Are you looking forward to purchasing a miter saw? Then you will notice that there are a few different options available in the market to consider. You can divide available miter saws into two different categories sliding miter saws and non sliding miter saws. In this sliding miter saw vs non sliding comparison, Tools Detail is going to compare them in detail. Based on that, you can decide what the best miter saw available for your purchase is.
Why Do You Need a Miter Saw?
Before taking a look at the sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw comparison, let’s figure out what exactly a miter saw is all about. An excellent instrument for precise cuts within the wood is a miter saw. Particularly for bevel cuts, angled cuts, as well as other vertical cuts that are challenging with a jigsaw or circular saw, miter saws are fantastic. Although there are some differences between sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw in terms of functionality, both kinds of saws may essentially be used for the same tasks.
The household miter saws, in contrast, hand, are not intended to cut large quantities of timber. Although certain miter saws are highly portable than the others, they are also not very light. Instead, making little buildings like huts, playhouses, bookcases, or any other project that requires several fines, accurate cuts is where miter saws are also most helpful.
However, you don’t truly need to have a miter saw if you’re strapped for funds. With a circular saw, table saw jigsaw, and almost any other kind of saw, anyone may create the same cuts. If necessary, you may even purchase a hand seen for miter saw cuts. The ease and quickness of your miter saw are advantages; no other tool will give user angle cuts as quickly. While keeping these basics in mind, let’s deep dive into sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw a comparison.
What exactly is a sliding miter saw?
A sliding miter saw is quite similar to a miter saw, with the exception that you may draw the blade both down and toward you, as opposed to simply down. In comparison to a non sliding miter saw, the sliding miter had seen can cut a board that is significantly broader. As opposed to the non sliding, you won’t need to turn the board over and cut the opposite side. The sliding miter saw is great if you often cut bigger boards.
As you may have guessed, a sliding miter saw is made to move back and forth when cutting timber as well as up and down. It can thus manage wider cuts of wood; a blade with a diameter of 12 inches can often handle material that is up to 16″ wide. The barter for this is a heavier, more costly saw that is less able to cut odd angles.
For instance, if you are a homeowner who only often has to cut 24 or 26 pieces of timber, a sliding miter saw is not necessary because such sizes are within the range of a non sliding type. The sliding miter saw is a better option if you intend to build more intricate things that call for lumber that isn’t standard size or if you’re a skilled woodworker.
Functions of a sliding miter saw
All of the functions of a non sliding miter saw are also available on a sliding model. It does become a little bit simpler to use since it can slide.
Blades
Your sliding miter saw’s blades must be the same size as the saw you already own. To fit the substance you are cutting, you may purchase several blade kinds.
Different Cuts
All the cuts that a non sliding saw could produce are also possible with a sliding miter saw. A sliding miter saw will only encounter trouble with challenging angles. When using a sliding miter saw, the extreme angles may sometimes be constrained.
Price
Without a doubt, sliding miter saws cost more than non sliding miter saws. The price of sliding miter saws increases significantly due to the fact that they can cut deeper into a wood piece and are still regarded as portable tools. The majority of sliding miter saws cost above $450.
Safety
Even while sliding miter saws are not particularly hazardous, they are riskier than non sliding miter saws. Anytime you increase the number of moving elements and the many directions a blade may move; you increase your risk of being hurt. The sliding miter saw contains safety measures that might be beneficial, but this saw is intended for someone who has some prior experience operating a saw.
Strengths of Sliding Miter Saws
Consider building shelves or a floating currently reside shelf as examples of wood furniture or furnishings you may make for your house. To build your shelves, you would need to utilize several thin pieces of wood if you just possessed a non sliding miter saw. But you could swiftly cut one piece of broad limber to the required size using a sliding miter saw.
Don’t forget that sliding miter saws are also excellent for cutting long pieces of timber due to their long, extending stabilizing arms. For instance, you would need to deal with very long lengths of lumber that a non sliding miter saw may not be able to balance appropriately if you were creating a bespoke wood swing set for your children.
Issues with Sliding Miter Saws
However, as I mentioned above, the size, cost, and weight of sliding miter saws are their primary drawbacks. Compared to non sliding miter saws, they are more difficult to carry. A non sliding miter saw would likely make contractors and builders pleased if they often cut standard-sized timber while going to various task sides.
Additionally, if a house builder anticipates paying the same price as they would for a non sliding model, they could object to the greater cost of a sliding miter saw. Although sliding miter saw blades tend to last longer, bear in mind that you may wind up saving some money on saw blades in the long run.
What is a non sliding miter saw?
If you have a sizable flooring or trim job ahead of you, the non sliding miter saw will be your best friend. Non sliding miter saws were capable of cutting cuts at a range of angles. They are very versatile, portable, and simple to set up.
As implied by the name, a non sliding miter saw is one that cannot glide back and forth. A non sliding miter saw can only cut a certain width of wood; for instance, if it has a 12-inch blade, the widest piece of timber you can cut is roughly 8″. On the other side, the most breadth you can cut with a 10″ blade is around 6″. Up to two times that can be cut with a sliding miter saw.
Functions of a non sliding miter saw
In the next part of the sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw comparison, let’s focus on the functions of a non sliding miter saw. A non sliding miter saw’s main use is to cut wood straight or at an angle. Smaller-sized wood works better with the non sliding miter saw. With a miter saw, you had to cut half of a broad piece, turn it over, and then cut the other portion. The breadth of your cut is limited by the fact that a non sliding miter saw simply lifts and lowers over a piece of material.
Blades
The size of the non sliding miter saw should match the blade of your miter saw. For cutting metal, a variety of high-quality blades are available.
Different Cuts
In terms of cutting crosscut, bevel, angle, and compound, non sliding miter saws excel. The non sliding saw works really well for cutting complicated angles swiftly and effectively. Non sliding miter saws are simple to set up, and you can maintain the angles specified to speed up work.
Price
The cost of non sliding miter saws can vary widely. Most of them cost little more than a few hundred bucks. The cost of saws with much more features and greater quality will rise.
Safety of Non sliding Miters
Similar to any other saw, it is crucial to operate in accordance with the correct safety procedures. When using a non sliding miter saw, safety glasses should always be used. In general, a non sliding saw is not too hazardous as long as you remain aware of both the blade and the blade. When drawing the blade down to create a cut, you should always make absolutely sure your fingers and hands are clear of the cut. Most non sliding miter saws also will incorporate lights for increased visibility and automated safety shut-offs.
Strengths of a Non sliding Miter Saw
A non sliding miter saw works well for typical household tasks. In addition to often being less expensive than a comparable sliding type, they also typically tend to be lighter & more portable. The angles that the non sliding miter saw can cut, however, are where it really excels.
Although miter saw designs tend to differ widely depending on your manufacturer, sliding miter saws simply cannot pivot as much. Although sliding miter saws need a bigger area for the blades to cut, they are less able to swivel as much in any direction as the majority of miter saws.
If you’re a little inventive, you can cut whatever angle you want either using a sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw. However, non sliding miter saws are simpler to use when compared to sliding miter saws. These saws have a pivoting capability built in and are intended to support unusual and severe angles.
For instance, you would need the cutting flexibility provided by a non sliding miter saw if you wanted to construct a building that makes use of tiny angles, such as an artwork.
Weaknesses of Non sliding Miter Saws
However, the non sliding miter is at a disadvantage since the majority of house builders won’t need to perform these small, severe angle cuts. Non sliding miter saws are less effective at cutting wood than sliding miter saws are at handling large cuts.
Non sliding miter saws cut thru the wood from top to bottom, in contrast to sliding cuts, which typically cut through the wood from the front to rear. Even though you probably couldn’t tell the differences between the two cuts if you compared them side by side, a non sliding miter saw’s blade may often deteriorate more quickly because it experiences greater resistance from of the wood.
What are compound miter saws?
With the addition of bevel adjustment, compound miter saws are identical to the frequent sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saws. This is the right tool for you if you want something that can do tasks other than straightforward angled cuts.
Compound angled cuts may be created by altering both the miter or bevel angles. When you have to cut intricate trim, like crown molding, this is helpful. Which compound miter saw is thus the best? Miter saws: sliding vs. non sliding The majority of the aforementioned still holds true for both sliding and non sliding compound miter saws.
Final Words: Sliding Miter Saw Vs Non Sliding
What do you think about the sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw debate? Have any of these tools ever belonged to you? If so, let us know in the comments if you could survive without one, whichever one you use most often, or which one you would purchase if you could have it all over again.
In the end, whether you get a sliding miter saw vs non sliding miter saw, you’ll have a tool that can fully assist you in completing the task. Even though each saw is best for a different user, when it comes down to it, they both accomplish the same task: they make it simple and fast to cut timber at an effective angle.