i'm trying to miter 5 inch cherry @ a 45 but i'm having poor results.
i've tried using a 10 compound miter saw flipping the boards over to complete the cut but they were short of perfect.

So next i built a jig and used my had saw, that had similar results
i then changed the design slightly but had even poorer results
needless to say i'm at my wits end and to the point were i'm going to buy either a sliding compound miter saw or a table saw. Then try and hide it from the wife.

Any advice would be great

What do you guys use when cutting wide boards?

This might be a long shot; I'm not sure how close you are getting to cutting all the way through on the first shot -- can you adjust the blade stop to cut further down through the wood?

a 12 inch saw will cut 5 inch boards on a 45. Doesnt have to be a slide saw. (maybe easier to hide it because its not 700.00)

You could cut outside the line just a tad bit then belt sand the cut.

thanks for the feedback, found out what was happening after talking with my father in law, half way through the cut the blade was getting hot and flexing he suggested using wax to lubricate the cut. I haven't tried it yet also sears had a sliding 10 inch on sale for $230 i'm going to try that tonight as well wife didn't care she just wants the floors done. I should have told her i needed a table saw too.

i appreciate your suggestions

Use a circular saw and a large speed square as a guide for the saw. Speed squares have a 45 degree angle built in.


Since circular saws cut up and into the work, you'll need to make your cut upside down. Use a new carbide fine tooth blade on your circular saw. I've been doing flooring and carpentry for nearly 30 yrs. Using a circular saw for detail work is nothing new or hard.