If you are looking for two cutting tools that are both capable of miter and bevel cuts, then miter saws and circular saws might be what you need.
While miter saws usually offer more power than circular saws, the latter is more convenient to use in tight spaces. This article will compare miter saw vs circular saw side-by-side so that you can decide which one would work best for your needs!
Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw Comparison
Which is better circular saw or miter saw?
The circular saw is ideal for cutting down long, flat pieces of wood. A miter saw is more precise, because it’s hand-held, and can be used to cut down longer pieces of wood.
A miter saw is more precise, due to the handheld nature of the circular saw. A circular saw is less expensive than a miter saw, and it’s more portable. A miter saw is safer to use than a circular saw.
What Is a Miter Saw?
Miter saws are tools that miter, crosscut, and bevel up to 60 degrees. These types of saws can easily cut long pieces of wood into smaller ones due to their large size.
However, they also have the advantage of being able to work in tight spaces because most models are fitted with a folding stand which makes them portable compared to other heavy-duty tools.
Although miter saws can cut at a large range of angles, they usually only have one blade which makes it impossible to make bevel cuts. If you want the ability to do both straight and angled cuts, then we recommend that you purchase a sliding compound miter saw instead!
Types Of Miter Saws
There are different types of miter saws. Some have a few different types of features. You can find some of them in one saw!
Single bevel – A single bevel miter saw can be used to make miter cuts and bevel cuts in one direction.
Double bevel miter saw – The double bevel miter saw can make bevel cuts in both directions. This feature speeds up the process when you need to make a lot of angled cuts.
Compound miter saw – This kind of saw is ideal for making compound cuts, such as cutting a beveled edge and a mitered edge at the same time.
Sliding miter saw – The sliding miter saw is a type of miter saw that slides on a bar to let the blade move forward rather than straight down. Sliding miter saws are able to cut wider boards than non-sliding models.
Miter Saw Blade Size
Miter saw blades are usually the size of the blade that the saw comes with. Bigger is usually better, but sometimes a smaller blade is better, depending on what type of wood you plan on cutting.
A smaller saw has a smaller cutting capacity, and this means you can only cut items that are within a certain size range. However, if you want to purchase a saw for your garage, a 7 ¼” saw will serve you well.
A 10-inch knife is more versatile than a 9-inch knife. It’s also best for most jobs and is available at a wide range of prices.
A 12-inch blade is the most popular for this purpose, and the most expensive and heaviest of the bunch. It offers the most cutting capacity.
Types of cut you can make with a miter saw
Miter cuts
The miter saw is specially designed for this. You can get an idea if you look at the trim on your door. Where two trim meets each other is cut at a 45-degree angle and then fitted together. Miter saws allow you to make those cuts in a block of wood easily as it is designed for that purpose.
Crosscuts
This is a slightly easy cut to make as you can measure by eye a 90 degree on a plain board. Miter saws allow you to make accurate 90-degree angle crosscuts for a wood project into 2 by 4 lengths.
Beveled cuts
You can easily make double bevel cuts with a miter saw. These power tools allow you to make straight, accurate, and precious cuts along with the thickness of the limber which makes it perfect for making a cross-cutting on an oak. And the bevel capacity is more than 0 to 48 degrees. The adjustment of this device is very easy.
Compound cuts
This is a combination of both miter cuts and bevel cuts which with a miter saw gives you the capability to do so. You can also customize according to your needs as you get to control the wood piece.
Frequently Asked Question About Miter Saws
Why do I use a miter saw?
Miter saws are tools that can be used to make both angled, and straight cuts due to their unique design! Our article will help you decide if this type of versatile tool is right for your needs by comparing it side-by-side with circular saws.
If you need to make cross cuts in larger pieces of wood or metal, then we recommend that you purchase a miter saw. These are more popular power tools than circular saws because they can be used for straight as well as angled cuts.
Are miter saws worth it?
Miter saws are worth it because they have more features and capabilities than circular saws which is why they’re a better option for various different woodworking projects.
What is a miter saw good for?
- Miter Saws can be used to cut material types like metal, tile or stone.
- They have Electric brake technology which makes it easy to handle angled cuts from 0° – 47° with a single blade.
- Miter saws also come with laser guides to help you make an accurate cut every time!
- Miter Saws are good for making miter cuts at various different angles.
Are miter saws safer than circular saws?
Yes, miter saws are safer than circular saws because they have adjustable blade positioning technology which allows you to control the depth of each cut for added safety and accuracy.
Also, Miter Saws come with laser guides that will help you make an accurate cut so there’s less chance of something going wrong!
What is the best saw for a beginner?
The best saw for a beginner is the Miter Saw because it’s more powerful, versatile, and has all of these great features!
It also comes with adjustable blade positioning technology that makes miter cuts easy. Plus, you can get laser guides on some models to help keep your cuts in line and safe! We hope this article helped you choose the best power tool for your needs!
A Beginner should buy a Circular Saw rather than a Miter Saw since it’s safer, has adjustable blade positioning technology which allows you to control the depth of each cut for added safety and accuracy!
What is an advantage of the circular saw over the miter saw?
Circular saws can control the depth of each cut for added safety and accuracy which is why they are a better option than miter saws.
What Is a Circular Saw?
Circular saws are the essential tool for DIYers who need to make cuts in wood, metal, or drywall. Unlike miter saws, they can cut at various angles because of the unique design that allows them to be moved into different positions.
Although you would usually use circular saws on smaller pieces of wood (no longer than 52 inches), they are capable of cutting longer pieces by using a track or stand.
The blades on circular saws rotate at over 3000 revolutions per minute, which makes them powerful enough to cut through most materials.
However, their portability is usually compromised since these tools only offer the option of being hooked up to an electrical outlet instead of batteries.
Types Of Circular Saws
While all circular saws have the same basic design, with a flat plate on the bottom and a blade on the side, there are three main types.
Miniature Circular Saws
These small circular saws are designed for cutting plywood and other materials. Blades under 5″ are included, and they have a handle that extends behind the motor instead of on top. They have a limited cutting depth, but most can cut a 2×4 or plywood.
- If you’ve got a home improvement store near you, parking your car outside and breaking down sheet goods will make your life much easier.
- DIY enthusiasts who only need to make a few cuts from time to time.
- Contractors who are looking for a lightweight alternative for cutting boards up in the air should consider this tool.
Standard size circular saws
Standard Circular saws range in size from 7 ⅜” to 10″ diameter blades. They’re most commonly used for general cutting tasks.
Track Saw
A dedicated track saw is a special kind of circular saw that runs on a dedicated track system for more straight, accurate cuts. They are more expensive than other types of circular saws, but they deliver superior quality cuts and can replace a miter saw, circular saw, and table saw for most applications.
Circular Saw Blades
The number of teeth on a circular saw blade can vary greatly. Generally speaking, a lower tooth count is better for fast, rough cuts, but if you want less tear-out and splinters at the edge of your board, use a blade with a higher tooth count.
A 7 ¼-inch blade is the most common blade size for a circular saw, but you can also find smaller ones that are easier to handle. These blade sizes aren’t interchangeable, so you should always use the correct one for the saw you have.
Types of cut you can make with a Circular Saw
Rip cuts
This is kind of similar to making crosscuts on the wood. A circular device allows you to make long and accurate cuts rip cut on your wood projects.
Dado cuts
The circular device gives you the option to attach a dado blade to it so that you can make a dado cut on the lumber with ease. You can cut a liner line with a dado blade attached to a circular device without changing any settings.
Plunge cuts
With a circular saw, you can place a plunge cut on a piece f wood. As the device is handheld so it makes it easier to lower the blade on a piece of wood to get that plunge cuts on the oak.
Frequently Asked Question About Circular Saws
What do I use a circular saw for?
If you need to make a variety of cuts in smaller pieces of wood, then we recommend that you use a circular saw. These tools are lightweight and can be hooked up to an electrical outlet instead of batteries so they will always provide the same power output no matter where you take them! Our article provides more information about why these types of miter saws are great for DIYers.
Can a circular saw Do miter cuts?
It’s not hard to make accurate bevel or miter cuts using a circular saw. It’s tricky to make clean, accurate bevel and miter cuts with a circular saw.
You can make them with or without a blade guard. But because the blade is angled, it’s harder to follow a line accurately without twisting the saw and perhaps binding the blade.
Can I use a circular saw as a miter saw?
No, Circular Saws cannot be used as a Miter saw because they do not have an adjustable blade positioning like miter saws do.
Because they do not have an adjustable blade positioning like miter saws. Also, circular saws rotate at over 3000 revolutions per minute while miter saw blades typically only move in increments of 0.001 inches per second so it would take forever to make any cross-cuts!
Miter Saws are more powerful and versatile than circular saws with different types of blades available to purchase depending on your needs (i.e., metal cutting, fine finish).
There are lots of differences between a miter saw and a circular saw. Let’s see the difference shortly:
Similar Features Between Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw
Power Output
- Miter Saws have a greater power output than Circular Saw because of their adjustable blade positioning technology.
- Circular saws have greater power output than miter saws because of their adjustable blade positioning technology.
Angle cuts
- Circular Saw can only cut wood pieces at 90-degree angles
- Miter Saws are capable of making both straight as well as angled cuts (bevels) which makes them extremely versatile.
- Both circular saws and miter saws are able to make angle cuts, but the ones that come with a Miter Saw are usually adjustable giving you more options.
Variety of blades
- Both miter saws and circular saws can hold any type of circular saw that you want such as:
- Carbide-tipped blade for ripping and crosscutting wood.
- Diamond blade designed to cut through tile or stone surfaces.
- Miter Saws typically come with a few different types of circular blade, including:
- Circular saws can hold any type of circular saw that you want such as
- Both circular saws and miter tools usually come with a standard blade, but the circular saw blades rotate at over 3000 revolutions per minute.
- Miter Saw has a different type of circular blade available to purchase depending on your needs (i.e., metal cutting, fine finish).
laser guides
- Miter Saws also come with laser guides to help you make an accurate cut.
- Circulars saws do not have a laser guide feature, but they still offer plenty of great features that will keep your cuts in line and safe like:
Differences Features Between Miter Saw Vs Circular Saw
Features
- Most models of miter saws fitted with a folding stand
- Can be hooked up to an electrical outlet instead of batteries (Circular Saws)
- Large size is capable of making long cuts into smaller pieces (Miter Saw)
- Lightweight and portable design makes it easy to take anywhere you need to go(Circular Saw)
- More powerful and capable of making both straight edge as well as angled cuts (Miter Saw)
- Designed to cut smaller pieces of wood or metal at various angles(Circular Saws)
- Has a unique design that allows it to make both angled and cross cuts (Miter Saw)
- The blades on Circular Saws rotate at over 3000 revolutions per minute.
Cutting Capacity
- Miter saws can cut wood pieces that are 52 inches or longer
- Circular Saws have a cutting capacity of around 12 inches, which is relatively small compared to miter saws.
Size and Weight
- Most models of Miter Saws are fitted with a folding stand so they are easy to store when you’re not using them
- Portability is compromised because they can only be hooked up to an electrical outlet instead of batteries (Circular Saw)
- Miter Saws tend to be smaller and lighter than circular saws, making it much easier to take with you when you need to go somewhere.
- Most models of Circular Saws are not fitted with a folding stand so they are more difficult to store when you’re not using them
- A circular saw is usually larger and weighs more than a miter saw, making it less easy to take with you.
Conclusion
Miter Saws are more powerful, versatile, and capable of making both straight as well as compound cuts so they give you many more options than Circular Saw.
Miter Saws are more powerful, versatile, and capable of making both straight as well as compound cuts so they give you many more options than Circular Saw.
However, they can be expensive and difficult to use. This is why we created the DEWALT miter saw with an easy-to-use design that makes it simple to accomplish even complex cuts.
The DEWALT 12 inch miter saw will make your work easier, more accurate, and less time-consuming than ever before. It’s also safer thanks to its detent override feature that allows you to set the perfect angle without worrying about accidentally changing it mid-cut.
Our double bevel design means you can cut crown molding up to 6 1/2 inches vertically against the fence or base molding up to 6 5/8 inches nested against the fence with ease! Your job site will love our dust collection system which keeps everything clean while keeping debris out of your eyes so there’s no need for goggles or face masks during operation!