We explain in detail how to use a mitre saw. Before we begin, please remember, that any type of power saw is a very dangerous tool. Always be very careful when using them as they can cause really serious injuries.
A mitre saw is a very useful tool to own as it can do straight cuts, mitre cuts, bevel cuts and also compound cuts. That makes it very versatile for a whole range of DIY tasks around the home, and also for professional woodworkers and trades.
By owning your own mitre saw, you now have the capability of being able to do a huge number of tasks. In woodworking, a mitre joint is classed as one of the basic joints, and is used in many work tasks such as framing, or types of internal facing and external facing work. It can also be used for skirting boards, coving etc.
Rather than always having to use basic butt end joints, you can now make neat mitre joints. Let’s have a look at the basics of using one of these machines. The video below is a great place to start as you can get a very good understanding of what a mitre saw looks like and what it can be used for.
What is a Mitre Saw used for?
If you are someone who will be doing either Home Improvement of Home Repair tasks, then this saw is ideal for just that purpose. For those of us who are into working a lot with wood then this makes a great addition to a table saw or a band saw and helps complete our workshop.
A mitre saw is also really useful for cutting wood, conduit, plastic pipes, plastic guttering and believe me you will find many other uses for this. There are some great useful DIY tasks and bigger projects that you can take on. These include fitting trims or beading, skirting boards, coving and making frames. We will list a few of these below.
Mitre Saw Sizes
Mitre saw come in different sizes. These range in the UK from 165mm and up to 305mm (8″ to 12″ blades) This is what determines the depth of cut that they can do. For example a 216mm saw has a maximum cutting depth of 62 mm. This is calculated by the diameter of the blade, minus the bore size, (the hole in the middle) and then dividing by 2. In reality less than half the diameter of the blade actually does the cutting.
Smaller sized mitre saws are lighter and easier to use and ideal for framing or hobby work. Larger mitre saws are better for skirting or heavier cutting such as 4 x 4 posts.
Electric or Cordless
Your mitre saw will either be electric or cordless. If it is electric, then there will be an electrical lead that you have to plug into the main’s electricity supply (240V in the UK). If it is cordless, it will operate off a Lithium-Ion battery which will need to be charged and then attached to the saw. With the electric version you will always need a power supply and you also have to be careful when using because of the trailing lead. With the cordless mitre saw, there is no hazard with a trailing lead, but you will need to make sure the battery is charged before use.
Standard or Compound Saw
This can get confusing for some first time buyers who are new to mitre saws. There are 2 types of mitre saw on the UK market, standard and compound:
- Standard Mitre Saw – this model can make cross cuts which are just straight cuts or angled cuts which are known as mitre cuts (typically a 45 degree angle) but can do a variety of angled cuts.
- Compound Mitre Saw – this model can do the same as the one above but can also do bevel cuts. That is because it can tilt to one side (single bevel), and the slightly better version allows you to tilt on either side (left or right and known as dual bevel) So, when you see the word “compound” it means the saw can make angled bevel cuts, typically used to round the edge of tables and furniture.
Sliding Mitre Saw
The other key difference in mitre saws is do they slide or not? Many mitre saws simply are called fixed mitre saws. That simply means they cut straight down using what is called a plunge cut. However, you will need a sliding mitre saw if you want to cut larger and wider work pieces. With these the blade slides out on rails giving you a much larger cutting width.
Important parts of a a Mitre Saw
- The blade – used for cutting and you can get different sizes, different thicknesses, different number of teeth per inch (TPI), various bore sizes, and blades for various materials
- The blade guard – Designed to protect the blade, and more importantly to protect you. It should never be removed. It automatically lifts up when you pull the mitre saw handle down.
- The fence – this is used to keep the material straight and flush
- Mitre gauge – this is where you can set the desired angle that you want to cut. The gauge is on the table of the saw and can be moved either with a knob or a lever. Most mitre saws have what are called “stops”. These are set at the most popular angles such as 30, 45, 60 and 90 degrees. However you can also manually set the gauge to whatever angle you need.
- Bevel Gauge – If you own a compound mitre saw, the bevel gauge sits under the table and allows you to tilt the saw to the right angle. As mentioned earlier, this may tilt one way or both ways. Both ways is much better for beginners.
- Handle and trigger – this is where you hold the saw to make the cut and the trigger is depressed to start the saw.
How to cut 45 degree angles with a Mitre Saw
The main reason people buy a mitre saw is that it will allow them to cut 45 degree angles with high precision. There are a few methods to cut this angle, but the mitre saw is by far the most accurate and easiest option. This angle is used to make frames, such as picture frames by joining two pieces, with each one cut at 45 degrees to make a perfect 90 degree corner.
Every mitre saw has stops on the base or deck, where you can rotate the blade around, in this case to a 45 degree angle. Once it reaches the 45 degree stop the base clicks into place and locks. You can then insert the material and start to make your cut quickly and cleanly.
How to use a Mitre Saw to cut Skirting
This is probably one of the most popular home improvement tasks. This is especially true if you are replacing old skirtings, or want to have a different style of skirting, or even a different size.
Our main tip here would be that if you are going to be doing a lot of skirting, then you should also get a mitre stand.
These boards can be quite long and they need to be supported. If you have someone to hold them for you that is great, but if not you would really need to have a stand. If you would like to find out more on how to do skirting with your saw, then click here.
Mitre saws are the perfect saw for doing this type of skirting work.
Using a Mitre Box for Crown Mouldings
Along with skirting boards, then doing coving on ceilings is one task where a mitre saw really comes into its own.
If you have ever tried to fit these, then you know how tricky that can be.
However, with a few tips and tricks, we can help show how to make that task a great deal easier.
Again, having a coving or cornice jig makes this even easier, but not absolutely necessary.
Working Safely with a Mitre Saw
Power tools are not something that you ever want to mess around with. Power saws in particular, can within seconds, cause serious damage and they need to be treated with care. A sharp blade spinning at 4000 rpm will take care of most things placed under it.
Using a mitre saw will help you make a whole range of joints. Always remember though that these power saws do have fast spinning blades, and you do need to exercise a lot of care. If you have the saw secured to either a bench or on a mitre saw stand, then that is a great start.
When doing the actual cuts, just make sure you have good lighting, and that your work space is clear. Measure twice and cut once and that will help avoid mistakes.
Mitre Saw Tips & Tricks
Not everyone will need a mitre saw and there are plenty of cheaper alternatives. You really only need one of these if you are working on a project or task that means you have to make a large number of mitre joints. Typically these are used for making frames, doing skirting boards, beading, or bevels.
Tip 1 – Check the blade to fence angle
The first thing you should do is check the angle of the blade to the fence of the saw. When manufacturers make and test their saws, it is done in a factory setting, and it will be very accurate. However, they do have to be transported between factories, warehouses and retail outlets and this can cause the fence/blade to change. The ideal fence to blade angle needs to be exactly 90 degrees.
Even if this is out by 1 degree it can make a huge difference to the accuracy of all your cuts. This is best done using a square to make sure it is perfectly aligned.
Tip 2 – Use old wood to test
Always use scrap wood when starting out as that will help you get used to the power of the saw. It will also let you get some experience in cutting the various angles. When cutting the actual wood you want to use, you don’t want mistakes as that can get costly. It also dents your confidence and that is never a good thing. Buy a cheap piece of wood or use any scrap wood you have to make a few cuts and see how the saw performs.
Tip 3 – Make sure to buy the right type of saw
Remember you only need a mitre saw to cut angles. If you are only going to be doing straight cuts, then a normal hand saw, circular saw, etc will be able to do that, and they are so much cheaper. A mitre saw is a big investment, and it is only required for doing mitres or bevels.
Tip 4 – Standard or Sliding
This is the biggest mistake that new buyers make. The size of the saw is the most important thing to consider. If you are cutting frames a basic mitre saw is ideal because the sizes of frame wood are small. However, if you are cutting thicker wood such as fence posts, then you will need one with a much bigger blade.
Likewise, if you want to be bale to mitre large work pieces, then most likely you will need a sliding mitre saw. Always consider what you will be using the saw for before buying to avoid purchasing the wrong type of mitre saw.
Mitre Saw FAQ
Can beginners use a mitre saw?
Beginners can use a mitre saw, but they do need some practise. We would highly recommend watching a few videos on YouTube and there are plenty of good ones. Make sure the saw is setup correctly and always follow the safety instructions as these are dangerous saws. Practice on old wood before starting your main project just to get used to the cutting ability of your new saw.
How do you cut an angle with a mitre saw?
Cutting angles is what mitre saws are designed to do. That really is the easy part. Most mitre angles are 45 degrees. You simply swivel the base around to the 45 degree mark and it will click into place. From there you can make your cut. The hardest part is making sure that the angle you need is actually 45 degrees.
In many houses the walls are not even and that causes problems if you are fitting skirting boards. The angle could be out a few degrees either way so your cut will need to be slightly adjusted. You will need something like a protractor to check the exact angle.
What to avoid when using a mitre saw?
Any power saw is dangerous as it involves a very sharp blade moving at incredible speeds. Always be alert when using one of these and avoid loose cuffs, and wear appropriate safety items such as a dust mask and safety goggles. If it is an electric version be sure the electrical lead is well away from the blade. Always wait for the blade to stop turning before touching your workpiece. Take your time and don’t try to rush when using nay type of power saw.
Why do you need a mitre saw?
You really only need one of these if you plan on making a lot of mitre cuts, such as fitting new skirting, or making a lot of frames. There are plenty of cheaper alternatives available for other types of wood cuts.