In the daily or industrial production and manufacturing, for the pursuit of aesthetics, using a high-precision saw to cut some beveled corners for joining is necessary. However, table saws, circular saws, and other equipment can not fully meet your needs, so the miter saw comes in handy for processing.
A miter saw provides high-precision angle control, allowing you to achieve more perfect results when doing angled jointing of two or even more materials.
In the next section, I'll give you an overview of the miter saw, including what it's used for, how to use it properly, and considerations when choosing the right miter saw for you.
Basics of a Miter Saw
A miter saw is a specialized power tool for both beginners and professionals to make cuts at a variety of angles, which is perfect for cutting longer boards into shorter ones, making picture frames, or cross-cutting for moldings. It makes precise cuts by pulling the saw blade against the material with a downward pressure on the handle.
Common Cuts a Miter Saw Can Make
- Cross cut: It’s a straight cut across the wood grain, shortening the length of the wood piece.
- Bevel cut: An angled cut through the edge or thickness of the wood.
- Miter cut: An angled cut across the face of the wood.
- Compound cut: It combines the bevel cut and the miter cut.
For more detailed information, refer to our post: Different Types of Woodworking Cuts Explained
Types of Miter Saws
Miter saws come in different designs according to different usage scenarios and processing needs. Having a good understanding of each type will help you choose the most appropriate one for your situation. Here are several types of miter saws:
Single-Bevel Miter Saw
It is a simple miter saw that can only be beveled in one direction and has a maximum miter angle of 45°. The single-bevel miter saw ensures basic accuracy and stability, and the cost is low. However, when you want to cut bevels on both ends of the material, you need to flip the wood instead of tilting the blade to the other side, which affects efficiency when it comes to high-volume tasks. It is always the choice of beginners or woodworking enthusiasts.
Double-Bevel Miter Saw
The overall structure of the double-bevel miter saw is the same as the miter saw above, but this saw blade can be angled to the left and right. Without having to repeatedly turn the material during the cutting process, the miter angle can be adjusted more easily for more efficient work.
Compound Miter Saw
A compound miter saw has the ability to make both a miter cut and a bevel cut. It features high flexibility and precision, which is suitable for making more complex tasks and precise cuts at various angles. For beginners, more practice and skills are required as it involves more angle settings and adjustments.
Sliding Compound Miter Saw
This miter saw is a type of compound miter saw, featuring a sliding arm. It increases the capacity to handle longer and wider materials. However, due to its versatility and great cutting capacity, the sliding compound miter saw is larger, occupying more space, and is more expensive than other miter saws.
How to Use a Miter Saw
Miter saws are powerful tools, and you should be careful to prevent serious injuries. Before learning how to use a miter saw, be sure to keep safety in mind. Here we give you some miter saw safety tips:
- Wear a dust mask, goggles, and hearing protection.
- Unplug the miter saw when not in use, or when you’re changing the blade, or adjusting the saw.
- Keep your fingers away from the moving saw blade within a safe range.
- Don’t wear loose clothing or hang jewelry when operating the miter saw.
- Place the miter saw on a stable workbench or a flat surface.
- Don’t remove the blade guard from the miter saw.
- At the end of each cut, please wait for the saw blade to completely stop before lifting it.
- Last but not least, refer to the manufacturer’s operation guide to lock and unlock the saw.
Well, after being well prepared and knowing the safety precautions, you can start cutting your project with a miter saw. Let's follow the steps below and make a cut.
Step 1. Set Up the Miter Saw
Correctly set up the miter saw according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Then check the components for defects and the tightness of connections, ensuring that your sawing process is efficient and safe. Next, calibrate the saw. The saw blade should be perfectly perpendicular to the fence and base.
Step 2. Set the Angle
For a miter cut, loosen the angle knob and move the saw blade to set your desired angle. Once at that angle, lock the knob in place. For a bevel cut, adjust the angle of the saw blade. The bevel adjustment knob is at the back of the saw. Loosen it to adjust it to a desired angle, and then tighten the knob when the blade is at the right angle.
Step 3. Place the Wood on the Saw
Place your workpiece on the saw. Without powering on the saw, lower the blade and move the workpiece until the cutting edge lines up with the mark you made on the workpiece. Then, clamp the workpiece tightly in position.
Step 4. Start Cutting
Power on the miter saw and press the trigger to start the blade. Keep your hand safely away from the rotating saw. Slowly lower the saw blade by pressing down on the handle until it passes through the wood. Next, release the trigger after a complete cut. Wait for the blade to stop rotating, and then raise the handle.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Miter Saw
Motor Power
Motor power is a key indicator of miter saw performance, and amps measure the power of the motor. The higher the amps, the more capable and faster the miter saw can cut, allowing it to handle thicker and heavier materials and more demanding work tasks.
Miter saw motors are available in 10-amp, 12-amp, and 15-amp. For the home DIYer or woodworking enthusiast, a 10- or 12-amp miter saw is enough to provide plenty of power. The 15-amp miter saws are designed for larger pieces of wood that need to be cut and are more suited for industrial-grade use.
Cutting Capacity
Cutting capacity refers to the maximum depth and width that a saw blade can cut into a material. This directly determines the type and size of material you can handle.
For example, among the types of miter saws mentioned above, the sliding compound miter saw is able to cut larger widths and also a larger range of angles.
Miter Saw Blade
A saw blade is an essential consideration in selecting a miter saw, as it directly affects the cutting efficiency and performance. And the size (diameter) of the saw blade is the most basic element you need to consider.
Most miter saws are relatively small and portable, so they are not fitted with a large blade diameter. Common blade sizes range from 8-12 inches. A blade with a larger diameter can cut wider and thicker materials, but it’s more expensive and requires a more powerful motor.
In addition to the blade diameter, the number of teeth on the blade is also important to the cutting task. The more teeth on the blade, the smoother and finer the cut will be. You can choose the number of teeth according to your desired effect and the material you are working with.
FindBuyTool offers industrial-grade saw blades for table saws, circular saws, and miter saws to meet your cutting requirements. These saws are durable and won't dull easily even after long use, thus, you can save your money and time. What’s more, our high-quality saw blades are precisely balanced to eliminate vibration, ensuring smooth, precise cuts without wobble.
Related Article: Table Saw vs Circular Saw vs Miter Saw: Select the Right One
