One of the most enjoyable parts of carpentry is finishing the project. At this stage of the process, you will be finishing the interior and will get to see all of your hard work pay off. However, you might be worried about using an electric saw and you finish your project. Fortunately, a miter guide can help you make an accurate cut of wood.

Reasons to Use a Miter Guide

Miter guides are small and convenient. They cost much less than a benchtop compound miter saw. They are also easier to use safely. 

If you live in a small space, such as an apartment, a benchtop compound miter saw will make a lot of noise and generate a lot of sawdust. This is very inconvenient and impractical because you won't have an easy way to remove the sawdust.

The Components of the Miter Guide

The miter guide comes with a saw that is used to cut through the wood. You will place the wood inside a box. 45-degree and 90-degree slots allow you to make different types of cuts. The fence is used as a stop where you will place the wood. It also has measurements conveniently inscribed on it. If you are using an adjustable miter guide, there will also be a rotating miter guide you can use to make adjustments.

How to Use a Miter Guide Safely

A miter guide is safer to use than other alternatives because the blade will be inside the box. However, you can still injure yourself if you're not careful. Keep the thumb of your supporting hand either alongside or under your palm so you don't accidentally cut your thumb. 

Sawing is a repetitive task and it's easy to become distracted. But you will want to make sure to maintain a strong grip on the miter guide so that you're in full control of it. 

Also, make sure that the miter box is secured so that the box doesn't slide. You could use sturdy clamps, but you might find them difficult to use under some circumstances. Oftentimes, it's better to bolt the saw guide to a work surface with screws or bolts.

The Calibration of a Miter Guide

The great thing about a saw guide is that it can make very accurate cuts. However, you'll want to make sure that it is calibrated properly so that the cuts actually will be accurate. But once you have done this, you'll be ready to finish your interior. 

Speak to a company like The Joiner Carpentry to learn more.

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