How to Cut Wood Floors With a Miter Saw

When installing wood floors, one of the tools you'll need to properly do the job is a miter saw. Also called a "chop saw," a miter saw has a solid base and the blade is on a spring so it can be raised and lowered. The blade can also be adjusted at different angles for more difficult cuts. For wood floor projects, the miter saw will be used to cut the strips of flooring at the ends of rows where an entire board won't fit.

Tape measure
Pencil
Safety goggles
Ear plugs
Miter saw

Instructions

- 1
  Measure from the wall to the edge of the last board that you laid, and subtract 1/2 inch from the measurement. This will allow the floors to expand as humidity levels change inside the house.
- 2
  Transfer the measurement to the strip of wood floor you'll be cutting and mark the measurement with the pencil.
- 3
  Put on your safety goggles and ear plugs, then set the miter saw for a 90-degree angle.
- 4
  Place the strip of wood flooring on the miter saw with the top of the flooring facing up. Push the flooring up against the back guide of the miter saw and align the mark where you need to cut with the tip of the saw blade. To do this, pull down on the handle of the saw to lower the blade down to the wood while the saw is not on. Once the wood is lined up, raise the handle so the blade is not in contact with the wood.
- 5
  Grip the piece of wood firmly with one hand, keeping your hand away from the blade. Use your other hand to press the safety button and the power trigger on the handle of the miter saw and carefully lower the blade until it comes in contact with the wood and cuts through it. Once the wood is cut, raise the handle up and release the power button.

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