How To Cut A Hexagon On A Miter Saw? 8 Essential Steps

Creating a well-shaped hexagon is challenging, mainly when the building material is wood. However, a miter saw can prove a very supportive tool for such a task that helps make the perfect cuts and is easy, like cutting butter. 

But how to accomplish this task? Or how to cut a hexagon with a miter saw?

It is simple to create a hexagon blank and a custom fixture fence and make the first and last cuts with blank help. When you have the proper material and follow the essential guidelines, cutting perfectly identical hexagons on a miter saw becomes effortless. In this guide, we’ll help you cut the hexagon structures on a miter saw. So, let’s explore the detailed steps on it!

Tools and Materials Required Cut a Hexagon

Here are the essential tools and the steps to be followed to accomplish the task; 

• A functional Miter saw 
• Wooden hexagon blank 
• Wooden screws 
• Countersunk screws 
• Circular saw (for some cuts)
• Measuring tape
• Pencil to mark the plywood edge 
• Wooden scrap strip
• A stop block 
• A power drill having a drill bit 
• A few pennies 

How to Cut a Hexagon on a Miter Saw – The Cutting Secrets for Your Saw 

Once you have gathered all the mentioned power tools and materials, proceed according to the following steps; 

Prepare the Miter Saw: 

Put the scrap strips on the miter saw table to help you align the hexagon blank. Use the wood screws to secure these strips to the saw table. 

Build a Hexagon Blank: 

Now cut the square plywood edge and mark its center with the pencil. Cut the square at thirty degrees using a miter gauge that will act as a starting angle to cut the symmetrical hexagon on your miter saw. Repeat the process for all hexagon sides to cut the complementary angles of the same length.

Build a Fixture Fence: 

Create a fixture fence by attaching the blank strips of wood to the back fence of the miter saw using the countersunk screws. This fence secured to the hexagon blank flush beneath the miter saw blade will keep the blank well in place. 

Cut the Hexagon: 

Put the recently prepared hexagon blank on the fixture fence, ensuring the cut edge is flush against the fence. Place the adjustable stop block at the starting angle of the hexagon, which should be thirty degrees. Make the essential adjustments in the adjustable stop block to align the wooden hexagon’s sides to the saw blade, and secure the stop block and fence using the wood screws. 

The First Cut: 

Lower the saw blade to the hexagon blank and align it to the starting angle of the hexagon. Ensure that the hexagon is square against both the back fence and fixture fence, and then cut through the hexagon with your miter saw. 

Modify the Stop Block: 

After the successful first cut, rotate the hexagon blank clockwise to the next side, adjust the adjustable stop block to align it with the next side, and make the next cut. Repeat the same process to cut all six sides of the wooden hexagon. 

Complete the Cuts: 

Once you have cut the hexagon’s six sides, remove the hexagon blank from the fence, and cut the final angle as a final cut to complete the hexagon structure. Finally, your wooden hexagon is ready!

Smoothing the Edges: 

Smoothen all the cuts you made recently using sandpaper. The beauty of the hexagon will increase if you paint it with the identical paint that matches your project. 

Tips and Tricks to Cut Hexagon on a Miter Saw 

Some easy and simple tips and tricks will help you achieve maximum precision while cutting hexagons on a miter saw. Here are the most important ones to focus on; 

• Always wear safety gear like protection glasses, hearing protection, and cut-resistant gloves. 
• Drill the pilot holes before securing the scrap wooden strips to the miter saw table; it will prevent tear-out issues. 
• Use a few dabs of hot glue or double-sided tape to secure the hexagon blank and scrap the blank wooden strip on the miter saw table. 
• Large ceramic tile can replace the hexagon blank as a fixture fence in larger projects. 
• Always start at a lower speed before reaching a fast and steady speed to avoid kickbacks. 
• Plywood edges can support the hexagon. 
• Pay special attention to the interior angles of the hexagon. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, how to cut a hexagon on a miter saw? It’s a straightforward process and involves stop blocks, some custom cuts, and a few power tools to make the cuts. However, it would help if you mastered miter saw cutting techniques to cut the hexagon angles perfectly. 

Moreover, remember the safety precautions and work by wearing protective gear like glasses, masks, earplugs, and gloves. And avoid wearing loose clothing while working with any of the saws, as doing so may be risky, resulting in serious injuries. Sharpen the miter saw blade; follow these guidelines and the above procedure, you can easily cut a hexagon with a miter saw!

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