Chopsaw Beginner's Tour: Learn the Basics of This Terrific Tool

In this video, I want to introduce you to what's called a chop saw, also called a mitre saw

All the different power tool manufacturers make these. This is essentially a cross-cutting tool

So cross-cutting is the action of cutting a piece of wood across the grain

Not necessarily 90 degrees. It can be at an angle. The grain, the length of the board runs this way

This came from a tree that grew this way. So cross-cutting is cutting across the grain

Most of your cross-cuts will be at 90 degrees. Some of them will be at different angles if you're doing trim work and things like that

So I just want to give you the basics of how this works

Most homeowners don't have a chops on. But basic models are not very expensive

and they will be extremely useful to you as you're finishing a basement

Now, this is not a basic model. This is a battery powered sliding, what they call a sliding compound mitersaw

For basement use, a plug-in model is fine. This battery business here, it's the same sort of battery that a cordless drill might take

And it provides a little bit more flexibility, easier portability. But a corded model is going to give you more value for the money

So I would look for something like that. As I said, this is set up now to cut at 90 degrees, and I'll show you its sample cut in a minute, but all mitersaws, regardless of how complicated or simple, have a swiveling table like this

So in this case, I can go from more than 45 degree angle cut that way to more than 45 degrees this way

For most of the cuts you be at 90 degrees and you basically just leave your saw there This particular saw is called a sliding compound mitre saw because it like So even though this is a pretty small blade

now this is not much bigger than the blade on a typical circular saw

it can cross cut quite a width of wood because it travels on these sliding rails

Now, there's one other thing, as I said, it's called a sliding compound mitre saw, and compound

pound means that this thing can, it can swivel in different directions

So in addition to cutting an angle this way, it can also lie down

And you can cut what's called a bevel angle, which would be an angle to the face of the board

And in this case, it can go both ways. not all saws can go both ways. So technically speaking, this is a dual sliding compound

lighter saw because it can flip over in both directions. So a couple of safety tips before we

get going. Every chop saw, in fact every power tool in the world is going to come with a lot of

very specific safety recommendations for that particular model. So be sure you read the manual. All of

the detailed safety information is there. But just a couple of points that are universal to all machines

Safety glasses kind of goes without saying. Earmuffs might not go without saying

These things are pretty loud. I don't think you absolutely have to wear earmuffs when you cut with something like this

But I do all the time. I just find it more comfortable. And why take any chances with your hearing

So another thing. This is the danger zone here, of course. The blade is going to come down and it going to cut anything that there So you really do not want to put your hands anywhere near the danger zone So when I cut a piece of wood for instance the last thing I do before I pull the trigger is I say myself

well, is anything valuable or injurable in the cut line? And if no, then I can go ahead and make my cut

But you never, even if you're cutting something short, say it's a narrow piece of wood

You never want to hold anything near the cut zone because it is possible for the blade to grab the wood and to put itself forward

So if you're not expecting it, you want to make a cut this way

It's conceivable that the machine can move forward on its own when the blade encounters the wood

So naturally, you just want to keep your hands well away. So one hand on the handle and one hand holding the wood as far away as you can

When I make a cut like this, I like to start here from the outside and slide in

Because the rotation of the blade is this way. And if I start here and I start moving the saw in that direction

I'm moving in the same direction that the blade is rotating. So that'll give it more of a chance to kick back

So I always like to work against that movement whenever I can

And you'll see me doing that when I make this cut. One other thing I want to show you just before I make this cut

Some, not all, some saws have an illuminated method to show you where the blade is going to cut

So I've got a pencil mark here. Let's say I want to cut right on that spot

I actually want to split the line. So I want this to be an accurate cut

This particular saw has a light. which shines on either side of the blade

So the blade creates a shadow line And of course since the blade making the shadow line you know exactly where the blade going to cut So not all saws have this capability

Some have nothing at all. Some have what's a laser cut line system

But those laser ones are never as accurate as the ones that have the light

that shines on either side of the blade, and the blade creates the shadow

Because when the blade creates the shadow, then you know that shadow mark is always absolutely accurate

Whereas the laser ones, they're shining on their own and they need to be adjusted and trueed up because they're not using the blade as a guide

So I strongly recommend something with a line. When I start the cut, you're going to take a look

Right now you can see the larger, wider areas where each tooth is

so it's not really perfectly indicative of where it's going to cut

But once I start the cut, you will see that the shadow line is just one smooth, dark line

It all takes on account of a blur, as you'll see. So safety glasses on, ear moths on

So, a pretty successful cut. If you look closely, you'll see that a little bit of the line

a little bit of the pencil that is still there. That's just the way I wanted it to be

And take a look at how smooth this is. I mean, nice and square

It's square this way. And it's square into the face. And it's nice and flat

And you saw how fast that cut. So like I said, if you've got it

a basement to finish and you want to be pretty hands-on about the work, then a chop saw is the kind

of tool that'll make a big difference if you don't have one