Miter saws quickly and precisely cut molding, window casings, door frames and more, making them a must-have tool for DIY projects and fully functioning workshops alike. Tackle a wide variety of tasks with greater ease and versatility when you shop for power tools like miter saws and miter saw kits at Ace Hardware.
What Is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw can significantly reduce the time it takes to complete important tasks like cutting rafters and molding or prepping the pieces needed to make your own picture frames. When shopping for the right miter saw for your project, you can choose standard and compound designs.
Standard Miter Saws
Standard miter saws often feature a blade that pivots left or right to produce angled cuts. These miter saws are useful for creating corner pieces on a variety of projects. Easier, quicker and more accurate than manual miter boxes, standard miter saws are typically lightweight and provide comfortable operation for most basic tasks.
Compound Miter Saws
While compound designs pivot like standard models, they also allow the user to change the angle of the blade, allowing for bevel cuts, like table saws do. Some compound miter saws accommodate bevel and dual compound cuts in both directions for greater versatility.
Sliding Miter Saws
If you need to make wider cuts, a sliding miter saw might be a great fit. Single-action sliding saws bevel to one side, while dual-action sliding saws bevel to both sides. If you're searching for the best sliding compound miter saw for multiple types of projects, look for a dual-bevel option that can accommodate both compound and bevel cuts in both directions.
Corded vs. Cordless Miter Saws
A cordless miter saw can make a useful addition to your cordless power tool set, especially if you prefer the convenience of portability because you frequently move from job site to job site. If you need more torque and operating power, a corded miter saw might be your best bet. Corded miter saws are ideal for projects that require working with incredibly hard materials, and they often feature higher RPMs than their cordless counterparts. Build out your arsenal with cordless ratchets, oscillating tools and other corded and cordless tools at Ace.
Helpful Miter Saw Features
Not all miter saws are the same, with some having special features that may sway your purchase decision.
- Dust extraction:Some drop saw models have integrated dust extraction bags that help prevent sawdust from getting into your eyes, nose or ears.
- Blade guards: Many miter saws are designed with blade guards that cover most of the blade surface to prevent accidental cuts.
- Folding design: A folding miter saw is small but powerful. It can be folded for compact storage and easier transportation.
- Laser guide: Some miter saws have a built-in laser guide feature to help make even more accurate cuts.
- Electric brake: Electric brakes stop much more quickly than non-electric brakes, as the flow of electricity is reversed to bring the blade to a stop within seconds of the trigger’s release.
- Miter saw kit:Although you can buy the tool by itself, miter saw kits provide tools, batteries and chargers to set you up with all you need.
Are Miter Saws and Chop Saws the Same?
People sometimes refer to miter saws and chop saws interchangeably, but despite their serving similar functions, there are significant differences.
- Miter saws make angled and beveled cuts, designed for trim work, molding and framing. They can be adjusted to different angles for precision. They typically have 10–12-inch blades.
- Chop saws are also known as cut-off saws or abrasive saws used to make straight, 90-degree cuts. They feature fixed vertical blades that move straight up and down and are often used in settings where precise angled cuts aren’t so common. With 14-inch blades common, chop saws can cut deeper into thicker materials.
Both miter and chop saws have their place in your workshop, as do circular saws, jig saws and band saws. Stocking your shop with a selection of tools will keep you prepared for any job that pops up.
Shop Miter Saws Near You at Ace Hardware
With the level of investment you put into your power tools, you should expect high performance and great durability. At Ace, we stock brands like DeWalt, Milwaukee and Craftsman. Shop miter saws near you at your local Ace Hardware, where you’ll find even more tools for your shop, so you can complete a bevy of DIY and professional jobs.
