Miter saws are intimidating-looking machines; theyve got loads of knobs, levers, and complex looking adjustments, and they come advertised with tricky-sounding phrases like dual-bevel and compound sliding.
In essence, miter saws come in three types: sliding, compound, or standard.
A standard miter saw can make miters or angled cuts. A compound miter saw can make both bevels and miters (though it is rare for a woodworker to need to cut bevels). Finally, a sliding miter see allows the blade to slide out, which allows the user to cut larger boards.
This is a great, simple video by the Woodworkers Guild of America that explains some basics about miter saws.
We will be discussing the benefits of a sliding miter saw over non-sliding models. This article should help you decide which one is best for you and your workspace.
General Overview: Sliding Vs. Non-sliding Miter Saw
Like we said, the principal advantage of a sliding miter saw is that it allows you to cut wider boards. A 25 cm non-sliding miter saw can cross-cut a board upto 15 cm in width, while a 30cm non-sliding miter saw can work with 20 cm boards (standard 220cms).
These numbers almost double when you use a sliding mitersaw. A 25 cm sliding saw can cut boards up to 30 cm in width, which is crucial for cabinetry work, as standard cabinet uppers measure 11 cm. Theres nothing more annoying than trying to cross cut a piece of wood, and ending up an inch or short and having to flip it around to finish it off.
There Are Many Options For Miter Saws.
We cant really think of a power tool that comes in more different options, styles, and varieties than the miter saw. If youre in the market for one, youve got a lot of things to consider: 25 cm vs. 30 cm. Standard vs. compound. Single vs. dual bevel. Sliding vs. non-sliding.
All of these different options will affect storage room in your garage, and more importantly price.
Budget is the first thing youll probably want to consider if youre thinking of investing in a miter saw. Nowadays you can get yourself a good quality 25 cm non-sliding saw for well under 200 bucks a top-notch 30 cm sliding saw, on the other hand, will easily cost twice that much if not more.
How Do You Decide?
Prices for miter saws are determined by the size of the blade (25 cm vs. 30, cm) and whether or not it has a slider.
How can you tell if you have a sliding mitersaw?
Consider all the different factors we just discussed as far as blade size and maximum range of cut. You don’t need a mitersaw if your primary use is to rip/cross cut wide boards with your table saw.
However, if you do a lot of mitering (framework, molding, etc), or a lot of milling/squaring of raw lumber, miter saws really can be advantageous and make your life a lot simpler theyre great additions to the garage, no matter how you look at it.
If you plan on using your miter saw on anything bigger than an 20 cm board, though, youve got no choice other than to go with a sliding saw. On the other hand, if you know youre going to use the saw 99% of the time to cut 45-degree miters in molding or picture frames, youll be just fine going with an inexpensive, non-sliding 25 cm saw.
One more thing to consider is space and portability.
Sliding mitersaws are heavier and larger than other types. They can be difficult to maneuver. You can keep the saw in a semi-permanent place if you have enough space.
However, if youre one of the many who is cramped for space and has to move out into the driveway or backyard for every project, you may want to seriously consider against a sliding saw like we said, its no cake walk to move them.
Our Top Picks: Sliding Vs. Non-sliding Miter Saws
Are you thinking of buying? Heres a list of several of our favorite sliding and non-sliding miter saws, as well as a few of the best-value buys that youll find out there.
Click here to see our detailed article about the best miter saws under €100.
Best non-sliding miter saws
Hitachi C10FCE2 25 Cm Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
Although prices can fluctuate and change online, this is still the best price. Hitachi is a trusted brand that makes quality compound miter saws. You can’t go wrong with this one.
Ryobi ZRTS1143L 7 Standard Miter Saw *Best Cheap Buy*
This is the absolute cheapest option that youll find out there for a miter saw thats worth using. Although it has a small 7-inch blade, this miter saw will be fine if you are only using it to finish work, picture framing, and small PVC/electrical pipes. It is a low-cost, easy-to-use, and cost-effective tool. The Ryobis 25 cm compound mitersaw is also an excellent choice, at an incredible bargain price.
DeWalt DW715 30 Cm Compound Single Bevel Miter Saw
This is a fantastic quality tool that, for a 30 cm compound saw, is really not a bad price. We know theres plenty of people out there who are quick to bash the bumble bee brand, be weve trusted the DeWalt name for decades and have never been disappointed. Any any regard, a great saw if you know you need the 30 cm instead of the 25 cm non-sliding. The DeWalts 25cm non-sliding miter saw is significantly cheaper than the 30cm.
Also, keep in mind that 30 cm blades are much more expensive to replace than 25 cm. (Also, theres a double bevel version of the 30 cm).
Makita LS1221 30 Cm Compound Miter Saw
Another great quality tool thats in the same class as the DeWalt DW715 and 716 maybe even better quality.
Best Sliding miter saws
Here is where things can get a bit pricey.
We believe that if you are going to invest in a sliding mitersaw, don’t be afraid to spend a few hundred more on a high-quality tool. You can find non-brand-name sliding saws for the same price, but you will be sacrificing quality.
Sliding miter saws can be complex tools and need to be designed, engineered and constructed well. If you’re looking for the cheapest, there’s a good chance that you wont get what youre paying for.
DeWalt DWS780 30 Cm Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Our overall top pick. Yeah, we tend to get some guff for having a DeWalt as our top miter saw pick, but weve used and abused this thing for years on end and really put it through the wringer, and it never fails to come out on top. You won’t find a better deal on a sliding compound saw of 30 cm from a trusted brand. (DeWalt has a 25 cm sliding compound saw a good option thats substantially cheaper than the 30 cm).
Bosch GCM12SD 30 Cm Glide Sliding Compound Miter Saw
A top-class tool, but a little more pricey than the DeWalt. If money wasnt a factor, wed go with this one, truth be told. Our favorite feature is Boschs new Axial-Glide System which eliminates the long arms of traditional sliding miter saws; you get all the increased cutting range of a 30 cm sliding saw, but save a boatload of space with this new design. There is also a 25 cm version.
Makita LS1216L 30 Cm Sliding Compound Miter Saw
A new addition to the list we tried this thing out, and were absolutely blown away. We possibly may have just become Makitas biggest new fans.
The saw is solid and the sliding mechanism, which is a little less than industrial on the DeWalt 30, cm, is second to none. We would not hesitate to switch our loyalty to this saw, even if it was almost the same price as the DeWalt 30 cm. *Our new top choice*. You can also get a 25 cm version for a lower price.
Bottom Line
We didn’t discuss the differences between single and dual bevel miter saws. In a single bevel the saw blade tilts only in one direction.
In a dual or double bevel it can tilt either left or right. This is useful if you have to cut opposite bevels at each end of your piece. Instead of flipping the board, you can simply change the orientation of the blade.
However, double bevel saws represent a pretty significant increase in price, and really arent worth it in our opinion. You can save money by choosing a single bevel over a double.
All in all, the principal advantage of a sliding miter saw over a non-sliding is that you can cut wider boards.
It depends on what you intend to use the slider for most. They are more expensive than standard mitersaws but they will be of great benefit if you get good use of it.
