Expert: Jamie Yocono - 6/3/2006

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Hi John,

I remember when I first bought a personal computer in the early '90's, I complained about it not doing what I wanted it to do. A computer savvy friend explained that my computer was really only a tool, and therefore, would only work as good as I used it. I feel there is a correlation to the problems you're having with your miter saw. There are many variables out there that affect the result (i.e.,- your cuts) and there are bound to be inaccuracies.
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Good luck, I hope this helps. Feel free to write back with any other questions you might have after reading this. And - please take a moment and rate the answer that I have provided. It's good to get some feedback to those I help.

Jamie Yocono
Wood It Is! Custom Cabinetry
www.wooditis.com
Las Vegas, NV


Wow.  I'll be happy to rate your answers, Jamie - anything to keep this a worthwhile endeavor for you.  I can't believe how quickly and thoroughly you replied!
I just would ask that you assume a little bit more ignorance on my part and please explain to me what a stop block is and how to employ it properly.  I think I get the picture, but I also get the impression that precision cuts don't happen by accident, so I'd be grateful for the  assurance of full clarity in my understanding.    Also, my cuts are a little rough at the edges, and I wonder if you ever lightly sand the cuts - maybe on a belt sander? - before gluing to ensure a better fit.
 Finally, I wonder if you use an Incra brand ruler when you measure wood for your projects, or if there are any other measuring tools you'd think are essential to own, even for a novice.
oh - I always have several little projects going at once these days.  Is it ok if I keep sending you new questions, or should I hold off to give others a chance to ask theirs?  Thanks either way for being an incredible (or rather, a highly credible) resource!

Answer
Hi John,

I'll try to answer those new questions you sent.  I'm sorry if I assumed you were more knowledgeable about woodworking than you really are. You had me fooled!

A stop block is a simple block of wood clamped to the fence of a tool, so that each piece that you cut will come out the same size. Some miter saws have a small built in clamp just for this purpose. You have to take a little care to ensure that sawdust doesn't build up in the corner area of your stop block, affecting your cut. A light blast of air, or a small brush, can get rid of that sawdust build up quite easily.

Now- about your cuts being a little rough on the edges. I've seen some woodworkers who need absolute accuracy on their miters, so they devise a jig in order to sand the edges of their miters. But for the most part, unless they're REALLY rough, you don't need to. In fact, wood glue works best when it has a little something to grip on to, so a rough surface can be a benefit to you. Sanding it too fine will close off the pores of the wood, thus keeping the glue from developing a strong hold. Another reason not to sand is that unless you really have an accurate jig, you're liable to change the angle of the cut, and that's one more complication to add to the mix, making your polygons not want to fit together even more so. So, my opinion says- don't sand. Just do your best to try and ensure a fairly clean, accurate cut.

About an Incra ruler. Those are great, as are Starrett rules. I have about a half dozen various ones in my shop, and I use them often. I've found that my favorite ones have cork on the back, to keep them from sliding or scratching the wood. And a couple of specialty rules are really helpful, like one that I use that measures out from the center. That's quite helpful for laying out things, like screw holes, hardware, and so on.

Finally- about sending me additional questions, or sending them to others who volunteer on All-Experts. When I receive questions that are outside the scope of what I do, I often choose to not answer them. We have a way that allows us to check off that answer very politely. And I often get questions I can't answer, like ones about spray finishes, or furniture repair, or antique restoration. So honestly, if you ask something that I don't feel qualified to help with- I'll tell you. This is a pretty great service, I've used it a lot with stuff around my house, like choosing a new dishwasher, or laying up glass block. So- ask away, and I'll help when I can.

Good luck with your woodworking projects. Working in a woodshop is like therapy to me, it sounds like you enjoy it too. We should all have something like that in our lives.

Cheers!
Jamie