How to Change the Blade on a Miter Saw?

July 16, 2021

Anything subject to constant friction cannot really escape wear and tear, just like in the case of the miter saw blade. When engaging in a cut, the miter saw blade comes in contact with the workpiece, and this contact causes enormous friction. Over time, its teeth become dull. Yet, you may fail to notice this if you are a beginner in woodworking. There are tell-tale signs, however, indicating that you need to replace your miter saw blade. All you need to do is be aware of these indicators. 

Well, let me explain further these indicators. If the saw blade, for example, shows burn marks, then it might be time to replace it. Moreover, if the miter saw blade is chipping, you must replace it. Furthermore, if it no longer delivers effective results, it means the saw blade has become blunt. When you notice these indicators, it is evident that it’s time to replace your miter saw blade.

Simple Steps to Follow When Replacing Your Miter Saw Blade

A quality saw blade features a solid and robust make. Yet, since it often undergoes friction when it cuts, sooner or later, it will become dull. This dulling process can be gradual or abrupt, depending on how you use your miter saw. Thus, to keep your miter saw in a top-notch condition, you need to replace its blade when needed. Here is a rundown of the succinct steps you need to follow when replacing a miter saw blade:

Step 1: Prepare the Miter Saw for Blade Replacement

If you have a newer version of the miter saw, you will find a feature called saw blade change mode among the presets of your miter saw. This preset guarantees that you can safely remove the blade of your miter saw. So, you need to set the locking pin on change mode. When it is in this mode, the saw blade is locked or fixed. 

This locking system ensures that the saw will not switch on accidentally. Accidental switching on of the miter saw while you replace the blade will be dangerous to you. In fact, you may end up with a nasty cut if that happens. But with this change blade mode at hand, you can ensure that it will never happen.

Furthermore, it will be best to unplug the miter saw before changing the blade to ensure that no accidental switching-on of the device will happen. Once you are sure that the saw in the change blade mode and you’ve unplugged it, you can remove its spindle cover. Begin by positioning the blade guard towards the top. Afterward, you can remove the spindle cover’s front screw. 

Step 2: Unlocking of the Blade

At the onset of this step, you should wear safety gloves. You should wear those gloves because you may accidentally touch the blade’s sharp teeth. It will be possible that your skin or fingers may come in contact with the sharp teeth, and such contact with the saw blade may cause you a nasty cut. You should also ensure that your gloves are thick and are scratch-resistant. 

Then, unlock the blade’s locking device. You should fold the two brackets up on the right and left sides. These two brackets provide additional stop functions and secure the saw blade further. Once you’ve folded up the brackets, you would now see the exposed saw blade. You also have access now to the middle bracket. Hold the miter saw blade and handle it with care. 

Step 3: Start Removing the Blade

Start turning the wheel in the saw blade’s middle while you hold the saw blade at the bottom using your other hand. You will feel that the saw blade is light. Once you’ve loosened the wheel on one side and you’ve detached the disc, you can do it likewise on the other side. 

Support the blade at the bottom to prevent it from falling. Then, begin turning the wheel until you see the disk underneath come off. When it comes off, you will find yourself holding the blade on its own. It is safe if you are wearing your safety gloves. 

Pull down the saw blade with care. Push gently inwards the device to let the dull saw blade completely come off. Place the saw blade away from the device to keep it away from you. You can cover the dull saw blade using a soft blanket to avoid any accidental touching of it. You can afterward dispose of this blade once you finish installing the new saw blade.

Step 4: Installing the New Blade

You can unsheathe the new blade and ensure that you hold it with firmness to avoid accidental fall. Turn the disc and its center device toward the saw blade and insert the new saw blade. Make sure that you position the saw blade in the right place. 

Check its position using a screwdriver. Replace the two safety spindle pin locks to their original position. The saw blade should not stick out. Afterward, reset the safety brackets and anchors. 

The reinstalling, of course, is far easier than the removing of the old saw blade. Once you have finished installing the new blade, you can now change the mode to open mode and test if the blade would work smoothly.

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Additional Tips: When It’s Time To Replace Your Miter Saw’s Blade

As a beginner, you need to know if your saw blade is already dull. But there will be instances when a saw blade may look dull but may only need a little cleaning. This happens when wood accumulates on your saw blade. 

Such a wood accumulation may make the saw blade look dull and prompt you to consider replacing your saw blade. However, you only need to clean the blade to prevent the onset of corrosion in such a case. You can use a special solution for this purpose, such as a blade cleaner.

But before cleaning, make sure that you unplug the power tool. Ensure likewise to remove the saw blade from the device. If the dirt is the reason behind the seemingly dulling of the blade, you can solve such a problem by simply cleaning it.

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Conclusion

As mentioned above, some indicators would tell you to replace your miter saw blade. For example, when cutting, you should consider replacing the saw blade if the saw blade burns the wood. Such burns on the wood indicate that the saw blade is already dull and creates excessive friction. If your blade also cuts slow than it usually did, you might consider changing the saw blade. Miter saw blades can cut through materials like a scorching knife. If you see that the saw blade requires more effort to cut through materials, it might indicate dullness. 

Moreover, if the miter saw makes too much noise when you cut, it only means that your miter saw’s motor exerts more power to cut through materials because the saw blade is already dull. Besides, if you have a hard time cutting straight through the materials, it may be a tell-tale sign that you need a blade replacement.