How to change the blade on a miter saw

How to Easily Change the Blade on Your Miter Saw

ByDerek

Changing the blade on a miter saw is an important maintenance task that will keep your saw cutting smoothly. A sharp blade is essential for clean, precise cuts, while a dull or damaged blade can cause poor cutting performance, burn marks, and increased risk of kickback. Fortunately, changing the miter saw blade is a straightforward process you can tackle in your workshop.

In this DIY tutorial, we’ll walk through the complete process of removing the old blade, installing a new one, and making adjustments for optimal cutting. You’ll learn blade removal tricks, how to select the right replacement blade, and safety tips for changing miter saw blades. We’ll cover the steps for the most common miter saw brands like Dewalt, Makita, Hitachi, and Delta. With this guide, you’ll be able to swap out a worn or damaged miter saw blade and get back to your woodworking or home project quickly.

Outline of Steps to Change a Miter Saw Blade:

  • Why change your miter saw blade? Signs it’s time for a new blade
  • Things to know before changing the blade – safety and preparation
  • Removing the old miter saw blade – steps and tips
  • Choosing the right replacement miter saw blade
  • Installing the new blade – step-by-step guide
  • Adjusting and testing the new blade
  • Troubleshooting blade changing problems
  • Maintaining your miter saw blade – care and sharpening

Changing the miter saw blade regularly is one of the handiest shop skills you can learn as a DIYer or woodworker. Let’s get started with the process.

Why Change the Miter Saw Blade? Signs It’s Time for a New One

The factory blade that comes with a new miter saw will cut well for awhile, but eventually it will become dull, damaged, or unsuitable for your projects. Here are signs it’s time to replace the blade on your miter saw:

  • Cuts are rough, splintery, or burn the material
  • Blade wanders, won’t make straight cuts
  • You need a different tooth configuration for your project
  • Teeth are visibly damaged, chipped, or missing
  • Cuts require extra force or saw stalls out

Don’t wait until the miter saw blade is completely worn out. Replacing a very dull blade can put added strain on the saw motor. It’s good practice to periodically inspect blade teeth and change the blade proactively.

Safety Tips and Preparation Before Changing the Miter Saw Blade

Changing power tool blades always requires caution and preparation for safety:

  • Unplug the saw – This ensures the blade won’t accidently start spinning
  • Allow the blade to fully stop – Don’t try removing until rotation ends completely
  • Wear gloves – Protect your hands from sharp teeth and edges
  • Use the proper wrench – Don’t improvise with pliers, adjustable wrench, etc.
  • Follow the manual – Refer to miter saw instructions for model-specific steps
  • Work slowly and carefully – Don’t rush the blade removal and installation process

It’s also a good idea to clean built-up sawdust from the saw before changing the blade. Have your new blade and tools ready to go as well.

Okay, let’s get that old, worn-out blade off and get your miter saw cutting like new again!

How to Remove the Old Miter Saw Blade

With safety preparations made, here are the typical steps for removing an old miter saw blade:

1. Unplug the saw and allow the blade to stop fully. This may take several minutes on some models. Don’t attempt to remove the blade until all motion has ceased completely.

2. Remove blade guard and other covers to gain access to the blade and spindle. Consult your miter saw manual for which covers need to be removed on your model.

3. Lock the blade arbor. There will be some mechanism to prevent the arbor shaft from turning during blade removal. Common types are: spindle lock button, shaft lock pin, or lock Allen wrench inserted in arbor shaft hole. Refer to manual.

4. Loosen arbor nut or bolt using the proper wrench, likely a hex key. Turn counterclockwise to loosen.

5. Remove outer blade flange if present. This may be a threaded flange or separate hat washer.

6. Slide blade off arbor. With nut removed and arbor locked, you can now slide the blade outward off the shaft. Keep hands clear of the teeth!

7. Remove inner blade flange and any other hardware or related items listed in miter saw manual removal instructions.

That’s it – the old blade should now be fully removed. Now let’s get that new cutting machine mounted up!

How to Select the Right Replacement Blade for Your Miter Saw

With so many miter saw blade options, how do you choose? Here are key factors to get the best blade for your miter saw:

  • Tooth count – Higher for finer finish cuts, lower (60T or fewer) for aggressive rough cuts
  • Kerf width – Matches original blade, usually thin kerf or full kerf
  • Material to cut – Carbide tips optimized for cutting metal, wood, laminates, etc.
  • Tooth configuration – Alternating, raker, combo, flat-top grind, etc.
  • Diameter – 10 or 12 inch blades are most common
  • Bore size – Matches your miter saw arbor (usually 5/8 or 1 inch)
  • Brand – Trusted brands like Diablo, Freund, and Forrest make excellent blades

Check your manual for original blade specs and any replacement recommendations. Comparing these factors will lead you to the ideal new miter saw blade for your tool and work.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing a New Miter Saw Blade

Once you’ve selected the right new blade for your miter saw, installation takes just a few steps:

1. Lock the blade arbor again as you did during removal. Consult manual for proper lock method.

2. Slide new blade onto arbor with teeth pointing down and in the proper rotation according to miter saw manual. Don’t force the blade – it should slide on easily if aligned correctly on the arbor.

3. Install inner blade flange and accessories like dampers or spacers that were removed when taking off old blade.

4. Thread on arbor nut and tighten with the hex wrench or tool specified in your miter saw instructions. Check for proper tightness.

5. Install outer blade flange if your model uses one. Thread on or place onto arbor over the blade.

6. Release blade arbor lock so shaft can freely turn again.

7. Reinstall covers and blade guard. Consult miter saw manual to ensure all guards and covers are replaced properly.

8. Plug saw back in or reconnect power source.

That’s all there is to the physical blade installation process. Now we need to make some test cuts and adjustments.

Testing and Adjusting the New Miter Saw Blade

With a sharp new blade installed, your miter saw should cut like new again! But before using it for important projects, you need to test and tune the blade. Here are steps for adjusting a new miter saw blade:

  • Make test cuts with scrap wood and check for smooth, clean edges. Make minor table or fence adjustments if needed.
  • Listen for abnormal noises that could indicate a vibrating blade. Fix the source of any vibration issues.
  • For combo blades, test in both rip cut and crosscut modes to verify sharpness on both grinding sections.
  • Ensure blade is parallel to fence all along its diameter. Adjustment procedures vary – check manual.
  • Verify blade raises, lowers, bevels, and locks properly without interfering with guards.

Taking the time to properly adjust your new blade will mean you get smooth, accurate cuts right off the bat. And be sure to feed stock slowly during the initial cuts on a new blade while doing final tuning.

Troubleshooting: Problems Changing the Miter Saw Blade

While changing a miter saw blade is usually straightforward, you may encounter issues like:

  • Arbor nut is stuck – Penetrating oil or a few light taps with a hammer can help free it up. Don’t force it.
  • Blade won’t slide onto arbor – Check for debris inside the blade mounting hole. The arbor shaft should be clean.
  • Blade wobbles – Confirm flanges are fully tightened. Damaged arbor could also be the cause.
  • Blade contacts guard – Loosen arbor nut and adjust lateral blade position if possible.

If you run into any other issues swapping the miter saw blade, refer to your tool manual or contact the manufacturer. Don’t operate the saw until the blade is installed correctly and running true.

Caring for Your Miter Saw Blade to Extend Life

To get the most use from a miter saw blade before needing to replace it again:

  • Use blade wash – Clean pitch and sap buildup regularly
  • Don’t cut inappropriate materials – Avoid masonry, tile, etc. that will quickly dull teeth
  • Avoid excessive heat – Reduce speed for long cuts or use lubricant
  • Store cleanly and dry – Prevent rusting in between uses
  • Get it sharpened – Professionally sharpened a few times before replacing

And remember not to drop or bang blades around, which can lead to unseen damage and alignment problems. With proper care, your new miter saw blade can stay sharp and effective for many projects to come!

Final Thoughts

Learning how to properly change out a worn or damaged miter saw blade is a valuable skill for any DIYer or woodworking hobbyist. Follow the steps covered in this article, consult your tool manual, and take necessary safety precautions. Before long, you’ll be able to swap miter saw blades quickly to keep your cuts smooth and accurate for every project.

So don’t hesitate to pick up a new blade when your current one gets dull. And down the road when it’s time again, you’ll have the process down and know exactly how to change the blade on your miter saw. Just follow along with these steps and you’ll be making precise cuts again in no time!

Owner

As a seasoned DIY enthusiast, I've spent years honing my skills in various aspects of home improvement, from small DIY projects to extensive renovations. My journey began with a 140-year old home and a simple desire to maintain its charm and avoid any costly repairs. Buying necessary tools for each project resulted in quite a collection. Over time, my passion grew into a full-fledged obsession that I'm excited to share with you.

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