How to Use a Mitre Saw Protractor

A mitre saw protractor performs a lot of duties that aid you in any building or fixing activities. This appliance goes along with a mitre saw. It measures internal and external angles and then transfers the angles along to the mitre saw for further applications.

Steps to Use the Mitre Saw Protractor

Listed below are the steps with which one utilises the mitre saw protractor and works it to the best of its abilities.

Measurement of External Angles

1. Open the mitre saw protractor

Separate the two arms of the open mitre saw protractor at a ¼ of a turn. This ensures that the protractor will be able to fit on any surface and allow further changes once the angle is measured.

2. Place the protractor

Once open, place the mitre saw protractor around the corner and close the arms tightly around the corner. It is vital to make sure that the arms are closed tightly around the corner for proper readings.

This way the protractor will be settled perfectly on your corner and will give you an accurate measurement of the external angle you are looking to measure.

Measurement of Internal Angles

Internal angles are internal corners of the buildings that deem difficult to measure.

1. Open mitre saw protractor

When measuring internal corners, there is a difference of the distance at which you open up your protractor. You separate the arms of the protractor at a distance of ¾ of a turn. This gives you enough moving leverage over the measurement of the internal angle.

2. Settle the protractor on the corner

As with measuring an external angle, one must place the protractor on the corner and close the arms of the protractor tightly against the sides of the corner. This is done to make sure that you receive an accurate reading of the angle and face no difficulty in acquiring one.

Despite the fact that the arrows on the protractor are in a different direction, it does not mean that the measurement reading will have a negative effect. It measures the angle just the same as if it were measuring an external corner for an angle.

Measurement of Angles at High Points

In addition to measuring internal and external angles of respective corners, mitre saw protractors can also measure angles in high places. These points are often difficult to measure without special tools and especially so if you do not occupy the use of a mitre saw protractor.

The protractor measures a high angle when it is placed on a specific corner with the scale on the top portion of the saw. This is done so that when you take the protractor away from the corner you want to measure, the bands of the protractor will remain where they were. They stay in place because of the tension in the pivot point. This method is the easiest way to measure a high angle quickly and efficiently.

A second method of measuring a high angle is to let the scale be facing downwards when placed on the angle. In this method, you can either read the measurement by taking the protractor away or by having it in place on the corner.

Function of The Scale on The Protractor

The scale on the mitre saw protractor is set in place to ensure accurate readings regardless of the placement. This means that it does not matter greatly which position the scale is placed in. Be it up or down, you will always receive an accurate measurement of your desired angle.

Measuring high angles like the ones on the ceiling is often required when installing crown moulding.

How To Ensure A Fence is Square Using a Mitre Saw Protractor

Among many functions of the mitre saw protractor, one is also making sure that the mitre saw fence is square properly. A mitre saw fence is a barrier that holds the material being cut and makes certain to keep it in place during the activity.

1. Open the bands of the protractor

When checking the saw fence, separate the arms of the mitre saw protractor at a distance of 180 degrees until the arms fit snugly along the length of the saw fence.

2. Set the protractor in place

The arms of the protractor must be closed tightly against the fence. This is done at an angle of 180 degrees (90 degrees on the single cut scale) which is a straight angle defining the fence to also be straight.

To determine whether the fence is squared, you must check to see if the protractor fits perfectly with the fence. If there are gaps or the single cut arrow does not point to 90 degrees, it means that the fence is not square and needs fixing.

See Also: How to use a mitre saw

A mitre saw fence that is not adequately square will need to be fixed as it may result in wrong cuts due to the inaccuracy of the material alignment.

However, if the mitre saw fits with the fence with no gaps and the single cut arrow is in the direction of 90 degrees, it indicates that the fence is perfectly square.

The 90-degree angle that is closest to the fence would formerly be 10 degrees on the angle measurement. If you are employing the use of a combination protractor, you can utilise the one at the back to receive an angle.

Conclusion

A mitre saw protractor is simple to use. People often use this equipment in projects which need measurement of external and internal angles or when they need to check the accuracy of the mitre saw fence in order to receive accurate cuts. A mitre saw protractor is a must-have in every toolbox as it makes the whole process much easier and hassle-free.