perfect 45 degree angles

[Charles Lyons]

I've got another question, sorry but now that I have people to ask, theres a lot of little things I have wanted to ask but felt I should already know so I didn't ask. When I make something square, using miter cuts. one side will always be off. when I measure it out it works on paper, but when I cut it the ends don't seem to match up. Do you measure the inside or the outside of the cut.?

[Jay Boutwell]

Hi Charles, cutting miters can be tricky and requires careful measuring and accurate set miter saw.  You must also have exact width of stock.  When I cut a miter I measure from the inside as accuracy of a miter becomes less accurate with distance.  This is the problem with miter saws that  are not accurate as when you move the saw changing from one side to the other accuracy is destroyed.  Meaning that the miter saw will cut the same angle when repeated over and over again but when you change to the opposite side the angle is now effected by the accuracy of the saw.

If I am cutting miters on flat stock I cut all my miters from the same setting and do not move the saw.  Do this by flipping the stock rather than changing the saw from side to side.  Since you are inquiring about a table saw the same principals apply. 

[Charles Lyons]

thank you, I will give it a try.

[thomas b farrell]

repeatable accuracy is inherent in the quality of the saw. I can swing my dewalt compound sliding saw back and forth all day and get very consistent accuracy. if you want to get technical get a good table saw with a miter attachment and build a sled for it.