How do you measure for cuts

Dummy

Started a new project over the weekend and commenced getting my timber ready. Everything cut and got ready for the next weekend. Before I finished up, I decided to run a rule over my cut wood and saw that they were not the same length - out by 2 -3 mm.

How do you achieve exact cuts when using a mitre saw? I seem to have this issue all of the time and waste a lot of time pearing the excess away.

One of the things I was looking at was this http://www.kregtool.com/products/pms/product.php?PRODUCT_ID=40. I'm sure I could build something similar, maybe not as clean & polished as this but it would work.

What do you professionals do?

D

SpitfireIV

Hi Dummy,

I have a similar set up (albeit a home made setup) to the image you linked. Seems to do the job just fine once the stop block is well secured. Failing that once I have one piece cut to lenght I'd use that as a 'measure' to mark off the other lenghts (taking into account that .5mm or so etc that marking in such a manner would give you).

Carlow52

as stated by CP1066 u need something with a stop.
I have a full blown extension stand that suits the mitre saw but a homemade version will work also as long as the stop and the saw are both well fixed

Double Barrel

If you are just looking for repeatability I have a hi-tech answer .... a block of wood with crisp right angles and a C-clamp. Keep the saw in a fixed position and the sawdust cleared.

teepee

As above the only job is the g clamp and a bock of wood you cant go wrong , cause with a set meaure tape on the fence it will move .:)

S.L.F

I've used the block of wood and the g-cramp but it is also possible to nail all your wood together and cut it in 1 go or clamp it all together and cut it.

I when cutting 1 piece of woof use a sharp knife to mark it then cut to exactly the line.