You’ll also get a wooden-handled fine kerf universal saw with a 6-1/2-inch, 42-teeth-per-inch blade. You can cut materials up to 2 inches in width and 7/8 inches in depth. The box has three 0.14-inch slots: one each for 45, 60, and 90-degree angled cuts. Instead, you’ll find a miter box, such as the one from Olson Saw, to be highly effective for your needs and your budget.īasically, a miter box is a metal box-this one is aluminum-with slots for positioning a small hand saw at just the right angle for making accurate miter cuts. If you build dollhouses, models, picture frames, or other crafts that require detailed work on very small pieces, you probably don’t need a large, powered miter saw. Here are our favorites.Ĭan't handle large pieces of molding or other materials Your specific needs determine the right miter saw for you, as there are quite a few different types, so we did the research and assembled this list of the best miter saws for various purposes. Likewise, a 12-inch blade is the best choice to tackle large boards, but if you use your saw mostly for detail work, a 10-inch blade will be sufficient. If you expect to use your saw to cut through thick pieces of wood, or for extended cutting sessions, you'll be happiest with a 15-amp motor. Both types of cuts are frequently used when cutting baseboards, crown molding, cabinets, furniture, or decorative trim.Īs with many power tools, there are both corded and cordless models of miter saws, but by far the most popular are corded tools with a 10-amp, 12-amp, or 15-amp motor. By contrast, the sawblade is at an angle for a beveled cut, which leaves an angled "undercut" edge across the end of the board. The sawblade is at a straight 90-degree angle to the board during these cuts. This is useful for projects such as building picture frames. They are commonly used by contractors and homeowners alike when doing home improvement projects like installing crown molding and door frames."Ī miter cut slices across the width of your board at an angle, creating something like an off-centered point. These saws are also stable enough for easy crosscuts, even through thick wood. You can easily shift the saw to the left or right to achieve your desired angle. Explains Andrew Wilson, home improvement contractor and founder of Contractor Adviserly, “Miter saws are perfect for making straight cuts with an angled edge. These power saws provide perfect crosscuts-cutting straight across the wood’s grain-but where they really shine is with miter or bevel cuts. If you tackle a lot of carpentry or woodworking projects, a miter saw is a worthwhile investment.