Whenever a new project comes up, you must know down to the last detail what kind of work you will do and what sort of tool will get it done for you.
It can be quite intimidating to choose amongst the multitude of machines in the market today with their brands and variations. Choosing a miter saw is no different. Such a device is a huge responsibility with the number of knobs, levers and adjustments on them. Today, we’ll help you decide on what’s best for you.
Sliding Miter Saw
Overview
As suggested by its name, this specific saw can slide on a rail. This gives it an extra boost of versatility, allowing you to cut huge wooden boards; up to 12 and 16 inches on some models. This feature has led to multiple other advantages that come with the sliding miter saw.
Pros
Increased Length
The type of saw can also allow for the locking of the rails. The feature is to make it usable for straight, pull down cuts (like chop saws). With the sliding feature engaged. The user can pull the head forward then turn on the saw and push the blade back into the wood.
No Flipping Required
You have no idea how much time you’d save not flipping your wood to match the cut on the other side. No need to cut your board twice, no need for tiresome labour. One cut is all that’s needed.
An Extended Distance of reach
Extended distance means that you can align more boards to your saw and save time and effort. Another thing is that no matter how many cuts you’re making, they always come out clean and perfect.
Cuts wider piece of wood
Size isn’t a problem with this saw, no matter how big your board is, it’ll get the job done.
Cons
Huge Tool
This machine is enormous, it takes up a lot of space. If your workshop/site isn’t big enough to accommodate it, that’ll be a deal-breaker.
Heavy
Moving this guy around is no piece of cake. There’ll be a lot of unhooking, carrying and loading just so that you can repeat the same steps elsewhere but in reverse.
Expensive
It can range anything between 400$ and all the way 1500$ and maybe even more so it’s a considerable investment.
Non-Sliding Miter Saw
Overview
This one will perform our basic four cuts: compound, bevel, angle, and crosscut. It, of course, works with the standard materials of a miter saw like windows, doors, frames, etc. But, here we must be aware of the fact that it can’t maneuver anything beyond the width of 6 inches. That’s almost half of what the Sliding Saw can deal with.
Pros
No Sliding
This takes out all of the advantages of the sliding saw that depended on the rails. However, this particular saw focuses more on the small details of a piece. Minor cuts and angled cuts are what this tool is about.
Cutting Joints
The saw is used to make cuts of the joints of an object. It is because non-sliding saw is perfect for cutting 45-degree. When you combine two such blocks which are perpendicular to each other, it becomes easy to glue them together. This is very important in the making of frames. Hence, a non-sliding saw facilitates the making of cuts to join together boards or wood.
Very Suitable
Although when put in stark comparison with the sliding saw, six inches may seem very little, in reality, they’re perfectly enough. Considering that 99% of trim boards measure 4 inches, the non-sliding saw will keep you covered in most of the situations.
Circular Cuts
Although the sliding saw will grant you a lot more length to work with, this one will allow you to produce arcs on your piece. Due to the fact that they are not confined by a rail, therefore not restricted to a straight line, they are more versatile with the shapes that come out from under them.
Interlocking Wood
Meaning that this tool can cut at an angle of 45 degrees. This allows for cutting pieces of wood that are complementary to each other such as frames or baseboards. This saw will give you perfect pieces with a totally camouflaged link.
Cons
No Extra Distance
This means that you can only work on one board at a time. There’s no place to put others, and that can prove to be time-consuming.
Can’t Go Above 45 Degrees.
The only arcs available on this tool are made at either 45 degrees or below, anything wider than that is not possible.
Sliding or Non-Sliding Miter Saw – Final Thoughts
Deciding on a tool must always depend on the kind of work it’s going to face. Also, your budget and space play a significant role in this investment. Keep in mind whether or not you’ll be moving this tool frequently. And, always make sure to keep kids and pets away from your power tools.