Do these 5 things to make your miter saw better

DIY Montreal
13 Jul 202411:02

Summary

TLDRThis 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.

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Related Tags
Miter SawWoodworkingDIYTool TipsCutting TechniquesDust CollectionSafety MeasuresZero ClearanceCutting JigWorkshop Upgrades