Knex Miter Saw Instructions

It has returned! Yes, after 3 years, I have finally decided to post instructions of my miter saw. This saw is just like the old one, except a few minor color changes to give it a more consistent color scheme. For those of you who don't know about this saw, it's a model I built 3 years ago and posted as a slideshow, but I never made instructions.. until now! I don't know why I never posted them earlier. Maybe I was lazy, or too busy saving the world by slaying creepers and endermen. Either way, here are the instructions, and I'm glad I finally have them posted. :-)

I didn't make a new video, so here is the old one in case anyone wants to see the saw in action:

So, without further to do, let's cut to the next step! (terrible pun, I know) :-P . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Step 1: Parts List (Optional)

Here are the parts that I used to build the miter saw. If you don't have all of them, you can probably substitute some parts or just modify the model altogether. Some pieces are just for looks and can be left out, like the orange splicers. Please note that the pieces below are listed by their classic-colored names. 

Rods: 998

green- 252
white- 123
blue- 347
yellow- 95
red- 34
gray- 9
rigid tan- 1
rigid black- 1
flexi-rod (yellow rod length)- 12
flexi-rod (gray rod length)- 68
orange- 56

Connectors: 804

dark gray- 15
light gray- 34
red- 232
green- 33
yellow- 171
orange- 59
white- 74
blue- 81
purple- 179

Panels: 29

triangle mini- 12
triangle small- 16
square small- 1

Other: 204

chain link- 33
blue spacer- 31
silver spacer- 66
tan clip- 17
metallic blue clip- 15
black Y clip- 5
red gear- 8
small blue gear- 2
orange splicer- 12
battery-powered motor*- 1
small wheel- 4
big wheel- 2
black snap cap- 3
thick rubber band- 2
thin rubber band- 1
fishing line (or other string)- 2 strands: one 16 inches (41 cm) long and the other 63 inches (160 cm) long.

Total: 2,035

*I used the older battery-powered motor (the one that has a separate battery pack). You can use a different motor instead if you want, but you'll have to modify the motor section.

If you're ready, then let's get building!

Step 2: Base: Part 1

As with most of my Instructables, we'll start out with the base. It doesn't make sense to start off with the top, does it? (well, it might, but not in this Ible). Throughout the Ible, be sure to pay attention to the picture descriptions.

This part of the base has two sections.

1- Build this first section. Hey look, a wheel!
2- Another view.
3- Another view.
4- This is the second section. 
5- Another view.
6- Another view.
7- Another view.
8- Another vie-- Just kidding, get the first and second sections.
9- Combine them together.
10- Another view, of the bottom.

Step 3: Base: Part 2

Part 2 of the base has three sections.

1- Here is the first section. Yes, those gray rods aren't actually attached to anything. Make sure they don't fall out, they don't have feather falling boots to protect them.
2- Another view.
3- Get Part 1 of the base that you made in the last step.
4- Combine it to make a bigger base. Now the gray rods won't fall, hooray!
5- Second section. 
6- Another view.
7- Here is the third section. It looks a lot like the first.
8- Another view.
9- Get the 2nd and 3rd section and the rest of the base.
10- Add the 2nd section.
11- Add the 3rd section to complete Step 3!

Step 4: Base: Part 3

Since Part 1 had 2 sections and Part 2 had 3 sections, guess how much sections this part has? 2! Who could have known?

1- Build the first section.
2- There are four silver spacers under the wheel.
3- Get the rest of the base.
4- Combine!
5- Build the second section.
6- Attach the section to the rest of the base.
7- Another view.

Step 5: Base: Part 4

This part of the base has 2 sections. 

1- Build the first section.
2- Another view.
3- Another view. For some reason the picture didn't rotate, sorry about that.
4- Another view.
5- Get the rest of the base.
6- Combine the section to the base.
7- This is the second section.
8- Another view.
9- A close-up showing the spacers.
10- You know what you're about to do-- combine!!
11- Combine the second section to the base.

Step 6: Gear Section

I guess this could also be Part 5, but oh well. Time to add gears to the base! There are two smaller sections that make up the gear section of the base.

Important: the direction the gears are facing and their meshing patterns have to be just like the pictured gear section! You can do this by looking at the direction the tan clips are facing. The reels and the light gray connector that holds the rubber band also have to be facing in the right direction. 

1- Build the first section.
2- A view of one of the reels.
3- There's a blue spacer beside the red gear!
4- View of the spacers.
5- A view of the other reel.
6- Gears, gears, gears!
7- One of the reels.
8- Another view.
9- Second section.
10- Another view.
11- Get the first section.
12- Combine to complete the gear section!
13- Another view.
14- Get the rest of the base.
15- Combine them together.
16- Another view.
17- Another view.

Step 7: Side Paneling

This is the first "paneling" that you will build, onto the base. Flexi-rods for the win! This is also the first building step that doesn't have multiple sections in it. 

1- Build this rather long strip of paneling.
2- Close-up
3- Close-up
4- There are 4 green flexi-rods connected here.
5- The middle.
6- The other side of the strip.
7- Another view.
8- Get the base.
9- Attach the strip to it.
10- Another view.
11- Another view.
12- A view of the middle.
13- One of the sides.

Step 8: Base: Part 5

Time to add on more to the base! There are three sections in this step.

1- The first section is easy to build!
2- Add the first section to the base. The two wheels should line up.
3- Another view.
4- Build the second section.
5- Another view.
6- Here is the third section.
7- Get the rest of the base.
8- Add the second section.
9- Another view, of the back.
10- Add the third section.
11- Another view, of the back.

Step 9: Back Paneling

More paneling! There will also be a small base section and actual panels, so there are three sections for this step.

1- Build these things.
2- Get the base.
3- Attach them to the base.
4- Another view.
5- Another view.
6- Here is the second section.
7- Another view.
8- Get the rest of the base.
9- Attach it next to the gear section.
10- Another view.
11- Another view.
12- Panels. Triangles. Triangular panels.
13- Connect the panels to the base like so.

Step 10: Da Blade! (and Blade Guard)

What would a miter saw be without a blade? Not a miter saw, that's what! In this step you'll build the blade and blade guard. 

1- This is the middle part of the blade. 
2- Close-up
3- Build these two frisbee-type things (don't actually throw them, they'll break).
4- Make the blade three layers thick by adding the frisbees to the middle.
5- Another view. I'm surprised I didn't get cut, look at how close my hand is to the blade!
6- Get a red rod and two tan clips.
7- Add the rod and tan clips to the blade to give it an axle.
8- Build these.
9- Add them to the ends of the red rod.
10- Another view, showing both sides.
11- The blade guard!
12- Close-up.
13- A close-up of one of the ends.
14- Close-up of the other end.
15- Add the blade guard to the blade.
16- Another view.
17- Another view.

Step 11: Saw Cover: Part 1

This is the cover for the saw blade. There are two sections.

1- Build the first section. Notice there are rods that might slide out. Don't let them!
2- Another view.
3- Another view.
4- A view of the other side.
5- Another view.
6- A view of the axle (a rigid rod means serious business!)
7- A view showing the spacers.
8- Get the saw blade.
9- Get these pieces.
10- Make sure the blade guard is facing the right way! The two blue spacers go on each side of the saw blade's axle.
11- The metallic blue clip goes on the end of the saw blade's axle.
12- This is the second section.
13- A view of the other side.
14- Another view.
15- Get the rest of the saw.
16- Add the second section to complete the saw cover!
17- Another view.
18- Another view.

Step 12: Saw Cover: Part 2

Part 2 of the saw cover is just a bunch of random stuff. 

1- Get these.
2- Get the saw.
3- Add them like so.
4- More random pieces, yay!
5- Get the saw.
6- Add them.
7- Get these pieces.
8- Get the saw.
9- Add the tan clip.
10- Add the gears and metallic blue clip.
11- Build this handle.
12- Another view.
13- Get the rest of the saw.
14- Attach the handle.

Step 13: Power Distribution Complex

This motor section will give your saw its spin! I recommend that you install batteries into the motor before you build it into the model. Remember, if you're using a different motor than the one I used, you'll have to modify this section a bit.

1- The motor section.
2- Another view.
3- Another view.
4- Another view.
5- Close-up of the battery pack.
6- Close-up showing spacers.
7- Another view.
8- Another view.
9- Another view.
10- Yet another view.
11- Get the rest of the saw.
12- Combine the motor section onto the saw.
13- View of the top.
14- Another view.
15- Notice how the flexi-rod goes through the motor section.
16- Another view.

Step 14: Adding the Saw to the Base

It's finally time to combine the saw and the base! You'll also add the chain and rubber bands that make the saw "stand up."

1- First add the saw to the base. Then add the 33 chain links.
2- One of the axle attachments.
3- The other axle attachment. 
4- Another view.
5- Notice how the chain fits next to the rods.
6- Before attaching the rubber bands.
7- After attaching the rubber bands. The saw should now go into its default position. If it doesn't, you need stronger rubber bands!

Step 15: Fishing Line

No, we're not going fishing, we're adding the fishing line to the saw. You can also use a different type of string if you wish. There are two strands that will be added.

This is, in my opinion, the hardest part of the Instructable, so brace yourself, and don't give up! The hard part about it is getting the line through the wheels and making sure the lengths are just right. Let's begin!

1- Get the longer piece of fishing line (63 inches/160 cm). Tie one end to a blue rod. There are about 4 inches of "slack" that you can use to tie it easily. The actual length of string you'll use is 55 inches (140 cm). Don't cut it to that length though! Once it's tied, cut of the end that's sticking out.
2- Make sure the gears are in their default position like in the picture.
3- Attach the blue rod and line to the lower reel.
4- Wire the rest of the line through the wheels. This picture shows the front wheels.
5- Another view.
6- These are the two small wheels on the base. The line should go under one and on top of the other.
7- Now wire it through to the saw. You may have to tilt the saw like I did to get the line in the wheels.
8- The two small wheels in the saw. The line goes around them.
9- Another view.
10- Before you attach the line to the blade guard, make sure the saw is in its default position. The blade guard should also be in its default position. Once you do those things, connect a blue rod to the light gray connectors. Make sure the line hasn't come off of any wheels. Then tie the end of the line to the "notch" in the rod, as shown. The line should have a snug fit: not too tight, not too loose.
11- Get two dark gray connectors.
12- Connect them to the blue rod.
13- Another view.
14- Get the smaller piece of fishing line. Tie it to a blue rod.
15- Before you attach the blue rod to the reel, put the saw down and put the blade guard up as if you were using the saw. You may want to remove the rubber bands so the saw stays down. Then attach the blue rod to the reel (there is only one place where it can attach). Put the line under the reel like in the picture, and attach the other end of the line on the green rod. Make sure the line is tight. After all that is done, return the saw to its default position, and add the rubber bands back if you removed them.
16- This is a picture of the upper reel in default position.
17- Another view of default position.
18- Another view.

Your saw should now be functional, so test it out! If it doesn't work, there are many problems that can go wrong, so I'll help you if you post a comment below. If it does work, then we'll move on to the next step!

Step 16: Saw Paneling

Since you're done with the hardest part, let's celebrate by adding paneling! This paneling will go onto the saw.

1- Build this long strip.
2- Another view.
3- Another view.
4- Another view.
5- Get the rest of the saw.
6- Attach the strip to the saw.
7- Another view.
8- Another view.
9- Another view.
10- Another view.

Step 17: Top Paneling

More panels! 

1- Build these.
2- Another view.
3- Attach them to the saw.
4- Another view.
5- Another view.
6- Build these. 
7- Attach them to the saw.
8- Another view.
9- Another view.

Step 18: Random Panels

These panels just go all over the place!

1- Build this. Make sure the blue rod in the middle doesn't fall out!
2- Another view.
3- Another view.
4- Another view.
5- Get the rest of the saw.
6- Attach the first part to the bottom.
7- Attach the rest.
8- A view of the front.
9- Build this.
10- Get the rest of the saw.
11- Attach it like so.
12- Build these.
13- One of them attaches here.
14- The tops of the flexi-rods don't actually attach anywhere. They're just held in place.
15- A view of the other panel.
16- Build these yellow things onto the base.
17- Get 6 orange rods. It's a snowflake shape! :-D
18- connect them to the yellow things.
19- Build these.
20- Attach them to the base.

Step 19: Cutting Board

You're almost done! Last to build is the cutting board. Can't have a miter saw without a cutting board, right? 

1- For some reason, all these things remind me of Lincoln Logs. Don't build them yet.
2- Build this onto the base.
3- Get 6 red connectors. It's another snowflake shape!
4- Add them to the base.
5- Build these, there are 6 in total.
6- Attach them to the base. Leave a space for one more.
7- Build this.
8- Add it to the base.
9- Build another one.
10- Get 9 red connectors.
11- Add them to the base.
12- Build these 9 parts.
13- Add them to the base.
14- Build one of these.
15- Attach it to the base.
16- Build another one.
17- Attach it.
18- Get 4 red connectors.
19- Connect them to the base.
20- Build 4 parts and connect them to the base.
21- Build this random thing. If it were a person, its name would be Randomguy65.
22- Attach it to the base. You now have one side of the cutting board done!
23- The other side is just like the last one, except the red connectors on the inside are yellow connectors instead.

After you finish the cutting board, guess what? Move on to the next step to find out...

Step 20: Hooray! You Are Done!

Great job, the saw of miter-ness is finished! You have completed a quest far harder than battling the wither or defeating the enderdragon, so you are a true warrior!

If you have any problems with the saw, post a comment below and I'll help you the best I can. Also, don't forget to rate and subscribe! 

Thanks for viewing!

-Shadowman39