Mitre saws are extremely useful for many home renovation jobs, to get that precise and accurate cut. In this guide, we’ll go over the basics of using a mitre saw for your DIY or commercial building project. We’ll outline the best way to prepare for using the equipment, the different parts of the saw, selecting a blade and much more. After that, we’ll go over methods for proper use as well as some extra tips and tricks to help you achieve the best results.
A mitre saw is a versatile drop-action power tool with lots of different useful applications. Its main use is for accurately cutting timber and other materials that require exact cuts. It is ideal for cutting window trim, door frames and for different kinds of joinery work, and is a less labour intensive way to achieve a short clean cut. The angle adjustment feature of many mitre saws allows for cutting at several different angles which is a huge asset for more complex jobs.
Read on for some insider tips and tricks to using a Mitre Saw!
Before you use the saw, there are several steps to check off to ensure you use the tool safely and effectively. Here we’ve outlined the steps of preparation including learning the parts of the mitre saw, choosing the right blade for your particular job, the equipment you’ll need to use and the appropriate safety gear you’ll need.
With any kind of power tool you use in your DIY or commercial projects, it’s always a good idea to get acquainted with the tools you’re using and how they work. The mitre saw is made up of five key parts.
Though your choice of mitre saw blade isn’t as important as some other saws, we advise using an 80-tooth saw blade or higher for crisp and accurate cross-grain cuts. At Hirepool, most of our mitre saws are fitted with combi blades that can cut wood and aluminium. Our blades are high TPI (teeth per inch) for good finishing cuts and it’s rare that we get requests to change the blade. If you’re unsure as to what blade to use, ask a Hirepool staff member or consult an expert at your local hardware store.
Prior to cutting, make sure you have all the equipment and protective clothing necessary for the job. This includes a ruler, pencil and protective clothing and footwear that is covered and sturdy. It is best to invest in protective earmuffs and eyewear for jobs like this, along with a facemask to avoid inhaling dust that is generated while you cut. Finally, make sure any loose articles on your person such as long hair are tied back or secured.
Once you’ve carried out all the appropriate preparations prior to using the mitre saw, it’s time to start making your cuts. Here we will go over checking your work area, marking your material to ensure an accurate cut, lining up the blade and cutting the material. Step 4 is a more advanced step for those who are ready to move on to angled cuts with the mitre saw.
At every step of the process, make sure your working space is clear and that you are wearing your protective gear at all times to avoid accidents or injury.
Make sure the mitre saw is positioned on a sturdy surface and that there isn’t any unnecessary clutter. Remove any tripping hazards from the floor and make sure there isn’t anyone or anything around to distract you (e.g. kids or flatmates).
Measure and mark up your timber on a workbench or the ground before you’re ready to cut. Use your pencil and ruler as necessary to find the exact cutting line and mark it out. When you are satisfied with the markings, ensure your saw is switched off, then place your timber onto the saw’s cutting area and lower the immobile blade of the saw onto your marking to make sure it’s lined up in the desired spot. Once you’ve done this, raise the blade again before switching the saw on and continue with the next steps.
To make simple cuts as you would with a regular drop saw, keep the mitre saw blade aligned at 90-degrees to your marked cut. Make sure the timber is firmly positioned against the backplate (or ‘back fence’) of the saw. Some mitre saws come with a clamp to ensure the wood doesn't move, if this is the case then use to secure timber.
Now, pull the trigger located on the handle. The blade will begin spinning inside its casing. Slowly lower the saw down towards the timber. As you do, the retracting guard will slide back exposing the blade. Keeping your hands well clear, bring the blade slowly and steadily down through the timber to make your cut. Do not release the mitre saw trigger until the blade is back in the upright position.
To use your mitre saw for cutting your timber at an angle, use the angle adjuster to achieve the desired cut. Once the blade is in position and your timber is marked out, simply carry out the instructions found in step 3 to make your cut.
Now that you’ve learned the basics of making a cut with the mitre saw, here are a few extra pointers to help you get the best results every time. You’ll learn as you go, but it never hurts to have a little extra know-how moving forward!
The only way to get good at using a mitre saw is by doing, and it’s because of this that we recommend trying out your cuts on a few pieces of scrap wood before you start making final cuts on your building project. This will ensure your proficiency before you start and ultimately give you the best results! Practice makes perfect, after all.
For many building projects, exact measurements when cutting your materials are essential to a great final product. To achieve this, you need to take the width of the mitre saw blade into account - instead of cutting straight down the middle of the marked line, align your cut to be just outside the line. This will mean you’re left with exactly the cut that you marked out, without sawing off more than you intended.
As with all power tools, mitre saws change depending on which brand you end up with and the functionality of any given saw that you end up using. As a result, we advise that you have Hirepool staff walk you though operating procedures on the particular saw you’re using before you start the job, ensuring you’ll get the best results with the skills you learned here. It’s possible to make errors with equipment you’re not used to, so be sure to read up on the instruction manual before you begin.
There are several tangible benefits to hiring a mitre saw, as opposed to buying one new. These include a much more affordable immediate cost, better reliability, more versatility and no storage worries.
A key benefit to hiring over buying one new from a home improvement store is the upfront cost. This is usually the case if you don’t need to use a mitre saw all that often. If you buy one, you’ll have to use it many times over to see a return on that large initial investment.
The reliability of hire gear is vastly superior to what you’d get when simply borrowing from a friend. Saws for hire are perfectly sharpened and fine-tuned by trained staff, which means it’s very unlikely you’ll have to deal with faulty equipment. The hire brands are purchased with thorough industry research and experience in mind, saving you having to do the homework before making a decision. This way, you can get your project done quickly and without issues. Returning the saw afterwards means that there are no worries about where to store it. This is an important thing to note for those who are short on space in their home or workshop.
Need a mitre saw? Hirepool can help! Choose from our wide range of saws and power tools, we have everything you need for your project. We’re nationwide, and always happy to help when you call us or drop into your local branch. Get advice, browse our stock and hire the perfect tool for your DIY or commercial building jobs. We’re trusted by hundreds of tradies and homeowners across New Zealand. Get in touch now to discuss your options on 0800 151515.
