I've just got myself a 7.25 inch Kobalt Miter Saw to help with trim work until I can invest in a better model. Although I have some experience as a trim carpenter, I'm quite new to woodworking and typically used a circular saw and jigs before this. Now, as I'm aiming for more precision in my measurements to build furniture, I'm facing a problem: my miter saw isn't cutting consistent 45-degree angles all the way through. While I can manage precise cuts for framing, my miter joints aren't right compared to when I use a circular saw. I suspect the saw might have been bumped around a bit while waiting for my tonneau cover in the cab with my tools, but everything looks fine visually. I'm looking for tips on how to improve my miter joints – what am I missing? I've tried pulling the saw to the left and right during the cut, but I still see slight gaps in my joints. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
3 Answers
It sounds like you might need to calibrate your saw! Have you checked to ensure the arbor nut is tight? Sometimes those little adjustments make a big difference. Also, if you're not sure about calibrating, I can help walk you through that process!
Definitely check the calibration. Miter saws tend to be designed for carpentry tasks rather than fine woodworking, which might be why you're not getting the precision you want. If it's a sliding miter saw, that can complicate things when cutting wider boards. The sliding action can lead to less accuracy if any pressure is applied, so if you can avoid using the sliding feature, it might help. I’ve found that making a shallow cut first can sometimes improve accuracy, allowing for a cleaner cut when you go deeper. It might sound odd, but it works for some of us!
Thanks for the suggestions! I’ll give that a try.
It could be from the wood shifting or the blade flexing under pressure. Try slowing your feed rate and holding your workpiece tighter. That might help avoid the gaps you’re seeing in your cuts!
I haven't calibrated it yet, but I did take some time to square the blade in one direction. How do I properly calibrate my miter saw?