How To Use A Ryobi Miter Saw

If you are wondering about how to use a Ryobi miter saw, you have come to the right place.

Whether you are a beginner or an amateur woodworker, you probably have heard about miter saw and its various applications. Among all brands of miter saws, Ryobi is known for making affordable power tools with great reliability.

Read this article for step-by-step instructions to operate this type of appliance. You will also find useful tips to keep it clean and long-lasting.

Parts Of A Miter Saw

Different types and brands of miter saws can have fewer or more features. Ryobi offers some features that can be found in those of the higher price range, while still keeping excellent reliability.

Before diving into how to use a Ryobi miter saw, let’s familiarize ourselves with the main parts of all miter saws.

Blade

Common blade sizes are 7 ¼, 10, and 12-inch types. 7 ¼ is readily available and makes a fine blade selection for most uses. Unless you often have to make longer cuts, you can greatly benefit from this size variation since the smaller the blade is, the fewer amps it is required.

Additionally, blades with a higher tooth count result in cleaner cuts. However, if you value speed over the smoothness of the cut, opt for fewer blade teeth.

Guard

The guard helps protect the blade and the user. When you press down the blade to cut the object, the guard is automatically lifted, exposing the blade enough to cut the workpiece.

Fence And Gauge

The gauge is a device used to hold the workpiece at a set angle while being cut on the miter table.

While cutting, you press the piece of wood tightly against the fence to ensure straightness and steadiness.

You can upgrade the fence on your own to improve the stability or to create some dust collection mechanism.

Handle and Switch

The switch, also called the trigger, is a button placed on the handle. Press and hold the trigger, you will be able to rotate the blade.

Scale Indicator

Scale indicator often refers to the miter scale, which measures the angle of the miter cut. However, for types of saw that can also make a bevel cut, you will find a bevel scale located behind and under the blade.

Now that you are familiar with parts of a miter saw, I will show you how to use one.

As I have mentioned earlier, saw features can vary among types and brands. But the overall operation is pretty similar.

Ryobi saws are mostly mid-range, so they are easy to use for beginners. Yet the manufacturer designs and builds their saws in a way that they still attract professional woodworkers.

Step 1- Preparation

Safety always comes first. Wear proper clothing and safety gear if you are planning on working with the saw.

I recommend that you bolt or clamp your saw to a stable surface. The saw mustn’t be shifting during the operation.

Also, make sure that you unplug the saw before unlocking it. You do not want to accidentally turn it on during the process.

Step 2 – Unlocking The Saw

There are various locks on the saw to ensure users’ safety and the saws’ condition when not in use. To use the tool, you may have to open the following safety measures:

Arm/Handle: Pull out the locking pin, a cylindrical button, while pressing the arm down slightly. Release the handle, let it move up all the way.
Base/Miter table: To allow the table to move sideways to fix the angle, locate the knob at the center of the base. Turn it counterclockwise. After adjusting for the right angle, turn it the other way to lock the position.
Sliding knob: The knob is located on the center or the side depending on the model. You want to twist it to unlock and turn it in the opposite direction once you want to secure the slide bars.
Spindle lock: You need to activate the spindle lock to keep the blade from moving if you decide to change it. Generally, you will find it on the edge. Press for an inactive blade and press again to free it.

Step 3 – Measuring And Positioning

Use the gauge to set the miter angle and the bevel angle.

Measure the piece and mark the cutting line with a pencil. You do not have to mark anything if your Ryobi miter saw has a laser/LED indicator. In that case, the laser will guide the cutting.

When you measure, also make sure to account for the kerf – the thickness of the blade. Cut on the side that you are not using. Otherwise, your workpiece can end up being shorter than planned.

Align the wood against the fence. To avoid sliding while making a cut, especially a bevel cut, hold the piece tightly or clamp it down.

Step 4 – Cutting

Without pushing the trigger, lower the blade to ensure that the blade cuts in alignment with the marked line, and the kerf is on the other side of the piece you want to keep.
Press the trigger, wait until it reaches full speed to push the blade down on the workpiece.
Release the trigger, let the blade come to a full stop before lifting it back up. Normally, an electric blade brake will stop the blade within two to three seconds.
If the board is a little bigger than the blade, lift the board slowly, tight to the fence to cut the remaining width.
For a sliding miter saw, bring the saw out and cut toward the fence, never the other way around.

Types Of Miter Saw

Miter saws are used to make cross cuts in wood, typically framing materials. Yet, there is more than one type of miter saw.

Here are some ways to categorize this appliance. Consider your need to make a suitable selection to avoid additional cost.

Standard Miter Saw

These saws have the most basic features. People often use them for common miter angles: 45-degree miter cuts or 90-degree crosscuts.

Single Compound Miter Saw (Single-Bevel Compound Miter)

The single compound can do both miter and bevel cuts. It can only tilt in one direction, however.

Dual Compound Miter Saw

The dual-compound is versatile. It can tilt in both directions, making a wider variety of cuts – miter, bevel, and compound.

Sliding Compound Miter Saw

For this version, the saw head can move back and forth on a sliding rail. Another variety is the dual-bevel sliding miter.

One excellent model for this saw type is the TSS120L. It comes with a laser, carbide-tipped blade, and blade wrench.

Laser/LED Miter Saw

These miter saws are equipped with a laser guide for more precision.

Corded

These types of miter saw come with 10-, 12-, or 15-amp motors. The wider or harder the wood board is, the more powerful the motor you will need.

Cordless

These portable products are the latest trend. They are smaller, lighter, less restricted due to the lack of the cumbersome electricity cord, have better durability, and lower maintenance.

P3650B, a Ryobi 7¼-Inch Compound Miter, is a cordless model. It uses 18v batteries – lithium ion technologies.

It is ideal to use outdoors. And other than being a cordless tool, it also possesses impressive cutting capabilities for being a sliding miter.

Safety Tips

Safety can never be exaggerated. Here are the things you need to keep in mind while working with any saw:

Keep your hand away from a running blade.
Never pull an active saw toward you.
Restrict access to the saw: bolt it to a stable surface, unplug after use and before cleaning and maintaining, etc.
No loose clothing, hair, or accessories. If possible, prepare eyewear and mask to protect you from the dust and ear wear for the noise.
Do not cut with an unsharpened blade.

Maintenance Tips

Remove dust from the working area and the saw with an air compressor.
Check the user’s manual to see if it’s necessary to lubricate the blade once in a while.
Never use a dull blade; sharpen or change it if necessary, as instructed in the manual. A good-quality blade does not only make nice cuts but also ensures safety.
Never remove the blade guard.
Regularly check joints, knobs, screws for any loose nuts and bolts.
Verify the angle with a speed square; adjust the positive stop number if required.

Conclusion

A miter saw is an essential tool for home workshops. Whether you are a novice or an experienced craftsman, it is useful for you to know about this type of saw.

Hopefully, by now, you understand how to use a Ryobi miter saw – one of the most popular types out there.

This saw does not require a lot of knowledge and skill to use. Although, as with any unit of power tools, exercise due care to avoid unwanted accidents.

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