How to cut a 22.5 Degree Angle on Miter Saw – Detailed Guide

Miter saws are a useful power tool for DIY projects as well as professional work.

Cutting at different angles is a useful application of miter saws. Knowing how to cut at acute angles is a skill that has many applications when crown molding. 

So, here’s a method that makes the task easier for you.

How to cut a 22.5-degree angle on a miter saw

Cutting a 22.5-degree angle can be a tricky task to do because you are required to do some calculations first.

As discussed earlier, making a 22.5-degree cut or other acute angles is a particularly helpful task that can help you with making cuts around the corners. 

Here’s a way that makes cutting a 22.5-degree angle easier

Step 1 – Take Measurements

First, take the measurements of the wood and the part where you want to cut the wood at 22.5 degrees. 

This can be easily performed using a T-bevel. You can measure both internal and external angles. 

Then mark the angle at which you have to make the cut.

How do I measure the 22.5-degree angle?

If you want to make a template that measures a 22.5-degree angle then 

1. Make an arc using a compass
2. Divide the arc into 2 parts. They will measure 60 degrees and 120 degrees
3. Bisect the 120-degree arc using the compass. Do this by putting the needle at the intersection of 120 degrees and 60 degrees. It will give you a 90-degree angle.
4. Bisect the 90 degrees arc using the same technique. It will give you a 45-degree angle.
5. Repeat the step for the 45-degree angle. 
6. You will have a 22.5-degree angle. 

You can also use this method if you are using a table saw.

Step 2 – Adjust the turntable

To set the angle on a miter saw, you have to adjust the turntable. Some miter saws feature a knob for locking and unlocking the miter table. 

Once you have unlocked the turntable, it will be free to move around.

After unlocking the table, grab the miter handle and pull the lever underneath it. You will be able to navigate the turntable.

Once you are done with the previous step, move the turntable left or right to the desired position. In this case, it will be 22.5 degrees.

You can counter-check this angle by using a protractor or a T bevel. 

Step 3 – Make the cut

Before making the cut, you must ensure a couple of things.

Firstly, make sure that the wood is clamped to the fence. We strongly advise you to wear protective gear at all times.

When you’ve ensured the above-mentioned steps, turn the power on, press the button on the miter saw and push the saw blade down on the wood. 

To make a precise cut, at 22.5 degrees, you can:

1. Utilize the LED shadow line or the laser line that comes with the miter saw
2. Make sure that the piece is flat on the table and you are cutting in a straight line

Step 4 – Repeat steps 2 and 3

To complete the second half of your 22.5-degree cut, set the miter saw to 22.5 degrees again in the opposite direction.

Then, cut the piece of wood while ensuring that you are following the safety instructions. 

Step 5 – Check the angle

Lastly, to ensure that you have cut the board at an accurate angle, you need to join the two pieces together. 

Once you’re done, the pieces will perfectly fit at a 45-degree angle.

What should I do if the angle is not accurate?

If the wood does not align at the desired angle, you can try:

1. Sand the edges of the wood. There might be a need for further cutting if the problem persists.
2. Reset the saw at 22.5 degrees and follow the above-mentioned steps again. 

The problem should not bother you any further if you have perfectly followed the instructions. 

How to cut at an obtuse angle

Cutting at an obtuse angle can be a bit of a challenge with a compound miter saw. Since the miter saw gauge is not set for angles exceeding 90 degrees, you will have to complete some calculations at first. 

 The miter saw gauge is not set for angles exceeding 90 degrees. 

135-degree angle is a common angle used in professional woodworking.

There is a method that you can use to cut the wood at an obtuse angle using a miter saw. Here, we will cut the wood at 135 degrees as an example. 

Step # 1 – Set the miter saw to 22.5 degrees

Firstly you must set the blade angle to 22.5 degrees. There are indents for specific angles up to 45 degrees. 

Step # 2 – Make the first cut

Then you must secure the wood to the fence. Use a clamp to secure the piece before making the cuts. Ensure that the piece is laying flat and then cut it in a straight line. 

Step # 3 – Make the second cut

Flip the piece and also set the blade to 22.5 degrees in the opposite direction. Again, secure the piece and make the second cut on the workpiece.    

Step # 4 – Examine the cut

Measuring the cut for accuracy is the most important step. You can use angle measuring instruments such as a T bevel or a protractor.  

You can join the pieces together at the corners. The outside angle will be equal to 135 degrees. 

How do I calculate the angle required for a miter cut?

To do the calculations, we use simple geometry. The calculation has two separate steps

For obtuse angles, we use the 180-degree angle for calculations

1. First, take the difference of the angle from 180 degrees. The basic formula will be “180 – x = y”, where x is the angle you want and the result. 
2. Then divide y by two. The formula here will be “y/2 = z”
3. The angle at which you will set the angle of the blade is z.

For example, if you want to make a 135-degree cut, the formula will work out as 

Using the same method, you can cut the piece at any angle with your compound miter saw.  

Ways of maintaining your miter saw

Miter saw is a valuable power tool that is used for precise point cutting. It is considered to be a good investment that gives its users returns for years. 

As such, you should prioritize maintaining your miter saw after every project. It can be tricky due to the complex nature of the miter saw. You have to teach yourself about the various intricacies.

Here are some things you should know about when cleaning your miter saw

Removing dust and debris 

Dust can ruin your power tools as it can get in the circuit boards and damage critical components of the tools.

Dust and wood remnants are the major byproducts of woodcutting. They can also be hard to remove as they get in all corners of the saw.

We recommend that you use pressurized air or a handheld air blower. Since dust is very light, the air will easily push it out of the saw. You can also use a dry cloth or rug.

Cleaning the blade

The blade is the most important part of a miter saw as the functionality of the entire saw completely depends on it. 

Cleaning the blade can be somewhat hazardous as blade teeth are sharper than you’d expect. Never clean the blade with your bare hands as you can cut your hands.

We recommend that you wear thick gloves and use a brush for cleaning the blade. Moreover, apply some oil on the blade after removing the debris. 

Cleaning the table and fence

The cutting board and fence are usually ignored in the cleaning process. However, they are vital parts of a miter saw.

To clean the table and fence, use a clean, dry sponge or cloth. You will have to apply some force onto the surface. 

Cleaning moving parts

A miter saw has many moving parts. If any of the parts stop working, the saw could be compromised. 

To clean the moving parts such as gears, first, you’ll have to clear away any dust. As discussed earlier, you may use an air blower. 

Then apply lubricant on the parts. The lubricant reduces friction between the parts and improves the longevity of the miter saw.

You can check the user manual about which lubricant to use on your miter saw. 

Looking after the exterior of the miter saw

The exterior parts of the saw such as the pivot and the turntable are equally important parts of the miter saw as the blade. Their functionality enables the blade to perform miter and bevel cuts.

To clean the external parts of the miter saw, use the same technique as the internal moving parts of the saw. 

After cleaning the saw, be sure to power the saw to its maximum RPMs. By doing this, you will be checking for any kind of discrepancies in the miter saw. 

Wrapping things up

We hope that you will benefit from this article. 

Cutting at acute angles can be a bit tricky because each project requires cutting at different angles. 

By following this guide and completely performing each step, you will easily be able to cut the lumber at 22.5 degrees.

With this, we conclude our article on “How to cut a 22.5-degree angle on a miter saw”.

Do comment and let us know of your experience.