How to use a Miter Saw to cut larger pieces

[WhereEaglesDare]

Hey, How do I use a 10" miter saw to make cuts 20" long?  The was the saw is unmodified out the box I can only make 6" cuts at a time...   Is there a way to make a rig to go with it to be more fuctional?

[EvilNuff]

Its just a regular miter saw, that is up down?  No rails to slide forward back yes?  You really can't if that's the case.  You can cut a piece, turn off the saw and flip it over and get the other half but if your saw only gets you 6" of cut you wouldn't be able to do the full.  That's what table saws are for.

[WhereEaglesDare]

 

Thats what I figured, I cant afford the sliding ones just yet...  Perhaps I can cut 6, flip it and cut 6 more then use a circular saw and very carefully cut the other 8, using the existing bevel cuts as a guide...  I guess I'll find out the hard way...

...to be continued...

[MriswitH]

FWIW.. When we bought our house we needed to do a lot of renovation (repo home) and we bought a Ryobi table saw from big orange for $100-ish.

I know its an investment, but honestly about the cheapest one we could fine. (And we cut a LOOOOT of hardwood with it!)

[drventure]

Anyone still use radial arm saws?

I suppose you can't cut really large sheets with it like you can with a tablesaw, but if I were cutting sheets that large, I'd probably end up using a circular saw and a guide board.

[MikeDeuce]

but if I were cutting sheets that large, I'd probably end up using a circular saw and a guide board.

+1 = http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=43568.0

Works for miters, even!

[EvilNuff]

A circle saw + sawboard is fantastic you can do all the long cuts you need with just that for a very reasonable price. 

If you do want a table saw you can find them on craigslist pretty cheap...i've seen the small 10" ryobis for $60-80 consistently.  (There are some limitations with the ryobi but meh its cheap and it works.)

I always forget about sawboards despite it being stickied here...try that route for sure.  But I would suggest buying a good quality blade for your circle saw it will make a huge difference.

[WhereEaglesDare]

A circle saw + sawboard is fantastic you can do all the long cuts you need with just that for a very reasonable price. 

If you do want a table saw you can find them on craigslist pretty cheap...i've seen the small 10" ryobis for $60-80 consistently.  (There are some limitations with the ryobi but meh its cheap and it works.)

I always forget about sawboards despite it being stickied here...try that route for sure.  But I would suggest buying a good quality blade for your circle saw it will make a huge difference.

Saw board isnt helping because of the angle...  Guess either the cab need to be more narrow (which i dont know is possible) or I got to spring for a table saw too

Or  could cut the pieces in half then cut the bevel and then put them back together without it looking horrible...

[EvilNuff]

Ahh Did not realize you needed to mitre the cuts as well...  Yeah table saw is what you really need for this.

[drventure]

You should be able to use a sawboard with a mitre cut (assuming you can tilt your skil saw).

Alternately, make the cut straight, then follow it with a router using a 45' mitre bit.

[WhereEaglesDare]

You should be able to use a sawboard with a mitre cut (assuming you can tilt your skil saw).

Alternately, make the cut straight, then follow it with a router using a 45' mitre bit.

Yea I thought of that but I need more of a 23' bezel.  Im just going to have to sell all my old parts and pieces sitting around in my warehouse and get me a good used table saw.

[drventure]

Ah, in that case yeah, that might be your best option. I picked up a Ryobi 10" for 40$ from a guy off CL, so they're definitely out there.

Good luck!

[WhereEaglesDare]

Ah, in that case yeah, that might be your best option. I picked up a Ryobi 10" for 40$ from a guy off CL, so they're definitely out there.

Good luck!

Thanks

[EvilNuff]

Realistically if its just one cut you can just measure carefully and clamp a straight edge down using a circle saw.  Circle saws can cut at an angle you just go through some hassle to get a straight edge to guide them...for example:


That image shows you that even when cutting at an angle circle saws have their base plate flat on the surface.  Just use the edge of a nice board and measure 3 or 4 times before cutting...test the bevel cut out on scrap wood etc.

[WhereEaglesDare]

Okay, I did, the secret it, it's 10 % Prep, 5% Skill, and 85% Patience...  I knew what angle I needed on my miter saw but my circular saw protractor (?) isnt reliable so here is what I did.

I cut a piece of 2x6 and made a stencil with the angle I want.



Then I put the circular saw inside the stencil



and three hours later and four mis-cuts later...

Viola!

[EvilNuff]

Awesome, glad you found a method that works.

[drventure]

Great idea!