Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw: Comparison
Realize in this article how miter saw vs circular saw and how to choose the right one for your handy piece of work? Grasp the differences between these two tools!
What are the differences between these two tools miter saw vs circular saw? To know which tool is more appropriate and suitable for a handy task, I will share all these details in this article!
The similarities between chop vs miter saw are both have a toothed, circular blade. These blades are used to cut wood, PVC and aluminum. Both tools have round blades that spin at high speed powered by an electric motor.
They both have similarities as well as differences between them. After having many experiments, my team has observed that both these tools are essential for workshops and they have an integral part in woodworking.
Main Differences Between Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw
There are main differences between miter saw vs circular saw that are mentioned below!
- A miter saw is stationary and the wood is brought to the tool for cutting while a circular saw is handheld and can easily be brought to the jobsite.
- The blade of the miter saw is pulled downward onto the wood and in case of circular saw the blade is pushed through the wood.
- A circular saw is used for cutting down sheet goods, and a miter saw is good for cutting longer boards.
- A miter saw is highly expensive while a circular saw is less expensive, more portable and comes into the range.
- A miter saw is safer to use than a circular saw.
- A circular saw provides both rip cuts along the length of a board and offers cross cuts across the width of a board while miter saw gives only cross cuts.
What Is The Miter Saw?
A miter saw is designed for making angled cuts for molding, trim work and for other carpentry works. The professional carpenters and DIYers give importance to the vitality of the miter saw.
Originally, the miter saw was discovered by Ed Niehaus, the chief engineer in the Power Tool Division for Rockwell International, in 1964.
The blade of the miter saw is situated down onto the wood in a chopping motion. That’s why miter saw is also known as a”chop box saw”, chop saw and miter box saw.
What Is A Miter Saw Used For?
Traditionally, the miter saw with a stand is used for cutting wood, but with the correct blade it is also used lightly for cutting through steel and aluminum profiles at an angle. A 10-inch miter saw is used to cut up to six-inch boards at a right angle and four-inch boards at 45 degrees.
Types Of Miter Saw
A miter saw excels excellent features in one saw. Let’s have a look at it!
Single Bevel
A single bevel miter saw offers miter cuts and bevel cuts in one direction. It adjusts its positioning in one direction.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
The blade of the double bevel miter saw allows bevel cuts in any direction.
Compound Miter Saw
A compound miter saw has the ability to make cuts both bevel and miter.
Sliding Miter Saw
A sliding miter saw connects with rails that allow the saw blade slide front to back across the wood.
Blade Sizes In The Miter Saw
Larger diameter blades have capability to make longer cuts. Positive sets are factory set points that let you quickly provide precise cuts on specific angles. Smallest miter saws with a 7 ¼” blade are ideal for the DIYers. But the cutting capacity of a smaller blade can be limited.
Mostly a 10” blade is used for different tasks. They are found in variant prices.
A 12” blade is packed with up to 14” wide, and has much cutting capacity. But they are highly expensive.
What Is A Circular Saw
Power saw has a toothed or blade that is used to cut a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. A hole saw and ring saw come with rotary motion but not similar to a circular saw. A circular saw is also a corded tool that is used for rip cuts, bevel cuts and crosscuts.
Originally, the first circular saw was invented in 1780 and the credit goes to Gervinus for its invention.
How To Use A Circular Saw?
The circular saw is extensively used in both professional construction projects and for DIY home improvement. This power tool is used to cut an array of material such as wood, metals, cement block, bricks, fiberglass, plastics and slates. The circular saw provides precise straight cuts on pieces of lumber.
Types Of Circular Saw
Miniature Circular Saws
Miniature circular saws come with blades under 5” in diameter. They can quickly cut down through wood, metal, composites, plastics and medium -density fiberboard. But they have limited cutting depth.
Standard Size Circular Saws
This type of circular saws are classified by the diameter of their blades. The sizes of blades range from 5-½ to 7-¼ inches and are super for all sorts of cutting tasks.
Track Saw
A track saw is a type of hand-held circular saw that moves on track rail and offers splash, fast and precise cuts with splinter free. It is great for ripping boards and cutting trim, it is excellent when used as a plunge to a precise depth.
Circular Saw Blades
Circular saw blades are packed with a high or low tooth count. A lower tooth count gives fast, rough cuts and splinters at the edge side of your board. while, a high tooth count provides quick, accurate and long rip cuts with splinter-free. Circular saw blades have the capability of blades with 24, 60 and 120.
Overview
To sum up, miter saw vs circular saw, these both tools have vital importance in the market. A miter saw is stationary and its blade is pulled downward onto the wood. While a circular saw is a handheld tool its blade is pushed through the wood. A circular saw can easily break down sheet goods and a miter saw is great for cutting long boards.
Miter saw is much more expensive as compared to circular saw. But it is safer to use than a circular saw. A circular saw deals with angular cuts, cross cuts while miter saw gives only cross cuts. Both are favorites of DIYers and professionals. I put forth both characteristics in the article, you can choose according to your need and requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is an advantage of the circular saw over the miter saw?
A. Circular saw is great in cutting a wider variety of cuts than miter saw. Circular saw provides quick, long and accurate cuts without splinters.
Q. Can a beginner use a miter saw?
A. Jes, a miter saw is an excellent tool for beginners. It also gives clean and precise cuts and is safer than a circular saw in use.
Q. Can you cut straight with a miter saw?
A. Power miter saw is ideal for making straight crosscuts. The versatility of the miter saw is enhanced with the use of the right blade.
Q. When should I use a circular saw?
A. It is used for cutting large sized-timbers, cutting down metals, and slicing logs into firewood. And it is also portable and can be easily handled.