How to Cut a 45 Degree Angle with a Hand Saw

A 45-degree angle cut is a common task for a home improvement project, and a hand saw is quite an effective tool for this job. But if you want a precise angle with a smooth finish, improve your skill by learning how to cut a 45 degree angle with a hand saw.

Whether you are building small furniture or installing interior trim, angle-cutting tasks can irritate you. You will need some additional tools to measure the angle accurately and some safe processes to make the operation successful. Thus, we add several processes of cutting at 45-degree angles on different materials that promise a smooth finish for seamless joints.

Things to Remember Before Cutting a 45 Degree Angle

Before cutting any material, make sure the saw blades are in good condition. It means the teeth of the blades should be sharp and considerably clean so you can cut smoothly. Measure the cut point carefully and check the measurement twice after the mark. More importantly, you need a safe working area as you will operate hand saws. You must follow every safety precaution properly to prevent injury. Last, keep your finger far from the path of the blades and ensure firm support for the material.

Correct Sawing Technique

One of the common mistakes that many woodworkers make is using excessive muscle power while using a hand saw. The aim of intending a tool is to make the task more effortless, not tougher. Operating a hand saw requires following proper technique instead of brute strength:

Keep your arm aligned with the hand saw. It means your hand and wrist should be parallel to the handle and your arm at the proper angle. Then push the saw forward rather than pull it back. Whether you are cutting a forward oscillating shape or straight line, use downward strokes.

Use the whole saw blade to cut the material instead of using the limit area. Short, rough strokes can exacerbate the difficulty by causing crooks and jaggedness. Keep the working piece stable to prevent cracking.

Tools Required for Accurate Angle Measurement

Cutting at a 45-degree angle requires precise measurement instead of guesswork. So, before placing the saw on the working piece, you must measure the angle accurately and mark it correctly. Below are some effective tools to measure 45-degree angles properly:

• A Protractor: You can measure up to a 180-degree angle with this tool.
• A Compass: It allows marking a full 360-degree angle
• Speed Square: This ruler comes in a right-angle shape. It has a lip on one side that allows you to place the tool properly against the wood for more precise measurement.
• Framing Square: it’s a metallic L-shaped measurement tool. The tool has a diagonal scale, an octagonal scale, and a board foot scale.
• Sliding T-bevel: it’s a helpful tool for transferring angles. The tool has a double-ended metal blade where one side is rounded off and the other is at a 45-degree angle. This sliding T-bevel also has a handle.

Guides to Cut 45-Degree Angle with Various Types of Hand Saws

Many DIYers suggest using a miter box with this backsaw, as it creates a 45 degree or 90-degree angle cut easily. A backsaw is quite an inexpensive handsaw, but the metal version is slightly more expensive. A metal backsaw is adjustable and perfect for precise operation, making it a worthwhile investment.

Crosscut Saw

It’s a useful multi-purpose tool that is applicable to a wide variety of applications. The crosscut saw is comfortable to hold and, after flexing the tip, the tool twangs right back to the center. To cut a 45-degree angle with this crosscut saw, first of all, hold the tool in an upright position.

Then make a notch over the working surface by drawing the blade slowly in an upward motion. It will lead to the rest of the cutting process. Using the knuckle of the thumb, you can keep the blade steady. But be careful, as any slippage can cause injury from the sharp edge of the saw.

Miter Box and Backsaw

A backsaw is also an effective type of hand saw for a 45-degree angle cut. Its spine keeps the blade firm to allow it to cut slightly, while it’s cutting teeth enhance the precision. This backsaw is especially suitable for cutting trim or mouldings. The handsaw can cut both on the push stroke and the pull stroke, allowing one to choose based on preference.

But the blade installation process is different where you need to insert the blade while keeping its teeth facing away from the handle for a push stroke. Conversely, you will have to attach the blade while keeping its teeth towards it for a pull stroke.

Coping Saw

This handsaw features a tauter, wiry, and thinner blade. It also has a rectangular frame that helps make a curve cut. Along with the coping saw, you will need some clamps for angle cutting to keep the workpiece steady.

Angle finder edition

This angle finder offers improved control over the workpiece while cutting at a 45-degree angle. To cut a 45-degree angle with this hand saw, first secure the workpiece to the table with clamps. Find 45 degrees on the angle finder and place the tool on the top of the workpiece, keeping the measuring side flush. It will help draw the clean line at a 45-degree angle properly with a sharp pencil.

Now place your hand saw over the line and start cutting slowly. Over time, you will have a 45-degree angle cut over the workpiece.

Materials that Need to be Cut at a 45-degree Angle

The project involves angle cutting, mainly using solid wood like plywood or MDF. Some building and small crafts projects also use different sizes and thicknesses of softwood and hardwood. Apart from wood, materials like PVC pipe, aluminium, and steel also need to be cut at an angle for various home improvement projects. The type of workpiece determines the type of hand saw you should use and the technique to follow. Some hand saw can cut only a specific material while other can anything. So it’s better to use a hand saw that is compatible with the workpiece.

Reasons to cut a 45-degree angle with a hand saw

Cutting at a 45-degree angle is essential for lots of reasons, including home improvement projects like skirting boards, making frames for doors or shelves. A 45-degree angle offers a larger cutting area to apply adhesive or glue, resulting in ensuring extra support. Two pieces of 45-degree angle cut also make a 90-degree angle for proper support.

Some woodworkers join 45-degree angles using dowels or screws, which are handy for aesthetic purposes. A 45-degree angle cut is also essential for a project that demands a smooth finish and seamless joins.

Tips and Tricks for Cutting a 45-Degree Angle with a Hand Saw

Below are some basic tips to improve the accuracy of the 45-degree angle cut:

• Keep the hand steady to get an accurate angle cut.
• Using a hand saw doesn’t require excessive force as a sharp blade does most of the job.
• Sand down the blade’s edge to get a more seamless and smoother finish.
• Cutting a longer workpiece is harder. So, if possible, shorten the workpiece and make the angle cutting task easier.
• Make a proper plan before cutting and consider around 10% overage on the length that you require.
• The handle of the hand saw is also as a measurement scale. So you can simply place the base on the handle over the workpiece and measure a 45-degree angle.

 These tips will help get an accurate 45-degree angle cut with a smooth finish.

FAQs on How to Cut a 45 Degree Angle with a Hand Saw

Final Words

Woodworking and carpentry are both types of art that involve lots of cutting and joining. It means you often need to operate a different type of handsaw and cut 45-degree or 90-degree angles. So learning how to cut a 45-degree angle with a hand saw is essential for completing a home improvement project efficiently.

Since the home improvement project involves different types of material that require a variety of handsaws, we mention multiple processes of cutting 45-degree angles. This process will offer improved versatility over different materials using several types of handsaws.