Basic Miter Saw Calibration Test Trick

This is one of my favorite quick checks to ensure my saws are cutting square.

[wally]

It's also how you calibrate a square. Draw a line with it, flip your square 180 degrees, draw another line and see if they line up. Same with a level. Put it on a relatively flat surface and note where the bubble is, twist the level 180 degrees and see if the bubble is in the same spot.

[TLAS]

So, after administering the calibration test and checking the results, you resign yourself to being okay with whatever the results were. 👍

[davidgagnon]

Yes.
That method checks front to back and top to bottom at the same time. Both angles need to be exactly at 90 degrees or all the cuts will suck.

[musicbymark]

Are you pretty happy with this DeWalt? I see it or a similar one got five stars on Amazon with thousands of reviews, but I've been looking at the Bosch which is another $100 more, around 650 on Amazon, with the funky reticulating arm or whatever they call it and it looks a little beefier. Any thoughts?

[yolisurich]

When you use a 12 inch blade it flexes a little bit when you turn the machine on.

[rogersigears]

Probably good enough is not good enough. Perfect is the only thing that is good enough. Because when you're doing Crown molding, perfect is the only thing that works.

[AlexanderSeven]

Ok, but where do I get the plank with perfectly parallel sides?

[Rocksolidhandyman]

Cut the biggest piece (scrap plywood) your saw will cut, that will show you even better because it will amplify the gap making it more accurate to determine proper calibration! Then adjust your saw and repeat until both pieces are as tight as a frogs ass, no gap! 🪚🐸😂