Extending Miter Saw Cut

To extend the length of a fixed miter saw cut lay a 1 1/2" thick board on the base under the material to be cut, this will extend the cut on a Delta compound saw by 1".

Up to 24" material can be cut using a sliding model. Make the cut as far as possible (aprox.12"), then unplug the saw. Turn the board over so kerf is facing you, bring blade back and position it in the kerf, clamp material to base, return blade to normal position, plug in the saw and make the second cut.

Trimming Just a Hair

Sometimes you have to cut a board just a little bit shorter, easiest way to do this is to lower the blade all the way down without turning the saw on, push the board against the blade, hold it in that position, raise the blade and make a cut, about 1/64 to 1/32 of an inch will be removed.

Fitting Miters

Two important factors come into play getting miters to fit when making boxes or picture frames.

1. The miters must be cut at exactly 45 degrees.

A square 90 degree corner can be made with any combination of angles that total 90 but only two 45 degree cuts will make a perfect fit.

Figure A shows two perfect 45 degree cuts, the edges of the two sides also line up perfectly.

Figure B shows two different angles that form a perfect 90 degree square corner but the edges of the two boards do not line up on the inside.

2. The two opposite sides must be exactly the same length.

The two opposite sides A and B are different lengths, all the angles are perfect 45 degtee cuts, side C has to be tilted in, as shown in red, to meet side A which results in gaps between both A -C and C-D.

Note: Line B is shown as an exagerated length to illustrate the problem.