I bought a sliding compound miter saw to cut laminate flooring. I have experience with power tools, but not a miter saw. I've read the manual and will get used to operating it before plugging it in, but wondered if anyone has any useful tips regarding use of the saw (and laying easy-clic flooring). Thanks!
2006-08-12 15:24:39 · 10 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
Everyone seems to be giving you safety tips but I will try to give you a few helpful tips
1. when cutting a pencil mark cut it bigger then move the piece closer until you cut the mark.
2. after you make your cut leave the wood in place and the saw blade down until the blade stops spinning
3. If making multiple cuts of the same length you can nail a stop block or some other sort of stopper making it easier. Measure once cut twenty times.
4 when cutting your piece start close to you and push toward the back to make the cut.
5 when cutting a thick piece of material make your cuts in layers don't cut all the way through, make several passes.
6 a dull blade causes chipping of the material.
I could go on and on, when you start working with the saw you will find your own tricks of the trade.
Good Luck
Moskie 257
2006-08-12 18:44:30 · answer #1 · answered by moskie257 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
1
2016-05-03 00:27:16 · answer #2 · answered by Ernie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hahahaha... I like "oldtimer" 's answer...
"With the saw UNPLUGGED practice gripping the handle properly and firmly, bringing the blade down at full speed to the work (without any actual work in place), PRACTICE until you feel comfortable with the procedure." --- Youre going to practice using the saw at full speed... while it's unplugged! lol
Ok... there are some good tips already mentioned here... wear eye protection... I wouldnt say hearing protection is optional... Ive worked around this equipment for years... you want to see how much of an impact a single hour of using the saw will have on your hearing? Wear an ear plug in only one ear.... when you take it out, there will be a noticable difference in your hearing. Wear ear protection!
Put the saw at a comfortable height! put it on a counter, on a folding ladder, something... but get it where it is easy to use! (Avoid using a GFCI outlet, lol)
Spread some plastic out to set the saw on... it'll help with clean up later, hehehe.
If possible, use a carbide tipped blade, at least 40 tooth, for laminate work. (60, if using a table saw)
Hold the workpiece firmly against the base and back of the saw...if necessary, use clamps.
Set up braces so the workpiece is supported evenly across the saw. You don't want it to 'arch' where you're about to cut. You want the piece to be level all the way across.
Now.. .there are mitre saws, and ther are sliding mitre saws.... when using a sliding mitre saw.. you need to be aware of the fact that the blade will want to 'pull' thru the work piece.
Working on flooring, you really shouldnt need the 'compound' mitre action... if you intend to mitre any boards, then you should consider a router table with the appropriately shaped bit, to splice the two pieces together....
If this flooring is going over concrete.. PUT DOWN A VAPOR BARRIER...6 mil plastic sheeting will work just fine... but the foam backing that may or may not be provided with the flooring is NOT vapor barrier! I know laminate flooring companies are getting a lot of resale business because people arent putting down a vapor barrier when they need to!
And like so many others have mentioned here.. lol... keep your fingers out of the blade.
Take it slow...don't get in a hurry... when people rush...they make mistakes....sometimes nasty ones.
Have Fun!
2006-08-12 20:54:31 · answer #3 · answered by thewrangler_sw 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your best reference would be the manufacturer's literature that came with the saw. They are the ones who would know their product best. I have had at least 5 miter saws and I did have a Dewalt Slider twice that was both stolen. Since they are quite heavy to move around. makes sure you check its squareness all the time prior to use. Again the manual will tell you how to do this best. Also, nothing will beat a saw with new blades. By the way, I don't use slider saw anymore for my laminate wood projects. I use a "magnum Shear" that cuts with no dust while you are in the middle of the room you are working on. Good luck!!!
2006-08-12 16:14:05 · answer #4 · answered by BOBBY 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Safe, yes, advisable, no. I would like a surface under the chop saw (what we call electric mitre saws) so I ensure the surface below is flat and no rocks and grass get into the blade. Whenever you use a saw, you have to account for what is under the blade too. In this case, chop saws chop -- so there is some of the blasde running underneath what you see as the platform. You really do not want any encounter, freakish or not, between the blade and a rock, so take care of this issue well ... it'll ruin the blade, and that puppy is expensive (not to mention where the rock will land when it flies).
2016-03-16 21:47:15 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First wear EYE PROTECTION, ear protection is optional. DO NOT WEAR GLOVES OF ANY KIND AT ALL.
With the saw UNPLUGGED practice keeping the hand you use to hold the work out of the way of the saw blade.
With the saw UNPLUGGED practice gripping the handle properly and firmly, bringing the blade down at full speed to the work (without any actual work in place), PRACTICE until you feel comfortable with the procedure.
KEEP YOUR SURROUNDING AREA CLEAN of all obstructions.
Make sure your work is not able to get away from you when you actually TURN THE SAW ON.
Start with a medium size piece ( about 18" or so) be very careful with smaller pieces until you grasp the skill of using this tool, don't be terrified of the tool just go slowly at first until you feel at home with it.
In no time at all you'll master this great tool.
2006-08-12 15:44:38 · answer #6 · answered by oldtimer 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you take some scrap and hold on tight to the handle and make some cuts like you will need when you cut your flooring. Go slow at first and keep all items and hands a safe distance from the blade. Tools are as safe as the user. So be patient with yourself and start slow so you can get a feel for the tool. Make sure the blade is sharp (dull blades are not safe) About the easy- click flooring, never heard of it, sorry. Good luck to you. Remember safety first and respect the tools you use.
2006-08-12 16:42:45 · answer #7 · answered by traveler 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check at your local Home Depot or Lowe's. They frequently have short instructional classes on such things. Also look for a store that specilizes in wood working.
And be sure to keep your fingers out of the way!
2006-08-12 15:38:32 · answer #8 · answered by M&M37909 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to wherever you bought the flooring, tell them that you need some practice scraps. There should be some leftovers or damaged material they can give you. Use those scraps to practice every imaginable cut and combination of angles you'll need.
2006-08-12 16:06:22 · answer #9 · answered by Gitchy gitchy ya ya da da 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
safty.safty........the biggest cause of harm from this type of saw is a person reaching across the saw to hold or reach for the wood! take ur time, make sure the saw blade is stopped before u reach for the cut wood..
lic. gen. contractor
2006-08-12 16:10:26 · answer #10 · answered by bigg_dogg44 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋