Miter Saw: Everything You Need To Know
By: John Garcia | Date Posted: October 24, 2022
Table of Contents
- Power Miter Saw
- How to Use a Miter Saw Carefully
- Make a portable stand for a mitre saw
- To Completely Seal Off an Open Mitered Corner
- Miter Saw[+]
- 1. Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw, Laser Marker System, Double Bevel, 15-Amp Motor, Tall Pivoting Aluminum Fence, 5 Year Warranty (C12FDHS)
- 2. Skil 10″ Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw – MS6305-00
- 3. DEWALT Miter Saw, Double-Bevel, Compound, 12-Inch, 15-Amp (DWS716)
- 4. DEWALT DHS790T2 FLEXVOLT 120V MAX Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw Kit
- 5. BOSCH CM10GD Compact Miter Saw – 15 Amp Corded 10 Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw with 60-Tooth Carbide Saw Blade, Blue
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
1. 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.
Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw
- MOTOR: Powerful 15 amp motor with 1,950 W of output power smoothly powers through hardwoods with ease
- MITER SCALE RANGES: from 0-52 degrees, both to the right and left, for a broader range of cuts
- FENCE: Tall, pivoting aluminum fence that stands at a height of 5-1/8 In. allows crown molding to be cut vertically
- MICRO BEVEL: After major bevel angle is secured, micro-bevel adjustment knob can be used to dial-in to a precise angle
$300.00Buy on Amazon
Pros
- Excellent power
- Smooth, accurate cuts
- Easy adjustments
Cons
- Heavy
2. 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.
- POWERFUL 15 AMP MOTOR - Delivers 4,800 RPM for quick, detailed cuts
- DUAL BEVEL – Perform cuts in four positive stop positions at 48° & 45° left, 0°, and 45° right
- LED SHADOW LINE - Provides high precision cuts with greater accuracy than lasers
- 2x12 CUTTING CAPACITY – Cross cuts lumber up to 2x12 at 90 degrees, and 2x8 lumber at 45 degrees
Pros
- Price
- Power
- Accuracy
Cons
- Included blade is so-so
3. 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.
- Stainless steel miter detent plate with 14 positive stops delivers repeatable accuracy and worksite durability for the 12-inch miter saw blade
- Tall sliding fences of the mitre saw support crown molding up to 6-5/8-inch nested and base molding up to 6-1/2-inch vertically against fence
- Double-bevel design of DEWALT miter saw allows saw to bevel 0 degree - 48 degree to the left and right with positive stops at 0 degree, 22.5 degree, 33.9 degree, and...
- 0 degree - 50 degree left and right miter capacity. Power Tool Type : Corded.
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
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).
- Flexible - power of corded. Freedom of cordless. The world's first battery that automatically changes voltage when you change tools
- Runtime; Up to 289 Cross Cuts in 3-1/4" baseboard molding
- Powerful 120V Brushless motor provides longer runtime compared to Brushed motors
- CUTLINE blade positioning system; adjustment free cutline indicator
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
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.
- ACCURACY: The Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide System allows wider cross cuts and better alignment
- CONVENIENCE: Featuring large, upfront metal bevel controls and Square lock precision fences for precise, quick and easy adjustments. Complete with dust collection...
- CONTROL: This miter saw provides accuracy and cutting control at all angles. Crown chop lock locks head in place for maximum chop cutting capacity for upright base...
- COMPACT: Featuring a compact design that replaces the sliding rail system, taking up to 10 In. less workspace than a slide miter saw. This Bosch miter saw is perfect...
Pros
- Unrivaled smoothness and accuracy of cut
- Innovative features
- Unmatched dust-collection efficiency
- Excellent blade
Cons
- Max crosscut capacity
Thank you for reading!
