Table Saw vs. Miter Saw - What are they key differences?
- Table saws are primary used for rip cuts and other specialty cuts. Miter saws are most often only used for cross cuts - typically for rougher measurements.
- Table saws are more often used to dial in repetitive precise cuts. Miter saws are more often used for rough cutting, with the exception of small precision work .
- Miter saws are more often used for accurate and precise beveled or angled cuts, typically on smaller stock, such as crown molding.
- Contractor and cabinet table saws are not portable. Miter saws are easy to move and transport from job site to job site.
Benefits of a Table Saw over a Miter Saw
- A table saw can make virtually any cut a miter saw can
- A table's blade can switched out for a dado stack
- A table saw typically has a much larger cutting surface for larger pieces of wood
- If a contractor or cabinet style saw, these are not easily moved
Benefits of a Miter Saw over a Table Saw
- A miter saw is more portable than a table saw
- A miter saw can cut through thicker material
- A miter saw is better equipped for precise angled cuts on items like trim or picture frames
- Easy to move and transport from job site to job site
Table Saw and Miter Saw - Ideal Use Cases
Table Saw vs. Miter Saw for Woodworking
If you're starting woodworking as a hobby, eventually you'll want to have both saws available for use. However, always purchase the table saw first. Any cut you can do on a miter saw, you can do on a table saw. The opposite is not true - every cut that you can do on a table saw cannot be done on a miter saw.
Simply said, table saws offer the ability to make dozens of cuts that a miter saw simply cannot. There are dozens of different jigs you can build with only your table saw that expand your cutting ability and may even eliminate the need for some tools.
For example, getting a straight edge on one side of a board is critical to allow you to square the board up. After all, if you run a board through you table saw with a crooked edge against the fence, the resulting cut will also be crooked. This is why you run one edge of the board through a jointer first, then through the table saw to square it up.
But what if you don't have a jointer?
Well, you should eventually buy one when you're able to, but until then, you can build a jointer jig that sits into the miter slots on your table saw. This will allow you to square up one side of the board without the need of jointer.
Miter Saw vs. Table Saw for Home Renovations
That being said, there are also limitations to what a table saw can do and where the miter saw performs better.
Where the miter saw beats the table saw is in its portability and the speed at which you're able to adjust the angle of the cut. A miter saw is generally more compact and easier to move than your standard job site or contractor table saw.
If you need to cut at a 45 degree angle and then adjust to a 30 degree angle you can do it much faster on a miter saw. Rather than needing to crank the the blade into position, as with a table saw, most miter saws have a cam lock mechanism that makes it quick and easy to adjust the angle of the cut. This is crucial when you're trying to dial in the cut to an exact angle on a small, but important detail.
If you’re embarking on home renovation projects such as installing baseboards or remodeling a kitchen, a miter saw is likely your best choice. Miter saws can handle most of the cuts you’ll need for these types of projects.
Table Saws and Miter Saws - When do you want both?
Why would you not want to have more tools? We live for the Saturday morning Home Depot run and the disappointed look on our wives' faces when we bring home yet another tool that's 'necessary' for the project.
But in all seriousness - why would you need both?
One word - efficiency.
Miter saws excel in cross cuts because that's they're designed for. The blade sits perpendicular to the fence, ready to make cuts across the grain of the lumber.
While you can make cross cuts on a table saw, you will need to use either your miter gauge or cross cut sled. Miter saws excel in this area because you don't need to use any jigs or accessories to make the cut.
Table saws, on the other hand are more suited for making rip cuts - cutting along the grain of a board. The blade sits parallel to the fence and can be used to rip boards down into smaller pieces. You can't make these cuts on a miter saw.
Therefore, the answer becomes obvious - if you plan on doing a lot of woodworking or home renovations, having both Miter saws and table saws will allow you to work efficiently and accurately.
It may not seem like that big of a deal now, but when you making the same cuts over and over again, the less setup you have to do, the better. You want to remove as much friction from the process as possible.
Should you buy a table saw or miter saw first?
In most cases, a table saw is a better initial purchase. You get a greater amount of value in the types of cuts you can make for the same or a little it more money.
There are a few scenarios where you may want to purchase the miter saw first.
If you know that you are only going to be making cross cuts and need the portability of a miter saw, then buy the miter saw first. Maybe you're only working with 2x4's or 2x6's for building an outdoor deck. If that's the case, a miter saw makes the most sense.
Or, if you already have and use a track saw or circular saw with a guide to make your rip cuts, then, again, the miter saw will be the better option. If you do not plan on using a dado set or doing any woodworking-type of a cuts, then the track saw and a miter saw will be all you need. The miter saw can make the accurate cross cuts, and angled and bevel cuts.
Types of Miter Saws
All miter saws feature a spinning blade that is connected to a moveable arm that may also slide forward and back. At the most basic level, the miter saw makes cross-cuts at a 90-degree angle, perpendicular to the grain of the workpiece. Most miter saws today have the ability to move the blade in multiple angles or directions.
Single vs. Double Bevel Compound Miter Saws
The main difference between a single bevel and double or dual bevel miter saw is that a dual bevel miter saw can tilt to both the right and left. A single bevel miter saw can only tilt to one direction, typically the left.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you crosscut with a table saw?
Yes, you can make cross cuts with a table saw by using your miter gauge or using a sled. However, Miter saws are the best choice for making crosscuts as they require less setup and are very accurate when it comes to making angle cuts.
Can you rip cut with a miter saw?
No, Miter saws are not designed to rip cut boards. For that you would need a table saw or circular saw with a guide.
Should I use a 10-inch or 12-inch miter saw?
The bigger the miter saw, the more capacity for cutting larger pieces of wood. If you plan on cutting large boards (4x4's or 2x6's) then you should go with a 12-inch Miter saw. Otherwise a 10-inch Miter saw will be sufficient.
Can I use a table saw for miter cuts?
Possible, yes, ideal no. Miter cuts are significantly easier to do with a miter saw because of the ease of adjustment. A miter saw can be adjusted within seconds, vs the minutes it may take to adjust the table saw for one cut. A Miter saw also allows you to make angled and bevel cuts quickly and easily.