Compound Miter Saws

Compound Miter Saws: The Basic Lowdown

Compound miter saws and all miter saw configurations, were primarily designed for cross-cutting-quick and accurate cross-cutting. It is a simple matter to set a jig or gauge for repeatable, identical cuts. This capability alone will save a lot of time, energy, and human error on any building job! The radial arm saw has all but been replaced by compound miter saws.

The motor and blade are mounted on a swing arm that affords 90 degrees of left to right motion (sometimes more). This set-up allows you to tilt the blade 45 degrees (sometimes more) for bevel cuts. Models that tilt both ways are preferable (double bevel). The double bevel feature ensures that you do not need to 'flip' your work piece prior to making a complicated compound cut. This is where the word compound comes into play. You can bevel and cut at an angle at the same time. Accurately! Attempting compound miter cuts by hand is often difficult at best! Using a compound miter saw will give you a nice clean accurate cut every time!

Sliding compound miter saws are great. Personally, since this upgrade came along, I have bought 'sliders' exclusively. The sliding feature allows you to pull the blade forward through your stock and allows much wider stock to be cut in one pass.