Accurate miter saw cut

AndrewSmithCanada | Posted in General Discussion on May 1, 2020 09:20pm

I was watching Ed Pirnik’s “Not-So-Big Workbench” videos and in one of them he needed to cut some wood to length and make sure it’s perfectly square.

He did some of the parts on the table saw (which I guess can be made to work if you have the time to fiddle with the adjustment) and the longer parts on the… miter saw!?

Have I just been unlucky? I have never in my life seen (or until now heard of) a miter saw that will make perfecty square cuts. I must have spent literally days trying to adjust mine, and came to the conclusion that it’s impossible. I would need infinite time and patience to adjust it, add a straght sacrificial fence (cause the one on the saw is not straight), and never change the angles again.

Has anyone here had a different experience? Or is it that my definition of “perfectly square” too anal compared to Ed’s?

Cheers.

Replies

gulfstar | May 01, 2020 10:32pm | #1
I have a very basic miter saw and it cuts square and 45 degrees perfectly, maybe your blade is dull.
rob_ss | May 02, 2020 01:06am | #2
There is a big difference between cheap mitre saws, where there will be significant play in the bearings and a good one.
I use a 12 inch deWalt saw and for USD500 more than the Black and Decker or Bosch, you do get accurate cuts. Every time. Spot on.

If your saw is not rock solid then perfection is unattainable.
AndrewSmithCanada | May 02, 2020 02:51am | #3
Ah, I guess it's a case of "you get what you pay for". I've got a 12" Ridgid SCMS. It wasn't cheap but it definitely isn't a top-end tool.
mrossk | May 02, 2020 09:20am | #4
If your blade is not sharp it will deflect significantly in the cut. Also, try using a few pieces of tape to shim the cut. A lot faster than the often crude adjustment mechanisms on these saws.
john_c2 | May 02, 2020 11:32am | #5
Ridgid makes a decent tool. It should certainly be capable of 90 degree cuts.
paul_ruud | May 02, 2020 05:39pm | #6
What a coincidence. My DeWalt miter saw has delivered 90 degree cuts reliably ever since I got it, until this week. Now I have to adjust it back. Or maybe check my blade. Thanks for that suggestion!
DRBWWing | May 04, 2020 10:53am | #7
The Rigid should be a pretty good saw.

Have you check for play in the guide rails?

Also, check the blade for runout.