There are multiple different tools you can use to cut a 6×6. That said, a miter saw is one of the tools best suited for the job. Miter saws, though, come in different sizes, so you might be wondering what the best one is for this job.
That’s exactly what we will be talking about today.
Should You Cut a 6×6 Using a Miter Saw?
A miter saw is a great tool to cut a 6×6 with. The miter saw is fixed in position, with a fence to reference the timber against, this means that the cut will be more square and cleaner than if you cut the post with a freehand tool.
Before You Begin – Safety First
It’s important to remember your PPE before cutting anything with a miter saw. If you can’t cut safely, with the right equipment, then you shouldn’t cut the post.
The PPE you should wear are safety glasses, ear defenders, and steel-toe cap boots. You should remove any jewelry from your arms and hands and not wear loose, baggy clothing. If cutting in a confined area or inside, you should use an extractor alongside the miter saw. An extractor keeps harmful dust out of the air and your lungs.
How to Cut a 6×6 With a Miter Saw
Additionally, if you are cutting long sections of 6×6, you should set the saw up with supports that take the weight of the post. This means that you don’t have to push the 6×6 down, holding it against the fence, while cutting. This is an important safety addition. You don’t want to be pushing excessively around a spinning blade, if your grip slips or the post moves, your hand could be in danger. Alongside the safety consideration, supporting the post will create a cleaner cut because there’s less chance of it moving. If the timber moves and isn’t directly against the bed or floor of the saw, the blade won’t cut straight through it.
On many projects, like building a deck, or a new fence, there’ll be a few posts that have to get cut to the same length. You could mark out each piece and cut them, however, there is a way to speed up the process. Mark out one piece and cut it to length. Before you move the 6×6 away from the saw, put a stop on the other end away from the blade. A stop could be a piece of wood with a screw or a heavy object.
With the stop in place, you don’t need to mark up the rest of the timbers. You can place a new timber onto the saw and then push it back so it touches the stop. When it touches the stop you know it’s at the length you want to cut.
In most projects, the majority of your cuts will be straight, square, 90-degree angles. However, in some circumstances, you’ll have to cut a 6×6 post at an angle or even compound angles. In these situations, a miter saw really comes into its own and sets itself apart from other types of saws.
For example, if you want to cut a 45-degree angle to create a miter, you can spin the saw’s base to 45 degrees, lock it off and it will cut the timber perfectly. Sometimes, for decorative reasons, people will cut the top of posts into a four-sided pyramid shape. Similarly, you can set the angle on the saw, cut one side, rotate the timber, and cut the next side. Repeat this for every side and you have a simple decorative touch that a miter saw makes very easy to do.
Can a 10-Inch Miter Saw Cut a 6×6?
Yes, a 10” miter saw can cut a 6×6 post. However, a blade of this size won’t be able to make the cut in one pass. Even though the total diameter of the blade is 10”, it can only cut to a maximum of 5”, if not less. This is because a spindle goes through the center of the blade and rotates it, but this blocks the blade from going any deeper. On a lot of saws, a guard will prevent the saw from plunging to the spindle depth as well.
To cut a 6×6 with a 10” miter saw, you will have to make a cut to the saw’s maximum depth, then rotate the timber and cut from another face. Continue this until the 6×6 is cut completely. It’s important to mark the timber out accurately otherwise there could be a step where your two cuts meet.
Despite a miter saw of this size requiring multiple passes to cut a 6×6, it is still a good tool for the job. This saw is smaller, lighter, and more mobile than the larger miter saws. Also, in many cases, this saw is cheaper than the larger models.
Can a 12-Inch Miter Saw Cut a 6×6?
A 12” miter saw is extremely well suited to cutting a 6×6 post. Half the diameter of 12 is 6, however, it still isn’t large enough to cut a 6×6 in one pass. But the larger saw usually means it’s more powerful and capable of cutting the wood cleanly. A 12” miter saw will struggle less than a 10”. The increased resistance that larger timber puts on the saw will be negated by the larger motor.
What Is the Best Miter Saw Size for Cutting 6x6s?
For the quality of the cut, the 12” saw is better than the 10” when it comes to cutting a 6×6. The larger blade cuts better, the saw is more powerful, and the cut is deeper.
However, when considering other factors, such as weight, size, and cost, the 10” saw becomes a lot more appealing. So the best saw depends on how much space and money you are willing to dedicate to a miter saw. In case you don’t have one yet, check our list of the best miter saws.
Summary
Six-by-six timber is large and can be difficult to cut. However, with the right miter saw, you’ll be able to cut the lengths you need without too much trouble.
In general, a 12” miter saw will cut the timber better, but a 10” is easier to handle, transport, and afford.