What is the difference between a chop saw and a miter saw?

Whereas chop saws are rugged and relatively simple tools, mitre saws are designed and manufactured to make precision cuts at many different angles. Although a mitre saw can cut non-ferrous metal when used with the correct blade, they are most often used by joiners, kitchen fitters and cabinet makers to cut wood.

Can I use a miter saw as a chop saw?

Miter saws and chop saws are not the same, even if the descriptions may sound similar. A chop saw is used for straight precision cuts, and a miter saw is used for angled cuts. Though it's tempting to try to adjust the miter saw to work as a chop saw, the results will not be as good.

What is a chop saw good for?

A chop saw (a.k.a. a miter saw) is a power tool made especially for accurate crosscutting of trim and lumber at various angles. Here's why these tools rule. The chop saw (AKA a miter saw) is a motorized woodworking power tool designed to accurately and precisely complete square and angled cuts in wood.

Can you use a chop saw to cut wood?

Chop saws can be used for cutting lumber, moulding, decking, aluminum and other non-ferrous metals, provided the width and depth cooperate with the size restrictions of the saw. Material too wide for your chop saw can be cut with a circular saw.

What is a miter chop saw used for?

Power miter saws are designed to make angled cuts for moulding, trim work, rafters and other general carpentry applications. The saws also make straight crosscuts and, when equipped with the right blade, the versatility of a miter saw is an important part of a tool arsenal for professional carpenters as well as DIYers.

Miter / Chop Saw Comparison Sliding Compound Double Bevel with Lazer Guide

Can you rip wood on a miter saw?

You can't use a rip blade for on a miter saw because the design of a miter saw is such that wood lays across its blade path and not along it. For this reason, you will not use a miter saw for ripping.

Why is it called a chop saw?

Miter saws with abrasive cutting wheels are often used in metal work where they are known as "drop saws" or more commonly "chop saws". Because the blade assembly could only pivot, not translate, these initial designs were limited by blade radius in how wide and deep a board they could cut.

Why is a chop saw called a chop saw?

Basically, a chop saw is a power tool used to make square cuts that are straight and precise. The chop saw has a round blade attached to an arm with a motor that swings up and down. That's it. It's a basic, work horse tool that can cut just about anything simply by bolting on the right kind of blade.

Can you use a circular saw blade in a chop saw?

Best Circular Saw Blades for Your Project. Circular saw blades are designed for use with miter saws, table saws, radial arm saws, cut-off saws and standard circular saws. Many circular blades can be used interchangeably between devices.

Can you cut 2x4 with miter saw?

Typically, a 10-inch miter saw will cut a 2 x 6 at 90 degrees and a 2 x 4 at 45 degrees; a 12-inch miter saw will cut a 2 x 8 at 90 degrees and a 2 x 6 at 45 degrees.

What's the difference between mitre saw and compound mitre saw?

Compound cuts include both a bevel and miter. A compound miter saw adds the ability to make bevel cuts in addition to its mitering ability. You'll want to make sure you have this feature anytime you work with crown molding or other trim that gets installed on a wall.

How thick of metal can a chop saw cut?

Most metal chop saws deal with cross-cutting short pieces of metal 4-inches or smaller. If for some reason, you need to cut larger pieces of metal, you might think a sliding miter saw could offer a solution.

What's the best chop saw to buy?

What are the three basic types of miter saws?

What size wood can a miter saw cut?

A saw with a 10-inch blade makes right-angle cuts across a board 5 1/2 inches wide, sufficient for two-by-six lumber. The same 10-inch saw will cut a two-by-four at a 45-degree angle. Manufacturers also make 12-inch versions, which have a maximum cut of about 7 1/2 inches, wide enough for two-by-eights.

Can you cut metal with a chop saw?

While a chop saw is the best option for cutting metal effectively, they are not the cheapest of power tools. That said, if you're cutting metal, mild-steel or aluminium on a regular basis, a chop saw like the Makita LC1230 12-Inch Metal Cutting Saw would be very ideal for all of your future metal cutting needs.

Is a circular saw and a chop saw the same?

Because of the secure base and chopping motion, it's much easier to cut through small pieces of lumber with a chopsaw than a circular saw. A circular saw can produce crosscuts and miter cuts, but not bevel cuts, with relative ease. It can also make rip cuts (something a chopsaw cannot do).

Can I use a circular saw instead of a miter saw?

While a miter saw is more accurate and better at angles, a circular saw is more portable and best for rough cutting dimensional lumber. And a miter saw is used for cutting across the grain (cross-cut) only. While a circular saw can do both but with less accuracy.

Can you cut a 4x4 with a miter saw?

The two best miter saws to cuts a 4×4 post uses either a 12-inch or a 10-inch blade on a sliding miter saw. Both power saws have the cutting capacity to cut a 4×4 in one pass. A single pass is preferable to maintain the straight lines and integrity of the cut.

Can miter saw cut plywood?

For table and miter saws, invest in an 80 TPI plywood blade, one designed for cross (miter saw) or rip (table saw) cuts. Then when making your cuts, set yourself up for success. Your plywood should be oriented so that the blade exits the wood on the good face.

Which is better a miter saw or table saw?

A table saw is more versatile than a miter saw. While a miter saw cannot cut large pieces of wood, a table saw can make virtually any cut a miter saw can make—with a lower level of precision.

What projects can you do with a miter saw?