Miter Saw vs Circular saw, what’s the difference? How often do you come across DIY projects on Pinterest that seem too complicated to tackle? Once you recognize that power tools are needed, immediately leave the screen and move on. When there is only one large tool to purchase on a budget, let’s discuss the pros and cons of buying either a miter saw or a circular saw, so you can make the best decision for your needs.
You only require a couple of essential tools and it begins with the correct saw. Various saws have different purposes and are useful for different tasks. I’ll explain to you the major dissimilarities between the top-rated miter saws and circular saws.
What is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw, sometimes referred to as a compound miter saw, can be used to create accurate crosscuts and complex angles. The arm of the device can swivel side-to-side and can be tilted upward or downward, and features a round cutting blade. The workpiece is held in place against a fence as it is being cut.
You need to adjust the miter saw to the right angle, put the article up against the edge, and lower the circular blade into the substance.
Miter saws come in different sizes and weights and are made to be used on a specific work surface or workbench. Lightweight, compact models are easy to bring around, while the larger, heavier ones are harder to move and are better suited for a miter saw stand.
What is a Miter Saw Used For?
A miter saw is necessary while putting in moulding like base trim and molding of archways, when we endeavor to do woodwork those requiring exact miter cuts, bevel cuts, and combined miter cuts.
Crosscut
Cutting that is done perpendicular to the wood grain at a 90 degree angle is referred to as a crosscut. It is typically utilized to trim boards down to size.
Miter Cut
Miter cuts are created by angling the saw blade from left to right at an angle that is not a right angle (90 degrees). You might adjust the angle to 45 degrees to cut sections for photo frames.
Bevel Cut
A board’s profile can be altered by angling the blade from the top to the bottom in a bevel cut.
Compound Miter Cut
A compound miter consists of both a miter cut and a bevel cut, which angles the blade both horizontally and vertically. In order to trim the uppermost part of walls and cabinetry, one needs to use a compound miter to cut crown molding.
A con of using a miter saw is that it is not able to make cuts that are alongside the wood grain. You’ll need a different instrument, like a round saw or a table saw, if you want to tear something.
Types of Miter Saws
There are various kinds of miter saws available to buy. Every one of these varying saw types is available in different sizes. The range of materials you are able to cut is determined by the kind of saw, the dimensions of the saw, as well as the size of the blade. For miter saws, one size does not fit all. Miter saws are a specialized tool. The way you intend to use the tool will determine which one is the better choice.
Now that we’ve studied the various kinds of cuts, let’s utilize that information and examine the numerous varieties of miter saws.
Single Bevel Miter Saw
A single bevel miter saw, as its title implies, acts to make miter and bevel cuts in a single direction. Only one direction can be chosen to tilt your blade; either the left side or the right side, but not both. If you want to cut at angles in the opposite direction, you would need to turn the board over and start cutting in the other direction in order to get the right angles.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
In a double bevel miter saw, the saw can tilt in different directions in order to make bevel and miter cuts on both the right and left sides. In this case, it wouldn’t be essential to turn your board around to finish the cut. Rather, you would adjust your angle.
Compound miter saws make compound cuts. If you remember, compound cuts are a mixture of a bevel and miter saw. This saw can handle any job; it is able to make compound, miter and bevel cuts.
Do not use a circular saw for cutting; it should only be used for rip cuts. It is possible to come across two different kinds of compound miter saws – single-bevel and double-bevel models.
A single bevel compound miter saw restricts the various angles you can cut in, even though it can cut all the cuts. So you need to remember this limitation when deciding on what kind of saw to get. A double compound miter saw gives you the capacity to make all of the cuts and present a comprehensive scope of directions for forming these cuts.
Sliding Miter Saw
Remember that your miter saw is only able to make cuts on wood that will fit inside its track. If a board won’t go in the track because it is too large, then you need to think of an alternative solution. A miter saw that moves back and forth on tracks can be used to cut wider boards.
Remember that it is possible to have a sliding miter saw that has only one angle. If creating angled cuts with your saw that require both left and right turns is essential to your project, it may be wise to invest in a double-bevel compound sliding miter saw.
What is a Circular Saw?
A Skilsaw is a handheld power tool that has a saw blade situated on top of a base plate in the shape of a circle. A blade sticks out from a hole underneath the plate, which can be increased or decreased to modify the intensity of the cut. The blade can be shifted to change the inclination of the cut.
Position yourself behind the circular saw with the blade on top of the item you’re cutting when using this tool. Next, move the saw along the workpiece, in the direction of the line you want to cut.
Since a circular saw’s cutting blade is visible, it is typically more hazardous to operate compared to a miter saw. However, both are dangerous if not used properly. Be sure to safeguard your vision, hearing, and respiratory system, avoid contact with the cutting edges, and abide by all safety protocols that come with your instrument.
What is a Circular Saw Used For?
Round saws are useful devices that can be used to cut items like wood, plywood, and MDF. They can also be utilized to slice through concrete and metal.
Types of Cuts
A circular saw is capable of performing the same types of cuts that a miter saw does, including crosscuts, miters, bevels, and compound cuts, but it is less precise.
Using a circular saw instead of a miter saw has the benefit of allowing the user to cut in a direction parallel to the plane’s grain. Rip cuts are long, straight cuts going down the length of the material being worked on. They are frequently utilized to make a board narrower or cut plywood sheets into the size that is needed for making cabinets or furnishings.
Rip cuts with a circular saw usually involve setting the saw to a 90 degree angle, however it is also possible to adjust the blade to an angle in order to create bevel cuts.
A circular saw is great for making long, angular cuts that would be difficult or impossible to do with a miter saw, such as roof rafters.
Kickback
A downside of using a circular saw is that certain cuts can lead to an abrupt, dangerous backwards movement. The occurrence of kickback is hazardous, as it can make the tool or material propel rapidly back to you, locked in place in the workpiece.
Circular saws usually become jammed when the item being cut is not held in place correctly. Be certain to prop up a big sheet of plywood on each end and all the way down the line of the cut when cutting it.
I accidentally constructed two sawhorses and placed a piece of plywood on top of them. I attempted to cut the board in two, yet the force of gravity made the halves fall towards the saw blade, likely leading to the blade becoming stuck each time.
An alternative suggestion would be to set up four sawhorses, one situated at each of the four ends and two of them placed on either side of the line that is to be cut. If you don’t own four sawhorses, it is feasible to use four planks of 2×4 to poised the sheet on the floor.
Use Freehand or with a Straightedge
A circular saw can be operated by hand without a guide or with the help of a straight-edged rail. You can make cuts pretty much wherever you want when you do it freehand, yet the downside is that it is not as precise as when you use a ruler.
Freehand
When using a freehand cut, mark the desired area of the workpiece, place the plate on top of the workpiece, and adjust the blade so it is level with the marked line. You must utilize the coordination of your hands and eyes to follow the line with the saw.
It takes repetition to be able to precisely cut without a guide using a round saw. Although it still won’t be exact, it won’t be as accurate as if one was to use a ruler.
Straightedge
Using a ruler to cut instead of cutting without guidance is simpler and more precise than doing it without an edge. A straightedge can be created using a speed square, a circular saw guide, a level, or a longboard.
Using a straightedge like a speed square allows you to contain the base plate of the saw for cutting. The workpiece is put in the square, and the plate is employed as a guide to drive the blade in a straight line for cutting.
You may be able to cut a precise line with a round saw thanks to equipment like the Kreg Rip-Cut, Kreg Accu Cut, Kreg Straight Edge Guide, or the Kreg Crosscut Station.
Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw
If you have been interested in discovering how to do woodworking tasks, this article can work as a useful beginning point. In order to be a fantastic do-it-yourselfer, it is essential to possess a fundamental understanding of power tools.
If you have aspirations of constructing a kitchen table, archway cabinetry, porch seat, or baby transport, then it’s important to be aware of the various styles of powered saws.
It is essential to distinguish between a circular saw and miter saw, as well as to be knowledgeable on how to operate both of these useful power tools. Both saws can be applied for a range of materials and tasks, but they can be used for disparate purposes.
The two saws feature circular blades that are driven by an electric motor in order to slice through a range of materials such as wood, PVC, and aluminum. A miter saw is non-mobile and capable of making exact crosscuts, whereas a circular saw generates less precise slices yet is able to also accomplish rip cuts since it isn’t stationery.
Take into account your reasons for buying and assess the commonalities and contrasts in order to select the most appropriate option for you.
Repeated Cuts: Miter Saw
Let’s pretend you are making a small table. You need to cut the legs of the table at least four times. A miter saw would be a great choice for making multiple cuts of the same size that need to be accurate and precise. The outcome of your cutting depends on ensuring that the 4 cuts with the circular saw are identical.
Crown Molding & Trim: Miter Saw
Creating perfect angles is essential for successful crown molding and trim assignments. If anything is off, your entire project is off. A miter saw is the best choice if you need accuracy when making angle cuts.
Cutting Plywood & Trimming a Table: Circular Saw
Plywood sheets and tables tend to be extremely wide. Do you recall us mentioning that when you utilize a miter saw, the width and depth of your material will dictate the types of cuts you can make?
The most effective way to make sure your angles match up would be to employ a circular saw. If you pause and turn your wood around during the cutting process, it is less likely that you will achieve the ideal length or shape. Additionally, having it on the miter saw would make it seem extremely bulky and clumsy.
