Miter saws are among the most popular power saws in the market. What makes them appealing to power saw users is their versatility. This makes them a practical alternative to most woodworking projects. Home remodelers, carpenters, DIYers, artisans, and professional contractors among other people can use miter saws. If you are shopping for a new miter saw, here are some facts to know before buying one.
Classifications of miter power saws
Basic miter saw
Basic power miter saws are primarily meant for making angled cuts. They are used in projects where simple cuts of 90 degrees or less are required. These units can do pretty much in projects like framing a house. Moreover, most of these units have a variable angle setting on the underneath. This allows you to adjust the cutting angle conveniently considering that they have clear markings that for commonly used angles.
Compound miter saw
Compound miter saws are meant to work on miter (angled) or beveled cuts. This gives them an edge over the basic miter saws. Ideally, these power saws allow you to make a beveled cut in a single direction. However, some advanced models pivot in both directions for added flexibility when making your cuttings. The versatility of these saws makes them perfect for projects that require you to cut some crown moldings.
Sliding compound miter saw
As expected, the sliding compound miter saw is superior to the both the basic and compound meter saw. Looking at its design, the motor and blade are mounted on a movable arm. The sliding compound miter saw can work on both small and large pieces of wood comfortably. Like the compound miter saw, some models have a pivoting blade that can only pivot in one direction. More advanced models have a unique blade and pivoting feature that allows the blade to tilt in either direction (right or left).
What else should you know?
Since you have an idea of what each miter saw has to offer, the next hurdle is usually to choose the best woodworking miter saw for DIY. First, you need to choose a saw with the right blade size, which ranges from 8, 10, and 12-inches. Ideally, bigger blades allow you to make long cuts. If you want to make precise cutting, get a model with a laser-guided feature. On the other hand, if you are going to work in remote locations without access to power, go for a cordless miter saw.…