Why I don't have a HUGE Mitre Saw Station!

Welcome back to another Gosforth Handyman Tips Library video! In this video I'm explaining why I don't have a massive mitre station for my mitre saw in my workshop. A few people of asked about this so I explain it all in this video and also let you know why you shouldn't build one for a new shop until you're sure you need it. Obviously everyone has a different workflow in their workshop so in certain cases a mitre station may be beneficial, but for me it's not really necessary. Pop in the comments what you use for a mitre saw station!
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#GHTL #Woodworking #Workshop

[@GosforthHandyman]

Full digital plans for this project and more information available from: gosforthhandyman.com/product/tiny-mitre-station-plan/

[@hairfritz2667]

I was starting to like this channel, but this video has me rather confused. On one level, I’m irritated that I just watched what seems to be a 13 minute ad for the plans you are selling for this. On another, why would anyone need plans to build this?

[@GosforthHandyman]

@@hairfritz2667 Excuse me?? I sell plans for this since many people asked me for plans for this. They contain some useful tips and info not included in the original vid and if a £2.50 plan saves someone from spending £1000+ on a mitre station they don't need then great. If you check the date on the video and the date on this post you'll notice the plans came well after the video. The video doesn't even mention the plans. If you're clever enough that you don't need the plans then don't buy them. For everyone else, the support is appreciated to help me make more independent videos - thank you! 👍😀

[@noanyobiseniss7462]

@Hair Fritz First one i've watched and now won't waste time on any of the others.

[@floydrturbo1]

@@hairfritz2667 Is he twisting your arm to buy??? I don't think so.

[@aircooledvw3043]

Ignore the clueless morons GH................ I get the angle you was coming from and appreciate you helping the newbies as well as those veterans less knowledgeable then yourself. This CLEARLY is NOT an advert/shill for some £2 plans ffs! But a simple, clean solution to a (not major) issue we all come across at some stage in our joinery life. Keep up the stella work old chap :)

[@niwty]

I wonder if you can really appreciate how much this video must be helping new woodworkers get over the feeling of inadequacy that they’re bound to feel when they see others with these massive woodshops with dedicated shop built full length mitrestations and they’ve only got a one car garage that’s so small you’d struggle to open one door on an old 1960’s Austin mini in it, or else they’re in an old 8x6 shed in the garden. (Long sentence I know but I was on a roll) As I said in one of your other videos. Thank you thank you thank you. For some bloody common sense, realism and normality. 👍

[@gregorylondos534]

Everyone starts out with just a few tools and over time expands their tool catalog as both their needs and budgets allow... After 40 years in the Trades and the Craft of Wood Working I have Collected More Tools than the Average Three Masters Combined...... 10 Sanders, 25 Router’s and the List goes on... I did like your input and comment though...

[@jakewalter3729]

Newts Nest mh

[@717UT]

I always feel inadequate when it comes to my wood. Wait.....

[@brianflower5490]

Newts nest, this is me in my very small shed ! I’ve been pondering how I am going to manage and this vid. and your comments fit my needs / situation perfectly !

[@kirbyyoungs6109]

This just saved me so much! As a new wood worker I have been trying to plan a workable miter station but also trying to fit in a good workbench. Seeing this showed me to make the workbench I really want and need but still able to use it as a miter station. I think the only thing I would add is to make mounting holes for the miter saw to keep it from moving around on me.

[@SirKks1]

too bad they don't give out trophies for simple (and cheap) ideas you got my vote

[@xBeauGaming]

Brilliant. This saved me making a big ass miter station. Make two modules and boom done. You're the man!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍

[@MrBobsVids]

I came across your video as I was planning my miter saw station and love your idea! I must elucidate three problems with your block/stop system. 1. It is not sexy 2. It is not complex 3. It is not difficult to build. There! Otherwise it is perfect, you saved me a lot of time and space and improved my workflow and flexibility immeasurability. So good, so much time and money to do other things, many thanks...

[@markandrews70]

You have just saved me a lot of money

[@GosforthHandyman]

Glad to be of service. 👍😀

[@leonardthomas8185]

@@GosforthHandyman 999999999999999999999999999p9999999999999999999999999999999999

[@lawrencewoods2630]

Me too

[@stevefisher6657]

I have just spent several hours watching videos on how to build one of those incredible mitre saw stations and wondering which kidney I was going to sell to afford all the plywood and a nice track saw to break it all down. Really glad I found your video; a real breath of fresh air! Thanks so much.

[@johnbullenbuilds]

It's not the size of your tool...it's how you use it! Awesome work. You've just saved me a whole mitre table stand build.

[@rraymond2007]

Andy, that is the best idea I’ve come across in a long time. I’ve been a carpenter for 25 years and have always had elaborate miter saw stations. This idea has gained me loads of room in my work trailer...and I can use any length of lumber at hand or as needed. Huge thumbs up!!!

[@ericmoye8539]

I'm glad I came across this video. Work smarter not harder great video save me time and space

[@verdhie]

I dont understand why some give thumb down...this is really helpful...i just need my workbench to transform it to mitersaw station...really help for beginner like me..thank you...

[@papounetpatenaude]

I love it! Every year or two I reorganize my workshop. Everytime it gets simpler smaller and more efficient. Elaborate setups are less flexible.

[@dhirmer]

Being new to woodworking I've searched hundreds of mitre stations... This is by far the simplest and most cost effective method to date! Thanks for the help

[@markmeredith2328]

Really useful, many thanks. Love the idea of the mobile smaller Mitre station, I will make one myself.

[@johntuttle8508]

I too struggled with not wanting the large fence and table set ups, but wanted to make repeat cuts of various lengths. My mind kept saying I needed T track. This was EXACTLY the solution i needed. I did add tee nuts in the bench from below so they were flush. This allowed me to screw the saw to the table to ensure nothing moves while I work and make those cuts. Thank You!

[@johnpollard8439]

Wow! Thank you for the great idea! I did make one small change, though. I used a 3/16" round bar as a pin to register against rather than a piece of wood screwed to the top of the block. It eliminates the need to keep the blocks perpendicular to the saw. Also, the pin can be removed to make other cuts without unscrewing the top stop or unclamping the block.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Great idea! 👍

[@DYI]

I love it. I keep both my cars in my 2 car garage and do considerable woodworking by moving my cars out and setting up my saw horses with an old door and mitre saw. For 25 years I just stacked up scrap wood pieces to get my wood at the right height. You inspired me to build a dedicated support that will not only get my wood at the exact height, but allow for a stop. I know all about full size Mitre stations because I helped a friend build a great one in his shop which I have used. The only advantage of that one is that it has a built in and calibrated ruler. However, mine has the advantages that you pointed out in addition to working in my small temporary shop. Thanks so much for sharing your idea and insight.

[@SenselessUsername]

Also, the calibrated rulers get out of calibration... You must keep track of how much it's off (1 or 2 sides, if you have both sides tape), admittedly still faster than re-measuring for each cut; as well as the mitre saw's fence going out of line with the long mitre station fence. I think you're actually now getting more and more "why I removed my station fence" videos =).

[@GaryNixonTX]

Built 2 of these yesterday. I absolutly love them

[@leonardschweitzer2045]

I am a new saw owner and your video was a big help.

[@RayJayTaylor]

I started building a mitre station tonight and then came in to do some research if i was making a mistake making it. you're video convinced me to go a new direction. I think I'll be much happier with this.

[@stevestormssr5492]

I share my shop with a car and have been racking my brain trying to figure out where to build a miter station. I almost passed this video up and am very glad I chose to watch. Thank you, you helped solve at least part of the problem. Now to get it off my tablesaw!

[@VladGPhotography]

As a new woodworker this is very helpful, great to see alternative builds to maximize space and not spend money when maybe not necessary!

[@mikeoregan3551]

Currently planning my garage workshop and the 13mins I just spent watching this has probably saved me 13 hours of work and a load of cash building a mitre station. Thankyou.

[@bithlengaming5682]

I stumbled upon this video researching building my own miter table solution and struggling trying to figure out how the heck I was going to make space for this huge behemoth and what I’d have to sacrifice to have it. It’s so simple I’m mad at myself for not even thinking about this as a potential solution. Brilliant! I’ll be making two of these myself. Solves all my problems with perhaps the exception of a dedicated dust envelope but I can live with it! Thanks for this awesome suggestion. I can’t wait to make it myself. Bought your plans and you’ve earned a sub my man!

[@andrewdennison5700]

Finally a KZbin video that lives up to its hype! Seriously thank you so much for saving me from putting out hundreds of dollars for a portable miter station that I probably will never need. I am reminded of the very helpful suggestion for building your first router table, which was drill a hole insert a piece of plywood and put it over an empty garbage can. After using that for 6 months then you can start thinking about building your ultimate router table with the lessons you've learned. Your idea is so brilliantly simple I thought the link for a digital plan was a joke.

[@robcole332]

This is the smartest idea I have seen. You don’t loose all that space for only one use. Thankfully I saw this before I wasted that time and space. Thanks

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Rob. Use it every day - works really well for a small shop! 👍🛠

[@flashfader]

I've been searching for a miter station solution for my small shop. This fits the bill. Thank you

[@fcah333]

This is Genius! I've been doing wood working for 30 years and i have purchased and built every kind of mitre station on the planet. This is all i use now. And it works amazing well. Thank you for sharing this Genius idea.

[@JackieMettler]

I was starting to get overwhelmed with how I was going to fit a miter station AND build a full sized workbench in my tiny shop area. Thank you for a very simple solution!

[@HazelAndrewsAcupuncture]

Amazing. You just made my work bench build soo much easier :)

[@BBoyBFit]

Mr. GH! I just wanted to say thank you for this mini miter station jig. Just finished making one. Works great!

[@samlenser8998]

I love this! I have been trying to figure out how to design my workshop around a large miter saw station, but being that it's in my garage I just don't have the room for anything else. Watching this has helped me to break this though process and I'm just going to build my much needed workbench instead. I'll just attach it like you did and build the same type of box like you made. Sometimes we get so fixed on an idea that we can't look past it for a better solution. THANK YOU!

[@GosforthHandyman]

No worries dude! 👍🛠

[@HomesteadEngineering]

Same here. Was thinking of getting a 2nd saw just to dedicate it to a big station and loose the back half of the bench as well. This simple idea eliminates that whole idea. Thanks!

[@cahg3871]

All valid points.I use the the clamp when cutting long pieces,find it easier to get true cuts and no push back or buckling of the piece being cut.But the down side is leaving dents/marks in softer wood pieces.I will build my mini mitre station after watching this post.Thanks.

[@seanpatterson1609]

This is brilliantly simple and I will likely use this in my garage. Thank you for sharing the idea.

[@walterkemp6558]

Just setting up my small diy shop and been toying with system for my mitre saw. This is the answer. Simple and straight forward. Thank you for posting.

[@PuraFilmus]

I want to build a miter saw station tomorrow and I've seen a few films about them but always huge bigass stations with long fences in both directions. I love what you have done, I'm building one like yours. A workbench with a simple support piece. And you are right, nobody needs those long fences. They are completely useless. Thank you for posting this, you saved me a lot of work and a lot of money.

[@casalmundoafora]

Ohhh... wow! I just realized how long ago this video was made. It is an amazingly simple technique to help people who are just starting with woodworking! My miter saw is arriving in two days, and after watching several other videos, this is the setup I am going to adopt. Thanks a lot for sharing valuable knowledge!!!

[@personjo100]

Very good idea. Specially when I don't have a lot of room.

[@chasingthesun745]

I have been thinking about building a miter station but you may have just changed my mind. I really like the flexibility your system provides

[@jiminy2731]

Thanks YT for recommending this! I just got my mitre saw and saved me a lot of trouble!

[@ngbc5342]

This man speaks a lot of sense, his system is totally flexible!

[@YOURthornSIDE]

Very salient points. Very similar to how I'm already setting up. Making dedicated blocks today. Thank you.

[@christaylor5365]

Have been planning a miter station for my garage and this is genius in it's simplicity and solves several of the headaches I was running in to. Thank you.

[@philiptipping6738]

Simple solution to the problem of only room for one work table. Thanks

[@johnanthony2545]

Nice and simple. I’m about to build a station or home for my new saw. Researching stations. Finding this quite interesting. Leaves a lot of open bench area. Thank you.

[@tedkrush5661]

Yup. Same for me. I bought the plans not because I couldn't build something of similar fashion but because this idea saved me money. Thank you.

[@DaveKarloff]

YOU STAR ! You've just saved me masses of work and also saved me masses of space.I am going to make a couple of those little mitre stations now instead of altering my lovely new benchas my friend suggested. CHEERS ANDY.

[@jogonza8]

From Puerto Rico... Great idea 👍 works for me in my small shop. Thanks. 👍

[@1averageamerican]

Currently figuring out my new shop setup. So glad I saw this. Will save me a bunch of cash and time. Thank you very much.

[@wanjooalexkim]

Function over form. Brilliant!

[@ailtonpereira7002]

I've just acquired a miter saw and was thinking about constructing a massive station, but after watching your video and checking this wise idea I changed my mind. Thank you very much for sharing your ideas.

[@David15585]

I have a small shop and was contemplating building a miter saw station. After seeing your presentation I am sold! Thank you for the idea! This will save a tremendous amount of room.

[@ferriswilliam]

Brilliant. This will save me a ton of time and money

[@siriosstar4789]

Very practical . i’ve been doing that for forty years. I could never justify making an exotic bench for my miter saw when a block of wood works just fine. Personally i think a lot of wood workers spend more time buying tools improving their shop , buying more tools, remodeling their shop buying tools they don’t need but are cool ,etc etc. o.k. you get the point.

[@pumamycat]

I was just about to set up a longer fence until I saw this video, thanks for showing this, I will save myself some wood and time by following your method, thanks a bunch for the tip!, be well!

[@haroldmetz8022]

Getting ready to set up my mitre saw in new shop. Saved me a bunch of measuring and setting up. And it leaves me more space on my bench for other projects! Thank. Thanx!

[@gordonlamb6034]

Great idea. Have been struggling with where to put my mitre saw in my small garage. This really solves a lot of problems for me. Thanks!

[@biggdogg35810]

In the process RIGHT NOW of trying to figure what kind of work bench to build in my garage that conforms to a miter saw, and I'm so glad I came across this video. With this knowledge, I'm not wasting my time building special height benches for my saw that's shorter than the others and long clumsy ones.

[@mikelechmanik6417]

I was actually going to build a riser table to extend my table with all the bells and whistles until I happened upon your video. Simplicity and functionality are the basis of your saw station and you have accomplished both. I am thankfull for your video. Thank you.

[@tubalcain1]

I built a pretty massive station myself and I would never go back... My extension bed extends 20 FEET left of the blade and 20 FEET on the right side of the blade... This comes in extremely handy when I have to trim a few inches off of a 20 foot piece of lumber... Plus I have drawers that extend the same distance that are under the bed. It is pretty massive and OVERKILL but I absolutely love it! Thank you Gos!!

[@delboy5277]

Sometimes the simplest things are the most ingenious. Thank you - this will save me a lot of time, money and effort.

[@MarthaJane-z8z]

Oh, JOY! Minimal. Validated. Satisfied. Wishing you many returns on your goodness. Thank you!

[@kanedNunable]

i have just been using blocks of wood stacked but this is a much better solution for those of us without huge workshops. gonna make some now!

[@anthonybartlett6767]

Many thanks for your ideas and common sense. I will be adopting your mitre saw station and save myself many dollars not buying a stand etc. Thanks again.

[@cuebj]

Superb. Thanks. Just what I needed. Haven't had a workshop for decades. Watching KZbin for setting up a shop now, I got locked into thinking I needed to make something big. Now liberated from the big space thing. I'll be cutting 2*(4 to 6) to make heavy duty planters, raised beds, kitchen islands. By the way - I've been extremely impressed with the straightness of Selco timber over the last few months. Almost every piece has sat flat on their concrete floor.

[@Jay91Byrd]

This saved me both time and money. Convenient and efficient build.

[@vinh7251]

This is genius at it’s simplest and very timely as I’m about to set up my garage workshop. I was wondering where to set up a mitre station and how much bench space I’d have to give up and now I realise that I don’t have to. Not only will this save me space, it will save me time and money that can now be put to better use. You sir are a top bloke for sharing this, much respect. 👍

[@chrisb7106]

That is a very rational and well reasoned argument for your position. I found this video searching for ideas on a massive miter station, as I'm sure many others have as well. Now I'm reconsidering. Thanks for posting this bit.

[@utahprepper8925]

I'm glad I ran across this video because like others have said, I was just about to go buy a new fancy sliding miter saw and build a huge expensive station for it. Now I'm just going to use the 12" Delta Sidekick I've been happy with for the last 25 years or so, and put it on the bench. You just saved me a ton of money and time! Thanks Buddy!

[@craigcowley7560]

Just in the process of re-jigging the workshop and was looking for a mitre station design but didn't think I had the space. I haven't so this will help. Nice one. Not too sure why people leave a thumbs down. If you don't like or agree just move on. I like well done.

[@mergalinpillay2413]

Fully understand and appreciate your reasoning , especially when you have space constraints.

[@michaelschwarzenauer8576]

Perfect solution! A further advantage is that now i can cut longer pieces !

[@stuart5050]

I do like such a simple but effective idea,brill

[@DavidAnderson-jh4jq]

If your building your miter area, a simple major upgrade to this concept is to inset the miter saw into your workbench so the surface if flat and concise. Also, locate it on a wall near an exterior door and you'll be able to cut very long lengths of wood by hanging the wood out the door. Good tips for woodworkers. Thanks for sharing your videos!

[@AndrewReuter]

Very glad I just ran into this video. I'm building a bare-bones miter saw station right now, but I've been struggling to figure out why I would need that supplemental fence. Just seemed like an extra cost for the wood and an extra thing to screw up. Now I feel pretty confident that I can get by with just a support shelf in line with the miter saw surface. Thanks for your work!

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Andrew - I've had this set-up for several years now and never missed the fence. 👍😀

[@CB71SS]

Have been looking at a lot of miter stations trying to decide which one would suit me best and thanks to you I wont be spending money on extra wood. Yours is the simplest and most logical as I have limited work space and a dedicated full miter station would take up a great deal of it. Keep it simple is my thinking and that you have done. Well done keep it up.

[@darkanchordesigns5906]

This is exactly what i needed to see. I built a small stand for my Miter Saw today that sits flush with Harbor Freight Wood Tables flanking with side of it. This is the perfect solution for a stop block

[@heystenner]

Best mitre saw video I've seen so far. Gave me a lot of inspiration. To address the dust collection issue, one could still build a dust shroud around the miter saw out of light plywood and you'd still be able to move it around. And to make measuring more convenient, you could add a t-track or just a measuring tape to your workbench. You could then mount the tiny mitre saw station to the track, adjust and clamp it without any effort.

[@wayward_dom6865]

Just bought a new mitre saw and was looking to make a designated area for it, you have potentially saved me a lot of money.Thanks.😁 What a great idea.👍

[@okgentfarmer]

Wow, thank you for making this video! I am an older guy and just now getting into woodworking in my retirement years.

[@joeschmoe1301]

This is just absolutely brilliant!!!

[@markmeredith2328]

Excellent idea. Im definitely going to try and make one tomorrow. Thanks.

[@johnthompson3462]

I agree with you completely. SOme of the younger guys on here spend more time creating the shop than they do projects.Plus you have a lot more work bench with your set up. Great vid.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers John! 👍🛠

[@mariah4451]

OMG, absolute genius for so many reasons. I'm going to update my setup RIGHT NOW. I think I'll include a stick on tape measure to my bench and line up my new 'Gosforth Handyman portable mitre station block' to that for accurate measuring (offset of course). I wish I'd seen this video when it first came out. Thanks for sharing 🙂👍

[@theatticwoodworker4594]

about time someone with sense about space and actual need for "gimicks"

[@sansterraacies4800]

Much more effective than grabbing around for scraps to shim up the wood each time. Elegant. I hope ol blighty is well. Cheers

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers bud! 👍🍺

[@rpaasse6453]

Friggin brilliant, and just what i was looking for. Thanks!!

[@Theuncommon33]

Andy, that's an awesome idea. I have toyed with the idea of building a miter station, but seeing your video I going to build blocks instead. Great idea, supper flexible, and simple to build. Love it. Thanks.

[@36736fps]

Agree 100%. I enclosed my miter saw in a dust hood and set it on a roll around cart, but I use the adjacent bench top as the support under the stock I am cutting just like you did here. Additional fences just get in the way. BTW, I have a PhD in Mechanical Engineering but I find you and many other KZbin channels show more ingenuity and common sense than most engineers, myself included. I really enjoy simple solutions like this.

[@ben12345.]

Engineers always overthink stuff, it keeps them busy lol 😁

[@cbmech2563]

An honest engineer . I'm a heavy truck mechanic and I've found engineers tend to go for the most complicated way to do things . They don't seem to have heard of the K.I.S.S. principle.

[@ben12345.]

@@cbmech2563 keep it simple, stupid lol?

[@cbmech2563]

@@ben12345. yep . Something most manufacturers seem to have never heard of I'm afraid . If moving something 1 inch one direction will make it easier to work on but 1/2 inch the other will save a $1 on assembly ,guess which way they'll go . Some are worse than others , like Volvo heavy truck . They seem to design to force you into the dealer .

[@henryunwin8121]

I did this a couple years ago after I saw this video. One of the best things I did for my small shop.

[@seagrideelson4538]

That is a Brilliant Idea and will save me time and money building a big station I’m going to make two of your Miter so I can put one on the right hand side and it will double as a end stop as well So THANK YOU

[@lindashealingart]

5 years later this video saved me so much money ❤❤❤❤

[@McNallyOfficial]

Was just about to build a massive fence for mine, glad I didn't. This makes a lot of sense!

[@michaelhaworth8239]

Haha, I was looking around KZbin for ideas for making a shiny new massive mitre station. Thank god I came across this one. You've just saved me hours of work and a fair few quid in plywood! Brilliant, thanks.

[@Gregourious]

Just planning my workshop and trying to work out how to set up the mitre saw. It was really clogging up the planning. I was really struggling with massive amount of space they take. Your video came up in my search and it solved my problem. I love the solution you have as I can set up multiple cuts and not take up most of my bench.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers Greg - welcome to the channel! 👍

[@auroatayde9270]

You sir are a genius! I was going to build a huge miter station at my new woodshop, but your idea is amazing. I will just do like yours and save a lot of time, money and space. Love from Mexico

[@MA775M17H]

Excellent! I'm just starting out with my own workshop and this was a big slap in the face to remind me to "Keep It Simple...." Thank you

[@gordontreber8790]

Thank you! Saved me a load of time and cash.

[@RichAdamsFineArt]

I have the same setup that you've come up with that I mostly use for finish carpentry and it works perfectly. Much simpler and more flexible.

[@imw4956]

Hi Barry as a newbie I think your comments are excellent, simple but very effective.

[@GosforthHandyman]

Cheers and welcome to the channel! 👍

[@cackleberryfarm4598]

I came to watch this COMPLETELY skeptical! Boy! Was I wrong! You have sold me.