How to Use a Miter Saw

The miter saw is useful in the shop because the time will come when angle cuts are needed to join molding at corners, for picture frames or for other projects where straight cuts of wood won't work. The miter saw combines the power of a circular saw with the function of a miter box. Practice the steps below on some scrap wood to learn to use a miter saw.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

1. Measure carefully the angle you'll need for the project, especially molding at corners. Although it would be nice if all corners were right angles, that seldom happens in projects involving older houses.

2. Put on your safety glasses and be sure you're not wearing any loose clothing that could get caught in the saw. Protect your ears with ear plugs if you plan to do a lot of cutting.
   

3. Use the lower handle to rotate the saw table to the proper angle and lock it. Mark the angle on a piece of scrap wood and hold it firmly against the guide, known as the fence.

4. Leave the power off and pull the miter saw down against the wood. See that the saw touches the mark you've made on the wood. Make any needed adjustments if the saw doesn't align with the mark.

5. Ensure that safety guards are in place on the blade. Turn on the saw, let it power up, and bring it down to cut through the stock.
   

6. Cut the good piece of wood once you're sure the angle is correct.
   

Tips & Warnings

• You can change the angle on a miter saw from 0 to 45 degrees, going to the right or left.
• Some miter saws, known as compound miter saws can be adjusted to make vertical cuts (bevel cuts) as well as horizontal cuts (angle cuts). Also, some miter saws use a laser light to guide you to the mark for your cut.

Resources

• Find reviews for miter saws at Consumer Search.