A miter saw is a must-have tool for any carpenter as it can be used to cut different types of wood. The best one on the market should have a high-quality blade and strong motor so that it will not slow down or stall when cutting through thick pieces of wood.
As a handyman interested in improving his craftsmanship and saving time on projects, I am constantly researching new tools to add to my collection that will help me get the job done right. A miter saw was high on my list because it not only saves me hours of work but also makes complicated cuts simple enough even for novice woodworkers.
keeping in mind all of your needs and market criteria, I’ve created this post to help you find the best miter saw for finish carpentry.
Related: Best Miter Saw Blade For Picture Framing
Table of Contents
- Types Of Miter Saw:
- Top 7 Best Miter Saw For Finish Carpentry:
- 1. DEWALT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw:
- 2. Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+Cordless Miter Saw:
- 3. Black+Decker M1850BD Compound Miter Saw:
- 4. Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw:
- 5. Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw:
- 6. Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw:
- 7. Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw:
- Buying Guide:
- Miter Saw Precautions:
- FAQs:
- Conclusion:
Types Of Miter Saw:
Compound Miter Saw
The compound miter saw is one of the best kinds of miter saws available on the market. The major functions are cutting materials at precise angles, compound mitering, bevel cutting, and sliding mechanisms. It is used to crosscut boards at a precise angle or cut sheet products into smaller pieces. This can also be used to cut molding and framing materials. It has a blade mounted to a sliding mechanism that moves the material through the saw blade from start to finish.
The main purpose of compound miter saw is to cross-cutting large boards, sheets, and other products into smaller pieces or at specific angles. This tool is often used by trim and cabinet makers to create crown moldings, cabinets, and shelving units.
Sliding Miter Saw
A sliding miter saw is a widely used tool among carpenters as it provides the right angles needed for precise carpentry. A typical miter saw can only crosscut boards whereas a sliding compound miter saw can perform both functions – cutting materials at an angle and sliding mechanism.
Since more parts are involved in its construction, more steel is added to provide sturdiness to the machine. It includes an adjustable fence that allows you to cut larger pieces of wood. You can also use this tool to make bevel cuts on large sheets of material without requiring any additional equipment or jigs.
This type of miter saw has a saw blade and a sliding mechanism. The first part slides across the top of the base to make crosscuts while the second part slides from side to side to make miter cuts.
Compact Miter Saw
As the term suggests, a compact miter saw is smaller in size compared to the other kinds. It is ideal for home use and has a smaller base that can be placed on a tabletop or mounted to a stand.
This type of saw is designed for small projects and is often used to cut picture frames, moldings, and other smaller pieces of wood. It has a pivoting arm that makes it easy to maneuver around the material being cut.
Dual-Bevel Miter Saw
A dual bevel miter saw can bevel both to the left and right, which gives you even more options for bevel cuts. It can also tilt its blade up to 48 degrees in each direction, allowing you to make compound cuts with ease.
This type of saw is often used by professional carpenters as it gives them a lot more flexibility when cutting different types of materials.
Related: Best Circular Saws with Dust Collection
Top 7 Best Miter Saw For Finish Carpentry:
RANK | Model | Weight | Blade Length | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 42.8 pounds | 12 Inches | 4.9 | ||
2 | 19 pounds | 4 Inches | 4.6 | ||
3 | 16.99 pounds | 7.25 Inches | 4.5 | ||
4 | 77.8 pounds | 12 Inches | 4.8 | ||
5 | 65 pounds | 12 Inches | 4.8 | ||
6 | 77.8 pounds | 12 Inches | 4.7 | ||
7 | 72.8 pounds | 10 Inches | 4.7 |
1. DEWALT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw:
If you’re looking for a quality miter saw that can handle a wide range of projects, the DEWALT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw is a great option. It comes with a stainless-steel miter detent plate and 14 positive stops, ensuring accurate cuts every time. The tall sliding fence also supports larger pieces of lumber vertically, allowing you to make more beveled cuts with ease.
Design:
The DEWALT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw is a durable, well-built tool that can handle a wide range of materials and applications.
Performance and Versatility
The DEWALT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw is a high-quality tool that can handle a wide range of projects. It comes with a durable stainless-steel miter detent plate, 14 positive stops, and a powerful 15-amp motor.
The bevels can be adjusted from 0 to 48 degrees to the left and 0 to 3 degrees to the right, making it a versatile tool for a wide range of applications. The tall sliding fence also supports larger pieces of lumber vertically, allowing you to make more beveled cuts with ease.
Verdict
The DEWALT 12-inch Compound Miter Saw is a durable, well-built tool that can handle a wide range of materials and applications.
2. Ryobi 18-Volt ONE+Cordless Miter Saw:
The Ryobi 18-volt ONE+Cordless Miter Saw is a great choice for someone looking for a quality, affordable option. With a 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade and machined and cast miter scales, this saw provides accurate cuts for your DIY or do-it-for-me projects.
The spindle lock lets you easily change out the blades and the built-in work light ensures improved visibility when working in low light areas.
Design
The Ryobi 18-volt ONE+Cordless Miter Saw is made of heavy-duty, 1-inch aluminum and features a machined and cast miter scale for increased accuracy. The saw also has a spindle lock for easy blade changes and comes with a 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade.
Performance
This miter saw includes a powerful 18-volt one plus battery, which lasts longer than some corded models. The 24-tooth carbide-tipped blade improves cutting performance with fast, clean cuts. The built-in work light ensures you’re always able to see your cut while working in low-light areas.
What is the Warranty/Guarantee?
This pre-owned product has been professionally inspected, tested, and cleaned by Amazon-qualified suppliers. If you are not satisfied with this product under the Amazon Renewed Guarantee, you may return it within 90 days.
3. Black+Decker M1850BD Compound Miter Saw:
The Black+Decker M1850BD is a great option for anyone looking for a compact and portable saw that delivers accurate cuts. It has a miter range of 0-45° left and right, with nine positive stops, so it can handle a variety of trim, framing, and craft projects. The die-cast aluminum construction makes it lightweight at under 17 pounds.
Design and quality:
The Black+Decker M1850BD has a modern, sleek design with black and gray finishes. It is equipped with a 12-inch blade, and the bevel scale is accurate and easy to read. The saw is also very well-built, with a sturdy base that provides accurate cuts.
Performance:
The Black+Decker M1850BD has a blade lock, so you can easily change the blade. The saw is easy to set up and use, with positive miter stops and a bevel adjustment lever. It also has a dust bag to help keep your work area clean.
This saw is easy to set up and use, and it delivers accurate cuts every time. The blade is very sharp and stays that way for a long time. It has some nice features like the adjustable miter detent plate, bevel adjustment knob, and miter lock handle.
4. Milwaukee 6955-20 Sliding Dual Bevel Miter Saw:
The Best Selling Miter Saw is here! Using reliable, durable, and heavy-duty this saw will last you for years. As well as the 15 amp direct-drive motor provides power to help cut through even hardwood with ease.
Another awesome feature of this product is that it comes with dual lights that are able to fully illuminate the workpiece and cut line. This will ensure that you are able to have an accurate representation of the piece being cut so you create a great-looking result each time.
Design
The Milwaukee Miter Saw is sleek and black, with a medium-sized frame that will be easy to transport no matter where you need to go with it. The saw is also easy to set up and use, so you don’t have to spend hours trying to figure out how it works.
Performance
If you are looking for a product that will allow you to cut with ease and accuracy, this is the product for you. This saw has been designed so it can help guide you through whichever piece you are cutting, be it wood or metal.
This product also comes with a 15-amp drive motor so that in itself offers increased power to help get through even the hardest of materials.
5. Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw:
The Bosch GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw is a compact and efficient saw that utilizes an axial glide system for wider cross cuts and better alignment. The saw also offers a large cutting capacity as well as easy adjustments with bevel detents with marked detents for easy setup.
The quick-release fence allows you to quickly lock the fence in place without needing to adjust the settings. Additionally, the front bevel controls and all-metal bevel lock lever make it easy to set your desired bevel angle without having to reach behind the saw.
Design and Functionality:
The Bosch GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw is a well-designed, durable, and efficient saw. The patented glide system allows the user to make wider crosscuts without sacrificing accuracy or room needed to store this saw.
Additionally, the easy-to-read scale makes it simple for you to set up accurate bevels quickly. Furthermore, the quick-release fence is very convenient as it allows you to quickly adjust the fence’s position without having to adjust the settings.
From cheap miter saws to high-end sliding compound miter saws, you can find them all on.
Capacity:
The Bosch GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw can handle a variety of cuts. With a capacity of 6 1/2 inches against the fence and 12 inches with the saw set at 90 degrees to the table, you can confidently handle large frame molding, baseboard, and crown molding.
6. Metabo HPT 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw:
If you’re looking for a quality miter saw that can handle even the most challenging projects, the Metabo HPT 12-inch compound miter saw is a great choice. This miter saw has a powerful motor, sturdy aluminum fence, and tall pivoting head for increased capacity
The Metabo HPT 12-inch compound miter saw includes a dust bag to help you clean up after each project, as well as outfeed support that ensures your workpiece is supported throughout the entire cut. The micro-bevel adjustment knob provides precise angle adjustments, while the thumb-activated positive stops make it easy to set your miter angle.
Design and performance
The Metabo HPT 12-inch compound miter saw has a powerful 15 amp motor with 1,950 watts of output power. The blade guard is spring-loaded to help make it easy to retract and reset the blade after completing each cut. This miter saw also includes an adjustable positive bevel stop that allows you to quickly adjust your bevel angles without tools.
Additional features
This miter saw comes with a dust bag, as well as outfeed support that ensures your workpiece is supported throughout the entire cut. The micro-bevel adjustment knob provides precise angle adjustments, while the thumb-activated positive stops make it easy to set your miter angle.
7. Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw:
The Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw is a top-of-the-line product that offers professional carpenters many features and benefits. With its 10″ slide, this saw can easily handle larger Crown molding cuts than most standard 12″ miter saws. It also has a linear ball bearing system that ensures accurate cuts, every time.
This saw is also a very portable and compact design that allows it to be easily transported from job site to job site. All of these features make the Makita LS1019L Dual-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw an excellent choice for professional carpenters.
Performance and features:
This miter saw has the Makita-built Direct Drive System, which is engineered for increased vertical cutting capacity (5-1/4″) and incredibly smooth operation. It also has a unique 2 steel rail sliding system that saves space for working tight against walls or in corners, while ensuring fast smooth cuts at 90° or 45° angles.
Lastly, it has an ergonomic design with less weight (57.9 lbs.) than most saws in its class, making it easy to transport and use
Buying Guide:
Things to consider before buying Best Miter Saw For Finish Carpentry:
There are lots of factors you must take into consideration when you buy a miter saw. If you don’t, there is no way that you can get the right tool for your future projects.
Price:
You should set your budget according to your needs and what type of features it will offer. For this article, we tried our best to accommodate all the different budgets people might have but if you still feel like one product in this list does not fit in with your expectations, please contact us directly by email or comment down below so we can make some changes (we are open to suggestions).
Type of Miter Saw:
You also need to consider if this is what you really want or some other tool would be more useful for you especially when it comes to choosing between a compound miter saw, sliding compound miter saw, sidewinder miter saw, etc…
Warranty:
Warranty varies from company to company because it depends on how confident they are about their product’s durability and performance which ultimately determines how long they would be willing to guarantee the product.
Features:
Features vary with each type of miter saw so please look up all the differences before you make your purchase. For example, there can be motor types (i.e. 110v vs 220v) which means they will have different power output and maximum cutting capacity.
Power Consumption:
If you are on a budget, power consumption might be something that needs to be considered because some tools can use more electricity than others which might not fit your housing situation (i.e. apartment vs house).
Cutting Capacity:
The most important factor when considering what type of miter saw you need is the cutting capacity (i.e. crown molding or baseboard) because it will determine how thick of material you can cut with this tool. Some miter saws also have adjustable blade angles while some only offer preset angles which could be an important thing for some people who want more flexibility when they are choosing different cuts.
Blade Size:
Another characteristic to look out for when deciding on which type of miter saw to purchase is the size of the blade, which varies with each type.
Safety:
Each type of miter saw will have its own safety features so please look up every detail before you purchase!
Blade Quality & Maintenance :
Unfortunately, not all blades are made equally and some might be weaker than others or not cut as smoothly when it comes to making accurate cuts, so if you’re picky when it comes to how your cuts look when completed you want to make sure that this is taken into consideration! In addition, no matter what product you buy in this list it would be a good idea to invest in a Woodworking Miter Saw Blade sharpener, these tools help maintain your blade cutting ability and makes the blade last longer.
Miter Saw Precautions:
This article goes over some basic miter saw safety tips, as well as maintenance and use advice.
Basic miter saw safety advice:
- Make sure the tool is unplugged before adjusting or servicing it
- Always wear gloves when touching anything on the blade of the saw (blades, weights, etc)
- Wear eye protection when using this tool–even if you’re just looking at the blade and it’s turned off
- Be sure to wear a dust mask or respirator when operating a miter saw in dusty environments (moldings, plywood, etc)
Before usage:
a. Make sure the miter saw is on a stable surface
I suggest either bolting it to the workbench or making sure its weight is distributed so that it won’t tip. This will be especially important if you’re working with long materials.
b. Make sure nothing can get into the blade while in operation (pets, kids, etc)
c. Always keep the saw blade parallel to the tabletop: *equally high and wide*. This will prevent it from binding and/or bucking while cutting.
d. Check for loose nuts and bolts, if applicable–if there’s any movement in them at all, tighten them before using the tool.
e. Make sure the blade is sharp before using it
f. Oil the blade by turning on the saw, then putting a few drops of oil into the hole in the center of where the blade goes (this will be obvious when you see it). Check with your user’s manual if this doesn’t make sense. Operating the saw while it drips with oil can cause fires.
g. Don’t press too hard when making a cut, just let the saw do all the work by guiding it slowly through the material. This will help prolong the life of your blade and drive mechanisms.
FAQs:
Is there any product more valuable than a quality miter saw?
Ans: No, if you work with wood for a living or as a hobby you know that the right tool can make the difference between an okay project and a great one.
Which Miter Saw is best for carpenters?
Ans: If you are looking to purchase only one of these miter saws this would probably be our pick, it has all of the features that professionals need at a reasonable price.
Can you cut crown molding on a compound miter saw?
Ans: Yes, most compound miter saws have plenty of cutting capacity but make sure to check what type of blade it has before buying because not all blades can cut thick pieces of wood (i.e. crown molding).
What is the difference between a compound miter saw and a sliding compound miter saw?
Ans: A sliding compound miter saw has a track that allows the saw to slide back and forth, which makes it easier to cut larger pieces of wood. A compound miter saw can tilt in both directions, allowing for more precise cuts.
Conclusion:
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing a miter saw. We hope that you can make an informed decision about which one is best for you. All of the saws on this list are great options, but our top pick would be the. It has all of the features that professionals need and it is very affordable. Thanks
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