MITER SAW

The miter saw (MS) is used for cross-cutting longboards or beams. It can make straight or angled cuts.

This miter saw is a compound miter saw. Cuts can be angled relative to the front and back of the saw (mitered), and also relative to the horizontal (beveled).

This miter saw is actually a sliding miter saw. The blade slides back and forth, to cut wider boards than the diameter of the blade itself will allow.

Safety Reminders

If used incorrectly, this is the most dangerous machine in the shop. It has a strong motor that spins a large blade; the blade is designed to cut the workpiece, but, under certain conditions, can accelerate the workpiece instead. When this happens, three things can go wrong: it can throw the workpiece (or a part of it) towards you at very high speed; it can pull the workpiece and anything gripping it into the blade; and, it can remove the workpiece from the area, which is a problem if the workpiece was the only thing preventing your hands from moving into the blade. This phenomenon is called a kickback.

Kickback happens instantaneously (in terms of human reaction time). It is completely preventable if you follow the tips below: kickback on the miter saw is not a danger under proper operation. The danger is because people don’t have everyday experience or intuitions about blades that spin with the speed and force of a miter saw blade.

1. Let the saw come to a stop before raising it.
2. Don’t power on the saw while it is in contact with the workpiece.
3. Never clamp the workpiece at both ends.
4. The saw will pull the workpiece away from you (towards the wall), and downwards. It should already be as far as possible in both directions (against the bed and fence).