Do you need a miter saw?
Then before buying it, there are some elements that you will need to consider. One of them is whether you should buy a 10 inch or a 12-inch miter saw. What are the differences between them, what are they used for, and how to choose between them?
Throughout this article, we will explore both of them to further identify their best and worst attributes.
The Short Answer
If you are looking for a fast, portable, and lightweight miter saw, then the 10-inch miter saw is the answer to your prayers. However, if you want your miter saw to be powerful, durable and practically able to cut through anything, then look no further than the 12-inch saw.
10 Inch Vs. 12 Inch Miter Saw – Full Comparison
The 10-Inch Miter Saw
The 10-inch blade is smaller and lighter than its counterpart. Therefore, it is more portable and more comfortable to carry around. It is smaller in radius, this means that a high-tier 10-inch miter saw will have a 5000-RPM (rotations per minute), while a top-tier 12-inch miter saw will only have 4000RPM. This provides the 10-inch miter saw with a serious advantage as it can perform about 1000 more rotations per minute.
The smaller blade of the 10-inch delivers much more precise cuts. The 10-inch miter saw will not deflect or wobble a lot during its usage unlike the 12-inch blade. Therefore, the 10-inch blade is ideal for cuts that require accuracy and precision.
Pros
- Cheap
- Faster
- Light
- Accurate
Cons
- Not suitable for large projects
The 12-Inch Miter Saw
The 12-inch blade is very strong. The large blade combined with the 15-amp motor (comes with most of the 12-inches models) gives it enough power to tackle any large task. It can cut through large blocks and boards of wood with ease.
Pros
- Durable
- Powerful
- Suitable For Large Projects or Tasks
Cons
- Expensive
Availability
The 10-inch blade has the edge over the 12-inch blade. It is much more available at stores, and it will be easier to find replacement parts for the 10-inch miter saw. Almost every power tool store has a department for 10-inch miter saws, so finding a specific part for your saw will be easy. Moreover, this means that your projects will run very smoothly as you will not have to stop them for long to find a specific part.
Durability
Sharpening your blade is very important regardless of the model you are using. The 12-inch blade does not require as much sharpening as the 10-inch miter saw, due to its strength. The 12-inch miter saw does not strain as hard as the 10-inch miter saw while making cuts. Moreover, the 12-inch miter saw’s power enables it to cut through thick pieces of wood like a hot knife through butter. Therefore, it does not need to be sharpened as much as the 10-inch blade, saving you a lot of time.
Capacity
The 12-inch miter saw is best suited for larger projects and tasks, as it can cut through much denser materials. It has a maximum cutting width of 12 inches, which it can make in two passes, it can cut a four by six piece of wood in a single pass, and so it helps to speed up your projects.
Portability and Versatility
The 10-inch miter saw has a slight edge over the 12-inch miter saw when it comes to portability and versatility. Since the 10-inch blade is smaller in size and lighter, it is much more portable than its counterpart. It is easier to carry it and move it around from one place to another, and it is easy to store, as it will not consume a lot of space. Moreover, since most table saws come with a 10-inch blade, it is extremely easy to switch the blades between your table saw, and your miter saw to perform different tasks.
Budget
The 10-inch miter saw is budget-friendly (even if there are some expensive models). Moreover, sharpening a 10-inch blade costs less than sharpening a 12-inch blade. However, you will sharpen your 12-inch blade less frequently than the 10-inch blade.
Final Thoughts
Choosing the right tools for your projects is a tough decision. However, to select the ideal miter saw (whether the 10-inch blade or 12-inch blade), you will first need to determine your requirements. You will need to determine your budget, the speed and power that you require, whether your project is a large one or a small one and finally, the available amount of storage that you possess.
Finally, we can conclude that miter saws are an indispensable tool. You will not regret choosing either the 10-inch or 12-inch miter saw. If you need a miter saw that is accurate and suitable for small projects then the 10-inch miter saw is the one for you. However, if you need a more powerful miter saw that is suits larger and more complex projects, then look no further than the 12-inch miter saw.