The miter saw is made by many power tool companies. It is used at home and by professionals. Therefore, the device has many varieties, differing in functionality, dimensions, power and price. When choosing a tool, each buyer is guided by his needs and capabilities. Some people need a trimmer for infrequent use. For example, for carrying out renovations in an apartment or making wooden doors and windows in a country house. And some people use a saw every day at work. Based on these requirements, a tool is selected for household or professional needs.
Purpose and use of miter saws
To manually cut the material at an angle, and even evenly, you need to put a lot of effort and use special devices. To make this process easier, electric miter saws were invented. They make it possible to cut workpieces exactly at the required angle and inclination. That is, you can change the angle both in the horizontal and vertical plane. The tool has found application among installers, carpenters and finishers. Miter saws are used to make furniture, doors, baseboards, windows, flooring and much more. The tool can cut not only wood, but also plastic and metal corners and pipes.
Cutting metal with a miter saw
Using a miter saw is convenient, easy and fast.
Video: miter saw in action
Types of miter saws for wood
The modern market for power tools can offer a large selection of different models of miter saws, which may differ from each other in the following parameters and design features:
- engine type and power, as well as its location;
- the type of gearbox that transmits torque from the engine shaft to the saw blade;
- the presence of an electronic system, which is needed to maintain the speed of rotation of the disk when cutting it into the thickness of the workpiece material;
- the presence of a broaching system that allows you to give the saw blade a horizontal stroke, which ensures cutting wide workpieces;
The broach allows the pendulum with the disk to move horizontally along the slot, ensuring trimming of wide lumber - the standard size of the disks used.
Miter saws are equipped with three types of engines:
- asynchronous;
- collector;
- valve
Asynchronous electric motors are reliable, economical and operate without creating much noise. Their disadvantage is their heavy weight (up to 20 kg) and low power, which does not allow them to reach speeds of more than 2800 rpm. For these reasons, such motors are rarely used in pendulum saws.
Brushed motors are more compact in size and lighter in weight. They can reach speeds of up to 5-10 thousand revolutions per minute, but when the commutator brushes operate, they create a certain level of noise. Such a motor requires periodic maintenance, consisting of replacing the brushes, but despite this, it is used in most models of miter saws.
Electric motors of the third type, valve-type, are the most modern and advanced device, taking all the best qualities of asynchronous and commutator motors. Instead of a brush assembly, they have an electronic unit that allows them to achieve high rotation speeds of the motor shaft. But such motors are quite expensive and are used only on high-quality miter saws in the highest price segment.
Depending on the type of gearbox used, pendulum saws can be belt or gear driven. Of course, gears provide more reliable traction and better torque transmission. But they create additional noise during operation, and when the gearbox fails. This will require complicated repairs at a specialized service center. At the same time, the belt can be easily replaced independently, and it operates almost silently. In addition, the belt drive dampens disc vibrations and extends the life of the bearings.
To obtain a high-quality cut, especially hard wood and viscous composite materials, it is very important to stabilize the speed of the saw blade under load. It is for this purpose that most modern miter saws have a special electronic unit. Electronics are also widely used to create more comfortable working conditions with this tool, namely:
- to ensure a smooth engine start;
- to slow it down when the engine is turned off;
- for various safety interlocks that ensure safe operation of cutting power tools.
The presence of electronics in different models gives them additional advantages, but also leads to an increase in the cost of the miter saw. The more functions this tool has, the more convenient it is to work with.
Miter saws with broaching have become increasingly popular recently. Two rods on which the pendulum with the cutting head is attached allow you to move the saw blade to produce a high-quality, even cut of wide material.
Pendulum saws also differ in size and type of saw blades used. The main parameters of the saw cutting element are:
- landing diameter;
- outside diameter;
- number of teeth - the larger it is, the better the quality of the cut;
- disc thickness;
- maximum rotation speed.
All these parameters are printed on the disk itself, in a certain place. To cut thinner workpieces (for example, laminate), you will need a blade with a larger number of teeth.
For specific models of miter saws, you can only use a certain size blade for which the tool is designed
Makita LS1040
This powerful model from Makita is one of the best inexpensive broachless miter saws in its class. The professional tool is well assembled, features a reliable, rigid design, cast and durable platform. When the stopper is unlocked, you can set any arbitrary angle; a tilt to the left up to 45° is provided. The maximum width of the workpiece is 125 mm; for the convenience of sawing tall products, there is a special vertical stop that provides additional rigidity of fixation. Also included are two side extensions for installing long elements. With a power of 1.6 kW, a saw blade with a diameter of 225 – 260 mm can be installed on a power tool; the standard fit size of 30 mm will allow you to select equipment from other brands. The miter saw is suitable for installing doors or cornices, on-site installation work, and various carpentry works in the home workshop.
Read also: Converting wire cross-section to diameter
Advantages:
- good saw removal system
- reliable and robust design
- quick access to carbon brushes
- dynamic disc brake
- minimum error
- smooth start and stable operation
Flaws:
- The removable workpiece stop can only be used for straight sawing
- Achieving absolute cutting accuracy will require some skill
Types of miter saws, what are the differences between them
All miter saws are divided into two types:
- ordinary.
They only have miter saw functions; Regular miter saw - combined.
Such devices combine the capabilities of two tools: a circular saw and a miter saw. Visually, they differ in the presence of an additional sawing table located above the saw blade. These saws are heavier and several times more expensive than regular saws. Additional table in combination miter saw
Miter saws are:
- household. The materials from which they are made are not strong enough. Therefore, such devices are not suitable for everyday long-term use;
- professional. They have improved technical characteristics and more functionality. Can work intensively every day.
Setting up the trim and adjusting it
Proper setting and adjustment of the trim, including adjustment of the number of disk revolutions, will ensure the necessary accuracy when making cuts and will prevent you from receiving defective products. First of all, pay attention to the saw blade. Its seat and outer diameter, tooth sharpening and geometry must correspond to the material with which it will work. The drive and protective casing of the machine are designed for a specific blade size, and installing other sizes will negatively affect the sawing work and the operation of the product itself. Therefore, we carefully read the manufacturer’s recommendations specified in the operating instructions.
Reliable and high-quality installation of the side stop will help you adjust the saw correctly. It should have a right angle with the base or frame and fit tightly to it. It is necessary to make a chamfer so that the chips generated during the sawing operation are hidden there if it is not provided by the manufacturer. This way, sawing waste will not interfere with the formation of the desired cutting angle.
The next step is to check the rotation lock assembly. The fixing rod must fit tightly into the slot of the dial, which can be of a removable or stationary design. It has ready-made slots for frequently used angles, but for specially set ones they need reliable fixation. To do this, tighten the handle that fixes the tightening while pressing the key.
The 90° angle in the horizontal plane is set not using a square, but using a strip of at least 10 mm thick, double-sided tape and plywood. The last element is secured to the base with tape, and a rail is placed between it and the side stop. A control cut is made, from which the required angle is controlled using a side stop.
The bevel cutting angle is adjusted using two screws located at the rear of the machine structure at the bottom and top. The first one regulates the 90° angle, the second one controls the other sizes of the set angles.
Adjustment of fixed angles on miter saws must be carried out carefully and must be controlled with the appropriate tool.
Trimming with adjustable speed allows you to select the desired speed of movement of the saw blade in order to obtain a high-quality cutting line. For each material with which the device works, the number of revolutions is selected individually, and for experienced specialists this is achieved at the subconscious level.
Repairs can be carried out by the owner, provided that he understands its structure and has an idea of the principle of its operation; in all other cases, it is necessary to contact specialized workshops.
Expert opinion
Aram O.
CALIBER PTE-1900/255PRm, 1900 W
In the process of choosing tools for small repairs at the dacha, I read a bunch of reviews on various tools that I subsequently bought. I realized that in most cases, in negative reviews, people do not describe the operating conditions of the devices (how they worked, what material they worked with, what volume they worked with, etc.) and do not indicate the purpose of the purchase (commercial or for home). So, in order: - Why did you buy it? For minor repairs at the dacha, but with a view to cutting rafters for the roof, so I was looking for one with a retractable mechanism; — The main criterion. Price, laser. To tell the truth, I initially thought of buying Metabo, but with the new prices I realized that for my purposes it was just money down the drain! Therefore, friends, decide in advance what you need the tool for? It was then that I read in reviews that for the longevity of the armature it is better to choose one with a soft start. So I came across this model and I don’t regret it one bit! I have already cut all the lining (including the figured ones) + built a house for the hare. It cuts smoothly, works well, is easy to move, and not heavy. There are many different instructional videos on YouTube. The only thing I don’t recommend is touching the laser calibration; it’s better to get used to the line. I decided to calibrate the line (move it a little to the center) and shot it down! It took almost 30 minutes to return to its original position. Great saw for the money!
Andrey Smolyakov
DeWALT D27111, 1500 W
Experience of use: more than a year Advantages: Reliable, powerful and good-quality device. It cuts as it should. In addition, it's two in one - a good miter saw is complemented by a small sawing machine. Disadvantages: I found the design poorly thought out. The sawdust discharge hose is secured so that in order to use the miter saw it is necessary to raise the table of the sawing machine. At some point I forgot about this and the table broke the fastening of this hose. Comment: DeWALT D27111 0FC06 I have been using this saw for over three years now and use it equally as a miter saw and as a rip saw. The miter saw is great. The sawing machine is not bad in the sense that it does its job efficiently, but, of course, the table is small and therefore greatly limits the possibilities. But if there is enough table, then the sawing machine also did not cause any complaints from me.
Eugene
Makita LS1040N, 1650 W
Experience of use: less than a month Advantages: Excellent saw, out of the box, everything is clear, the angles are perfect. Disadvantages: No soft start. Comment: I took it for a trip to install stairs, just what I needed, light, compact, powerful, accurate, large cut in height, ninety-three and standard width, one hundred and thirty mm. For household needs it’s also good, timber, lining, plinths, etc., I bought it for nineteen nine hundred, six hundred was returned in points for a subscription. This will be the ninth tool from Makita in my arsenal, I’m happy with everyone, the optimal price-quality ratio.
Albert
Metabo KGS 216 M, 1500 W
I ordered a saw for building a garage and making furniture from wood, I tried it in construction, but not in furniture yet. I work as a tool repairman, based on the number of times they were brought in for repairs and the reasons for the request, I decided to buy) such saws were brought in seven times in three years, all for different reasons, one broke the frame, the second had a bearing on the armature that had fallen apart, the third had a button, the fourth is his own fault, a piece of board got stuck in the groove under the disk, a couple more with the casing, namely the wear of the casing in the place where the bearing of the lifting mechanism moves. Whoever writes about the laser and illumination is in the old models, now everything has been redone, this is the third generation of the saw, sawdust flies 90% into the dust collector, the laser and illumination are on top, nothing gets dirty or clogged with sawdust.
Andrey K.
BISON ZPT-255-1800 PL, 1800 W
I spent a long time choosing a miter saw. First I watched Makita, Metabo. You can't beat the prices, they're outrageous. As soon as you choose slightly more universal performance characteristics (Bolle deep cut, cut at angles, other options), the price tag skyrockets. It seems that producers deliberately keep demand inelastic and siphon money from consumers. This is for comparison with others. Therefore, the choice fell on the bison. I watched videos on the tube, read reviews and horror stories. In my case, I checked all the planes at once at angles of 90. I didn’t find any jambs. I did not find any play on the axis of the saw itself. Scales without comments. The general appearance and equipment are all normal, decently packaged and intuitively clear how to pair things. The device itself is not heavy, but naturally you can’t call it light either. It is convenient to carry with a handle. Everything moves and locks without problems. I bought it from “all tools”. I made it before the price increased to 19 kilo rubles. I bought it for 15. I wrote it off thanks to Sberbank and it turned out to be a beauty of 10 rubles. Once I use it, I’ll share my impressions. Summary. This is a workhorse at an adequate price and with good performance characteristics. Warm greetings to the rest of the producers, profit on the market and I vote in rubles. I will add based on the results of the work. The weak laser quickly becomes clogged with dust. The problem is solved with a brush. A dust bag only worsens the drainage. Overall the tool is fine. If you are not satisfied, take others for 60k rubles. I replaced the standard saw blade with another saw blade (254×30 mm; Z48WZ) Metabo 628061000. I didn’t fall for the reviews about the 80-tooth “bison” blade, allegedly manufactured at an experimental plant in Germany. What is Germany like? Imported wheels cost 5-6 kilo rubles. I'm happy with the disc and the cut is clean. From the standard difference, heaven and earth! I'm happy with the trim.
Ruslan M.
DeWALT DWS780, 1675 W
Experience in use: more than a year Advantages: build quality, ease of use (XPS system) allows you to accurately determine the location of the cut and, unlike a laser, does not become clogged with sawdust and does not require adjustment, setting the accuracy of cuts at different angles, quiet operation relative to other saws (since uses a belt drive saw blade), a large saw blade that allows you to cut timber up to 100 mm wide. Disadvantages: inconvenient clamping of the workpiece Comment: If a person is engaged in precision work on furniture, saws at an angle, at an angle, fits parts, and the saw settings must be constantly changed with high precision, then without a doubt, Festool Kapex is beyond competition. The Dewalt 780 saw is excellent does its job in all other cases, such as carpentry.
Alexey Lugovoi
Wortex MS 2520-1 LMO, 2000 W
Experience of use: several months Excellent 2 kilowatt saw. Good power and quality build. The design also provides good protection. The angle of inclination is easily adjusted, it is securely fastened, and does not become loose during the cutting process. Pleasant bonuses include the depth and width of the cut and a laser pointer. At the same time, I did not find any visible shortcomings either in quality or in design; for a relatively low cost it is a suitable instrument.
Alexey T.
BOSCH GCM 8 SDE, 1600 W
Experience of use: less than a month Advantages: Quality of materials, good disk included, better than the younger J version. Smooth start, no backlash both in the guide and in the frame, speed adjustment (6 steps). Laser (like everyone else, the deviation from the saw line is ~3mm.) Longitudinal motor, does not stick out, rubberized handles, Bosch mount for a vacuum cleaner (I didn’t have to go to the collective farm). Disadvantages: Small, it is necessary to calibrate the laser (if needed), it generates a little dust, although the engineers worked on collecting the dust. Comment: From the first to work, so far only positive emotions)
Vitaly
BISON ZPT-305-1800 PL, 1800 W
Almost the entire description can be safely attributed to advantages; I will reveal what is usually missed. - Large diameter of the disc - provides a guaranteed cut of more than 50mm at a tilt of 45 degrees, as well as a cut of more than 200mm at a turn of 45 degrees. This makes this saw suitable for complex structural carpentry work. — High rail stop extensions (horseshoes) on both sides. — Bed extensions with rising stops, rather than bent U-shaped bars. These extenders are secured by convenient cam mechanisms on the front of the bed (a convenient surprise). In a fixed position, they stand in the same plane with the frame. — All working moving elements and the saw depth stop are fixed by hand (no need to fiddle with a hexagon). — The protective cover release lever is located below, away from the grip of the handle and the Start button in front of the thumb (there are models where it is inside the handle, and this is not convenient for many). — Retractable saw depth limiter bar. This allows you to optimize your work. There is no need to trim separately and then make cuts - we process the material sequentially, going along its length. — (a separate highlight) a hook on the left, designed to quickly stop the broach without tightening the screw. — the protrusion of the chip intake (it does not work, due to the size of the saw, nothing flies up to it) is equipped with protrusions for landing the apron, thanks to which the chips will fly up. I had to cut it myself. Level table. Direct emphasis (horseshoe).
Konstantin
Metabo KGS 254 PLUS, 2000 W
Durable and weighty frame. The saw is stable. Wide adjustment angles: the saw blade can be tilted both left and right by 47 degrees, clear scale, reliable fixation. The turntable rotates to the left by 47 degrees, to the right from 0 to 60 degrees. It is secured with a latch and a rotary handle. The cut is clean, clearly at a given angle, there are no backlashes, so if necessary, you can saw off at least 0.1mm. If the saw is set at 90 degrees, then the cut will be clearly at 90 degrees. without steps, chips or other defects. There is a laser, but for precise work it is, in principle, useless (the thickness of the beam is approximately 1 mm, and you can generally saw with precision marks on a tape measure). Dust extraction using the Metabo ASA25l plug-in construction vacuum cleaner helps get rid of dust suspended in the air and partly from sawdust. When sawing, the entire table will, of course, be covered in sawdust, but there will be no dust. I made an adjustable stop for the saw, now for sawing identical workpieces (in length), each one does not need to be measured. When replacing a disk with an aluminum disk, the aluminum profile, 5mm thick duralumin saws like clockwork. Adjusting engine speed for sawing various materials: plastic, metal, wood.
Alexei
Makita LH1040, 1650 W
I've been using it for over a year now to install doors. What I can say at the moment: dust removal does not work, it scatters sawdust around, especially when sawing on the top table. I tried connecting the vacuum cleaner in different ways, both from the back and the front. So for those who value cleanliness when working, this saw is not suitable. I didn’t measure the play of the disk, or rather the shaft itself, longitudinal, about half a millimeter or more. Because of this play, the disk begins to vibrate under load. The smooth start is not enough; when starting, the trimmer jerks strongly and makes a lot of noise. To be honest, when I was choosing this saw, I read a lot of reviews. The reviews were mostly positive, many noted the accuracy of setting the corners out of the box, it’s true, the corners are filed clearly. There were also reviews about noise and dust removal. But it’s impossible to judge from reviews how bad everything is until you try it yourself. I realized for myself that this saw would be a good option for working in a workshop where dust removal and noise do not play a significant role. It’s not very suitable for door installation work, at least for me, since I strive for the cleanest possible installation, and with such a saw this is unrealistic.
Sergey
Metabo KGS 305 M, 2000 W
Experience of use: less than a month Advantages: Excellent saw! The standard blade cuts everything, even its own aluminum stop :-))) The cut is high-quality and smooth. It easily cuts 15X15 timber in two passes. There is nothing to say about the little things from 105 mm. Everything is going smoothly. Disadvantages: Haven't seen it yet. Comment: Decent tool. Take it, you won't regret it. Don’t listen to the ignoramuses who write that the laser is crooked, the cut is not straight, the disc is moving, etc. There is only one answer to all this nonsense - read the instructions and turn on your head. A standard bag for collecting sawdust is useless, connect a vacuum cleaner and you will be happy. The 45* cut connects perfectly. And in general, it can withstand all given angles perfectly. A decent tool for the money.
Simple cross-cutting machine
You can create a homemade wood cross-cutting machine at home. However, for this it is important to correctly draw up a diagram of the future structure and purchase materials for its creation. The main cutting tool can be a hand-held circular saw.
The most basic option for assembling a cross-cut tool for boards is to install hinges on the factory support of a circular saw. They are mounted on one side on the plane of the desktop. It can be chipboard or solid wood. Next you need to carry out the work in the following sequence:
- install hinges on the frame
- make a through hole on the work table for the circular saw to move
- mount a vertical metal stand with a bracket to secure the spring. The stand is needed to reduce the reverse force of the cutting device
- strengthen the spring to the stand and saw
- install a board clamp. For this, you can use any mechanical model created from scrap materials.
Be sure to take into account the maximum cutting depth of the wood. This indicator should not exceed the thickness of the support board. Trimming devices of this type have a main drawback - there is a limitation on the width of the workpiece being processed. To avoid this, it is worth making equipment with a pulling function.
To increase the depth of cut, you can create a full-fledged bed. Usually it is created from steel corners, and a metal sheet is used as a work table. The video will tell you in more detail how the cross-cut machine works.
Caliber PTE 1900/255M
Caliber PTE 1900255M photo
Price from 6000 rub.
The older brother of the manufacturer's previously presented modification. The cross-cutting machine differs from its analogue by its increased productivity and engine power. The efficiency of the design is achieved thanks to a 1.9 kW motor that spins the rotor to a maximum of 5000 rpm. After replacing the cutting insert, the tool is able to work with soft metals and hard polymers and composites. The wide disc guarantees a cutting depth of 75 mm, and the width of the working cut is 120 mm.
In terms of functional load, the modification does not differ from the weaker representative of the series.
Advantages:
- reasonable price;
- reliable body;
- ease of maintenance.
Flaws:
- careful calibration is required;
- You need to check the device carefully before purchasing.
Characteristics and types of equipment
Woodworking cross-cutting machines have a number of common characteristics. With their help, it is easy to select the unit that is best suited to the specific process. These general characteristics include:
- electric motor power parameters;
- number of shaft revolutions and the possibility of adjustment;
- maximum and minimum diameter of the cutting disc;
- dimensions and indicators of rotation angles of saw units;
- distance between the table and the bottom edge of the cutting teeth.
To connect the chip collection system, it is necessary that the inlet pipe and the vacuum cleaner tube have the same diameter. This will eliminate the need to attach adapters.
To prevent the workpiece from moving during processing, it can be additionally secured on the table with special clamps. The configuration and dimensions of the clamps are determined depending on the parameters of the work table of the cross-cutting machine and the maximum height of the workpiece being processed.
Read also: Disposable machines with three blades
Based on the nature of the movement of the saw units, a machine for trimming boards can belong to one of the types listed below.
In a rectilinear unit, a rigid cantilever beam is used to move the block. The height of the console may vary depending on the size of the wood being processed.
In a pendulum unit (PSU), the disk assembly is located on special suspensions so that the finished processed beam has a segmented arc-shaped protrusion. This is achieved by raising and lowering the cutter during processing of the workpiece.
In a balancing cross-cutting machine, the saw unit is mounted under the table. The knife is raised 10-12 times per minute using a pedal mechanism.
Finally, there is a stationary cross-cutting machine. In it, the knife is firmly attached to a selected place on the table surface. The workpiece is processed without changing its position on the table and the position of the cutting tool in relation to the lumber.
(2 ratings, average 5 out of 5)
Metabo KGS 305
The miter saw with broach from the famous German manufacturer Metabo is equipped with a powerful 2.0 kW electric motor, a high-quality support platform, broach and convenient adjustment levers. Good performance is ensured by a large diameter disc - 305 mm, permissible cutting parameters 12/32 cm (height/width). The design is simple and familiar, the maximum angle of inclination of the working body is 47, the angle of rotation is 60. The owners note that the power and speed are sufficient for cutting 100/100 mm wooden beams; the unit demonstrates high quality and clean cutting even on soft wood. The miter saw is suitable for a variety of carpentry work; a wide range of tasks can be used in private construction. Many people wonder which company to choose a miter saw from, but Metabo’s positive reputation serves as a first-class guarantor of reliability.
Advantages:
- power and high performance
- convenient settings and controls
- good fixation of the saw blade without play
- well-thought-out safe operation system
- excellent functionality
Flaws:
How to use a miter saw
Number and size of teeth
The number of disk teeth can vary greatly - from 8 to 90. A large number of teeth leads to a decrease in cutting speed, but the cut will be cleaner. With a small amount the opposite is true. If we talk about the size of the teeth, small ones are better for finishing cuts, and large ones are better for rough, but fast cuts.
Outer and landing diameter of the disk
The mounting diameter of the blade affects whether it can be installed on the saw at all. The most popular value is 30 mm. As a rule, you will come across saws designed to work with just such consumables.
There is much more variety in the outer diameter of discs. It can be indicated in inches or millimeters. The most popular is 255 mm. The larger the diameter of the consumable, the larger the workpiece you can cut. To handle a larger blade, the saw will require more power. In any case, you will not be able to install a disk with a diameter larger than the permissible one - it will not fit into place. This design feature of miter saws allows for safety during operation.
It is also not recommended to install discs with a diameter that is too small. When you turn on the saw, the engine will experience minimal resistance and begin to produce too many revolutions - this will damage the saw.
Brushed motor
This is the most popular type of motor in miter saws. With the same weight as an asynchronous motor, a brushed motor will be able to produce more torque. Its maximum rotation speed is also much higher - up to 10,000 thousand rpm and even higher. Commutator motors make them easier to control and stabilize the number of revolutions.
How to use a miter saw?
Among the disadvantages of engines of this type: a higher noise level than others, the need to replace consumables (brushes).
Trimming. Work (Work on a miter saw)
BISON ZPT-210-1400 L
When you need to buy a good trimmer for your home, this model will definitely be the first on the list of contenders. A small-sized household-grade desktop unit is designed for working with wood workpieces with a thickness of no more than 60 mm. This is a good, budget saw without broaching, equipped with a laser marker, clamps for fixing workpieces and a 210 mm saw blade. The calibrated design of the crosscut allows you to set the sawing angle without error and achieve an accurate cut. Ease of operation is achieved due to easy setup of the unit, and high-quality cutting is achieved due to good power and high speed. A crosscut machine will be an excellent solution when purchasing tools for woodworking in the country, as well as for building various utility structures on a personal plot. With decent workmanship and affordable price, it is difficult to detect objective shortcomings in this popular saw.
Advantages:
- optimal combination of power and speed
- reliable, time-tested design
- laser marking
- Possibility of connecting to a vacuum cleaner
- compact dimensions
- presence of shaft lock
Flaws:
- it is not possible to adjust the angle position with clamps
Selecting the engine type
The saw engine is often installed on the right side of the working part. There are also saws that have it moved back a little to give more room to work. This allows the operator to work with either hand, as well as tilt the disc in both directions.
There are 2 types of motors that can be found in miter saws:
- asynchronous;
- collector
Disc thickness
The thickness of the blade determines the width of the cut and the material it is recommended to cut. Thin discs have a smaller margin of safety, but when working with them, a thinner cut is obtained. This is important in the processing of valuable wood species. Thick discs are stronger, but take up more material when cutting.
Rating of TOP 10 best models
Place | Name | Price |
TOP 10 best Makita miter saws | ||
1 | Makita LS1040 | 16 000 ₽ |
2 | Makita LH1201FL | 35 000 ₽ |
3 | Makita LS1016 | 35 000 ₽ |
4 | Makita LH1040 | 23 000 ₽ |
5 | Makita LH1040F | 24 000 ₽ |
6 | Makita LS1216 | 42 000 ₽ |
7 | Makita LS0714 | 23 000 ₽ |
8 | Makita LF1000 | 53 000 ₽ |
9 | Makita LS0815FL | 30 000 ₽ |
10 | Makita LS1018L | 25 000 ₽ |
Saw blades
The saw blade is very important. Its parameters affect the depth and width of the cut and the required power of the saw. In addition, discs vary in the number of teeth, their size and shape.
Laser guide
The presence of a laser allows you to see the trajectory along which the cut will take place. This is important when cutting at an angle, as you will spend less time preparing for the job.
Material type
- monolithic;
- carbide.
How to Use a Miter Saw/6 Simple Tips and Tricks.
Monolithic ones are made from durable steel grades with high carbon content. They wear out quite quickly, but you can sharpen them yourself.
Carbide is made from tool steel. At the tip of each tooth they have a soldered hard alloy, most often tungsten carbide. They are more expensive, but have a high resource, which is why they have become popular among professionals.
Combined
BISON ZPTK-210-1500
pros
- The depth and width of the cut is adjusted;
- Fixing the workpiece;
- Durability of manufacturing materials;
- Start button block;
- Equipment.
Minuses
It is noisy and collects dust poorly without an external vacuum cleaner.
From 6400 ₽
The mobile power tool with a 1.5 kW motor weighs 9 kg. Easily converts a table saw to a miter saw. The disk circle is 210 mm, with a speed of 5000, easily changed with a spindle block. All types of cutting are available on wooden materials, incl. coated with plastic. Tilt/rotation angle: 45°/47°.
DeWALT DW713
pros
- Compactness;
- Build quality;
- Angular adjustment mechanism;
- Engine braking;
- Dust collector, incl. external is connected;
- The spindle is blocked.
Minuses
- No laser or LED;
- Startup is not smooth.
From 22400 ₽
The engine power of the unit is 1.6 kW, weight is 13.6 kg. 11 grooves quickly fix the saw in any position. The 254 mm disc gives 89 mm of height and 162 mm of width for high-quality cuts when rotated by 50° and tilted to the left by 48°.
Interskol PTK-250/1200P
pros
- Cutting dimensions;
- Vacuum cleaner connected
- Smooth start;
- Sustainability;
- Life time;
- Silence.
Minuses
- Weight 22 kg;
- No 4mm wrench included.
From 17600 ₽
Professional miter tool 1.2 kW power and with additional. circular function for cutting various materials lengthwise. One of the best among miter saw models in the combined category. Can be cut out defects, used in furniture making, etc. The diameter of the disc is 250 mm, which helps when cutting any parameters.
Thus, the presented range of miter saws is rich in characteristics, functionality and variety of prices. This rating will help you narrow down the range of models and decide on a purchase.
Miter saw: device, purpose and capabilities
A hand-held miter saw has a narrow purpose, and you are unlikely to be able to cut boards with it. Its tasks are slightly different - it can only perform short cuts. With its help, you can cut the board in half, align its end, or cut the end of the board at a certain angle. That, in principle, is all it can do, but believe me, this is a lot - other sawing equipment copes with such tasks much worse. Oh yes, I completely forgot that in addition to wood, depending on the equipment used, a miter saw can work with soft metals, plastic and, if necessary, thin-sheet iron, or rather with a profile made from it.
The universal miter saw has a rather complex design - it consists of two main units, which are by no means simple in design. This is a frame on which a rotary table and a movable cutting head with a powerful electric motor mounted on it are fixed.
- Stand with rotary table. As a rule, these two parts cannot do without each other. On the bed itself there is a guide that ensures a fixed position of the workpiece. The miter saw table itself can be rotated relative to the guide within 90˚ (45˚ in one direction and 45˚ in the other direction), thus providing simple trimming of the workpiece in any direction without reinstalling the part.
- Cutting head. Installed directly on the turntable - it changes its location along with it. For ease of use, a graduated scale is applied to the side of the rotary table on the bed - by aligning the table mark with a certain degree value, you can make cuts at any angle. And that's not all - the head itself, or rather its cutting part, can tilt left and right, thereby providing an oblique cut. In most cases, this tilt is performed in one or two fixed positions (30˚ and 45˚ in either direction). Also, some models can be equipped with a special broaching mechanism. A miter saw with a broach allows you to cut workpieces much wider than its ordinary counterpart.
What design does a miter saw have?
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
Miter saw: device, principles of selection and discs used for work
Cutting finishing materials at an angle is, frankly speaking, not an easy task, and almost all people have problems solving it. Meanwhile, most finishing materials require just this approach to their installation, for example, lining, skirting boards, baguettes and even metal structures assembled from profile pipes. In general, there are a lot of such materials, and their diagonal cutting has to be done, sometimes even with very high precision. In this article, together with the site 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 structure of this tool, the evaluation criteria, which will allow us to purchase a model suitable for the job, and we will understand the saw blades used with this tool.
Electric miter saw: nuances and selection criteria
The question of how to choose a miter saw can be solved by following five small rules.
First, you must decide on its purpose and operating conditions. What do you need it for? What kind of work, and most importantly, in what quantity do you plan to produce with its help? If you are purchasing a miter saw for home use and do not plan to perform complex operations, then you can get by with a simple tool with a basic set of additional functions. If we are talking about the professional use of a miter saw and its daily use, then, naturally, you need to choose the extended version of this tool with a full set of additional features. You may want to consider purchasing what's called a compound miter saw, which has an additional work table on the top of the cutting head that allows you to use it as a stationary circular saw.
Naturally, when choosing a miter saw, it would be a good idea to take into account the power of this tool, as well as the rotation speed of the blade. In most cases, these values are calculated by the manufacturer and are optimal. 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.
Interskol PTK-216/1100
A universal miter saw for home use or work in a small workshop has collected a lot of positive reviews. The 2-in-1 unit combines both a miter saw and a circular saw, and with a little skill its potential can be increased to a miter box and miter saw. Despite the average power of 1.1 kW, at 5000 rpm the blade does not get stuck in hard wood and provides a clean, precise cut. The removal of dust and shavings is well designed; a vacuum cleaner can be connected to the tool, which is very useful when sawing in a confined space or apartment. When choosing a reliable miter saw at an affordable price, the model from Interskol will be one of the best options in the rating.
Advantages:
- good build quality and reliable electric motor
- wide production capabilities
- precise and clean cuts
- solid platform
Flaws:
- uninformative instructions
- the equipment varies depending on the series (discs with 40 or 24 teeth)
Miter saw blades: what is the difference between them
There are not so many differences between the discs used on a miter saw, and the main ones are the mounting and outer diameter, as well as the geometry of the cutting tooth. If everything is more or less clear with the dimensions of the disks (the mounting hole can be either 25mm or 30mm, and their outer diameter can be 210, 250 and 305mm), then the geometry of the tooth should be understood in more detail.
- You should pay attention to 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 these purposes, you need to purchase a disk with a fine tooth. The fine tooth also performed well when working with aluminum profiles. In general, in this regard, saw blades for a miter saw can be divided into three types: for longitudinal cuts, for cross cuts and for finishing cuts, which, as a rule, are universal.
- If we are talking about mass production or working with thick workpieces, you need to pay attention to the presence of thin slots on the disk - in fact, these are temperature compensators whose task is to maintain a stable size of the disk when it is heated. In addition, such drives are less noisy.
And a few words about enterprises that produce miter saws for wood. The leaders in the production of almost all electric tools are Bosch and Makita, and their miter saws are no exception. The bo, Hitachi, and DeWALT tools also performed well in practice. If we talk about domestic miter saws, then we can mention Corvette tools. In general, there is plenty to choose from - the main thing is not to miscalculate the possibilities.
That, in principle, is all you need to know about such a tool as a miter saw. Buy, use it and remember that this tool is quite dangerous - do not forget about safety precautions and always be extremely collected and, most importantly, sober when working!