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DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans For Woodworking Project

diy miter saw stand plans
Written by Brent Butterworth
Last Update: May 2, 2023

Miter saw stands are an essential piece of equipment that all professional or serious woodworkers should have. Practice your woodworking skills and be creative while saving a little money by making your own DIY stand.

Popular Miter Saw Stand Plans

Now that you have decided to build your own stand, the question is, which stand should you build. There are a few different stand options that all have advantages and disadvantages. Let us have a look at the different types of stands you can make.

Miter Saw Bench

These benches are quite simple to build and are a good start for the less experienced woodworker. It provides extra storage space for your saw bits and bobs as well as other tools. Attaching wheels is also an option to provide movability and easy access.

Rolling Miter Saw Stand

This stand is smaller than some of the others but is strong enough to support your saw. It has 2 outstretched arms which are support structures that are placed to allow you enough space to hold and saw any long pieces of wood.

Miter Saw Station

Keep track of all your woodworking gear and unfinished pieces with this spacious saw station. With many built in drawers as well as blast gates for dust collection, this is ideal for a serious woodworker. The beauty of this type of design, is that it can be used as a toolbox as well as a saw stand.

DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans – How to Build

1. Gather All the Necessary Tools and Materials

Before doing anything, make sure you accurately measure the mounting holes of your Miter saw. Hanger bolts and wing nuts that match the size of the holes should be bought. The height of your saw table should be measured and about 2 – ½ inches should be added. This is done for you to find the right length of the bolts. Other useful tools include:

  • Tape measure
  • Clamps
  • A miter saw
  • A drill bit set
  • A speed square
  • Wood
  • A framing square
  • A circular saw
  • Safety glasses
  • Cordless drill
  • Socket or ratchet set

Keep your plans nearby as well as a list of materials, tools, and assembly directions. If you are ever in doubt, refer to these plans and directions. Wear personal protective equipment such as heavy-duty gloves and eye-goggles, stay safe!

2. Cut the Parts

The cutting of your plywood is dependent on the type of stand you are making. All stands have different plans and require different lengths of plywood for different parts of the stand. Mostly 2×4’s, 2×6’s, and plywood are used for these stands. All parts should be cut according to plan specifications.

Do not be too worried about the wood pieces being perfect. Tweaking can be done towards the assembly stage. If the pieces of wood are cut at the right length, the texture or rough edges of the wood are not a problem in this stage. You will use a table saw to cut these pieces of wood so be careful and exercise health and safety measures. Wear personal protective equipment!

3. Assemble the Miter Saw Stand Base

Before you assemble the base of your stand, you will need to build the sides. You will need a handle rail, a leg rail, and front and back legs.

  • Use screws to attach the handle rail to the front leg.
  • Use more screws to attach the leg rail on the front leg.
  • Attach the front and back legs using even more screws.
  • Repeat this building process on the other side.

Diy miter saw stand plans - assembling the sides

Once you have finished assembling the sides, you can start with the base of the stand

  • Attach the rails to the sides that you assembled using screws.
  • The center rail needs to be attached in between the lower rails.
  • The handle needs to be slipped snuggly into the hole for the handle rail.
  • Attach the second assembled side to finish the base.

building a saw table: Assemble the Miter Saw Stand Base

4. Make the Side Wing Supports

When the basic frame of your Miter saw stand is ready, you can cut and assemble the side wing supports. Before assembly you need to cut the wings by:

  • Cutting the wing bases, wing supports and the angle braces. These can be cut from a board.
  • Pocket holes need to be drilled into the wing support
  • Pilot holes need to be drilled into the wing supports and the wing base

DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans - Make the Side Wing Supports

Next, we can assemble the wing supports:

  • Position the wing support perpendicularly to the wing base.
  • Clamp the angle brace into position and attach it using a flathead woodscrew.
  • Repeat the process to assemble the second wing.

Remember to only assemble the wings once you have tested that every component fits correctly.

DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans - assemble the wings

5. Mount the Saw

All Miter saws differ in shape and size so mounting steps should always be tweaked to accommodate your saw.

  • Place the saw in the centre of the base.
  • Adjust the saw’s position to fit you comfortably.
  • Mark the position of the mounting holes on the saw’s base with a pencil.
  • Take the saw off the base and drill holes
  • Place the saw back onto the base and secure it with washer and bolts. Wing nuts can be used for easier removal if it is required.

Remember to be careful when doing this as Miter saws are expensive, heavy pieces of equipment and you would regret dropping it on your toe.

6. Mount the Side Wing Supports

  • Slip a wing beneath your saw and bring it into contact with the handle rail.
  • The fence back should be aligned onto the wing with a saw fence, using a long ruler.
  • The wing support should be clamped to the handle rail.
  • Drill holes and mount the wing stops to fit tightly on the wing support edges.

DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans - Mount the Side Wing Supports

Conclusion

Whilst it takes a lot more time and effort to build your own Miter saw stand, it is generally worth it where cost is concerned. It is much cheaper to build your own stand and you can choose from many different designs to suit your needs. All decisions are up to you, just remember to practice safety and to follow plan instructions.

FAQ

1. Does a miter saw need a stand?

Ans. If you want to use this saw to the best of its ability with accuracy, then yes, a stand is needed. This is a heavy piece of equipment and it is recommended that you use a table or stand that can accommodate the weight of the saw.

2. Can I use a miter saw stand for a table saw?

Ans. Miter saw stands are not necessarily designed for table saws, but they can be used for a table saw if there is no other option available. Ideally, you would only use the stand for a Miter saw because they can be expensive to buy and make.

3. Are miter saw stands worth it?

Ans. Buying a stand can be an awfully expensive affair and the money used could probably be spent on buying other tools or attachments. Making your own DIY stand, however, is a good alternative that is cost effective and works just as well.

About the author

Brent Butterworth

A Professional Woodworker & Custom Furniture Builder

Brent lives in Wisconsin and is a woodworker, custom cabinetmaker, interior consultant, and a freelance writer who got the opportunity to write several magazine articles for different publications on home improvement and woodworking. He’s always amazed at the depth and breadth of woodworking all over the globe, and feels proud to be a part of this great effort. Brent has built everything one can imagine, from unique art furniture to different types of home furniture to canoes and even a sailboat.

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