A miter saw is an important tool for almost all the handymen and contractors. Cutting miters by hand can be hard making you use a lot of time. Tools make your work easier as well as improving work quality. To achieve this, you have to understand how a tool works to avoid injuries as well as producing perfect work. Using a miter saw might seem easy to use but the fact is it needs your full concentration. You have to be aware of the safety measures to follow when using any tool to prevent injuries.
How to Use a Miter Saw
A miter saw is a powerful tool that is used to construct fast and precise crosscuts at an angle in a work-piece. The tool is mostly used to cut trim and molding to enable them to in shape. It is a very useful tool in carpentry work while making door trims, windows, crowns, and baseboards. The miter saw is used together with a sharp saw cutting edge to polishing up a joint for an ideal fit.
Step 1: Mark A Board
You first have to mark a board before cutting it on a miter saw. Put the board on a flat surface then with a measuring tape, measure the length that you intend to use. If your length is 30 inches, for example, use a carpenter’s pencil to make a v-mark at 30 inches. Cut the tip of the v-mark. Make an X-mark on the right side of the V-mark. At the X-mark, place a blade to cut across the board. You will be able to cut regular pieces of wood.
Step 2: Clean Cuts Start With a Steady Hand and a Firm Grip
To make clean cuts elevate the blade protector using your thumb. Line up your cut by viewing down one of the blade’s edge. Move your fingers away from the switch when lining up the cut. Clamp or hold the work-piece tightly. Slowly let loose the blade guard and take your hand to the press the switch and make your cut. You will experience a shock when you start the switch. As speed increases, the saw jerks and produces a sharp sound.
Move the blade down gradually through the board to complete the cut. Grasp down the saw carriage in the same position and then free the switch. This allows the blade to stop completely. This requires you to sustain a solid grip up to the time the blade stops rotating.
Step 3: Miter Saw Safety
It is very easy to make use a miter saw. It is also safe but you have to follow the provided instructions and precautions to the letter. The following are the most important safety measures:
- When operating the saw, make sure you wear hearing protection and some glasses.
- Keep off your fingers from the blade path, at least 6 inches apart. Some of the miter saws have lines that mark the danger zone.
- Always unplug the saw when not in use or when shifting the blade.
- Do not get in touch with the blade when it is rotating.
- Allow the blade to stop completely after cutting before you can lift it.
Step 4: Adjust the Angle for a Perfect Miter
When you are a starter in cutting miters, you might experience a problem of unfit miters. However, this issue is solved by slightly adjusting the angle up to ¼ degree then slice off tiny slices of wood. If you are using a compound miter saw, use the same angle setting but incline the saw to 1 or 2 degrees then cut the miter again. If the saw does not incline, slide a piece of wood or a carpenter’s pencil beneath the work-piece then incline it in along the blade. Practice makes perfect.
Step 5: Build a Jig to Hold Crowns and Coves
Cutting some pieces like coves, bed moldings and crowns require the molding to be seized on an unswerving angle. A jig is used to hold coves and crowns at an accurate angle. Position a crap of your molding on its head in the jig then spot the end position. Rivet the end to the jig. Put all fasteners far from the blade’s path. Fix the jig with ¾ inch screws through miter saw fence holes. Using the upside-down crown molding, make your cuts.
Step 6: Cutting Short Pieces Requires Special Techniques
Each time you are required to miters that are below or about 8 inches long, you have to slice them from a lengthy piece to keep off your fingers. For example, if you require a 7-inch portion of wood with miters on each side, you have to cut a long piece. Mark the other miter then change the angle of the miter saw. Grasp the longer side and cut the 6-inch portion off. The big gap in the fence makes the small pieces drop leading to breakage. You can also rivet a higher fence to the miter saw to offer a wider trim and minimize the gap close to the blade.
Step 7: Simple Miter Saw Stand
A miter saw stand is useful in supporting the lengthy piece of load and holding the tool at a comfy operating height. It is, therefore, a necessity. To make a stand, use 8-ft (2 by 4s) for the bottom. Cut a piece of plywood of about 16 inches in width and length. Rivet it to the 2 by 4s ft pieces. Split the 2 by 4 pieces to support the 1 by 8 top flush with the bed on top of the saw. Join the pieces with the 2 by 4s then rivet the 1 by 8-bed extension to the pieces.
Final Verdict
A miter saw is a quality tool that you need to perform all your carpentry work. With use a miter saw, you will be able to do more work for less time as well as producing beautiful and perfect furniture. It is easy to use once you get used to it. Read all the instructions attached to avoid being hurt in your practice. I highly recommend the miter saw for all your woodwork and you will never regret.
