I got a call a couple of days ago from someone that found me through the woodworking club.   He said the office had bought a Ryobi miter saw and wanted a lesson on how to use it.  No one there really knew how to use it.   So I set up a time with him that I could swing by this morning.  Low and behold it's a large distribution center for a furniture store.  They wanted to take finish sample boards from mfrs and cut them in smaller pieces for multiple people.

 

So I walk in and lo and behold one of the office people had been the service manager at one of my first retail clients 20 years ago.

 

So I gave them the basics of the miter saw, use and safety.  They also had a kit that included cordless tools -- a small circular saw, oscillating multi-tool, impact driver, and recip saw.  I gave them use and safety on each.  Also talked to them about getting an angle grinder as an efficient way to cut metal pieces.   They want me to come back some other time for a larger audience and handed me $60 cash.  

WOW! That's really neat!

so....you're going to share with the class....and we each get, what, $1?

lesson 1:  keep your hands and fingers away from the blade.

1 hour ago, DAB said:

lesson 1:  keep your hands and fingers away from the blade.

Yep, I pointed out the "no hand zone" on the saw.

Unfortunately the second person to make a cut hit an embedded piece of metal - sparks everywhere and dulled blade.

For miter saw, particularly with newbies, the Fastcap $10mil would be a good idea.

23 minutes ago, PeteM said:

For miter saw, particularly with newbies, the Fastcap $10mil would be a good idea.

Indispensable!!!

6 hours ago, PeteM said:

For miter saw, particularly with newbies, the Fastcap $10mil would be a good idea.

Yes, I have one of the original versions.  Not sure it would be any good for them as they don't have an extension table and most of the pieces are about 14x14 to be cut in two.  I told them don't ever cut anything shorter than 6-8"

 

When that Ryobi saw starts up, man, it really kicks.  No soft start on that one.  I told them to bring the blade up to speed before starting the cut, I'm not sure what would happen if they didn't.  Probably toss the piece.

6 hours ago, PeteM said:

For miter saw, particularly with newbies, the Fastcap $10mil would be a good idea.

what does this do?  source?

3 hours ago, DAB said:

what does this do?  source?

Google "fastcap $10.." and it will autofill for "$10 million stick".  They 'splain it well.  It basically will hold the workpiece down while the saw does its thing, but the stick keeps your little fingers away from the detachment device.  Invaluable for cutting pieces under 12".  $25 on Amazon.  James, I say James, tell us:  

 

Edited May 7, 20224 yr by PeteM
added info

I don't want to be Debbie Downer, but I bought one of those and found it wouldn't grip the workpiece very well. The little rubber pads on mine were quite hard and had no grip on the wood. I sent mine back. I wanted it to use with my RAS.

Edited May 7, 20224 yr by Fred W. Hargis Jr

My Bosch sliding miter saw cuts material somewhere around 12"wide. With a cut that wide, the Fast Cap device isn't necessary. But, with much narrower cuts it's used regularly.

Very rarely, are both pads on the work. I try to situate it at an angle so that one pad is on the work and one is on the table, tight against the front edge of the work. And, when possible, the end of the handle rests on the table. A firm grip pushing down, mid handle, and in towards the fence, locks the piece very well. I don't rely on the pads to grip on the top.

Being the TPW self avowed Idgit, I have cut me many a small piece on the miter saw. Couldn’t even believe that it needed these holders when I first read the thread. Well after watching the video, and listening to my more wiser and experienced bretheren, I now know what I’m gonna use my Amazon $27 credit on. I never even thought that could be dangerous. Blade spins, but stays right where it is, hand is outta the blade path, what could happen? At least I have aged to the point where reading about the danger can impress me, without having to actually experience it (which was the case not that long ago).

18 hours ago, Artie said:

Being the TPW self avowed Idgit, I have cut me many a small piece on the miter saw. Couldn’t even believe that it needed these holders when I first read the thread. Well after watching the video, and listening to my more wiser and experienced bretheren, I now know what I’m gonna use my Amazon $27 credit on. I never even thought that could be dangerous. Blade spins, but stays right where it is, hand is outta the blade path, what could happen? At least I have aged to the point where reading about the danger can impress me, without having to actually experience it (which was the case not that long ago).

 Well put, Artie. Make that x2!

On 5/7/2022 at 7:46 PM, Artie said:

Being the TPW self avowed Idgit, I have cut me many a small piece on the miter saw. Couldn’t even believe that it needed these holders when I first read the thread. Well after watching the video, and listening to my more wiser and experienced bretheren, I now know what I’m gonna use my Amazon $27 credit on. I never even thought that could be dangerous. Blade spins, but stays right where it is, hand is outta the blade path, what could happen? At least I have aged to the point where reading about the danger can impress me, without having to actually experience it (which was the case not that long ago).

I think the issue is that you have your left hand on a piece that does not have a lot of bearing surface on the left side an little to none on the right side.  I use one of my sliding cross-cut tables for most small pieces like that.

Crosscut Tables.pdf

On 5/9/2022 at 2:40 PM, kmealy said:

I think the issue is that you have your left hand on a piece that does not have a lot of bearing surface on the left side an little to none on the right side.  I use one of my sliding cross-cut tables for most small pieces like that.

Crosscut Tables.pdf 826.81 kB · 2 downloads

Yes, but then I have to walk 4', turn on ANOTHER machine... well, you know. I think most of us are just getting a bit lazy!

8 hours ago, HARO50 said:

Yes, but then I have to walk 4', turn on ANOTHER machine

Walk another 4'...WOW your shop is huge!

12 hours ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Walk another 4'...WOW your shop is huge!

Well... two steps, that's about 4', isn't it?

58 minutes ago, HARO50 said:

Well... two steps, that's about 4', isn't it?

Not anymore...that's a hike.

2 minutes ago, Grandpadave52 said:

Not anymore...that's a hike.

And, 6 steps is a trek! 

Edited May 13, 20224 yr by Gene Howe