Compound Miter Saws for Dummies

Double-bevel compound miter saw

Our woodworking and carpentry specialists run across many an ignorant freelancer in the course of their research, but the most irritating ignoramuses are the ones who clearly do not know what they are writing about in the first place. For instance, consider the work done by eHowian Steve Smith back in the days he called himself S. Baselice: now at HomeSteady.com, "How to Use a Workforce Compound Miter Saw" is a shining example of what happens when an English major attempts to write about a tool he's never even seen.

For "references," Smith/Baselice linked to a couple of sites trying to sell you various brands of saws, neither of which included a single word of instructions: no wonder our DotD nominee didn't know what "compound" means in this context! Plus, he didn't even know where to buy one of the saws, a house brand at Home Depot (does Home Depot have stores in the U. K.). Sheesh...

All of that pales alongside the stupidity of Steve's content, however. According to Smith, the most important information is,

"...the back stop on the platform in front of the saw... is a perfectly straight 'level'..."

...to which we say: It's not a "level," Steve, it's a straightedge; and it's not necessarily perfectly straight, especially on a less expensive house brand. "Smith" goes on to wow us with his instructional capabilities, explaining that to use the saw, you simply,

"[Turn] the saw on (you need to depress the safety). Then grasp the handle on the blade arm and pull down to make the cut. The blade runs at one speed. You can adjust the angle of the cut as well."

All well and good, Steve, except with miter saws you can't turn the blade on unless you're already "[grasping] the handle." That's not to mention that the OQ quite probably wanted to know just HOW you "adjust the angle of the cut": don't you think that's important? And then there's,

"To make a cut of 45 degrees (or another angle), swivel the blade arm on the platform. First release the locking mechanism and keep it released as you move the blade to the required angle. Once you release the lock, you will hear the blade arm snap into position."

First, Steve, you don't "move the blade," you rotate the entire arm. Second, the arm does not "snap into position": you might notice the carriage has detents at common angles including 90°, 45°, and 22½°. Third, wouldn't you think that how to "release the locking mechanism" would be important to mention?

Last, Smith went into some detail about something he called "transportation mode," burning almost 90 words. What Steve never does, however, is say a single word about what makes this a compound miter saw instead of a chop saw. It's compound because the head also tilts so users can cut a bevel as well as a miter, or both simultaneously for a compound miter. Some even tilt both directions; a double-bevel compound miter saw.
Smith didn't mention the bevel. We can only assume it was because he didn't know what "compound" means in the context of miter saws, more than enough to qualify him for the Dumbass of the Day award.

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