Build a Portable Miter Saw Stand

Take one each out of the two different sets of legs you cut in the last step and align the top cuts together, so that the legs are splayed out (twenty degrees in each direction). Position a scrap of stock in between the two top cuts and clamp the pieces together as shown in the picture on this page.

Measure down two inches from the top and make a pencil line across the two legs perpendicular to the spacer that separates the two legs. This will mark the top edge of the cross brace for this side of the leg assembly. Measure the length of this line across the two legs.

Set your miter saw to zero-degree bevel but 20-degree miter and cut a piece of 2x4 stock with the measurement from across the two legs as the short-point-to-short-point measurement on this block. You should end up with a trapezoidal-shaped piece of stock (as best shown on the Iso view on page 4 of the free woodworking plans you downloaded in step 1).

Attach this piece at the mark shown using some long deck screws.

Flip the assembly over and repeat the entire procedure, adding another short cross-brace at the same height on the opposite side of the leg assembly. Remove the spacer after the second cross-brace is attached.

Repeat the entire procedure with the other two legs.