How to Cut Pressure Treated Lodgepole Diagonally

Put on goggles, a face mask and gloves. Treated lodgepole sawdust and splinters contain potentially hazardous compounds; you must protect your eyes, skin and respiratory system from the wood preservation chemicals.

Unplug the miter saw. Place the miter saw on a flat, stable surface, such as a concrete slab, work table or temporary work surface. Lift the lodgepole and position the lodgepole on the miter's stationary base. Roll the lodgepole against the saw's rear fence. Slide the pole to adjust the cut's overall length. If more than half of the pole extends beyond the saw's base plate, support the extended portion of the pole from beneath with a block of wood.

Pull the miter adjustment knob on the front of the saw's base plate. Slide the knob left or right to adjust the angle of the blade relative the lodgepole's length. Use the numbers etched on the base plate to choose a precise angle. Release the knob to lock the blade in position. Jiggle the knob to ensure that the base plate is locked in position.

Pull the bevel adjustment knob mounted to the top of the saw blade's housing. Tilt the blade's housing to adjust the angle of the blade relative to the lodgepole's diameter. Use the numbers etched along the bevel knob's channel to choose a specific angle and release the knob to lock the blade in position.

Gently lower the blade onto the lodgepole's surface to check the position of your cut. Slide the lodgepole left or right across the saw's base plate to adjust the pole's position. Plug the saw into a power source.

Firmly hold the lodgepole against saw's rear fence with one hand. Position your hand well away from the blade's path. Without activating the saw, lower the blade onto the lodgepole to ensure that your hand rests outside the blade's path. While holding the lodgepole against the fence, activate the saw and lower the saw blade through the lodgepole.