How To Square A Miter Saw [ Easy Adjustment Tricks ]

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How To Square A Miter Saw

Normally, your miter saw will be made to make accurate cuts. Nevertheless, the alignment of the miter saw will be knocked off due to continued use or transportation from one place to another. So, what should you do in such a case? Does it mean that you will need to buy a new miter saw? Of course not.

We have the solution for you, and we shall be exploring how to square a miter saw in this article.

So, let’s get started.

How To Square A Miter Saw Easily

Step One: Clean the Saw

You’ll first have to clean the saw and get rid of the sawdust or other particles. Usually, the debris in the saw will limit the aligning process of the saw. Possibly, the pieces of debris could be the cause of misalignment in the miter saw.

To clean the miter saw, you can use an air compressor that has an air nozzle on the end of the hose. This should help you blow away the sawdust completely from the miter saw. A shop vac should also do the trick here.

After that, use a clean cotton cloth to wipe down the whole miter saw unit. Ensure to get rid of any pitch buildup when you’re cleaning the saw.

Step Two: Check the Blade

It’s advised to check the blade first before you square or align the miter saw. If the blade is not clean, ensure that you clean it accordingly and sharpen it if it is blunt. You can use the necessary cleaners to get rid of the pitch buildups on the blade.

Replace the blade if it is broken or warped. A warped or broken blade could affect the alignment process.

Step Three: Align the Table

Most people set their miter saws on a working saw table. Normally, the table will not be misaligned easily. However, constant usage can force it to go out of alignment in the long run. Adjusting it will help to better the miter saw results.

To align it, place a straight edge on the table and check out it is measuring up. If the edge is off, you may need to replace that section of wood. Alternatively, you can add a small wedge to create a leveled surface. Still, you can use your naked eyes to check for gaps. However, this won’t bear accurate results.

Step Four: Aligns the Fence

Once you set up the table, you’ll need to ensure that the fence is well aligned. Normally, you will find the fence at the back edge of the table. This part is used to support long materials as you cut them with the miter saw. Use a straight edge to check if the fence needs to be aligned. Simply place the straight edge along the length of the fence and check for spots that aren’t squared as needed.

In case the fence is not perfectly squared, unscrew the screw that holds it and adjust the fence until it is perfectly squared. Ensure that you square both sides of the fence individually for them to be in the same alignment.

Step Five: Aligning the Miter Angle

When squaring the miter saw angle, you’ll first need to set the bevel angle of the blade to 0 degrees. The miter angle must also be set at 0 degrees during the alignment. Here, the miter must square with the fence as well. To ensure this, you can place a rafter layout square or a combination square on the table.

Check that one edge of the square rests against the front edge of the fence. Front here, lower the miter saw gradually to the lowest position of the blade. You should then slide the square to the side edge of the blade.

Here, ensure that one edge of the square is against the blade side, while the other edge rests against the fence. Also, check if the gaps between the fence and the blade are even. Suppose there is an uneven gap, you will need to loosen the miter and tighten the knob accordingly.

The fence and blade must be square to each other, and adjusting the miter angle accordingly will help to assure you of this.

Step Six: Adjusting the Bevel Angle

The bevel angle must only bevel 45 degrees to the left and to the right. To check if this is the case, simply put the table and the 0-degree angle at a square with each other.

Start by placing the square on the edge with one edge facing upwards from the table. The other edge should be lying flat on the table. From here, bring down the blade of the saw gradually with the blade guard raised.

After that, bring down the square in the direction of the blade until the edge and the blade are perfectly aligned to each other. If there is any gap between the blade and the square, simply turn the bevel adjustment knob to loosen it and close the gap as needed.

Step Seven: Test the Saw for Accuracy

Once everything is squared and adjusted, you will have to test the miter saw for accuracy. There is nothing too complicated at this point. Simply turn on the saw, and make crosscuts at 0 degrees. If the cuts are accurate, then the saw is perfectly squared and aligned. You can check the cut accuracy with a level or a square.

Suppose the cuts aren’t accurate, you will have to start the process all over again. You can also watch the video to learn more.

Final Words

I’m sure, now you know how to square a miter saw. As you square the miter saw, ensure that it is unplugged from the power source. It is not just about switching off the saw because there will be some electrical current running through the saw if it is plugged into the power source. That is why you need to unplug it completely from the outlet for your safety.

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