So, you are all into woodworking – not that it’s your profession so far. But a good hobby requires investments, and you are thinking about a small miter saw. Is it really necessary for your hobby, though? Maybe you’ll be good with something else, like a regular table saw?
The main question is: does one need both a table and a miter saw for a workshop, or can one go with only one of these? Well, the answer is: one saw can be enough. But it depends on your work to decide which to choose.
Workshop from Scratch
Having a miter saw has its pros. First of all, it’s just cheaper than a powerful table saw. The difference can be dramatic. If you don’t intend to do a lot of work or cut long and large workpieces, a miter saw will be a better choice. It will also be of more use for fine cutting.
But if you intend to use a miter saw as your basic one, you will need accessories like a saw stand, support, guide rails, extension kit, stop, and so on. Manufacturers offer perfectly compatible accessories for their saws, and in addition, there may be some generic versatile ones.
If you are not only doing fine work with small objects, though, one day you may decide to get yourself a regular table saw. Until that day, though, your miter saw will be your main tool. So you need to choose a powerful model plus some accessories that help it do a bigger job.
Got a Saw?
If you already have a table saw, you better think twice before spending money on a new tool. There are very few things that cannot be done with a table saw and require a miter model. On the contrary, a table saw does a lot of works better:
Cutting long workpieces. It depends on the room in your workshop; if it’s large enough, you can feed long wood pieces to your table saw. With a miter saw, it is way harder.
Using more force. Stationary table saws do better when it comes to hardwood or thick logs and bars.
Doing most works a miter saw can do (though not as precisely). There are various accessories for table saws that let them make angle cuts, bevel cuts, and stuff.
On the other hand, as you know, a miter saw is still better at making angle cuts and bevels, as well as making precise cuts. With good guide rails, it becomes a great tool. As for thick wood pieces, they can be cut in two stages: half-deep, then flip the workpiece and repeat.
The biggest reason to still get a miter saw if it’s your hobby is that making unconventional cuts with a regular table saw requires some craftsmanship. At the same time, a miter saw does not take these advanced skills, it’s easier to understand and to operate if you are not that experienced yet.
To Cut a Long Story Short
So, if you have a regular table saw, a miter one will be a good addition, but it will not bring you anything principally new. Most things to be done with a miter saw can be done with a table saw as well. On the other hand, if you are just in the beginning, shaping your workshop from scratch, there are reasons to prefer a miter saw – like it being easier to operate than a table saw with bells and whistles.
Think about what you intend to do as well. If you are interested in, say, trim works, a miter saw will be necessary for cutting bevels and making angle cuts. The same goes out to any work that requires precision. If not, you’ll be good without it.
Last but not least: a miter saw will require some accessories to extend its features. A special table? A stop? An extension kit? Mounting brackets? Chances are you will need some (or all) of these some day.
If You Saw It
Considering buying a miter saw or creating your workshop for woodworking? Then keep this guide. Share it on your Facebook or Twitter in order not to lose the link. Or share it to your friends; maybe they will complete the story with their own experience or some considerations. Leave a comment right under this; it won’t be treated like dust.
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