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How To Use a Power Miter Saw (page 2 of 3)

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How To Use a Power Miter Saw: Adjust the Angle For a Perfect Miter

A friend once complained to me that miters cut on his power miter saw didn’t fit, and he wondered if something was wrong with the saw. I explained that miters often don’t fit on the first try, but that he could make them fit by adjusting the angle slightly, as little as 1/4 degree, and slicing off tiny slivers of wood. If the backsides of miters touch, leaving a gap in the front, you can fix it in either of two ways. If you own a compound miter saw, leave the angle setting the same but tilt the saw 1 or 2 degrees and recut the miter, removing just a little from the backside. If your saw doesn’t tilt, slide a carpenter’s pencil or sliver of wood under the workpiece to tilt it up in relation to the blade. With practice, you’ll be able to look at a joint and gauge where to remove wood to tighten the fit.

Build a Jig To Hold Crowns And Coves
Some trim pieces, like crown, cove and bed moldings, sit at an angle to the wall or ceiling. To cut these, I like to imagine the bed of the saw as the ceiling and the fence as the wall, and position the molding that way. Then you’ll cut the miters like any other trim, without having to make a compound miter. Build a jig to ensure the molding is held at a consistent angle each time.

Miter Saw Safety
Power miter saws are simple to use and safe if you follow the precautions and instructions included. Take time to read and understand them. Here are a few of the most important safety precautions:

• Unplug the saw when you’re changing the blade or not using it.

• Keep your fingers at least 6 in. from the path of the blade. Some saws have lines to indicate the danger zone.

• Wear safety glasses and hearing protection when you’re operating the saw.

• Don’t reach under the blade while it’s spinning.

• Let the blade come to a complete stop at the end of each cut before lifting it.

• • Tools
• Home Repair

• Step-by-Step Pictures and Instructions To Use a Power Miter Saw
• Cut trim and moldings for precise, tight-fitting joints. Read an overview of how to use a power miter saw.
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• 6 DIY Tips for Perfect Trim on Doors, Windows, and Base Moldings
• Tricks for getting tight-fitting joints on door and window casing and base moldings.
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• How To Cope Tight Joints
• Make molding, even in complex inside corners, fit perfectly with a coping saw.
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• Interior Trim Basics
• Pro tips for trimming a door, casing a window and installing a three-piece baseboard with molding tight miters.
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