Regardless of whether you are a professional woodworker or a novice, at some point, you will need to purchase a miter saw.
With the vast array of miter saws in the market, it can be tricky when choosing which type of miter saw to go.
What is Miter saw?
Miter saws are essential woodworking power tools that help in the easy and efficient making of both bevel and miter cuts on pieces of wood.
Cuts made are much precise, accurate, and with no errors.
The main feature of miter saws that makes them preferred by most woodworkers is that they can make 90-degree cuts.
Additionally, with the help of the rotating blades, you can make other varying angles, including 45°, 30°, 15°, and even 22.5°.
3 Main Types of Miter Saws
Some of the main type of miter saws include:
- Basic Miter Saw/ Standard Miter Saw
- Compound Miter Saw
- Sliding Miter Saw
Basic Miter Saw
A basic miter saw is the most straightforward miter saw version.
It features a rotating blade mounted at the base and is mainly used for making bevel cuts of between +45°and -45°.
The primary purpose of a basic miter saw is to make accurate and precise angled cuts on pieces of wood.
Additionally, depending on the wideness of its blade, it can be utilized to make lengthwise or rip cuts.
Most standard miter saws are exclusively designed to make angled crosscuts.
However, other versions of basic miter saws are available in the market with 10 and 12-inch options and feature adjustable scales.
Other models can only adjust to the same degree, while some can be preset to make angle cuts, including 45, 30, and 15 degrees.
Compared to other types of miter saws, the basic miter saws tend to be much affordable and easily accessible in any woodworking store near you.
Sliding Miter Saws
A sliding miter saw is an advanced version of a standard miter saw.
One of the outstanding features of a sliding miter saw is that it can cut huge boards much swiftly and with less hassle.
The 12 inches and 16 inches sliding miter saw blades are the most common ones. Their blades can move in both directions on their rail, thus making it much convenient to use.
Unlike its non-sliding compound miter saws, sliding miter saws are popularly used as they are much versatile. They enable woodworkers to work on tricky projects that require cutting of immense pieces of boards.
Regardless of the size of the board, a sliding miter saw can rip it in a matter of seconds.
Another impressive feature about sliding miter saws is that they come in big sizes.
Thus you won’t have to constantly adjust the angle of the saw when making cuts. The size of a sliding miter saw can double the size of a non-sliding miter saw.
Although a sliding miter saw has many similarities to a compound miter saw, they can both be used by carpenters to make miter and bevel cuts.
However, it is more advantageous when it comes to the width of wood and boards that they cut.
Compound Miter Saw
A compound miter saw is so much advanced compared to a basic miter saw due to its sturdy, durable, and powerful capabilities.
Featuring an arm in its blade, it can help to easily make 90 degrees angle cuts.
Additionally, this robust and potent woodworking power tool can make miter and bevel cuts on pieces of lumber.
If you seek to make crosscuts on pieces of wood, you should opt to go for a compound miter saw.
It will enable you to make bevels, angled bevels, and angled cuts.
It is considered the most suitable woodworking power cutting tool for making clean and precise crosscuts, even on thick pieces of wood.
Despite its outstanding performance, a compound miter saw should be operated with much caution and when sober.
Misuse or mishandling of this powerful tool could lead to terrific accidents and severe injuries to the user.
Other Types of Miter Saws
With advancements in technology, manufacturers are coming up with new and varying types of miter saws with additional features and specifications for better woodworking performance. Other versions of miter saws available in the market include:
- Sliding Compound Miter Saw
- LED/Laser miter- saws
Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Despite compound miter saws being exceptional power tools due to their productivity.
Manufacturers are constantly seeking more advanced features to make it better. The sliding compound miter saw boasts of its ability to slide.
Both the compound and basic miter saw’s blade have been connected to its arm.
You will be able to operate in limited fission as the arm moves upwards and downwards.
The sliding feature enables it to enhance the length of its cut. Additionally, the forward and backward movement of the radial makes it easy and convenient to use.
A sliding compound miter saw is much more effective to use as it combines a sliding and compound miter’s features.
Miter Saws with LED/Laser Saws
To enhance the level of precision and accuracy, manufacturers have come up with a more advanced version of miter saws featuring a laser beam guide.
The laser illuminates and directs the woodworker for accurate and error-free work.
Excellent and clean work is produced through the use of miter saws with LED or lasers.
The manufacturers came up with this feature to eliminate the issue of erroneous and flawed quality cuts.
