Are you looking to purchase a miter saw?
Do you want to cut angles through the thickness of the board?
Then you will need to decide whether a single bevel or a double bevel miter saw suits you best.
Throughout this article, we will further explore the two bevels to identify their best and worst attributes alongside their uses, differences between them, and how to choose between them.
What Is a Bevel?
A miter saw is capable of making four different types of cuts. They are crosscut, miter, bevel, and compound. The bevel cut is a cut that has any angle other than 90 degrees. The bevel cut is made along the thickness of a material and is usually measured against a square edge cut.
Now since you understand what a bevel is, we can talk about single bevel, and double bevel miter saw.
Single Bevel
The single bevel can only make cuts in a single direction. This means that if you want to make another cut on the other side of the wood, you will have to flip the board.
Pros
- Easier to operate
- Lighter and More Portable
Cons
- Might not be accurate when used to make cuts in both directions
Double Bevel
The double bevel can make cuts in both directions. This means that for you to make cuts in both directions, you will have to adjust the blades instead of flipping the board.
Pros
- Perfect for professionals
- Faster and more accurate
Cons
- Expensive
- Heavy
Differences
There are many differences between both of them. The most crucial difference is the direction of the cut; the single bevel miter saw can cut in only one direction either left or right while the double bevel miter saw can make cuts in both directions.
Speed
There is a huge difference between the two saws in terms of speed. this results from the fact that the double bevel miter saw can cut in both directions so it saves a lot of time. While the single bevel can cut in only one direction.
Accuracy
This is related to the process of you flipping the board while using a single bevel miter saw. This means that the double miter saw is more accurate than the single. As when you flip the board, your placement might not be the same as the first time, so you might end up getting a different angle when cutting.
Budget
Both products are cost-efficient as they can be used in multiple ways. However, if you are looking for a cheap miter saw, then the single bevel is for you as the double bevel is about 50 – 100$ more expensive than its counterpart.
Single vs. Double Bevel Miter Saw: Which is Better for You?
In order to decide on the perfect bevel for you, you first need to determine your budget, the tasks you will be performing alongside many other things.
The single bevel is perfect for amateurs and new users, as it is perfect if you have many tasks to finish. Moreover, if you need to make cuts in one direction only, then you will not need a double bevel miter saw as the single bevel will perfectly finish your tasks for you. If your budget constricts you, then you will have to purchase a single bevel saw as it will save you about 50-100 $.
The Double bevel is suitable for professional users. It is more complex to operate; therefore, it is mostly used in worksites, unlike the single bevel, which is mainly used in homes. It is ideal if you’ll be making cuts in multiple directions. It is also more accurate than the single bevel.
Final Thoughts
Finally, it is safe to say that both these tools are indispensable, as you will use them more often than you think. Whichever one you end up choosing, you will not be disappointed, whether you opt for the quick and portable single bevel miter saw or the robust and accurate double bevel miter saw. It all comes down to your requirements.