I'm currently finishing up a course by Steve Ramsey, and I'm working on a coffee table with a plywood top framed by 1x4's using 45-degree miters. The dimensions of the table are approximately 22" by 49". I've found that even tiny imperfections in long boards really stand out, which makes precise miters crucial. I started off using my miter saw, but I struggled with controlling the miter angle accurately, so I switched to my table saw with an INCRA miter gauge. This setup works for shorter pieces, but for the long ones, I had to clamp them to the gauge to avoid binding during the cut. While I've come across some videos about making a 45-degree miter sled, I don't think that will solve my clamping issue. Should I invest in a better miter saw for finer angle adjustments, or is there a better method for cutting these long miters? I currently own a basic Ryobi miter saw, and it's just okay.
3 Answers
Many folks recommend using a table saw rather than a miter saw for long boards since it can handle more versatility. If the miter saw doesn’t feel right, try using a reference for adjusting your miter angle. It might help with those tiny imperfections. Just remember to go slow!
Have you thought about building a shooting board? It’s a great way to get those angles spot on. You can start with the miter saw to get it close, then refine it with the shooting board for that perfect fit.
A better saw blade might be what you need instead of a new saw. Sometimes the blade's quality can lead to more precise cuts. Also, what do you mean by not having fine control? If you're pulling the blade too quickly, that can mess with accuracy too!
I see what you mean! Having a better blade can definitely help with accuracy. Sometimes the blade can affect stability too. I had a similar problem at first, and upgrading made all the difference.
Yeah, I've had to learn to adjust slowly. My cheap saw isn't great at holding angles either. I can relate to the struggle!