If you’re not sure how to make miter cuts on a standard table saw, there are several tricks to get you started. Before cutting, be sure your material is flat against the fence and square to the table. You can also use a feather board to account for warping. After cutting one side, turn the material to cut the other. This step is critical for achieving the perfect miter.
Using a stop block
When making a miter cut on a table saw, it’s helpful to use a stop block to trap the cutoff piece between the blade and the stop block. Without the block, the blade can raise and snag the piece of wood, which can be noisy and scary. But the stop block makes the cut much faster and ensures that the cut is accurate.
Using a stop block is very useful when making repetitive cuts. When using the stop block, you can set it up to make the miter cut faster. You can also buy stop blocks made of wood that can be used in conjunction with a t-track system. These work well, but they do have some drawbacks. First, they can collect sawdust at the top of the block.
Using a sled
To create a sled for your table saw, first cut the base piece of wood halfway through. You don’t want to cut through the entire board, as this will make your miter sled useless. After cutting halfway through, align the sled with the 45-degree line on the speed square. Screw the base piece to the miter sled. Now, fit any thick wood into the base using screws from the bottom. When you’re finished, make a miter cut of the remaining excess wood at a 45-degree angle.
You can buy a metal or wood miter bar at any woodworking supply store. The main advantage of metal miter bars is that they’re very sturdy and will not break. You’ll want to be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the bar stays securely fastened to the saw. Once attached, attach the runner using 3/4-inch screws.
Checking blade alignment
Before you begin to make a miter cut, you must make sure that the blade is correctly aligned. The blade is only so wide, so you’ll want to use a straight edge to measure the distance from the straight edge to the miter slot in the table’s surface. The straight edge should be centered across the width of the blade, but it should not rest on the carbide teeth. You can also use a screwdriver handle to make fine adjustments.
Depending on your table saw, you may need to remove the blade to check the alignment. To do this, first mark the back tooth of the miter slot, then measure from that point to the tooth on the right miter gauge. Next, loosen the three table-mounting bolts. You can use a mallet or block of wood to tap the table into alignment. Make sure the blade box is parallel to the rip fence.
Using a miter gauge
Before making a miter cut, make sure the table saw blade is at a precise height. Set the mitre gauge and clamp it securely, then move the wood through the blade. Hold the mitre gauge so that it is positioned at the angle you want. You may also want to apply paste wax to lubricate the mitre track, but it should not be visible. Lastly, calibrate the saw to the correct angle. Set the blade to slightly higher than the thickness of the wood you plan to cut. In addition, adjust the mitre gauge to zero degrees before making your first cut.
A miter gauge has a positive stop on one side that allows you to set it at 90 degrees. You can also use a framing square with a scale on the inside edge of each leg. Set the miter gauge to the right angle by adjusting the positive stop to set the distance between the two points. The miter gauge should then be held in the miter slot, with the 10″ mark on the outside edge.
Fixing gaps in miter joints
If you have an asymmetrical corner, one way to fix it is to add a small piece of wood filler. This is ideal for large gaps that don’t have the same width. Before you glue the new piece, you must sand the unattached corner edge before connecting it to the lumber. Then, use wood glue to hold the filler in place. This will prevent it from slipping.
You can fix the gap with a metal tool, but be careful. You don’t want to make the gap larger than necessary. Use gentle, firm pressure while filling the gap. You can also apply glue or saw dust to the gap to hide it. If you are unable to fill the gap with wood glue, you can also fill it with sawdust. If this does not work, use a metal tool to push the wood back together.
