Chances are you will work with 1×6’s or 2×4’s, and they often come in lengths of 8 feet. What is the best tool to cut these boards into smaller lengths? You guessed it, a miter saw does this task quite well.
A miter saw designed to make accurate crosscuts and miters on a workpiece at selected angles. Most miter saw models are small and portable, and come with blade sizes ranging from 8 to 12 inches. The first power miter saw was designed by Ed Niehaus for the Rockwell Company back in 1964. Since then, numerous improvements have been added to form what has become one of the most sophisticated types of power saws on the market.
The power miter saw allows you to make accurate cuts by pulling a spinning circular blade down onto your workpiece in a controlled, short motion. You will typically hold your workpiece against a fence which guides you to make accurate angular cuts. The standard position of the blade is usually fixed at 90 degrees. The miter index allows you to change this angle of the blade relative to the fence.
A majority of miter saws allow precise one-degree increments while some have stops which enable you to quickly make cuts at common angles like 15ͦ , 22.5ͦ , 30ͦ , and 45ͦ . Miter saws are generally very popular saws on the market today due to their versatility and useful tools that can perform a wide range of projects. They are widely used by home remodelers, professional contractors, furniture makers, carpenters, woodworkers, craftsmen, and DIYers.
When you mention miter saws, most people think of wood, which is the most common material used with these power tools, but some have the capacity to cut materials like aluminum, plastic and even concrete. Modern miter saw models come in a variety of sizes, price ranges, and capabilities, depending on what you want to accomplish. So we strongly advise that you don’t hurry out and purchase the first power miter saw that catches your eye.
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Here Are the: "Top 5 Miter Saws" You Can Find Today!
Other important factors that informed our decision during this research include product durability, brand reputation, motor type, applications, accuracy and overall design. Having considered all the above, below is the list of our top 5 best miter saws for 2020.
The Dewalt DWS780 is a 12” double bevel sliding compound miter saw that comes with some really very impressive features. If you’re looking for a professional, heavy-duty miter saw for medium to heavy-duty projects then probably this is the model you should buy.
It comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers up to 3800 RPM which is more than what you need for a wide range of cutting applications. It tilts from 0-45 degrees in both directions which means that things like crown molding are a piece of cake. The measuring elements of this machine are great too. The miter base comes properly and precisely calibrated and designed.
The dual bevel mechanism allows you to fine-tune and adjust the unit with no hassle whatsoever. The machines just about 56 pounds which means moving it around your workshop should not be much trouble. The overall design is very well crafted and a closer look will reveal that indeed engineers paid serious attention to details.
A glance at this model will quickly tell you how incredible it is. The Festool Kapex KS comes with enough features and power to tackle any size of a project without a hassle. It has a variable motor that delivers speeds between 1400 and 3400 RPM. It can cut through any wood material and any angle of your desire.
The blades are designed specifically to reduce vibrations and noise while the measuring elements are well calibrated and properly aligned. The dual laser design means cutting accurate angles with accuracy and precision just got easier.
Looking at the overall design will immediately reveal that they invested a good amount of time in putting everything together on this machine. Everything is well positioned at the right place, convenient and easily accessible. It might not be the easiest miter to use for beginners, but a quick browse through the user manual should provide all the basics. With a little practice, even the most inexperienced users should be able to operate it within a relatively short time.
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Most users who have worked with the Makita LS1016L claim that it cuts through wood like a hot knit through butter. Well, as you will find out, that is not far from the truth. The saw arrives well calibrated and ready to report to work right out of the box.
The Makita LS1016L comes with a laser guide for enhanced accuracy and a smooth startup feature for ease of operation. It has a high capacity to handle various cuts, delivering professional and quality results in no time. The motor is pretty powerful too; at 3200 RPM you can expect decent versatility when ripping through a variety of wood materials.
With a crown molding cut capacity of 6.6” in a vertical, nested position, you can expect some quality performance across other different cuts. The saw also promise a 12-inch capacity a 90-degree angle and a 4-3/4-inch cutting capacity on baseboards vertically.
This is yet another DEWALT model that made it on our list and this should already tell you something about the products quality and the company’s reputation. The DW715 has incredible power that will probably cater for all your cutting needs. The company has also put in a lot of effort to achieve remarkable accuracy that will flirter even the most experienced professional woodworkers.
The design is also quite sturdy and attractive –built on a solid foundation –and everything works as expected. The measuring instruments such as the bevel adjustments and miter base are well calibrated and straightforward. The engineers behind this model put in a lot of effort to ensure that it’s easy to use and even beginners can get a hold of it within a few hours; especially after referring to the detailed user manual.
The Hitachi C10FCE2 miter is currently one of the best selling miter saws on Amazon. From trim carpenters to framers, to woodworkers, pretty much anyone who works with timber will find this model indispensable. If your project demands reliability, versatility, and precision from your tools, the Hitachi C10FCE2 might be one of the tools you need. Perhaps most importantly, this model is a functional cutting miter saw that offers value for each penny you invest in it.
Hitachi clearly understands that a quality and reliable miter saw needs to have a powerful motor and a strong blade. For that reason, this model features a 15-Amp motor and 10-inch blade. The motor delivers up to 5000 RPM, which is remarkable for a miter at its price. This motor is also designed using replaceable brushes which make maintenance much easier and the motor will last longer. With that power capacity, the saw can cut through a wide range of materials including plywood, wood, aluminum slashes and soft fiberboard.
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Choosing the best miter saw, as you can see, is not that complicated. The most important thing is to first identify your cutting needs and your budget, and then compare a number of saws that fit your requirements. Whichever your budget estimates, always go for good quality, durable, reliable and versatile models. Our list above factors in all these across different price ranges. So feel free to go with any of our recommendations as they are already thoroughly vetted, reviewed and carefully selected.
Philippe Allaire and all-saws.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
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