How To Set Up A Miter Saw To Make A Perfect Cut?

In this step, we need to get the two boards ready. These two boards should be perfectly edged. The edges should be adequately straight and smooth. You can verify the straightness of the edges by joining the two edges of two different boards together. If you see any gap in between them, then the edges are not perfectly straight. If they coincide perfectly, then you have the two good boards.

You should have wider boards, if possible. You should have the dimensions of the boards such that it is similar to the maximum width of the miter saw cut. So, this will prepare your test or workpiece stock properly.

This step will tell you how to cut. Use the joined edges, cut the fence. If you are comfortable cutting both the boards together, then you can do that. Else, you can even cut both the boards one by one for better finishing. Your main aim should be to get a good and clean cut. If you set up the blade so that the blade gets material on both sides, it will be best. Rather than working with just one side of the blade, you can even make the blade work through both sides. This will enhance its efficiency.

If you use only one side of the blade, then it may deflect from the workpiece. The workpiece on both the side of the blade will hold it stiffly and will not allow it to get deflected. This will help us to make a continuous and straight cut.
So this way, we cut in this step, we will head to the further step. If you find any difficulty, then kindly go through the above steps first before moving ahead. There is no point in going to the other points if you have not followed the above steps without any confusions.

Now that we have drawn the cut, we need to check whether our cut is proper or not. For this place, the joined edges on some flat place or surface. Now, place the ends of the cut such that they are against each other. Check for any gaps. Preferably there should be no gaps. If you see any gap in the cuts, then the 90 degrees cut cannot be achieved. The gap escalates the error in the cutting. This step will help you to see a small mistake also as a big mistake. So you can quickly notice all the errors here and rectify here itself. This will help you not to go wrong in further steps.

In this step, we learned how to examine the cuts that we have drawn on our workpiece. For the 90 degrees cut, there should be no gaps. If gaps are there, you can always eliminate them before moving to the further steps. This you can do by making another test cut.

As of now, you might have completed with the checking your cut and rectifying all the errors. Now we have to check the bevel as a next step. There are many different types of saws available. If you are having the compound miter saw, then you have to concentrate more on 90 degrees cut. Make sure that the saw is cutting through a proper 90 degrees. The cut should be perpendicular to the table on which you are working. Now, using the joined edges again down the table, cut the two boards.

Use the dimension that is close to your maximum miter saw cut. Now examine your cut using STEP 3. If the cut is not perfect, then make another test cut.
In this step, you can adjust your bevel to get the correct angle alignment. Adjust your saw-bevel such that you get the perfect 90 degrees angle alignment.

This step is very similar to the previous one. Here also you need to use the two joined edges. Place those edges against the fence as you did earlier. Set the saw to 45 degrees. Now, cut the two boards through this. Check your cuts, as mentioned in the previous steps. This will help in perfecting the miter. Now we will move to the next step.

This step is crucial. Because all that matters in a miter saw are the angle. It should be perfectly aligned at 90 degrees. This can be check by this step. You need to hold your miter saw closely and tightly. Place a square to the corner that is inside. The edges should be in full contact with your workpiece. If it coincides with the material perfectly, then it means you are going in the correct direction. We are using a square shape to make sure that we have 90-degree alignment. If you see any dis-alignment of the square with the material, then adjust your cut with little modifications to get 90 degrees.

In this step, we will make a Line-of-cut fence. You will enjoy while performing this step. It makes it easier to place our material precisely on the saw. For this, we need a sacrificial fence. We need to fasten the sacrificial fence to the miter saw fence. You will find some tiny holes in you saw fence. Through these holes, you can drive the screws into your sacrificial fence to fasten it with the saw fence. The ruler that you have in between the saw fence and the sacrificial fence provides some gap. This will be very helpful while collecting the sawdust. So, the dust won’t be building up in the corners. This technique helps you to work continuously without removing the sawdust after every 5 to 10 minutes.

In this step, you need to cut through it when the fence is fastened and screwed to your saw fence.

You have done a great job! Now you have made the positioning of your workpiece on the saw very easy and accurate.  Mark the workpiece with one outline near the edge. Place that line on the place you constructed in the fence. That’s all. You are now ready to get a perfect cut with complete finishing.