t be able to hold on to the piece in a safe manner. So, don’t go for cutting a piece smaller than 8-inch.
Final Words
So, that was all from us about the miter saw tips and tricks! We hope you have bookmarked this page to make sure you don’t miss any points the next time you are going for a cut with your miter saw.
But before you follow any of our tips, make sure you are securing yourself with all the safety gears. A miter saw is a pretty risky machine to work with. Safety measurements are always the first priority.
Have a great cut!
