Horizontal and vertical sawing options
Modern miter cuts allow you to make combined cuts. The saw blade of the tool can be turned not only to the right or left to cut the workpiece at the desired angle in the horizontal plane, but also to tilt to one or both sides, thereby providing a vertical cut. The possibilities of horizontal and vertical sawing are different for modern cross-cutting, so let’s briefly talk about what you should pay attention to when choosing a saw according to these parameters.
- Unilateral and bilateral tilt
The saw unit of the miter saw can be tilted to one or both sides. In terms of functionality, both options are the same: with single-sided models, you can perform the same sawing operations as with double-sided ones. But in matters of convenience, the latter unconditionally win.
To cut each end of the board on a single-sided saw, the workpiece must be removed from the bed, turned over and re-fixed. Such juggling becomes a separate challenge when you have to work with long and heavy workpieces in large quantities. Tilt to both sides. saves time and effort.
- Max depth of cut at an angle of 45 °
In modern models, this figure varies from 25 to 122 mm.
Angled trim cuts not as deep as 90 °. Machines with a shallow corner cut. an option for those who plan to work with clapboard, laminate and other thin materials. For all other cases, it is important to prudently compare this parameter with what will mainly have to be cut. This avoids the most common frustration when it turns out that the tool is unable to cope with thick workpieces at an angle.
It is also important to remember that corner sawing creates large loads on the tool. the higher the power, the better the cut is provided by crosscutting.
- Max depth of cut at an angle of 90 °
For non-industrial miter saws, this figure ranges from 45 to 122 mm. Positioning the saw unit perpendicular to the workpiece surface is the most common configuration in which most sawing operations are performed. Therefore, the choice of a machine for this parameter should be given special attention. The greater the depth of the straight cut, the higher the class of equipment.
- Max width of a cut at an angle of 90 °
A parameter that reflects the maximum width of the workpiece that can be cut at a right angle. In modern household and professional saws, this figure ranges from 85 to 430 mm. In general, this is one of the key indicators that determine the productivity of the machine. It is important not to forget that the kerf at 45 ° will be much smaller than at right angles.
What is a miter saw for??
To some, this question may seem naive, but there is nothing shameful in it. Cross-sections have long gone beyond the scope of carpentry, expanding the boundaries of their use. Therefore, it is quite appropriate to dwell on how this tool is used today.
Crosscutting, it is also a crosscutting saw or a pendulum saw, is a machine for transverse cutting of long workpieces at the desired angle. The main advantage of the instrument is the ability to comply with the specified cutting angles with surgical precision. The saw unit rotates to the right and left, so you can cut the workpieces in half strictly at 90 ° or with any other specified angle. Also, the saw can be tilted to the side. this allows you to cut the ends straight or with the desired bevel. The settings for cross and bevel cuts are set on the scale for vertical and horizontal cuts. All functions of maintaining the specified cutting parameters are performed by mechanics.
This tool works primarily with wood: they cut boards, beams, lining, laminate, etc. Trimming is indispensable for cutting skirting boards, baguette and cornice profiles and any other sawing work where guarantees of an accurate and tight-fitting mustache connection are needed. Models with a cutting depth stop are convenient for creating joinery joints. with their help, grooves are selected and tenons are cut.
With the appropriate discs installed, the machine can be used to cut composite materials, thin-walled pipes and light metal profiles.
In 1957, the Italian company Felisatti launched its first product catalog, which, among other things, presented the world’s first portable cross-cut saw for cutting wood and thin-walled profiles. Thanks to its portability and functionality, the tool quickly gained recognition, and the brand itself is an authority among power tool manufacturers.
Miter saw device
The trimming is not too complicated. The main structural elements of this tool are the saw unit (tilting head with a cutting disc) and the base. a bed with a rotary table, which allows you to change the cutting angle in the horizontal plane. The cutting disc is driven by an electric motor: more often it is located on the side of the saw unit, less often at the back. When not in operation, the blade is completely covered by a protective cover, which automatically retracts as the saw unit is lowered. This is one of the key elements of safety, its malfunction is a reason to stop using the tool until the problem is fixed.
Buying a trimmer is always preceded by an understanding of what you need it for. Then the immersion in the technical part begins and the search for compromises: optimal power, the required blade diameter, drive, reliable bed and many other nuances, on which the quality of the cut and the overall performance of the tool will depend.
Miter saws are divided into household, semi-professional and professional. This is a conditional classification, which, nevertheless, has taken root well in our realities. The class of the tool is determined by the type of engine and its power, the diameter of the saw blade, the type of transmission, the accuracy of the mechanics and other technical aspects. We will talk about them further.
Power. Engine. Transfer type
Power is one of the main characteristics that determines the performance of a power tool. For modern miter saws, this figure ranges from 850 to 2200 W. Power factor reflects how much power is consumed to keep the device running.
Semi-professional and professional models are saws with a power of 1400.2200 W. They are designed for large diameter discs and are able to last longer without interruption, eliminating the risk of critical loads. At the same time, they significantly lose in weight and dimensions to their household counterparts (850-1500 W). For comparison, discs with a diameter of 254 or 305 mm are selected for powerful cross-sections (2000-2200 W); the weight of the entire installation can be up to 25 kg or more. 1200 W trims weigh 13-15 kg and are designed for 210 or 216 mm discs.
In order not to miss the power when choosing a facing, we recommend answering a few questions:
- how often and how intensively you will use the tool?
- What material will you primarily have to work with: its structure, density, thickness? It is obvious that, for example, cutting pine lining will create incomparably lower loads on the apparatus than working with oak boards, beech, larch and other hard species.
- How important is portability and compact dimensions to you??
Practice shows that the optimal saw power for a home workshop is in the range of 1600-1800 W.
Engine. Miter saws are equipped with two types of electric motors: brush (collector) and brushless (asynchronous).
- Brush motors are an attribute of the vast majority of models. Compared to brushless counterparts, they have lower efficiency, require periodic maintenance (replacement of brushes), are noisier and are less adapted to intensive use. But they are less vulnerable to overloads and surges. Also, collector motors provide high torque, cheaper and not so large. The overwhelming percentage of miter saws for household and semi-professional saws are equipped with just such systems.
- Asynchronous motors are more efficient and do not require replacement of consumables. They provide a smooth ride without the characteristic jerks inherent in brush counterparts, this also affects the quality of the cut. Brushless motors are quieter, but it should be understood that other factors, such as the type of drive, determine the noise level from the tool. Asynchronous motor crosscutters are larger and more expensive.
Transfer type. The transmission of torque from the motor to the saw blade is carried out through a gearbox or belt drive. Gear models are more accurate in transferring speed and rotation. the possibility of disc slipping is excluded, but it can give a small backlash. The belt drive is less noisy, it significantly reduces the vibrations of the disc, better protects the engine. The disadvantage of such systems is slippage during tool operation, which can occur as the belt wears out. The latter is a consumable that requires periodic replacement.
Disc diameter. Landing hole. Sharpening angle
The diameters of the saw blades of most cross-cut edges are from 165 to 355 mm. The larger the blade, the greater the depth of cut the saw has. By the diameter of the tooling, you can immediately judge the power and class of the power tool. When choosing a facing, the maximum disk size is correlated with the amount of work that is planned to be performed. This allows you to optimize time consumption and reduce tool wear. The dimensions of the entire tool are directly related to the size of the disc: the larger it is, the more massive the support platform, the larger and higher the saw unit.
The rim diameter of the disc. The bore diameter of most discs is from 16 to 30 mm. In some cases, the problem of a tooling that does not fit the spindle can be solved with an adapter. Using blades that are not suitable for the saw attachment can cause runout during rotation and loss of control of the tool.
Sharpening angle. The saw blade teeth have a positive or negative rake angle. For cross-cut sliders. saws with a broach, which we will talk about below. discs are selected whose teeth have a negative rake angle. No-feed saws work best with tooling that has a positive angle. Of course, any saw blade will work on every type of miter cut, but adherence to the described nuances will ensure the cleanest and most accurate cut.
What is the difference between a miter saw and a circular saw?
This question often arises for those who are thinking about purchasing a saw power tool. To begin with, trimming is a subspecies of circular saws. The family of circulars is usually divided into three groups: stationary (table) models, disk manual and, directly, miter.
For saw tables, miter saws benefit, first of all, in terms of compactness and mobility: the average weight of a miter saw is about 16 kg, while for its stationary counterpart, this figure can reach 100 or more kg. The second objective advantage is work safety. In general, on the saw table, you can perform all the same sawing operations as with trimming, but this turns out to be many times slower. in terms of convenience and speed of settings, trimming is far ahead.
The main disadvantage of miter saws is working with workpieces of limited width. Well, for obvious reasons, they are not suitable for longitudinal cutting of wood. A stationary circular saw or a hand-held circular saw is still indispensable here. At the same time, some trimmer manufacturers decided not to give up and tried to solve this problem by creating combined models that combine the capabilities of the trimmer and the sawing machine.
Of course, due to the limited size of the top cover, such a hybrid is not able to fully replace the sawing table. Nevertheless, such equipment has proven itself well in the economy and home carpentry.
With or without broaching?
To create longer cuts, models with a broach are chosen, also known as cross-cutters, in which the saw unit not only drops down and turns to the sides, but also moves horizontally. forward and backward. In addition to the increased kerf, the push-through trimmer offers a number of additional benefits, such as making it possible to make double cuts in a single pass.
Cross-cut without broaching, despite their seeming obsolescence, are no less popular. The ratio of sliders and conventional crosscutters on the power tool market is about 60 to 40. this is a rather rough statistic, which, nevertheless, clearly shows that old-style systems are not going to give up their positions.
Cutting length limitations are compensated by the stability of the adjustments and the reliability of the system, which are achieved due to the simplified design and fewer moving parts. Models without broaching are much lighter. the difference in weight is 25-50%. this is a powerful argument if the machine is often moved or transported to different objects. And, finally, the price issue, in which everything is obvious. trimming without broaching costs an order of magnitude less than saws of the same class, but with a broaching.
For saws of different classes, discs with different rake angles are used, as we talked about above. For sliders, discs are selected whose teeth have a negative rake angle. For saws without feed. positive angle discs.
In modern models, the developers have successfully solved this problem. So, for example, in Bosch cross-cut saws of the Glide family, the saw unit does not move along the guides, but with the help of a hinge-lever mechanism. Festool uses an even more beautiful engineering solution in its KAPEX KS 60 saws: the guide rods are turned towards the operator and do not protrude from the body during pulling.
Choosing a miter saw. Answers to the most important questions
How not to get confused in the characteristics and choose a trimmer that will become the workhorse in your workshop? All these and other important questions are discussed in detail in today’s article.
How to choose a good miter saw for your home
Miter saws are a popular tool. Whoever has such a thing in the household will pick up a hacksaw or a jigsaw in the most extreme case: when it is simply impossible to saw off with a miter cut. And in the midst of a renovation or construction project, after weighing the pros and cons, you decided: you have to buy! Which miter saw to choose for the home?
Each model has its own nuances of use. The small saw is easy to carry and transport, for trimming small workpieces, but not suitable for large jobs. A large one effortlessly saws a board of 60×200 mm, but is inconvenient in small jobs, takes up half the trunk of a passenger car, is heavy for constant carrying and costs much more.
Broaching mechanism
It greatly expands the saw’s capabilities. Especially in combination with the cutting depth gauge. Then the saw with a 216 mm disc is able not only to cut a cut up to 310 millimeters wide, but also to select precise grooves of the same length at a given depth. A find, not a tool!
How to Choose a Feed Through Miter Saw? There are no special nuances and pitfalls here. Of all the varieties, the main option is a movable console on two guide tubes. Does it look flimsy? Do not worry: during normal use, wedging or loosening of the console is very rare.
Disk size
When purchasing a trimmer, you need to focus on the desired cut size. And it depends on the size of the saw blade and the possibility of broaching. The disc diameter suitable for domestic needs is 190-305 mm. The possibilities of saws with different blades are presented in the table. Dimensions are in millimeters.
Best AFFORDABLE 10” Dual Bevel MITER SAW (You Will NEVER GUESS The BRAND!)
| Disc diameter | Cutting depth | Kerf width | Cutting width with broach |
| 190 | 42-49 | 80-85 | 210-305 |
| 216 (210) | 55-67 | 95-120 | 220-310 |
| 255 (254) | 70-93 | 120-160 | 280-430 |
| 305 | 100-111 | 170-200 | 310-363 |
A saw with a 190 mm blade is hardly universal. The limit of possibilities for it is a bar of 40×40 mm and a board of 30×120 mm, and even then for two opposite cuts. Even if you took a saw with a horizontal disc broach, you will still not be able to saw through a standard “fifty” board. Saws with 305 mm discs are justified for a significant amount of work with large workpieces, for example, when building a house. In most cases, they are large.
So to the question “which miter saw to choose for the house?”, We answer: with a disc of 216-255 mm. The cutting depth above 60 mm is sufficient for most cutting work in everyday life, the width without broaching depends on how much the side stop is shifted to the middle of the table in a particular model.
When purchasing a saw blade in the future, do not save on money: a high-quality blade costs 2-3 times more than budget Chinese options (say,), but it cuts easily, leaves a smooth cut, makes less noise in operation and lasts many times longer.
Drive and power
Most miter saws have a commutator motor and direct drive: the blade is mounted directly on the motor shaft. Available with toothed belt, V-belt and asynchronous motor.
The induction motor is a decent addition to the weight and price of the saw. For domestic needs, its advantages (low noise and almost eternal resource) are irrelevant.
The belt drive allows for greater penetration of the disc into the workpiece. But it leads to a loss of power, complicates the saw and reduces its reliability. When biting a disc on a toothed belt, it is likely to shear the teeth. Is it worth building a garden?
With regard to power. Starting at 1500 W, crosscutters do their job perfectly. Although for hardwoods (the same birch) or when working with a planted disc, the power reserve does not interfere.
In the process of working with wood and fibreboard, the disc becomes clogged with resins and can burn the workpiece. You can remove tar with kerosene, white spirit, acetone using an old toothbrush. Another option many people use is to boil the disc in water and add a good detergent. After boiling, softened resins are removed with a brush until completely clean.
Additional features
Each manufacturer strives to improve its instrument. Soft start and induction braking system, dust extraction, laser marker, additional illumination of the cutting zone became the norm for trimming. Battery saws are now available.
By the way, the dust extraction is really well thought out on the saws of expensive brands. Same as lifting the guard when lowering the disc.
Should You Buy A Miter Saw?. Beginner Woodworker’s guide
A smooth start is especially relevant for devices with a power of 1.8 kilowatts and above: without it, turning on the saw is accompanied by a very unpleasant shock jerk. In addition, it can easily “knock out” a weak machine at the facility: the starting current without a soft start is several times higher than the operating.
The braking system reduces waiting times when a complete stop of the disc is required before working on the next workpiece. Sometimes a very useful thing.
The laser marker greatly simplifies the marking and increases the accuracy of work: there is no need to guess where the cut will be on the workpiece. Working without a laser, if the red beam has already become a habit, is uncomfortable.
Support table
The table for miter saws is swivel and equipped with an angular ruler. Most often it is made of duralumin by casting. With what quality are the table and pendulum at the saw made, with such quality (and pleasure) you will saw.
On frankly Chinese facets, the cast parts are thin, have flakes and burrs, the table in the bed turns hard, is not clearly fixed in the corners and has errors in degrees. The side stop can be curved or concave, it can be inaccurately mated with the table.
The trimming work table is small in area. Pressing a long and weighty workpiece to it is not enough joy. To facilitate the work, brackets are installed on the sides of the table as extension supports for the workpiece. Makita saws have additional legs. Bosch has prefabricated plastic table extensions. Metabo saws have wonderful, very comfortable extendable tables. At this point, who likes what.
Manufacturers
The undisputed leaders in the miter saw segment are Makita, DeWALT, Metabo and Bosch. Which side saw to choose from these brands will depend on the specific model and its analogues. In any case, you will not have to regret the choice. The frustration of spending money disappears when this tool starts working. Especially if you have experience using budget options from other manufacturers.
If the saw is bought for business, and not “to be”, it is better to pay for quality and reliability. By the way, good manufacturers complete their saws with really good blades, which cannot be said about cheap models.
We wish you good luck with your choice and we hope that our article was useful to you.
Bison ZPT-210-1600 PL
Compact, single-speed tool to handle a wide range of workpiece sizes.
Complete with a table for fixing the device, the cutting head easily tilts to the right and left if necessary.
Sharp disc handles workpieces up to 60 mm thick.
The laser line will allow you to accurately guide the cutting elements.
Power parameters and cutting elements allow you to work not only with wood, but also with thin-walled metal and plastic materials.
At the exit, it does not chip, is easy to install and transport. Compared to most models, it has a fairly low noise level.
Specifications:
- Construction type: desktop;
- Cutting height / width: 70/220 mm;
- Disc / bore diameter: 210/30 mm;
- Tilt / Swivel Angle: 45/45 degrees;
- Cutting speed: 60 m / s.
- laser marker;
- ease of installation and transportation;
- power;
- cut quality.
TOP-15 best miter saws with a broach: rating of 2020-2021 for price / quality and which budget professional model to choose for home
Facing long workpieces is almost impossible without a miter saw.
For carpentry workshops, such a tool is indispensable, but it will be a good help in repair and home improvement.
How to choose the right device? To help you with this matter, we have compiled for you a rating of the best end plates.
The selection of models was carried out taking into account performance, reliability, and the adequacy of the pricing policy.
Only the best models in terms of price / quality ratio are presented here.
Saw with a broach. what is it and how it works
The side saw with a broach is relevant when working with clapboard and when laying out skirting boards and baguettes, as well as when carving narrow boards, slats, bars.
The base includes handles with a switch and an operating wheel with an electric motor, fixed on the base.
A functional module is mounted on parallel rails, which ensures free movement of the saw blade directly during operation.
TOP 5 best broaching miter saws for price, quality and reliability for 2021
Bosch GCM 8 SDE
Professional tool for longitudinal and cross-cutting of wood blanks.
Powerful motor and high-quality saw blade sharpening allow you to process all types of wood.
The saw blade tilts easily, there are precise protractors for setting the angle.
The lower saw guard is removed automatically for greater operator safety.
Sawdust collection is carried out using a plug-in vacuum cleaner. Ergonomics is provided by a comfortable pistol-shaped grip, the trigger button is wide, clamped with several fingers at once.
Specifications:
- Construction type: desktop;
- Cutting height / width: 70/312 mm;
- Disc / bore diameter: 216/30 mm;
- Tilt / Swivel Angle: 60/47 degrees;
- Cutting speed: 55 m / s.
- laser pointer;
- equipment;
- power;
- cutting depth adjustment.
- poor equipment;
- no dust collector.
Metabo KGS 305 M
The universal miter saw has a high power and speed of work, as well as the presence of a large Spectra of various functions, due to which it belongs to the semi-professional tool.
Wear-resistant saw blade does not need sharpening for a long time, is able to work with various types of wood, plastic, metal.
It can work both in stationary and in manual mode, which favorably distinguishes the saw against the background of other options.
Non-standard workpieces can be fixed with special clamps, and special side stops increase stability.
Ergonomics are represented by a bright laser marker, LED illumination of the working area, and a soft start system. The built-in dust collector is designed for a large volume of debris, and when you connect a vacuum cleaner, it is almost impossible to get debris on the work surface.
Specifications:
- Construction type: desktop;
- Cutting height / width: 105/305 mm;
- Disc / bore diameter: 305/30 mm;
- Tilt / Swing Angle: 47/47 degrees;
- Cutting speed: 60 m / s.
- smooth start;
- backlight and laser pointer;
- side stops and clamps;
- stop for transverse and longitudinal grooves.
Makita LS1219L
The high power table saw belongs to the semi-professional tool. The peculiarity of the model is the ability to set the side of the laser marker. it can go both to the right and to the left of the disc.
The broach is implemented in such a way that the guides are pushed forward, so that nothing moves back, which allows it to be placed almost close to the wall.
There are table extensions that allow you to work with non-standard workpieces.
Rotation can be carried out with or without angle fixation. There is a possibility of fixing the saw for transportation.
Specifications:
- Construction type: desktop;
- Cutting height / width: 107/363 mm;
- Disc / bore diameter: 305 / 25.4 mm;
- Tilt / Swing Angle: 48/60 degrees;
- Cutting speed: 69 m / s.
- laser pointer on either side of the disc;
- fixing the broach;
- power;
- smooth start.
- non-standard bore diameter;
- the cost.
Cross cut with broach, which one to choose.
How can you make a diagonal cut of a bar or board?
If speed is important, and not strict compliance with size, and the work is one-time, and not massive, then with a circular saw. If the main thing is the accuracy of the parameters and their repeatability on several workpieces, then no device can be compared with trimming. The very name of the tool suggests that the processing of lumber occurs not along the length, but across the fibers. If, picking up a circular saw, the master can dissolve a board of any length, then the design of the angle cutter will not allow him to take a size larger than that laid down by the design, several tens of centimeters. The advantage of a cross-cut saw for wood is the ability to get a clear end of a bar or board at a right or any given angle and high speed of production of identical workpieces.
Miter saws for wood: 210, 216, 254, 255, 305 mm
Sliding miter saws.
The disadvantage of the tool design is the small length of the cut. The blade descends vertically onto the workpiece by about a third and the length of the cut is much less than the diameter. You can increase this parameter by installing a broaching mechanism on the angle cutter, when the saw unit rests on two horizontal guide rods, and they move inside the rack, which is not vertical, but slightly tilted This device allows you to increase the cut from 80-200 to 240-340 mm (maximum 430 mm). Having installed a wide material, the worker simply pulls the saw head towards himself.For high-quality work, the manufacturer must ensure sufficient structural rigidity and the absence of backlash, which is not easy to do due to the large number of movable joints.
Combination tool with saw table.
On both feed-through side saws and standard models, a die-cast aluminum platform can be installed at the top. The disc coming out of its slot allows you to create a mini circular on the base of the angle cutter for opening the boards along the length. The saw unit is locked in the lower position. The power button is fixed after pressing. Pushing short workpieces is carried out with a plastic pusher.