Uploaded April 2017 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
A common question I get asked is why do I make my miter saw cuts in two passes instead of one? When making a wider cut at my miter saw I almost always score the top surface with a very shallow cut as I pull the saw to me, then plunge down at the near end of the work piece, then push through towards the fence to complete the cut. The reason for this is to get a smoother top surface after the cut. The blade can cut in two directions; as it enters the material and as it exits the material. Any time the blade is cutting as it exits the material you have a greater chance of the exit surface tearing out due to lack of material support. So by making a very shallow scoring cut on top as the saw is pulled back you are cutting into the material which results in a much cleaner cut. Then as the saw is plunged and the final through-cut is made the rest of the material is cut on the intake side of the blade as well.
The top scoring cut is technically considered a climb cut because the blade is cutting in a direction opposite of the travel of the tool. When making a climb cut on any tool you have the risk of a tool "climbing" where the tool want's to grab instead of cut and increase the speed of travel, sometimes faster than what you are prepared for. A very shallow scoring cut decreases the risk of this happening but the possibility is still there. If you make a cut like this always make sure you have nothing in the path of the blade, you have the material firmly secured, and you are aware of the potential hazards that could happen.
These videos are short project and everyday updates. If you would like to see actual woodworking videos check out my main channel.
Main Channel: youtube.com/jayscustomcreations
My website: jayscustomcreations.com
Tools in my shop (affiliate links):
Bandsaw - amzn.to/2gMHrjd
Bevel gauge (t-bevel) - amzn.to/2eYLB2N
Bluetooth adapter - amzn.to/1GDYgFl
Dado blade - amzn.to/210w6ex
Dewalt planer - amzn.to/1IGqVoz
Dewalt sander - amzn.to/1IGt0B6
Dewalt countersink - amzn.to/1ThxZQi
Dovetail gauge - amzn.to/2bJpxIi
Eclipse quick release vise - amzn.to/1PUkyEW
Engineer square - amzn.to/2bqS0lA
Festool Domino - amzn.to/1IGrQ8u
Forstner bit - amzn.to/2fMph1z
Glu-Bot glue bottle - amzn.to/1LrKulZ
Gyokucho 372 japanese pull saw - amzn.to/1TgnE9i
Irwin Marples 10" blade - amzn.to/1klkIIr
Kreg K4 - amzn.to/1V4LTGM
Kreg DB210 pocket hole machine - amzn.to/1pFvmwU
Kreg Mini - amzn.to/1phH3cQ
Marble router bit or drill bit - bit.ly/1HIAZCA
Marbles - bit.ly/1OJjQbo
Megapro NAS Driver - amzn.to/1OH8H8v
Milwaukee plunge router - amzn.to/2gSr5Ci
Mp3 earmuffs - amzn.to/1RF5CZq
Narex marking knife - amzn.to/2ciT7K2
Ridgid miter saw - amzn.to/2h0Xf2s
Rustic pine Briwax - amzn.to/1EnC0Jg
Ryobi 18v brad nailer - amzn.to/1Q3zZdG
SawStop titanium series blade - amzn.to/1OQUXbr
Scraper BAHCO - amzn.to/1PTR4Ie
12" speed square - amzn.to/1QY7BKg
T-bevel (bevel gauge) - amzn.to/2eYLB2N
Table top hold down clips - amzn.to/1MeGnfx
Tudor brown briwax - amzn.to/1TnDPxC
Wax brush wheel for drill - amzn.to/1PtRYLi
Wood glue - amzn.to/1lZOwfc
Woodriver #4-1/2 - amzn.to/24pY95R
Woodriver #62 - amzn.to/22aF3F0
A common question I get asked is why do I make my miter saw cuts in two passes instead of one? When making a wider cut at my miter saw I almost always score the top surface with a very shallow cut as I pull the saw to me, then plunge down at the near end of the work piece, then push through towards the fence to complete the cut. The reason for this is to get a smoother top surface after the cut. The blade can cut in two directions; as it enters the material and as it exits the material. Any time the blade is cutting as it exits the material you have a greater chance of the exit surface tearing out due to lack of material support. So by making a very shallow scoring cut on top as the saw is pulled back you are cutting into the material which results in a much cleaner cut. Then as the saw is plunged and the final through-cut is made the rest of the material is cut on the intake side of the blade as well.
The top scoring cut is technically considered a climb cut because the blade is cutting in a direction opposite of the travel of the tool. When making a climb cut on any tool you have the risk of a tool "climbing" where the tool want's to grab instead of cut and increase the speed of travel, sometimes faster than what you are prepared for. A very shallow scoring cut decreases the risk of this happening but the possibility is still there. If you make a cut like this always make sure you have nothing in the path of the blade, you have the material firmly secured, and you are aware of the potential hazards that could happen.
These videos are short project and everyday updates. If you would like to see actual woodworking videos check out my main channel.
Main Channel: youtube.com/jayscustomcreations
My website: jayscustomcreations.com
Tools in my shop (affiliate links):
Bandsaw - amzn.to/2gMHrjd
Bevel gauge (t-bevel) - amzn.to/2eYLB2N
Bluetooth adapter - amzn.to/1GDYgFl
Dado blade - amzn.to/210w6ex
Dewalt planer - amzn.to/1IGqVoz
Dewalt sander - amzn.to/1IGt0B6
Dewalt countersink - amzn.to/1ThxZQi
Dovetail gauge - amzn.to/2bJpxIi
Eclipse quick release vise - amzn.to/1PUkyEW
Engineer square - amzn.to/2bqS0lA
Festool Domino - amzn.to/1IGrQ8u
Forstner bit - amzn.to/2fMph1z
Glu-Bot glue bottle - amzn.to/1LrKulZ
Gyokucho 372 japanese pull saw - amzn.to/1TgnE9i
Irwin Marples 10" blade - amzn.to/1klkIIr
Kreg K4 - amzn.to/1V4LTGM
Kreg DB210 pocket hole machine - amzn.to/1pFvmwU
Kreg Mini - amzn.to/1phH3cQ
Marble router bit or drill bit - bit.ly/1HIAZCA
Marbles - bit.ly/1OJjQbo
Megapro NAS Driver - amzn.to/1OH8H8v
Milwaukee plunge router - amzn.to/2gSr5Ci
Mp3 earmuffs - amzn.to/1RF5CZq
Narex marking knife - amzn.to/2ciT7K2
Ridgid miter saw - amzn.to/2h0Xf2s
Rustic pine Briwax - amzn.to/1EnC0Jg
Ryobi 18v brad nailer - amzn.to/1Q3zZdG
SawStop titanium series blade - amzn.to/1OQUXbr
Scraper BAHCO - amzn.to/1PTR4Ie
12" speed square - amzn.to/1QY7BKg
T-bevel (bevel gauge) - amzn.to/2eYLB2N
Table top hold down clips - amzn.to/1MeGnfx
Tudor brown briwax - amzn.to/1TnDPxC
Wax brush wheel for drill - amzn.to/1PtRYLi
Wood glue - amzn.to/1lZOwfc
Woodriver #4-1/2 - amzn.to/24pY95R
Woodriver #62 - amzn.to/22aF3F0
