Woodworking Talk banner
21 - 28 of 28 Posts
Is this more or less safe than what I've always seen my dad do which is to just use a circular saw and make a pass on multiple sides?
Yes, most often that would be the preferred method! If I were making 2 or more of those cuts and needed a flush top, I'd make a 4 sided, hollow box that slides over the 4 X 4 posts and supports the shoe of the saw on all 4 sides as you work it around. It would fit any 4 X 4 post from that project and any others. Some 1" X 6" - 3/4" scrap, some brad nails and you're done:
Rectangle Wood Wood stain Hardwood Font
 
I've been cutting them with a circular saw for 40yrs. But, I guess if you don't have circular saw skills, that seems like a perfectly acceptable way to do it. Way better than a sawzall. I actually have that exact Metabo miter saw for dragging around on job sites. It's a great little saw for most things. That Metabo miter saw is very lightweight which kinda makes that job doable. I got a Dewalt DW779 that I very rarely use on the job unless I need the large capacity, otherwise it's relegated to the wood shop. It weighs a ton and I don't want it banging around the truck.
 
I thought it worked fine. I would probably have clamped it better if, now that i have seen the arrangement, i ever use it. I expect we have all seen tools used in less than conventional ways. Some things we have a tolerance for, others, not so much. I watched a guy free cut with a table saw once and I have seen it on YouTube as well. An action I am sure I would never do. But, if they are comfortable doing it, who am I to judge? Truth is, nothing about that had me cringing.
 
In these days of laser levels, leave 'em long and cut 'em later.
I've also hung the joists level and cut them flush with a chain saw.
The post in the video looked about 4 ft above grade, maybe for a hand rail? or stairs?
It doesn't matter, just there's no context for the application of the miter saw in the video.
Even before laser levels, they were cut after being set using a chalk line to set the level ;) No way to get them all the same height if they're cut and then set.
 
I thought it worked fine. I would probably have clamped it better if, now that i have seen the arrangement, i ever use it. I expect we have all seen tools used in less than conventional ways. Some things we have a tolerance for, others, not so much. I watched a guy free cut with a table saw once and I have seen it on YouTube as well. An action I am sure I would never do. But, if they are comfortable doing it, who am I to judge? Truth is, nothing about that had me cringing.
If you ever need to "free cut" with a table saw use this tip. Install the splitter plate if you don't have one already.
The wider plate of a splitter will steer the work straight down the kerf and prevent any major mis-orientation of the blade.
The kerf of the blade is greater than the plate, but not by much so you can "steer" it a small amount.
The splitter maintains more of a straight cut than without it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: subroc
21 - 28 of 28 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top