Working Every Angle

Students first master straight cuts then move on to angles. That is the progression Liam McGoldrick, Introduction to Carpentry teacher at Islip Career Center (ICC), has laid out in his two-year course.

Cutting angles is more involved compared to straight cuts where users simply set the gauge on the miter saw to zero degrees. Angular cuts are more complicated. Students first review plans, calculate the required angles with a protractor, then adjust the gauge on the saw.

Moving the saw through the wood is also more complex because the blade needs to precisely enter and exit the material at the correct angle. This demands precise attention to the alignment of the cutting path. Comparatively, a straight cut follows a single plane across the wood, which is simpler to execute.

Miter saws are used for making accurate cuts at angles and are commonly used for cutting molding and trim. 

This holiday season, McGoldrick’s students are cutting pieces of wood at angles and gluing them into the shape of holiday trees. In the New Year, they’ll learn to cut all types of trim and moldings, cabinetry, flooring and framing, in addition to hanging windows and doors with these skills. Basically, all the necessary experience required for entry-level employment.

Said McGoldrick, “My students have done a lot of work with the miter saw, but mastering angles involves more math and technique, as well as safety considerations. It’s not an easy skill to master because if the numbers are off, the angles won't line up.”

ICC is an Eastern Suffolk BOCES school that provides skills training to students with special education needs. This training may enable them to obtain entry-level employment in certain industries.