Miter Saws: A Practical Guide
A miter saw makes crosscuts and angled cuts faster and more accurate than a circular saw. If you’re doing trim work, framing, or anything with repeated cuts at angles, you’ll want one.
Types of Miter Saws
Standard miter saw: Blade pivots left and right for miter cuts (angles on the flat plane). Simple, affordable, limited to narrow stock.
Compound miter saw: Also tilts for bevel cuts (angles through the thickness). Single bevel tilts one way, dual bevel tilts both. Dual bevel saves time on crown molding and complex angles.
Sliding compound miter saw: Rails let the blade move forward and back, cutting wider boards. More capacity, bigger footprint, higher price.
Blade Size Matters
10-inch: Most common. Handles most trim and light framing. Good balance of capability and portability.
12-inch: Cuts wider and deeper. Better for framing or cutting wider boards. Heavier, more expensive.
7-1/4 inch: Compact and portable. Limited capacity. Good for job sites where you’re only cutting trim.
What to Look For
Positive stops: Detents at common angles (0°, 15°, 22.5°, 30°, 45°). Makes it fast to set up common cuts.
Fence quality: Tall fences support crown molding and tall stock. Make sure it’s flat and rigid.
Dust collection: Miter saws throw dust everywhere. Good dust ports help but none are perfect.
Laser or LED guides: Shows where the cut will land. Helpful but not essential if you’re careful with setup.
Brands Worth Considering
DeWalt: Reliable, widely available, good support. The DWS779 is a popular sliding model.
Makita: Smooth cuts, well-built. LS1019L is excellent if pricey.
Bosch: The Glide system on their sliders saves space behind the saw.
Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi): Good value. Solid performance for the money.
Safety Basics
Wait for the blade to stop before lifting it. Keep hands well away from the cut line. Wear safety glasses – these throw debris. Clamp small pieces instead of holding them. Never cut freehand with stock that can twist.
The Real Question
Do you need a sliding saw? If you’re cutting anything wider than 6 inches regularly, yes. Otherwise a non-sliding compound miter saw saves money and space while handling most trim work fine.
