How to Choose the Right Miter Saw for Your Applications?
The miter saw is a must-have tool for woodworking applications and it can also be used for framing corners. Choosing the right saw for your applications can be difficult because there are so many options available in the market. Here are 5 factors to consider when choosing the right saw for your woodworking jobs.
1. Blade
You should consider the blade sizes when choosing the miter saw. Does the saw support the blade size you use more commonly? The commonly used blade sizes include:
- 8 inches
- 10 inches
- 12 inches
If your woodworking operations require making longer cuts, you should choose best miter saws with larger-diameter blades.
2. Blade Guards
Make sure to choose miter saws with blade guards. Some types of designs feature retractable guards. When the guards retract, it is easier for you to see the cutting line. The guard will cover the blade when the tool is lifted up.
3. Electric Brakes
Choose a miter saw that features electric brakes. This is an excellent safety feature. Whenever you stop the tool, a reverse pull is applied. This help in stopping the rotating blade quickly. Blades without these types of brakes can take up to 10 seconds to stop. On the other hand, saws with electric brakes can stop the blade within 2 to 3 seconds.
4. Bevel Tilt
Depending on the type of applications, you may want to choose a miter saw that can tilt and make bevel cuts. There are different designs that can bevel in one or both directions. Choosing a tool that can title in both directions will help increase versatility of your applications. Some compound miter saws can be titled up to 45 degrees.
5. Positive Stops
Another important factor to consider is the positive stops. It will allow you to make precision cut at different angles. You can easily lock the saw at an angle to place the cuts. Some of the common stop angles include:
- 0 degrees
- 15 degrees
- 30 degrees
- 45 degrees
Also determine whether you want the stops to work in both directions or not.
Motor power, RPM, laser alignment, and dust extraction are some of the other points to be considered. So keep all these key factors in mind when choosing the perfect miter saw for your applications. It will be best to choose a more versatile design that allows you to carry out multiple woodworking functions. While functionality is an important point, you should also take safety seriously.
