Do these 5 things to make your miter saw better

Summary

This video shares five tips to enhance miter saw performance, including replacing the throat plate, using a hold down stick for safety, adding a zero clearance jig for cleaner cuts, ensuring proper setup and blade quality, and improving dust collection with a cyclone, iVac switch, and dust shroud.

Takeaways

• 🔧 Miter saws are useful for cross cutting boards but can be loud and dusty, often resulting in less than perfect cuts.
• 🛠️ Replacing the throat plate with a zero clearance throat plate or adding zero clearance tape can significantly improve cut quality and reduce tearout.
• 🔗 Using a hold down stick, either homemade or purchased, is a safer way to cut small pieces and keep fingers away from the blade.
• 📐 Adding a temporary zero clearance jig can make cuts safer, cleaner, and more accurate by providing additional support to the workpiece.
• 📚 Ensuring that the fence is square to the blade and the blade is square to the table is crucial for accurate cuts right out of the box.
• 🔪 Upgrading to a good crosscut blade with 60 to 100 teeth can result in cleaner cuts.
• 🏗️ Creating adequate support around the miter saw, such as a miter saw station or a stand, is essential for safety and ease of use.
• 💨 Dust collection is vital when using a miter saw, and connecting a shop vac or dust extractor to the saw’s dust port can be more effective than using the provided bag.
• 🔌 Automating dust collection with an iVac switch can make the process more convenient and consistent, ensuring the shop vac turns on and off automatically with the miter saw.
• 🏚️ Building a dust shroud or hood around the miter saw can further contain dust and improve air quality in the workspace.
• 👍 Implementing these tips can lead to better results with a miter saw, making the process safer, cleaner, and more precise.

Q & A

What are the main issues with using a miter saw?

Miter saws can be loud, dusty, and may not always produce the finest quality cut due to tearout on the bottom side of the board.

Why should you replace the throat plate on your miter saw?

The throat plate with a wide slot can cause tearout on your cuts because the board isn't fully supported on the bottom side.

What are the two options to fix the issue with the throat plate?

You can either remove the existing insert and custom build a zero clearance throat plate, or simply add zero clearance tape to the throat plate.

How does zero clearance tape improve your miter saw cuts?

Zero clearance tape provides better support for the board, resulting in cleaner cuts with minimal tearout and preventing small cut-offs from falling into the crack.

What is a hold down stick and how does it help with miter saw safety?

A hold down stick is a tool that allows you to safely hold down a small piece of wood while keeping your fingers at a safe distance from the blade, making cuts safer.

Why is it important to use a temporary zero clearance jig when cutting small pieces?

A temporary zero clearance jig helps make cuts safer, cleaner, and more accurate by providing support at the back of the workpiece and reducing the risk of kickback.

What basic adjustments should you make to your miter saw right out of the box?

You should ensure that the fence is square to the blade, the blade is square to the table, and upgrade the blade to a decent crosscut blade.

Why is it recommended to create adequate support around the miter saw?

Adequate support helps prevent the lumber from falling or catching on the spinning blade, which can cause kickback or other dangerous situations.

How can you improve dust collection on your miter saw?

You can connect a shop vac or dust extractor to the saw’s dust port, use a cyclone to separate sawdust, and automate your dust collection with an iVac switch.

What is the purpose of a dust shroud or hood for a miter saw?

A dust shroud or hood helps contain any dust that isn’t caught by your dust collection system, reducing airborne sawdust and improving air quality in your workspace.

How does the iVac switch help with dust collection?

The iVac switch automatically turns on the shop vac when you start the miter saw and keeps it running for a few seconds after you finish cutting to clear out the sawdust, then automatically stops.