Customers have been raving about the Milwaukee Miter Saw, praising its precision and power. In fact, one satisfied customer said, “This is quite possibly my favorite power tool, ever. Several years ago, I bought a solid cast iron top contractor type table saw to do accurate cutting, only to find out that, even with a good saw, you have to build or buy an accurate miter gauge to really get accurate results. I moved and needed to downsize, sold the table saw and got this. Now I'm wondering why I ever had a table saw in the first place. This cuts as good or better than my table saw did. It cost less, is easier to use, weighs less and is more portable. Plenty accurate enough for interior finish trim work. Try cutting a 45 in a 16ft 2x8 on a table saw! This saw does it with ease! I even use it to cut rebates, as it has a very nice depth adjustment screw. The one issue I had was that I noticed the blade was missing a tooth after I made several cuts. I didn't notice any significant issue with the cut quality, so I haven't done anything about it.”
Buying a miter saw is an investment that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Here are some important factors to consider before buying a miter saw:
The miter saw blade will determine its cutting efficiency. Ideally, it should have a carbide-tipped blade, which is designed to withstand the heat generated by the saw and will be more effective in cutting through harder materials. Most saws come with blade sizes ranging from eight to 12 inches, with smaller blades able to cut more intricate details and larger blades providing more power for faster, larger cuts.
When selecting a miter saw, the power rating should be taken into consideration. The higher the power rating, the more powerful the motor will be, which can increase the speed and accuracy of your cuts. Look for a miter saw with a high-powered motor, usually over 15 amps, to ensure you get the best performance. Some models may also have variable speed settings that allow you to adjust the cutting speed depending on the type of material you are using. Additionally, look for miter saws that feature an internal cooling system to protect against overheating and extend the life of your saw’s motor.
Bevel capacity indicates how far down or up a blade can tilt. This feature is especially important if you plan on making angled cuts or chamfering edges. The majority of miter saws can make angles ranging from 0 to 45 degrees, with some even featuring a 50-degree angle range. That said, some lower-end models may only have an adjustable range of up to 35 degrees, so it is important to check this feature before making your purchase.
A reliable fence system will provide accuracy when making cuts and give better results in the end. Check for one that locks securely into place and has minimal play or warping when adjusted.
Depth stops are used to indicate desired blade depth and help ensure consistent cuts. Most saws allow you to adjust the depth stop setting to easily create accurate cuts with any material thickness you are working with. A good depth stop should be easy to use and provide sufficient accuracy while also offering quick adjustments when needed.
A dust collection system is essential in keeping the work area clean during and after using the saw. Most miter saws are equipped with dust collection ports, but some may require additional accessories to connect to a vacuum or shop vac in order to capture debris while working with this type of tool.
Gone are the days when you had to settle for a mediocre miter saw. These days, miter saws come with laser guides and LED lights that help improve accuracy when cutting materials of various thicknesses. Laser guides provide a clear line of sight for precision cuts, while LED lights illuminate dark areas for better visibility when working in dark environments. Many models come with both laser guides and LED lights for convenience and enhanced performance, so be sure to check that your miter saw has this feature before purchasing it.
When shopping for a miter saw, consider how often it will need to be moved between job sites or stored away after each use; lighter models tend to be easier to transport from one place to another while still providing adequate power for tasks requiring precision cutting results such as trim work or cabinetry installation projects. For projects that require more heavy-duty performance, opt for a more robust model with a powerful motor.