Miter Saw For Beginners - Safe Operation and Purchase Secrets

What is a Miter Saw Anyway? It is a tool used to make angled and compound angled cuts to wood and plastic moldings and trim pieces used in finish carpentry.
Are There Different Types of Miter Saws? Yes there is, they are; the basic miter saw that are often referred to as a powered miter box, then there is the compound miter saw that serves the same function as the miter box and adds the ability of cutting two angles at the same time and then there is the sliding compound miter saw that takes it one step further by allowing the user to make compound angled cuts on wider materials.
How Do I Know Which Saw I Need? That is a tricky question, how will you be using the saw is the first question you need to ask yourself to get at the best choice for your wants and needs. Once you have established your list of needs, ask yourself what you want.
Some of us want the cheapest thing we can get that will do the job while others of us want the best thing available, it is the whole Lexus versus the Taurus thing.
The Powered Miter Box is a great tool for making miter cuts to quarter round, small baseboard moldings and chair rails that are going to lay flat on the floor or wall.
They are also good to use for squaring off the ends of a 2 by 4 and making 45 degree angle cuts as well but, nothing larger there compact size has limits.
A Compound Miter Saw has the same capabilities of the miter box and then some. These saw types enable the operator to make cuts in two angles at the same time.
This feature comes in handy when installing crown moldings where the wall and the ceiling meet create a 90 degree angle and the corner forms another 90 degree angle in a different direction. Try saying that three times fast.
These types of saws are available in different size blade models. They use the same saw blades as do their cousins the circular saws and are found in similar blade sized models; 7 1/4, 10 and 12 inch blade models are the most common.
The Sliding Compound Miter Saw is the most versatile of the miter saws. These saws encompass everything good in the other miter saws and take it one step further.
As the name implies, this saw type has a motor with blade attached mounted on a rail system that allows the assembly to slide away from the saw fence to make cuts to wider materials.
As a portable tool goes these can perform any crosscutting task you will encounter; finish trim work and framing alike. I personally like these because I can cut anything from small quarter round moldings all the way to boards for closet shelves and 2 by 12 framing materials.
Safe Operation Concerns; for most of us is centered on the question, how do I set up and use this tool? 'Always, Read and understand the instructions included in the operators manual that came with the tool'.
1. Start by setting the tool on a saw stand or work table at your waste level. There is nothing worse than trying to use a saw while on your hands and knees, your back will hate you for it in the morning. 2. Make sure you have something to support the ends of the material you will be cutting on both sides of the saw. The saw table is only a couple of feet wide and longer pieces of material will need extra support. 3. You will need an extension cord rated for the conditions you will be using the saw in. I will go as far to recommend you purchase a heavy duty cord rated for outdoor use and at least 15 amps of 120 volts of electricity.
How to make Adjustments to the Saw;
When you remove the saw from its' packaging the tool has the motor and blade assembly secured into the down position. To release the locking mechanism locate the knob directly behind the motor on the support frame, pull the spring loaded knob away from the frame to release the lock this allows' the motor to pivot up and down freely.
The sliding assembly of the saw is secured using a knob that screws down against the rail, located on top of the slide frame that the saw motor and blade assembly is attached to.
Loosen the knob by turning it in a counter clock wise direction. When using this feature, remember to start your cut by; raising the motor assembly above the piece to be cut, slide the assembly towards you, squeeze the trigger to start the saw motor and plunge the blade into the material you are cutting and slide the blade through the material from the outer most edge of the material to the saw fence.
Adjust the miter angle using the pivot feature incorporated in the saw table. Loosen the locking knob, rotate the pivot assembly to the desired angle and secure the locking knob, this will keep the saw angle setting from inadvertently being changed.
How to Make a Cut;
Making a cut requires, the material to be cut is placed laying flat on the saw table. To ensure the materials lay flat on the saw table support either ends of the material by using supporting stands to ensure safe and accurate cuts.
The next step is to secure the material against the saw fence, this ensures accuracy.
Align the reference mark you made on the material where you want your cut made with the edge of the saw blade. Using the laser feature that is included on some high end models is a big help. Remember the blade cut will remove 1/8 of an inch of material per cut, this includes hands and fingers so keep them out of harms way.
Put on your safety glasses and sound suppressors before starting the saw.
Now you are ready to make your cut, grasp the control handle on the saw. Pull the motor and blade assembly towards you and past the edge of the material that is away from the fence.
Start the motor on the saw by squeezing and holding the trigger located on the control handle and allow the motor to get to full speed.
Push the handle down towards the saw table, then push the motor and blade assembly away from your body in the direction of the fence to cut the material, remember slow and steady.
Congratulations, you have just discovered the secrets to using and what to purchase with your saw to ensure safe operation. Now go have fun be safe and build something...