Had to choose between a miter saw or a table saw for a big deck job in Phoenix

Went with the DeWalt miter saw because the angles were crazy, but it took twice as long. Anyone got a better way to handle compound cuts on pressure treated 2x10s?

4 comments

4 Comments

oliviabutler2d ago

Ever think about using a speed square and a circular saw instead? You can set the bevel on the saw and use the square to guide the angle, it locks in for compound cuts. For long 2x10s it's way faster to handle on the deck frame itself instead of moving each board to a miter station. The trick is clamping a straight edge down as a fence so your cuts stay true.

craig.olivia2d ago

Last summer I built a 12x16 deck and did exactly that with my old Skilsaw. Clamped a 4-foot level as a fence for the long cuts on the joists. It saved so much time not hauling those heavy boards back and forth to the saw horses.

wade_dixon2d ago

That's the real trick, finding ways to work smarter not harder when you're on the job site. It's amazing how a simple clamp and a straight edge can change the whole flow.

corap612d ago

My buddy tried that speed square trick on a big porch job. He was cutting notched posts for the railing. Clamped a long 2x4 as a guide right on the deck frame. Said it was a game changer for those long boards. He made all the compound cuts in place with his circular saw. Saved him a whole afternoon of walking back to his miter saw station.