Types of Miter Saws

Comparing types of miter saws

There are several types of miter saws. Manual miter saws are still used in picture framing and by model makers, but powered miter saws are much more popular for woodworking and home improvement. These are mounted on a workbench or stand. You clamp the wood to a back fence, then set the miter angle, which rotates the blade.

A simple chop saw or cut-off saw can cut a board straight across or at an angle. However, experts say most people will be happier with a compound miter saw, which can also tilt the blade to bevel the cut. The least expensive miter saws tilt the blade only to one side; they're called single-bevel miter saws. Most reviews prefer a dual-bevel miter saw (also called double-bevel miter saws), which tilts in both directions, because it simplifies cutting moldings.

For cutting wider boards, sliding compound miter saws allow the blade assembly to slide forward instead of staying in one position. However, the rails built into a sliding miter saw give the whole saw a larger footprint, and sliding miter saws tend to be quite heavy. Since they have more moving parts, they're often a little less sturdy as well.

The most popular compound miter saws come in four basic combinations of size and type:

• 10-inch compound miter saw (*est. $100 to $220). This type is lightest and easiest to take to a jobsite, but all are single-bevel (meaning they tilt one way only) and can only crosscut lumber up to 2x6 straight across, or 2x4 at a 45-degree miter.

• 12-inch compound miter saw (*est. $200 to $400). This type of saw is relatively compact and can crosscut up to nominal 2x8 lumber, or 2x6 at a 45-degree miter. It can cut fairly tall molding vertically since the blade is two inches wider. These are larger and heavier, averaging 50 pounds. The big blades cut faster but are more apt to wobble a bit, sacrificing some precision.

• 10-inch sliding compound miter saw (*est. $425 to $1,300). A 10-inch sliding compound saw can crosscut up to nominal 2x12 lumber, or 3x8 lumber at a 45-degree miter. However, sliding compound saws weigh about as much as 12-inch compound miter saws, offer less vertical capacity and require a deeper workbench.

• 12-inch sliding compound miter saw (*est. $500 to $700). Larger sliding compound saws are big and heavy, usually requiring two people to move. The wider blade enables a saw of this type to have about half an inch wider capacity than 10-inch sliding compound saws, plus an inch higher capacity -- good for crown molding. Many reviews say these saws don't offer enough advantages over 10-inch sliding compound saws to justify their heavy weight and high prices.