How To Cut A 4×4

The things you do for your family, I tell you!

Until recently, I was under the happy impression that my husband was at peace with my uninvolvement in his DIY projects. However, almost all throughout the last year, I observed his passive complaints about the lack of help for his woodworking. So, after some time, I decided to give it a go.

Around the same time, my husband started working with 4x4s, thereby giving me the perfect starting point. However, the job was easier said than done. Although my neighbor had a miter saw, he, too, was quite inexperienced. And thus began my journey of developing this skill.

After hours of browsing through articles and numerous unsuccessful techniques, I could finally perform the job, at least to help my husband occasionally! So, I thought it’d be a good idea to document the process and share it with my readers who are in the same boat.

How To Cut A 4x4

Using A 10 Inches Miter Saw

Okay, before I dive deeper into the details, I know that pro woodcutters may not fall back to a miter saw for cutting a 4x4. But as it was the only tool available in the vicinity during the pandemic, I thought of trying it first. And the result was surprisingly well! 

For the unversed, a 10 inches miter saw can usually perform crosscuts up to 5 inches wide. The blade generally has a faster RPM (revolutions per minute), accounting for speed and a finer finish. Hence, you can cut through different materials like wood and plastic, and even certain metals, provided you have the right blade. 

Compared to a stationary 10 inches miter saw (which is what I used), the sliding variants have more versatility, cutting capacity and torque. You can tilt it back and forth for a wider range of motions, which ultimately leads to enhanced cutting capacity. On that note, let’s take a look at the steps to cut a 4x4.

Steps To Cut A 4x4 

Step 1

The first step is to grab a square and a pencil or marker and make appropriate measurements on all sides according to the desired size. Make sure that the markings are prominent and as accurate as possible. 

Step 2

Once the stock is marked, it’s now time to configure your miter saw. Begin by stabilizing it to the workbench. Remember that the motor of the saw may well be pushed beyond its limit, so take your time with this step. You will also need to calibrate the blade by adjusting the blade guard to fall on the stock at exactly 90-degrees. 

If you’re setting the saw well in advance or have multiple stocks to work on, I’d strongly recommend using the square to ensure that the angle doesn’t change. 

Step 3

Take the stock and place it atop the workbench so that the marked areas are under the saw. If you don’t have to make repeated cuts, I’d advise fixing the 4x4 on the workbench to prevent a kickback.

Step 4

With the preparation part over, it’s time to get down to business. Turn on the saw while its head is in the upright position and bring it down towards the mark. Don’t rush with this step, as it's easy to lose focus and direction while bringing the blade down.

A trick is to firmly press on one side (according to your orientation) of the stock to keep it from sliding. Slowly push the wood towards the blade to negate the risk of a kickback. Once you make the first cut, put the blade up to stop the saw and flip it to expose another marked area. Repeat steps 1 to 4.

10 Inches Vs. 12 Inches Miter Saw

If you’re new to woodworking, you’d probably be wondering why a 10 inches miter saw isn't the first choice for cutting a 4x4. One of the biggest drawbacks of using this tool is that the process becomes time-consuming. As you can guess, adjusting the blade alone can take a lot of time. Moreover, if the stock starts sliding, you’d have to stop the blade repeatedly.

Another thing to keep in mind is that the blade may wear out faster than average, especially if you have to cut many 4x4s. Plus, the motor may get overheated while cutting through thicker 4x4s- a damage that the warranty may not cover.

But if you’re a beginner or don’t indulge in a lot of woodwork like me, a 10-inch miter saw is an affordable and relatively easy power tool to operate. The model I have comes with an adjustable blade guard, meaning I can increase the blade’s cutting capacity. 

When you allow more clearance for the blade, you essentially increase the chances of having a clean and precise cut, especially at a single pass. 

However, if your 10-inch miter doesn’t have this feature and you still want to get through the job in a single pass, the only way is to opt for a 12-inch sliding dual bevel compound miter saw. This variety has a bigger blade to facilitate faster, longer and wider cuts. 

Bestseller No. 1

Metabo HPT 10-Inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw, 15-Amp Power Saw with Xact Cut Shadow Line, Precision Miter Angles, Single Bevel 0-45°, 40T TCT Miter Saw Blade, Lightweight Design, C10FCG2

• POWERFUL AND PRECISE: This 10-inch single bevel compound miter saw features a 15-Amp motor delivering high power for effortless cuts. The power saw generates a no-load speed up to 5,000 RPM, ensuring precise cuts for all your woodworking projects.
• USER-FRIENDLY DESIGN: The miter saw includes an improved miter scale and controls for accurate adjustments. Its large table saw 10 inch provides better material support, and the vice clamping system secures the workpiece for precision and safety.
• LIGHTWEIGHT AND PORTABLE: Weighing only 24 lbs, this second generation power saw is easy to maneuver and transport to any job site. The compact design allows for easy storage and increased portability without sacrificing power or performance.

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Bestseller No. 2

DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, 15-Amp, Single Bevel, Compound (DWS715)

• Stainless-steel miter detent plate of 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 14 positive stops
• The mitre saw features the precise miter system and machined base fence support
• Tall sliding fence of DEWALT miter saw supports 5-1/2-inch base vertically

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Summing It Up