How to Make a 90-Degree Angle Cut With a Miter Saw

Perhaps you have a piece of trim that you want flush with a cabinet. If it's square with the wall, you'll need to make a 90-degree miter saw cut to match the trim to the cabinet. Making a 90 degree miter saw cut is fairly straightforward as long as you keep a few cutting and safety tips in mind. Here's how to make a 90-degree miter saw cut.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Set up your miter saw on a workbench, preferably one that is longer than the piece of wood you'll be cutting. Having a well lit area keeps bad saw cuts to a minimum. Plug your miter saw into a grounded outlet.

2. Put on your safety goggles. Anytime you use any power tools it's imperative you protect your eyes. Sawdust, wood chips or even metal shavings from the saw blade can be thrown, and you don't want your project interrupted with a trip to the emergency room.

3. Adjust your miter saw to "0" by using the miter saw adjustment arm. This puts the blade perpendicular to the saw guide, therefore making it a perfect right angle cut on the miter saw.

4. Place the piece of wood flush against the miter saw guide. With your thumb well out of the way of the saw blade, hold the wood against the guide as you pull the miter saw down to the wood and check exactly where the saw will cut.

5. Lift the saw slightly and turn on the blade. Pull the blade slowly through the wood. After the cut is complete, turn off the blade and wait for it to stop rotating. Then raise the blade and remove the freshly cut piece of wood from the miter saw.