A miter saw is the tool for tasks that require exact lumber and moulding cuts-- especially angles. The device named for cutting miters does so much a lot more.

Types of Miter Saws

With a board flat on the base of a miter saw, any tilted cut across the large face counts as a "miter" on any miter saw. Turn the board on its side, area it versus the fence, and you'll reduce a "bevel." A lot of saws cut from 90 to 45 degrees in both instructions, and also some saws can reduce up to 55-degree angles.

Saws start to differ when you look at their blade diameter-- typically 10 inches or 12 inches. The larger the blade, the much deeper and also bigger its maximum cut. Typically, a 10-inch miter saw will certainly reduce a 2 x 6 at 90 degrees and a 2 x 4 at 45 levels; a 12-inch miter saw will reduce a 2 x 8 at 90 degrees and a 2 x 6 at 45 levels.

Saws additionally differ by whether the blade arm just turns (a basic miter saw) or both swings and slides (a sliding miter saw). The sliding activity can cut also larger boards. A 12-inch version, for example, will reduce a 2 x 16 at 90 levels as well as a 2 x 12 at 45 degrees.

Either can come to be a compound saw-- the blade arm both swings at an angle and tilts at an angle to the bed of the table to reduce both a bevel and also miter at the same time. This is largely utilized to reduce crown moulding.

Reducing with a Miter Saw

The cut angle and wood density figure out where the blade will certainly speak to the product. When noting a board, extend the line throughout the supply, go down the blade to the wood to check your positioning, and change the board as needed before beginning the saw.

When you're cutting a board, remainder majority its length on the saw. If the board is as well long, pile a couple of scraps beside the saw to sustain the looming board. For a timesaving solution, place your saw on a saw stand with supports for lengthy supply.

Place the stock against the fencing at the back of the saw base, and hold it with your hands (or a clamp) at the very least 6 inches from the blade. Never cross your arms when operating the saw.

Start the saw on top of the operating setting, allow the motor to come up to speed up, and also bring the saw down into the timber. When the board is cut right with, launch the trigger and also permit the blade to completely quit before you increase the blade.

Discover the kinds of cuts you can make with a miter saw. See our DIY Fundamentals video:

Two Time-Savers

You can speed up repeated cuts in two methods: As opposed to separately gauging components for identical routes, mark the part size on an item of concealing tape connected to the fence. Get rid of the tape when you're done.

With the saw unplugged and also the blade down, measure from the blade teeth to a point on the fence equivalent to the component size.

With the end of a board pressed gently versus the block, make your cut. Each part you cut after that will certainly be the same length-- just blow away any kind of sawdust that can pile up against the stop block.

Quick Tips for Miter Saw Success

• Always cut the manufacturing facility end from a board prior to gauging and also cutting a component for far better fit and much less sanding.

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

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

• Dealt with lumber normally has a greater dampness content than building and construction lumber, so make use of a reduced tooth count also for fine cuts. The open rooms in between the teeth get rid of the particles and put much less stress on the electric motor.

• If possible, reduced one angle end of a component prior to you mark and also reduce the opposite end.