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If you want to know the Best Budget Miter Saw – in my opinion: Hitachi C10FCG, it is the best.
Whether you’re an amateur woodworker, a professional woodworker, or just a regular homeowner who wants some tools to start their woodworking project, it’s always nice to have the best tools possible. As the project’s difficulty goes up, you may need more powerful tools to get them done since regular saws may not be enough. In this particular case, a miter saw can be just what you need!
When talking about saws, miter saws come up as some of the most versatile power tools on the market. You can perform anything from regular board cuts to angled miter cuts, or compound angle cuts. If you’re planning on doing a project that requires those things, consider getting a miter saw.
Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp Motor, 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
Makita’s 10” Compound Miter Saw (model LS1040)
SKIL 3821-01 12-Inch, 15-Amp, Compound Miter Saw w/ Laser
Genesis GMSDR1015LC 15-Amp, 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
DeWALT DWS715 12-Inch, Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
However, since miter saws are so versatile, there are hundreds of models available on the market. Each one has unique features that make them stand out from the rest, so you may take a little time choosing a proper one for you.
Thankfully, you can find miter saw deals on most online and physical stores. The chances of finding a miter saw for sale are high, but if you don’t, you don’t have to worry, that’s what this article is for!
We are going to go over how miter saws work, what their types are, and what the best budget options are.
Summary
A miter saw can be a reliable tool if you’re looking to make your woodworking projects easier. While there are many features to look out for, such as motor power, blade size, bevel system, and more, you can find great budget options on the market.
In this specific case, the Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp Motor, 10-Inch compound miter saw provides the best value as a budget option. You get most of the great features of a miter saw at an affordable price and excellent quality.
On the other hand, if you want something more portable, the Makita LS1040 10-Inch compound miter saw can also do the job. Regardless of the type of saw that you end up buying, make sure that it fits your criteria.
What Are Miter Saws?
A miter saw (Also called chop saws, ‘miter’ saw, or power miter box, depending on where you live) is a type of saw that specializes in cross-cuts and miters. It works by placing a large circular blade down into a piece of wood. This type of saw is commonly used to make quick but precise cuts with a reduced margin of error.
A great thing about a miter – or miter – saw is that they’re not hard to use. You can quickly work with picture frames, door frames, crown molding, and many more projects. Keep in mind that you don’t need the most expensive product to get good results. If you know where to look, you can find the best miter saw for you at an affordable price.
Consider getting a miter saw if you work with wood often, or if you need to make repetitive cuts on a single piece. Most professional woodworking projects require repeated cuts, so if you don’t want to waste extra energy or time adjusting the blade every single time, a miter saw is a way to go.
What Are the Types of Miter Saws?
This type of saw can be used for many purposes, and many products make the job relatively easier. Having all those options available may confuse you at first, but once you understand what type of project you’re working with, the decision-making process can be more comfortable to go through.
There are five main types of miter saws. While each one does essentially the same job, they have a different approach to how they do it:
Standard Miter Saw
This is the most common type of miter saw. It has a table that can pivot either left or right while giving you the chance to adjust the cross-cut angle to something you need. In this type of saw, the blade goes straight down, so you don’t have much cutting capacity if the blade’s diameter is not significant.
Sliding Miter Saw
Contrary to a regular miter saw, a sliding saw adds rails to move the blade forward or backward, giving you a higher and deeper range of cut for every wood piece. Some of these saws allow you to make compound cuts, which is excellent if you need more versatility while working.
Compound Miter Saw
These are of the most popular types of miter saws. Compound miter saws contain both a miter and a single bevel system. You can make bevel cuts easily with this type of saw, which is excellent news if you are working with crown molding. A compound miter saw can save you a lot of time if you want to work with bevel cuts and miter cuts with the same power tool.
Compound Sliding Miter Saw
You can look at this saw as a combination of the sliding, and the compound miter saw. You get the ability to make bevel cuts, while also getting some rails that increase the depth of your cross-cuts. If you need to cut deeper wood pieces, this can be an excellent option for you. However, keep in mind that this type of saw is usually bigger and heavier than others, so it may not be portable enough for some people.
Dual-Compound Sliding Miter Saw
If you want to take your project one step further and save even more time on your work, this is how to do it. You get the miter table, a dual bevel system, and sliding rails that make your job a bit easier. When you’re cutting wood with this saw, you don’t have to continually flip your piece around to make opposite compound cuts, saving a considerable amount of time in general.
The most notable downside to this type of miter saw is its price. They usually don’t come cheap, so if you’re looking for the best budget options, this may not be the right choice for you. If you don’t need to make bevel cuts in both directions or don’t mind flipping the piece around, you can find other more affordable options.
Why Do You Need the Best Budget Miter Saw?
Miter saws can be found at a broad range of prices. Some people believe that spending a lot of money on a tool automatically makes it the best one. In some cases, expensive does mean better, but it’s not the general rule. You can find a cheap miter saw that provides all the things that you need for your project. However, this doesn’t mean that you should just find the cheapest miter saw, and buy it.
Finding the best miter saw also implies finding a balanced price-quality ratio. If you can find that sweet spot, you’re good to go! Remember that you don’t need all the fancy features of modern miter saws to get your project done.
As we said before, a miter saw may not be necessary to get your project done, but it’s one of the most versatile power tools on the market. If you want to save time on your projects, it may be an excellent choice for you to get one.
How to Choose the Best Miter Saw for You
If you’ve already decided to get a miter saw for your project, it’s time that you get to know all the features that you can keep in mind before buying. We are going to go through all of the possible features that you can find on a miter saw. This way, you can get a better idea of what works for you and what doesn’t.
Blade Size
Blade size is an essential factor with a miter saw since it can determine your cuts’ depth, so it’s a matter of choosing the one that fits your needs the best. The most common types of sizes are an eight-inch blade and a 10-inch blade. Some products come with a 12-inch blade, which is better suited for much deeper pieces.
Remember that a miter saw is mostly used for trimming, so it’s likely that you are not going to need a blade with a bigger diameter. If you need more capacity for crown cuts, or if you plan to use a stand for more stability, a 10-inch blade is a great middle-ground choice.
Motor Power
The motor is another common thing to keep in mind. In most cases, a 15-amp motor can do most woodwork effortlessly. However, if you need more cutting power, you can consider going higher than a 15-amp motor.
Positive Stops and Depth Stops
Positive stops allow you to set your cut’s angle to the most commonly used angles in woodworking. If the product has many positive stops, you could take less time setting the saw up. On the other hand, a depth stop allows you to adjust the blade’s height.
Blade Guards
A blade guard covers the saw when you raise it; this is to have a clearer view of what you’re cutting and provide an extra layer of safety for you.
Electric Brakes
This feature allows the user to stop the blade in just a couple of seconds if something goes wrong. This is a huge safety measure, so consider buying a saw that has this feature.
Laser Guide
A laser guide is more like an extra feature for a miter saw, but it can provide a considerable amount of help in most cases. If you get a miter saw with a laser guide, it can project a small beam onto the piece, which allows you to get a more accurate cut.
Portability
Some saws need to be plugged into work, whereas some other saws use a battery to run. If you need to move your miter saw continually from place to place, consider getting a cordless product.
Additional Features
While these are the most common features that you can get in a miter saw, there are many more! You can also find these extra features on some products:
- Dust bag
- Sliding and flip fences
- Table extensions
- Digital displays
- Shaft locks
- Dual bevel system
These features are not entirely necessary to get the job done, but they provide much more comfort and ease of work, so if you need the project to go as smoothly as possible, consider getting products with these features too.
Product Reviews
Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp Motor, 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
While this is a budget option, it feels premium! Its 15-amp motor provides enough power for heavy woodworking projects, and it also provides a larger table, so you get better support on each piece. One of the most remarkable features of this saw is its weight. This product only weighs 24.2 pounds, which allows for more maneuverability and portability.
With the Hitachi C10FCG, you get a miter range from zero to 52 degrees to the right and left sides, which allows for more flexibility. On the other hand, you can get a bevel range from zero to 45 degrees, which improves bevel cuts. It may only come with a single bevel, but it provides an excellent job for the price.
Overall, you’re getting a 15-amp motor, a wider table, and a wide range of adjustments for the miter and bevel, at an affordable price. If you want to read more about this product, click here.
Makita LS1040 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw
This saw may seem small, but for the price, it does a fantastic job. The Makita LS1040 10-Inch compound miter saw also comes with a powerful 15-amp direct drive motor, making it suitable for most types of woodwork. Its miter cuts from zero to 45 degrees to the left side, and from zero to 52 degrees to the right side. As for the single bevel, it can cut up to 45 degrees to the left.
Some of the best things about this product include high-quality build materials and a wide range of positive stops. It has an aluminum base, carbide tip blades, and slide rails that can last for a very long time if you take care of it properly. On the other hand, the high number of nine positive stops allows you to work faster and easier.
This is the most lightweight product on this list, making it perfect for portability needs. However, keep in mind that this miter saw can do most basic types of cuts, but it doesn’t come with additional accessories, such as a laser guide. If you want to read more about this budget, 10-inch compound miter saw, click here.
SKIL 3821-01 12-Inch, 15-Amp, Compound Miter Saw w/ Laser
If you’re all about precision, this may be the product for you. This saw’s blade is 12 inches long, making it an appropriate choice for more profound and longer cuts. The 15-amp engine drives the blade effortlessly through most wood pieces, and you also have a laser guide that you can use for more precise cuts.
Thanks to the positive stops on the blade, you can use the single bevel to make smoother cuts. While a dual bevel is not the most commonly available option in budget products, a single bevel can work amazingly with most wood pieces. If you need a blade with a bigger diameter, a powerful engine, and a single bevel that provides smooth cuts at an affordable price, make sure that you check out this product here.
This saw provides a slightly smaller blade than the last product, but it compensates with many features! You can make miter cuts up to 45 degrees to the left or right, and you can make a bevel cut up to 45 degrees to the left with its single bevel system. For more accuracy, the saw includes an electric brake, which can stop the blade in a matter of seconds for more security.
Overall, you’re getting an electric-powered saw, a 15-amp engine, and a blade with a 10-inch diameter. On top of that, you get a lot of useful features for a better experience. Read more about this miter saw here.
DeWALT DWS715 12-Inch, Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
While this is a simple miter saw in design, it provides enough power and features for professional woodworking projects. This model has a slighter bigger blade with a 12-inch diameter, which allows you to make smoother and deeper cuts.
While a dual bevel saw would be more comfortable for you, this product makes the most out of its single bevel system. With DeWALT, you’re getting a product made from durable materials and that excels in performance. Click here to read more about this product.
Conclusion
When looking for a budget miter saw, you have a lot of options to choose from. Make sure that you select a product that fits your needs properly, and keep in mind that you don’t need a lot of extra features for it to work, but they are certainly welcome, and they provide more comfort for your projects.
If you want to find what is the Best Cordless Miter Saw, read the content in this guide