How to Miter a 45 Degree Angle with a Miter Saw

Loosen or depress the miter-saw table lock and rotate the table 45 degrees right or left. Lock the table or tighten the table lock. Put on your safety glasses. Align the blade with the of end of the board or molding you wish to miter. Hold the piece to be cut firmly against the table and fence with one hand, ensuring it is clear of the blade. Depress the motor trigger to start the blade and lower it smoothly into and through the wood. Release the trigger and wait for the blade to stop before raising the blade.

Make cuts for an inside corner. Set the table to 45 degrees left and cut off the right end of the molding for the piece on the left side of the corner. Set the saw to 45 degrees right and cut off the left side of the molding for the piece on the right side of the corner.

Make cuts for an outside corner. Set the saw to 45 degrees left and cut off the left end of the molding for the piece on the right side of the corner. Set the saw to 45 degrees right and cut off the right end of the molding for the piece on the right side of the corner.

Cut baseboard molding with the molding standing upright on the saw table with the back against the fence and the bottom edge of the molding on the table. Cut window and door casing laying flat. Always hold the work piece firmly on the table and against the fence.

Cut crown molding the same way it is installed --- one edge against the ceiling and another against the wall. On a miter saw, the table represents the ceiling and the fence represents the wall. This mean you cut the molding upside down. Hold the crown molding so the flats on the back of it are flat against the table and fence.