How to Mark a Board Before Cutting

The Family Handyman carpentry expert, Mark Petersen, will show you how to properly mark a board before cutting it on a miter saw.

Steps for Measuring and Marking a Board

Using your favorite shop pencil or marker, make your mark in the shape of a V, with the base of the V at your measurement on the tape measure.

Your cut will be at the tip of the V. Make an X through the side of the V to indicate the waste side of the board.

When placing the board on a miter saw, make sure your marking is close enough to the saw, so that when it drops down, the blade touches it. If you mark the board too far away, it will be difficult to know where to cut.