Have you got a miter saw (or a compound miter saw) that you’ve used on a few projects now, and it seems that it just doesn’t cut like it used to? Maybe it’s starting to burn the wood? Or perhaps it screams at you (seriously, a dull blade can have a very loud ringing sound while cutting). If this is the case, you need to learn how to change a miter saw blade. Replacing your old blade with a new sharp one, will revitalize your cross-cutting experience! It really will, you’ll probably be surprised at just how well a nice sharp blade works. It’s like it just melts thru the cut, and it’s a stark difference from the dull blade you probably have in place right now.
How To Change A Miter Saw Blade For A Beginner
This is a simple process, and it involves a screw driver, and the blade changing wrench that came with your miter saw (this may be an allen wrench, or an open-end wrench).
- First and foremost, and most importantly, you need to unplug the saw! Do not attempt to change the blade while it’s still plugged in. You can get hurt.
- Take the screw driver and loosen the blade bolt cover. This will allow the blade guard and the bolt cover to slide back completely, fully exposing the blade bolt head.
- Using your right hand, hold the spindle lock in on the motor. This keeps the blade from spinning while you loosen the blade bolt.
- Take the wrench that came with your saw, and loosen the blade bolt. Note: Most miter saws have reverse threads, meaning it’s NOT your typical ‘righty-tighty, lefty-loosy’. You’ll actually be turning the wrench clockwise to loosen the bolt.
>> Check Out This Really Nice Compound Miter Saw - Remove the bolt and the blade washer, set them to the side.
- Now the old blade can come right off. Do not remove the inner blade washer.
- Place the new saw blade on the shaft with the teeth nearest you pointing down, and set the outer blade washer back in place.
- Using your fingers, insert and begin threading in the blade bolt.
- Once it’s finger-tight, use the wrench to snug it up the rest of the way, making it good and tight.
- Slide the blade-bolt cover and blade guard back in place.
- Using the screw driver, tighten the screw that holds the blade bolt cover in place.
- Make sure the spindle lock is not stuck in. It should be depressed and fully backed out before you plug the saw back in.
- Plug in your saw and give it a test run. Make sure there’s no unusual vibration. (If there is, your blade washer is probably not set right. Go back to step 7.)
That’s it, you now have a new sharp saw blade on your miter saw. If you liked my quick and easy guide on how to change a miter saw blade, please leave me a comment below. Thanks for reading!
