The Best Miter Saw

Buying Guide

If you’re ready to do some carpentry, either for work or on your own do-it-yourself projects, a miter saw is a handy tool to have around. Designed to make precision cuts into wood, a miter saw is a much safer, more efficient way to do things than basic saws.

Miter saws originally started out as a basic form of what they are today. You purchased a “miter box,” which was three-sided and either made from plastic or wood, and used it with your carpenter’s backsaw. It had 45-degree and 90-degree slits in the box to make it easy to line up the cuts you wanted.

But when the power miter saw came along in 1964, the tool revolutionized the way carpenters worked with wood. Today’s miter saws combine the saw and the miter box, which means when you go shopping for a miter saw, you have to look at the features of both components.

But things get a little more complicated, as you’ll notice when you start looking around. The general term for the tool is a miter saw, but there are some variations you should know about:

• Sliding miter saw: This version has a rail system to help guide the blade as it slides back and forth.
• Compound miter saw: With this type of miter saw, you can adjust the saw blade (known as “mitering”) either to the left or right. This allows you to cut the wood at an angle as needed.
• Compound sliding miter saw: This includes mitering, beveling and sliding functions to maximize your flexibility in your work.
• Dual compound sliding miter saw: You’ll get all the features found in a sliding and compound miter saw, including beveling to the left and right.

You can narrow down your choices by looking specifically for the type of saw you want or by listing out the features and reading each product description carefully.

• Typically, the more complicated the build of a miter saw, the higher the price. If you only occasionally use the tool, you may not need all the extra features.
• Some miter saws come with extra positive stops to help you make your cuts more precise.
• A built-in LED light can help with precision, even if you’re working in a well-lit area.
• You’ll find that miter saws come in varying weights. There are benefits to a lighter-weight saw, considering you’ll be able to more easily maneuver it and carry it from one location to another. However, if you opt for a lighter miter saw, it may not be able to handle thicker cuts of wood as easily as a heavier tool.
• Some miter saws let you make adjustments using only your thumb, which makes things much easier when your hands are occupied. You won’t have to stop your work to make the adjustments.
• Having a dual bevel gives you the flexibility to adjust either to the left or the right to help you find the perfect angle.
• With some miter saws, you get a clamp that allows you to attach your material to the table to hold it in place while you work.
• Take a look at the miter saw’s power. Even with a more lightweight model, a powerful motor can help you tackle tougher jobs while still giving you easy maneuverability.
• Some miter saws come with a dust-collection bin. Although you won’t be able to capture all the sawdust your work scatters in the air, a bin will at least help cut down on it.
• One extra that may be well worth it is a laser beam. Some of today’s miter saws come with that feature built in. It can save you time and help ensure you make the right cut the first time.