Choosing a miter saw. Answers to the most important questions

Correct identification when purchasing a tool simplifies work operations, ensures a high level of safety, and helps to successfully solve other practical problems. The current rating of the best miter saw models will help you find the right option based on your real needs. The information presented below will be useful for a correct comparative analysis of thematic market offers. To choose a high-quality miter saw, you should check not only the basic technical characteristics. It is recommended to pay attention to the functional features of individual models and the composition of the standard equipment. For intensive use, professional-grade saws are purchased.

Which brand of miter saw is best to choose?

The rating includes products from 7 popular manufacturers with good characteristics and numerous reviews from experts and buyers. Among these companies there are German, Russian and some other companies. Here's who's on the leaderboard:

• Hammer is a brand of power tools for professionals, characterized by their compact size, high speed (about 5000 rotations per minute), low noise level and reliable protection against overheating. The devices can easily withstand heavy loads and are successfully used for various types of cutting. They are effective in working not only with wood, but also with thin aluminum surfaces.
• Bison – budget ]power tools[/anchor], among which there are saws. They are used for both simple and complex cutting of blades at different angles of inclination of the disk. The large entry depth of the working elements and their decent diameter guarantee a faster process. The products have a powerful engine that can cope even with high loads.
• Caliber - brand devices are suitable for processing workpieces not only made of wood, but also plastic and aluminum materials. They cope with a wide range of thicknesses due to the large cutting disc, and the amount of waste remains at an acceptable level. The company's products are distinguished by a compact table, reliable stops and clamps, which guarantees safer and more efficient use of miter saws on wood and other materials.
• Metabo is a manufacturer of professional electrical equipment, which is distinguished by high build quality, good motor power, and sharp discs. The company's products are functional and reliably protected from premature failure. The diameter of the cutting elements ranges from 216 to 315 mm, depending on the specific model.
• Makita – the company’s product range is replete with miter saws, the average power of which is 1600 W. The instruments have disks with a diameter of about 20 cm, rotating at a speed of 3000-6000 revolutions per minute. Many of them are equipped with a comfortable table and a broaching mechanism that improves the quality of work.
• Bosch is a German manufacturer of mainly premium products. Its saws are compact in size and adequate in weight, equipped with a comfortable handle and durable stops. The company’s designs are distinguished by high-quality assembly and are made from durable materials. They have easy-to-replace cutting elements and intuitive controls.
• DeWALT - brand saws are valued for their good quality and high level of safety for the user. They leave the work surface clean and are equipped with a dust collector. Most of the assortment is represented by network models that are powered from an outlet. The average power of the product is 1300 W, the cutting depth is about 3 cm, however, the tools weigh about 15 kg.

Purpose

The main purpose of combination miter saws is to cut parts at right or oblique angles and at an angle. These tools can process products made from plastic polymers, sheet iron and other multi-layer materials. They are used to perform the following operations:

1. Laying out skirting boards and installing window openings.
2. Arrangement of floors and installation of wooden door frames.
3. Production of lining, frames, furniture products and joinery.
4. Carving thin bars, slats and boards.

Small combination miter saws are used in domestic settings. They are used in home workshops and in residential renovations. Industrial workshops install professional-grade tools with an expanded range of functions. These saws are most often used for carpentry, construction, finishing and installation work.

Rating of the best miter saws

The main selection parameters included the effectiveness, safety and ease of use of the devices. Before including miter saws in the rating, we analyzed product characteristics and customer reviews.

Here are some other criteria used to compare the instruments:

• Power;
• Rotational speed;
• Depth and width of cut;
• Methods of processing canvases;
• Types of materials the tool works with;
• Noise level;
• Power supply methods and cord length;
• Engine protection;
• Disc diameter and sharpness;
• Possibilities for expanding the table;
• Dust container size;
• Weight;
• Equipment;
• Illumination of the working surface;
• Easy to replace cutting elements.

One of the selection criteria was the price-quality ratio of goods, their functionality and accessibility.

Advantages and disadvantages

Combination miter saws have the following advantages:

1. Compactness. Combination miter saws are small in size, which improves their mobility and performance.
2. Versatility. Combination miter saws can be equipped with different types of saw blades, which allows you to process workpieces made of different materials.
3. Multifunctionality. Miter saws are capable of cross-cutting, ripping and edging. They can be used to produce narrow workpieces.
4. Work safety. Most combination saws are equipped with protective covers, a soft motor start system, workpiece clamps and electrodynamic brakes that stop the saw blade after a power failure. These elements reduce the risk of injury to the operator while operating the tool.

The main disadvantage of combination miter saws is the shallow depth of cut. This factor does not allow this device to process bars of large thickness.

The best professional miter saws

Such models are premium and usually cost more than 15,000 rubles. They are easy to use, safe for humans and versatile - used for various types of cuts. Their choice from manufacturers is not as wide as in the case of budget models and middle-class options. Of the 10 offers, 4 tools are included in the TOP, the best according to customer reviews.

Makita LS1216

The device is not cheap and is considered a professional option due to its capabilities. The tool easily tilts vertically to the right and left at an angle from 0 to 45º, in a horizontal position - up to 52-60º. Safety and efficiency of use are ensured by a well-designed engine braking system and a smooth start mechanism that prevents the product from malfunctioning. Instead of two long guides, the model uses 4 short ones to perform oblique, transverse and longitudinal cuts.

Advantages

• Deep tilt of the disk with the possibility of fixation;
• Structural strength;
• Sharp disc;
• Low noise level;
• High-quality assembly;
• Doesn't heat up;
• Cuts neatly.

Flaws

• No laser cut mark;
• Idle speed - 3200 rpm.

The Makita LS1216 model weighs 26.3 kg and, in fact, is a full-fledged machine for professional use, however, moving it may pose some difficulties.

Bosch GCM 8 SJL

This is a cheaper option compared to the previous one, although it does not lose in functionality. The improved two-point dust extraction system guarantees high quality and ease of use. The ability to make a horizontal cut of 31.2 cm allows the device to be used at different angles and for processing long workpieces. The accuracy of the results is ensured by laser marking and lateral broaching mechanisms. The tool copes well with grooves due to the limited depth. The product is quite easy to transport due to the built-in handle, although it weighs 18 kg.

Advantages

• Good performance;
• Rotation speed – 5500 rpm;
• Power – 1600 W;
• Flexibility to adjust the angle of inclination;
• Excellent dust removal;
• Clean work surface.

Flaws

• Not detected.

DeWALT DW717XPS

This miter saw is considered best for use for longitudinal cutting, although it also works well with cross cutting. It is effective for both light and heavy-duty jobs thanks to its powerful 1675 W motor. However, even under high load, the motor does not heat up and lasts quite a long time, according to reviews. What makes the model interesting is the ability to control the working line thanks to the shadow of the disk. The XPS system, which is responsible for this, does not require settings and guarantees the accuracy of placing the material in the right place, as well as good visibility of the surface.

Advantages

• Disc with 60 teeth;
• The key for it is included in the set;
• Capacious dust collector;
• Saws at an angle of 90 degrees to a depth of up to 15.2 cm;
• The diameter of the cutting element is 25 cm;
• Surface stability;
• Idle speed parameters – 4000 rpm.

Flaws

• Weight 23 kg.

Metabo KGS 315 Plus

The device is included in the rating due to its high performance, which can be attributed to the powerful 2200 W motor, as well as due to the speed of up to 4100 per minute. If necessary, this parameter can be adjusted, which allows you to select the best value for cutting plastic, wood or aluminum profiles. It is convenient to process long workpieces due to the broaching mechanism. Working with the saw is quite simple, in particular because there is no sawdust left on the surface.

Advantages

• Possibility of table expansion;
• Guiding laser that improves cut quality;
• High stops;
• Increased disk sizes;
• Easy to replace cutting element;
• Performs a large amount of work.

Flaws

• Poor suction of chips.

Metabo KGS 315 Plus has simple operation, all its elements and scales are visible from the working position. With its help, it is possible to make high-quality grooves thanks to the limiting stop. Precise cutting is ensured by a clamp for fixing the workpiece and additional extensions for the table.

Varieties

There are 2 main types of combination miter saws:

1. Household. They are universal carpentry devices for processing small-sized wooden products. They are equipped with an electric motor with a power of up to 1.5 kW and a saw blade with a diameter of up to 25 cm. The rotation speed of the working shaft is no more than 6000 rpm. Household saws are made from weak metal alloys. Therefore, they wear out faster with frequent use.
2. Professional. They are stationary electric machines for processing large products with a width of more than 25 cm. Thanks to improved technical characteristics and an expanded set of functions, these devices are capable of processing products from soft and hard materials. Professional-grade saws are equipped with an electric motor with a power of up to 2.5 kW and saw blades with a diameter of up to 30.5 cm. These devices are also equipped with a speed controller for the working shaft.

The average cost of combined miter saws for home use is 9 thousand rubles. Professional models cost at least 22 thousand rubles.

Which miter saw is best to buy?

For occasional woodworking, it doesn’t make much sense to buy professional models, which are more relevant for significant volumes of work. The main indicator of device performance is power, the minimum recommended value here is 1000 W, and the higher it is, the less the parts will heat up.

Here's the best miter saw to choose, depending on your goals:

• For working with aluminum surfaces, Hammer STL1400/210, Metabo KGS 315 Plus or Zubr ZPT-210-1400 l will be relevant.
• The model “Caliber PTE-1750/255-Am” or Metabo KS 216 M Lasercut will do an excellent job with plastic.
• Hammer STL1200/210C is ideal for longitudinal spreading.
• It is most convenient to work with long workpieces using the Makita LS1040F.
• Bosch PCM 8 S or Zubr ZPT-190-1200 PL will help you make high-quality grooves.
• For those looking for a cheaper machine alternative, the Makita LS1216 is worth a look.
• For miter cuts, the best option would be Bosch GCM 8 SJL.
• The DeWALT DW717XPS can handle complex jobs with dignity.

Before choosing a suitable option from the rating of miter saws, you should first decide on your budget, because this is what the capabilities of the devices depend on.

How to make a crosscut from a circular saw

To construct a miter saw from a circular saw, you need:

1. Make a box from chipboard. It will be used as a base.
2. Attach the box to the circular saw using clamps.
3. Secure small pieces of chipboard on both sides using self-tapping screws.
4. Place the circular saw on the table and adjust the distance between the profile and the saw elements.

After making the trim, it is recommended to make a test cut. As a result of processing, a cutting line should form on the workpiece.

Characteristics of equipment for depth of cut

If you need an electric circular saw, then it will not be enough to pay attention only to the diameter of the circle; you must also have an idea of ​​what depth of cut the equipment will provide. In the passport you can find these parameters regarding beveled or perpendicular cut

In this case, you can use conditional division. Thus, the light class, which provides a cutting depth of 40 to 50 millimeters, assumes the ability to work locally with sheet materials. The most versatile and popular is the middle class, which provides a cutting depth of 50 to 65 millimeters. This is a tough class. These are heavy, massive and professional devices that can provide a cutting depth of 65 to 140 millimeters. If you purchase an electric circular saw, then these parameters will be conditional for the reason that a number of manufacturers use their own classification. For example, Makita does not produce units with shallow depth of cut; the company has moved a little forward in this direction. Ordinary users who are going to purchase a device to solve everyday problems will have to find a compromise in matters of strength, versatility and maneuverability.

Budget models

Characteristic versions of the mechanism

The principle of mobility of cutting units in single-saw machines is implemented by the following types of structures:

• Straightforward. The block moves on a rigid horizontal console, the height of which can be adjusted;
• Pendulum (PME). The location of the disk assembly on the suspensions allows it to move in an arc, lowering and rising;
• Balanced. The saw is located under the table, the knife is raised by pressing the pedal. Number of lifts 10 – 12 per minute;
• Stationary. The workpiece is fed to a fixed rotating wood knife.

Multi-saw installations include trimmers and slashers. On double-sided cross-cutting machines, the side and top sides of a wooden part are processed in one pass.

Pendulum type

Industrial CME (pendulum cross-cutting machine) has the following characteristic features:

• manual or pneumatic feed of the cutting unit;
• mechanized supply of parts;
• adjusting the length of the workpiece by installing stops;
• pneumatic clamp;
• electrodynamic braking.

The design of the manual feed of the DME disk works by ensuring a return to its original position under the influence of a counterweight.

The large radius of the CME installation increases the possible width of sawn timber trimming.

The suspended type of fastening makes it convenient to use the TsME machine in cutting production.

Straight stroke

Serial production of parts of a given size is carried out by a cross-cutting machine with several saw units. The distance between the disks on the wood corresponds to the required size. The lumber is pushed along a bed with rollers onto saws that cut it to size. In one shift, machines of this type process several dozen cubes of wood.

Cross-cutting machine with two saw carriages

Productivity and the accuracy of the angle between the edges of the timber are increased on double-sided equipment for trimming wood.

DeWALT DW713

A reliable and high-quality miter saw is intended for construction workshops or field installation work. According to user reviews, this model has good characteristics: clear settings; no need for regular adjustment (fine-tuning of the mechanism); precision of work, even when sawing a wooden workpiece on both sides, defects are excluded. The DeWalt miter saw is very easy to use and is suitable for users with any experience in carpentry. All angle adjustments are carried out simply and easily; the adjustment mechanics are not overloaded with various elements, which will shorten the process of setting up the unit. According to owner reviews, this model is suitable for cutting lining, various wooden pieces, including baseboards, as well as for cutting plastic and aluminum.

Advantages:

• exact factory settings
• rigid and durable table, complete absence of play
• high power (1.6 kW)
• stamped degree markings
• reliable engine
• it is possible to adjust the stop

Flaws:

• the absence of a soft start requires reliable fixation of the workpiece
• no vertical markings provided

Related Posts

Top 8 miter saws for wood equipped with a broach mechanism. Which miter saw is best for installing doors?

Contents: Miter saw: device, purpose and abilities Electronic miter saw: aspects and aspects of selection Miter saw blades: what is the difference between them

Cutting finishing materials at an angle is, frankly speaking, a difficult task, and virtually all people have problems solving it. But by and large, most finishing materials require this approach to their own installation, for example, lining, skirting boards, baguettes and, in addition, metal structures assembled from profile pipes. Well, there are a lot of such materials, and cutting them diagonally has to be done, even with very high precision. Next, together with the website stroisovety.org, we will study a tool such as a miter saw, which allows you to cope with the task of diagonal trimming. We will get acquainted with the design of this tool, evaluation aspects, which will allow you to purchase a model that is suitable for the job, and we will understand the saw blades used at the same time as equipment.

Electronic miter saw photo

A hand-held miter saw has a narrow purpose, and you are unlikely to be able to cut boards with it. Her tasks are little different - she can only make short cuts. With its help, you can cut a board in half, straighten its end, or cut the end of the board at a certain angle. About the principle, and everything else that it can do, however, believe me, this is a lot - other sawing equipment copes with such tasks much worse. Oh, sell, I completely forgot that, in addition to the type of wood, depending on the equipment used, the miter saw works with soft metals, plastic and, as needed, with thin-sheet iron, or rather with a profile made using it.

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Miter Saw Abilities

The universal miter saw has a rather complex design - it consists of two main units, which are in no way distinguished by their simplicity of design. This is a bed with a rotary table and a movable cutting head with a massive electronic engine attached here.

1. Stand with rotary table. You, these two parts have no basis for doing without each other. On the bed itself there is a guide that ensures a fixed position of the workpiece. The entire miter saw table can be rotated relative to the guide by 90˚ (45˚ one way and 45˚ the other way), thus providing a simple trim of the workpiece in each direction without reinstalling the part.
2. Cutting head. It is installed specifically on a turntable - it changes its professional position together with the child. For convenience when working, a graduated scale is applied to the side of the rotary table on the bed - by combining the table mark with a certain degree value, cuts are made at any angle. This is not all - the head itself, or rather its cutting part, can tilt to the left and to the right, thereby providing an oblique cut. In most cases, the tilt is performed in one or two fixed positions (30˚ and 45˚ in either direction). Also, some models are equipped with a special broaching mechanism. A miter saw with a broach allows you to cut workpieces much wider than its regular counterpart.

What design does a miter saw have?

The question of how to choose a miter saw is best done by adhering to 5 small rules.

First you need to decide on its purpose and operating criteria. Why do you need it? What kind of work, in what quantity, do you intend to create with its help? If you are purchasing a miter saw for use at home and do not even plan to do complex operations, you can get by with ordinary equipment with a basic set of additional functions. In this case, we are talking about the professional use of a miter saw and its everyday use, then you need to choose an expanded version of this tool with a full set of additional capabilities. You will be able to consider the option of purchasing a so-called combined miter saw, which is equipped with an additional work table at the top of the cutting head, allowing it to be used as a stationary circular saw.

Miter saw for wood photo

• The second thing you need to find out is the size of the disks used. What is important is not so much the diameter of the equipment being installed, on which the depth of cut depends in all respects, but also its thickness, which affects the type of material processed by the miter saw. A good option for household use is a machine designed for a disk with a diameter of 200 mm. For professional use, it is better to get a machine with disks with a diameter of 250 mm.
• Work safety. This popular rumor, a tool without appropriate protection becomes a very unsafe assistant - be sure to carefully examine the presence of protective covers that are designed to completely cover the disk even during cutting and protection devices against accidental activation.
• Weight and dimensions of the tool. Essentially, a miter saw is a portable device - you don't want it to be very heavy. Today, since we are talking about ease of work, carefully examine the ease of movement of all its parts - pay special attention to the cutting head. A very tight motion of this part of the tool will quickly tire the miter saw operator.
• And the last thing is ergonomics; the tool is expected to be comfortable to use.

How to choose a miter saw

When choosing a miter saw, it will be useful to take into account both the power of this tool and, of course, the rotation speed of the disc. For the most part, these values ​​are calculated by the manufacturer and are good. A household tool will have lower power than a professional one, but the rotation speed of the disc is almost always the same, which is determined by the need to make a clean and even cut.

Universal miter saw photo

There are not so many differences between the discs used on a miter saw, and the main ones are the seat and outer diameter, as well as the geometry of the cutting tooth. If what remains to be done with the size of the disks is to a certain extent clear to our client (you will prefer either a 25mm or 30mm mounting hole, and their outer diameter is 210, 250 and 305mm), then the geometry of the tooth should be understood in more detail.

• It is necessary to find out the size of the tooth - the larger it is, the rougher the cut will be. It is unlikely that a disk with a large tooth will be able to cleanly cut laminated, varnished or painted workpieces - for this purpose it is necessary to obtain a disk with a small tooth. Also, the small tooth showed excellent performance when working with the duralumin profile. In general, saw blades for miter saws are divided into three types: for longitudinal cuts, for transverse cuts, and also for finishing cuts, which, you know, are universal.
• If we are talking about mass production or working with thick workpieces, it is necessary to study the presence of thin slots on the disk - by and large, these are temperature compensators whose task is to maintain the measured size of the disk when it is heated. Today, such discs are the least noisy.

Miter saw blade photo

And in conclusion, a few words about enterprises that create miter saws for wood. The favorites in the production of virtually all electronic tools are Bosch and Makita, and their miter saws are no exception. Practical tools from Metabo, Hitachi, and DeWalt also performed well. If we talk about Russian miter saws, then we’ll mention Corvette tools. So, there is plenty to choose from - the main thing is not to miscalculate your abilities.

Bosch hand miter saw photo

About the principle, and everything else that you should know about a tool such as a miter saw. Buy it, use it, don’t forget that this tool is quite scary - don’t forget about safety precautions and always be as collected and sober as possible while working!

Read also: How a differential machine works

Author of the article Alexander Kulikov

A brand new door is sold without fittings. It is not difficult to install the sash into the frame, install hinges, handles, and a lock if you have the tools. Additionally, devices that help wedge the canvas in the frame, as well as additional consumables for finishing, will be useful. It is better to get a branded tool for installing an interior door, because the quality of the work performed depends on it.

First, before installation, they inspect the household tools that are available. Check its performance. A power tool lying around idle could become unusable due to exposure to dampness and dust. After checking the functionality, a list of suitable purchases is made.

Preference is given to high-quality power tools. You shouldn’t overpay for professional-class units, and it’s better to avoid cheap Chinese counterfeits. It’s normal to purchase a semi-professional branded tool. In the future, you will need it more than once at home.

When performing complex work related to dismantling an old door frame, widening an opening, cutting grooves for fittings, you need a power tool. It will not only speed up the process, but will help to get the job done perfectly. Based on your intended goals, you need the following tool to install the door:

• A miter saw will be needed during the installation of a homemade sash. With its help, you can simply make longitudinal cuts, cut elements of the door frame, reduce the size of the sash, and adjust trims and trims. A miter saw can partially replace a jigsaw.

• A hammer drill is needed when dismantling an old door frame. The introduction of different sizes of chisels and drills helps to quickly make holes for anchors and break off part of the wall when expanding the opening.

• Use an electric drill to drill holes for screws, a door handle, and select a groove for the lock if there is no router nearby. It’s important to immediately think about what drills are needed to install an interior door.

• A screwdriver with a set of attachments is not an essential power tool if you intend to install only one door. Of course, tighten a dozen screws with a screwdriver.

• A jigsaw is indispensable in the process of installing extensions and platbands. Using a set of nail files, you can quickly make even cuts when fitting planks made of wood, aluminum, plastic, and MDF.

After installing the doors, the owner will not have the power tool lying around idle. You will need it when hanging shelves, cutting wooden pieces and other household work.

You can't do it without hand tools to install doors. Even if there are electronic units nearby, it is impossible to dismantle the box without a mount or hammer in a nail without a hammer. For installing doors you will need:

• Marking pencil. It is better to use a soft rod so that when pressed it does not leave dents on the varnished surface. Of course, take a marker, unfortunately it is difficult to erase after incorrect markings.
• A chisel is one of the main tools for installing doors between rooms, helping to select recesses for fittings.

• A hammer is needed to drive nails, dowels, cut out indentations with a chisel, and destroy the wall when expanding the opening.
• A plumb line and level will help ensure that the door is installed smoothly. If the box is skewed, the sash will sag. A laser level, or bubble level, 50 cm long is suitable.

• A hand hacksaw for wood replaces a jigsaw or a circular saw. But you won’t be able to saw a piece of wood lengthwise. A hacksaw will help to shorten the elements of the box, adjust the length of the trims and extensions.

• A crowbar will make it easier to dismantle the old boat. It is more convenient to use a pry bar from a car mechanic's kit.
• A mounting gun is needed when filling the gaps between the ends of the walls and the door frame with foam. You can benefit from using a tool if you take cylinders with a tube attachment for manually squeezing out foam.

• A set of screwdrivers replaces a screwdriver. It is comfortable to use the handle with interchangeable attachments of various shapes.

• The miter box helps to make the correct cut at the required angle of the parts of the box and platbands.

A good miter saw is designed for straight or cross-cutting of various materials at a specific angle. Among the main criteria characterizing the model are the absence of error and stable operation of the electric motor.

To choose the right miter saw, it is not enough to determine the range of tasks ahead; it is important to purchase a high-quality model that will ensure maximum accuracy. The rating of the best miter saws in terms of quality and reliability will introduce you to a selection of modern models that meet all the basic requirements of carpentry and carpentry.