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How To Change A Miter Saw Blade Quickly – Easily

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).

  1. 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.
  2. 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.
  3. Using your right hand, hold the spindle lock in on the motor. This keeps the blade from spinning while you loosen the blade bolt.
  4. 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
  5. Remove the bolt and the blade washer, set them to the side.
  6. Now the old blade can come right off. Do not remove the inner blade washer.
  7. Place the new saw blade on the shaft with the teeth nearest you pointing down, and set the outer blade washer back in place.
  8. Using your fingers, insert and begin threading in the blade bolt.
  9. Once it’s finger-tight, use the wrench to snug it up the rest of the way, making it good and tight.
  10. Slide the blade-bolt cover and blade guard back in place.
  11. Using the screw driver, tighten the screw that holds the blade bolt cover in place.
  12. Make sure the spindle lock is not stuck in. It should be depressed and fully backed out before you plug the saw back in.
  13. 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!

This page may have affiliate links. For more information see my disclosure page.

About The Author
Adam has been woodworking for the last 10 years. He considers himself a 'Small Shop Woodworker' and practices his hobby in his garage. With the lack of time, space, and proper tools, he always finds ways to get great results without over-complicating or over-thinking the process. Various shop jigs, table saw sleds, and tricks of the trade have served him well. God has blessed him with a beautiful family, as well as a passion for teaching others about woodworking. You can read more about Adam here.

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