Making accurate cuts with a miter saw comes in handy when cutting angles. Whether it is crown molding, baseboard trim or diagonals on decking- knowing how to use a miter saw is a must.
Using a Miter Saw
A miter saw or a “chop saw” as its called by most contractors is good for making mitered cuts of all kinds. Its significance is being able to rotate the saw on different planes to make accurate mitered cuts.
Whether its a 45 degree angle on door casement or a 22 ½ degree cut on crown molding it can consistently be made quickly to get a job finished. Every job comes out looking professional and adds to the confidence of all carpenters or DIY guys.
Miter Saw Blades
The typical miter saw blade is 10 or 12 inches. You need to have a general blade for cutting lumber like a 2×4 and a fine tooth blade for trim jobs.
Miter saw blades come with different medals and their expense is correlated with their approximate life span. SO- don’t be cheap when it comes to purchasing a blade for your miter saw.
Maintaining a Miter Saw
It is important to take care of your saw so that it is always ready to use. Make sure you use an air gun to blow the sawdust out of hard to reach places. Oil joints and levers every 3-4 times of use. Above all make sure you don’t allow it to get wet in the rain.
A good miter saw if well maintained should last a good ten years or more.
Cutting with a Miter Saw
Most of the newer miter saws come with a laser guide. Learn to use the saw by cutting a couple practice cuts to see were the blade cuts in relationship to the guide. Also test the adjustments to get a feel for how to setup and use the saw.
If using the saw on different jobs it is a good idea to purchase or build a portable table to set on top of saw horses which gets it off the ground and makes it comfortable and easy to use. This can be accomplished with a couple of eight foot 2×10’s. Make sure they are flush with the saw table on both sides so when a piece of material is cut it is level at both ends.
Cost of a Miter Saw
Miter saws range in cost from $99 to $695 depending on make and options. I bought a $99 model and spent money on blades and a portable table made of medal. Which is a good idea to start so that you know what options you would like on a more expensive model.
The best way to learn how to use a miter saw is just get one and practice. I promise it won’t take long before your cutting like the pros.
