My students will be taking a safety test after watching this video. Safety tips and techniques for cutting wood with a miter saw. How to use a sliding compound miter saw safely and effectively.
Thanks for these good safety tips! Also make sure you're using an appropriate gauge extension cord....also my manual says the length stop should not be used on the scrap (right side) of the blade as it can cause the scrap piece to get wedged against the blade and thrown violently. And when making “chop” cuts with a sliding saw it says to push the arm towards the rear most position and tighten the sliding lock knob.
Hi, thanks for the comments! Yes, if you are using this machine, you probably don't have any skinny extension cords. Definitely don't use a length stop on the right side of the blade! The length stop should only be used on the side where your hand is holding it, which 99.9% of the time is the left side. I recommend you bring the saw all the way done in front of the workpiece, then push the saw back through the material for a cleaner cut. If you are just beginning, definitely follow the safety directions that came with your machine until you become more familiar with your equipment.
@@toddrabusin8468 Thanks - it`s my first miter saw and when my wife saw it she said it looked scary and to read the manual first so "you know what the hell you`re doing!" One thing my manual didn't cover is cutting wide boards - ones wider than the listed crosscut capacity. My (sliding) saw has a crosscut capacity of 12" . So does this mean I could cut boards 24" wide by first making a 12" cut and then flipping the board over and doing another 12" cut? Is it safe to do this type of flipping operation? I saw it on some other videos...
@@rodneyspence7441 Hi, sure, that can be done, however you're basically giving up some of the precision that a miter saw offers. I recommend you look into a track saw, even if you just rent it. 24" is pretty wide for a board, is it siding? Plywood, or MDF?
@@toddrabusin8468 Thanks Todd - it was just a general question about whether flipping wide boards is safe or not - for really wide stuff I just use my circular saw….
Hi, thanks for the comment, I agree when teaching beginners, jewelry should be removed! I would be far more concerned on the table saw than the miter saw.
Shout out to my 8.5-fingered shop teacher Mr. Harrison. His emphasis on safety is still ingrained in my brain.
Thanks for these good safety tips! Also make sure you're using an appropriate gauge extension cord....also my manual says the length stop should not be used on the scrap (right side) of the blade as it can cause the scrap piece to get wedged against the blade and thrown violently. And when making “chop” cuts with a sliding saw it says to push the arm towards the rear most position and tighten the sliding lock knob.
Hi, thanks for the comments! Yes, if you are using this machine, you probably don't have any skinny extension cords. Definitely don't use a length stop on the right side of the blade! The length stop should only be used on the side where your hand is holding it, which 99.9% of the time is the left side. I recommend you bring the saw all the way done in front of the workpiece, then push the saw back through the material for a cleaner cut. If you are just beginning, definitely follow the safety directions that came with your machine until you become more familiar with your equipment.
@@toddrabusin8468 Thanks - it`s my first miter saw and when my wife saw it she said it looked scary and to read the manual first so "you know what the hell you`re doing!" One thing my manual didn't cover is cutting wide boards - ones wider than the listed crosscut capacity. My (sliding) saw has a crosscut capacity of 12" . So does this mean I could cut boards 24" wide by first making a 12" cut and then flipping the board over and doing another 12" cut? Is it safe to do this type of flipping operation? I saw it on some other videos...
@@rodneyspence7441 Hi, sure, that can be done, however you're basically giving up some of the precision that a miter saw offers. I recommend you look into a track saw, even if you just rent it. 24" is pretty wide for a board, is it siding? Plywood, or MDF?
@@toddrabusin8468 Thanks Todd - it was just a general question about whether flipping wide boards is safe or not - for really wide stuff I just use my circular saw….
Wish I'd done woodwork in highschool! Never too late to learn though right
no you don’t
Definitely never too late to learn! Let me know if you have any questions.
👍
We don't wear wrist or finger jewelry around power equipment.
Hi, thanks for the comment, I agree when teaching beginners, jewelry should be removed! I would be far more concerned on the table saw than the miter saw.