I just bought my first miter saw, and I'm curious if it needs to be bolted down for safety when using it. Any thoughts on whether it's a must or if I can safely use it without securing it?
3 Answers
I use my miter saw on a flat workbench and it usually stays in place without problems. It's not the best practice to use it unsecured, but I feel comfortable with it. Just keep in mind that if you have a sliding miter saw, there are more risks involved.
There are stands available that you can attach the saw to, which is a good option. But if you’re careful, you can use it without bolting; I would recommend at least using a clamp to keep it steady.
It's definitely best to bolt it down, especially for safety. If the saw is heavy enough, it might be stable without being secured, but I wouldn't trust a lightweight or cheap one to stay put while cutting.
I'm using a standard 7-inch Ryobi miter saw, and honestly, I don’t see what could go wrong when cutting simple stuff like a 2x4.