Miter Saw: Everything You Need To Know

By: John Garcia | Date Posted: October 24, 2022

You can make precise mitres and crosscuts in your workpiece by using a mitre saw, also known as a tenon saw, which has a blade mounted on the end of the blade. A powered circular saw that can be angled at different angles and lowered onto a board that is placed against a backstop known as the fence is what a mitre saw consists of today as opposed to the back saw and mitre box that made up the tool’s original design.

To make bevel cuts, the upper part of a powered mitre saw is tilted at an angle while the table remains horizontally flat. The term “single compound mitre saw” describes a saw that only allows for angular adjustments in one direction. If the axis tilts left and right, it’s a double-bevel compound mitre saw. When the piece of work to be cut is laid flat on the table of the saw and is flush against the fence, some table saws come outfitted with a sliding rail system or have a pivot arm that allows the user to make wider cuts. This tool is a sliding compound mitre saw.

Cut wood trim and moulding or metal, masonry, or plastic with a mitre saw and the right blade.

It’s possible to find a mitre saw in several sizes. Blades come in a variety of sizes, but the most common are 180 mm (7 +14 in), 250 mm (10 in), and 300 mm (12 in) in length.

Power Miter Saw

One of the most useful tools is a power mitre saw. When it comes to the most common cut in woodworking, the 90-degree crosscut, it can’t be beaten. In addition to this, it can rotate to create mitre cuts at any angle, and some models can even tilt to create compound angle cuts.

The precision of mitre saws is what makes them so useful. The blade can be sharpened to a specific width because it is attached to a strong arm on a hefty body. Tom Silva, the general contractor for This Old House, explains, “You can shave off small amounts until you achieve a perfect fit.” Due to their stability and protective blade guards, mitre saws are preferable to other power cutters regarding safety.

Even the most advanced mitre saw has its limitations. They can’t rip the wood to size or cut very wide pieces, and many of them can only tilt in one direction. However, sliding arms can extend cutting reach, and some models tilt in two directions to facilitate more complex cuts. Always consider the cost and weight implications of adding extra features. Learn how to use a mitre saw properly and which saw has the features you’re looking for by reading this article.

How to Use a Miter Saw Carefully

The process of using a compound mitre saw is simple. After positioning the board so that it is flush against the fence of the table, adjusting its position on the table, setting the angle and the bevel, and starting the saw, the next step is to cut into the wood with the blade. Despite how harmless a mitre saw appears to be, accidents frequently occur, most frequently involving damage to the user’s hands and eyes. In this tip, you will learn some safety procedures to follow when using a mitre saw.

Make a portable stand for a mitre saw

Although mitre saws are technically portable, they are not always easy to use effectively outside of a dedicated workshop. One issue is properly supporting the stock on both sides of the saw. A portable mitre saw stand is a great solution to this issue. There are many options for stands to use at home or in the workshop, but if you want to bring your mitre saw with you to the job site, you can use these woodworking plans to construct a portable stand made from stock supports.

To Completely Seal Off an Open Mitered Corner

An open-mitered corner that isn’t properly matched can be a glaring flaw that suggests carelessness. An open-mitered corner’s cause isn’t always this, though. There are several potential causes for them, one of which is the use of crooked materials. How can the problem be fixed once it has been established that a mitered corner does not match up cleanly with the adjacent corner? Take this advice for woodworking into consideration.

In order to make precise crosscuts in wood stock, a mitre saw is the tool of choice. The mitre saw and its more advanced cousin, the compound mitre saw, are the two most common types of saws used for mitre cuts. Both have variants, such as the sliding mitre saw that resembles a Radial-Arm Saw in that the motor and blade can be slid forward a short distance. The rules for using a mitre saw and the possible tasks are the same regardless of whether you have a compound mitre saw, a sliding mitre saw, or a fixed motor unit.

Miter Saw

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1. Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw, Laser Marker System, Double Bevel, 15-Amp Motor, Tall Pivoting Aluminum Fence, 5 Year Warranty (C12FDHS)

Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw, Laser Marker System, Double Bevel, 15-Amp Motor, Tall Pivoting Aluminum Fence, 5 Year Warranty (C12FDHS)

Specification:

  • Power: 15 amps
  • Blade: 12 in.
  • Bevel Capacity: Dual
  • Max Crosscut: 8 in.

This saw’s blade can be tipped in both directions, making it ideal for cutting compound mitres of varying degrees of complexity. Compound mitres are made by simultaneously angling the blade vertically and horizontally. With a dual-bevel saw, you can make compound angles in either direction, which is useful when fitting trim into corners that aren’t exactly 90 degrees. Since single-bevel saws only have one cutting edge, they can only make compound angles in one direction, making them suitable only for amateurs and do-it-yourselfers.

Conclusion

People say Neither the blade nor the bevel settings on a Metabo must be adjusted before use; they are already at their optimal settings when packaged. Since it has a high fence, it can stand up even the largest crown moldings to make precise cuts. It’s perfect if you don’t want or need a sliding saw’s superior crosscut capacity.

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Pros

  • Excellent power
  • Smooth, accurate cuts
  • Easy adjustments

Cons

  • Heavy

2. Skil 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw – MS6305-00

Skil 10" Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw - MS6305-00

Specification:

  • Power: 15 amps
  • Blade: 10 in.
  • Bevel Capacity: Dual
  • Max Crosscut: 12 in

Skil’s new suite of effective, cost-efficient tools has quickly become a customer favorite. You won’t be able to make the incredibly wide cuts possible with a 12″ slider, but they have a powerful and accurate sliding mitre saw that can handle 95% of your jobs. It has all the features of more expensive sliders, including a height fence for vertical molding cuts and dual-bevel capability. It has received rave ratings on several popular retail websites. 

Conclusion:

A 15-amp motor, that can quickly cut through the hardest and hardest boards is one of its distinguishing qualities. Accurate and simple to change mitre and bevel settings. Users expressed their appreciation for the work supports that pull out from the base, the exact LED cut-alignment system, and the comfortable horizontal grip.

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Pros

  • Price
  • Power
  • Accuracy

Cons

  • Included blade is so-so

3. DEWALT Miter Saw, Double-Bevel, Compound, 12-Inch, 15-Amp (DWS716)

DEWALT Miter Saw, Double-Bevel, Compound, 12-Inch, 15-Amp (DWS716)

Specification:

  • Power: 15 amps
  • Blade: 12 in.
  • Bevel Capacity: Dual
  • Max Crosscut: 16 in.

The sliding miter saw from DeWalt, known for its durable, trustworthy power equipment, meets all requirements. It has the strength to cut through even the hardest wood effortlessly, and its sturdy sliding rails provide extra-smooth cuts. Due to its inventive fence design, it has a category-leading crosscut capacity and is tall enough to allow you to tip heavy workpieces on edge for specific cuts.

Conclusion: 

Additionally, it offers a larger range of mitre angles than its rivals, with bevel and mitre angles that are simple to change and maintain their settings. With a vacuum attached, dust collection is excellent. For professionals and dedicated DIYers, this saw despite its high cost, is a great deal.

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Pros

  • Power
  • Accuracy
  • Cut quality
  • LED cut-alignment system

Cons

  • Relatively heavy

4. DEWALT DHS790T2 FLEXVOLT 120V MAX Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit

DEWALT DHS790T2 FLEXVOLT 120V MAX Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit

Specification

  • Power: Dual 60v batteries
  • Blade: 12 in.
  • Bevel Capacity: Dual
  • Max Crosscut: 16 in.

Professional carpenters who require the utmost portability may consider cordless miter saws a wonderful option. Professionals also want the highest levels of cutting capacity, cut quality, and power, and DeWalt meets all of these requirements.

Conclusion:

The Flexvolt 12-in. Cordless Double-Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit includes two massive 60-volt batteries, a fast-action charger, and an AC converter that allows you to plug in when both batteries are dead. This saw has positive, accurate miter and bevel angle adjustments and comes with an excellent blade, exactly like its corded cousin (the DWS780).

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Pros

  • Tons of power
  • Smooth, accurate cuts
  • Positive adjustments that hold their settings
  • Unmatched cutting capacity

Cons

  • Heavy
  • Dust collection could be better

5. BOSCH CM10GD Compact Miter Saw – 15 Amp Corded 10 Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60-Tooth Carbide Saw Blade, Blue

BOSCH CM10GD Compact Miter Saw - 15 Amp Corded 10 Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60-Tooth Carbide Saw Blade, Blue

Specification:

  • Brand: BOSCH
  • Color: Blue
  • Blade:  Material High-Speed Steel
  • Surface Recommendation: Metal
  • Power Source: Corded Electric

The BOSCH JS260 top-handle jig saw features a 6.0 Amp motor, variable-speed control, and a strong footplate for accuracy in the cut. The robust motor has a 3/4-inch stroke length and can deliver up to 3,100 strokes per minute. While the accelerator trigger governs operating speed, the variable-speed dial sets the maximum speed. This jig saw’s low-vibration plunging design ensures accurate cutting and a smooth operation.

Conclusion:

It has a large heavy-gauge steel footplate. The JS260 multidirectional blade clamp delivers the superior grip of T-Shank blades (but it does not accept U-Shank blades). The toolless T-Shank blade-change system makes blade insertion and removal quick. The tool has an always-on dust blower for max cut-line visibility and an ambidextrous lock-on button.

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Pros

  • Unrivaled smoothness and accuracy of cut
  • Innovative features
  • Unmatched dust-collection efficiency
  • Excellent blade

Cons

  • Max crosscut capacity

Thank you for reading!

John
 

John is the founder and chief editor of Homienjoy. With over 15 years of experience in the home improvement industry, John is passionate about helping homeowners confidently tackle their projects. Holding a civil engineering degree and working as a contractor, project manager, and consultant, John brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the Homienjoy community.

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