A miter saw is a very useful tool to own. It is simple to use and very safe if you follow the instructions well. This tool is used to cut mitered joints as doing it by hand can be tiresome as well as time consuming. At home, you can use it to trim around a large home or even run baseboards. There are two types of miter saws that are the single bevel or double bevel miter saws. Here are a few tips that can help you when using a miter saw at home:
1. Read the instructions carefully. The miter saw comes with an operator’s manual that you should read carefully. Ensure that you are familiar with the tool before using it. Read the safety rules such as you should wear safety glasses and keeping your finger about 6 inches away from the blade. It is also important to ensure that there is adequate electricity for the miter saw. Using the right extension cord is also of utmost importance. Following the instructions will also help you avoid accidents while working.
2. Adequate working area. You can decide to set up a simple workshop at your home as long as you have access to electricity. One can work on the floor or decide to work on the floor while some people prefer to work on a workbench or improvised tables. Choose whichever that you are comfortable with. Get a working table that has an extension so that you can have an easy time when dealing with longer pieces of wood.
3. Know your hook angle. Miter saws have either a positive or negative hook angle. With a shaving cut, the negative hook blades will ease into the wood. The positive hook angles which are above 10 will aggressively attack the wood. Blades with hook angles between 5 and 10 are the best to use. To hold crown holdings at the correct angle, you can build a jig.
4. Size and condition of the blade. Most blades range between 8 and 12 inches. Choosing a blade depends on one’s project. However the longer the blade, the longer the cut. High-performance blades that have a low degree hook angle are used to cut hardwood trees and the cuts are very crisp clean cuts. However, when decking and framing lumber, you can use a blade with 24 to 40 teeth but the cuts will not be clean. The more the teeth, the smoother the cuts will be.
5. Stop before lifting. Once you have finished cutting on your miter saw, you should let the blade finish spinning before lifting it. If you lift the spinning blade, small pieces of wood will be thrown in the air and this is dangerous. The end of the wood you are cutting can also be marred hence scoring it.
When deciding to use the single or double bevel miter saws, you should consider a number of things such as speed, accuracy or precision, as well as the budget. Each has its own pros and cons, therefore, choose the one that best suits you.
