I used to be a hybrid (with all these sex diversification I can now come out of the closet) and fess up to using both machines and hand tools (don't listen to that guy with the "whispering chip" on his shoulder, that keeps knocking the hand jobs...
I have the laser (long story) and have found, in the words of Swaze, "Never put Baby laser in the corner", and have started to use it more and more. It's precision certainly makes my life easier at my age and dexterity.
If your first cut is too short... Take the second cut from the longer end... LBD