Deciding Between Table Saw and Miter Saw – Which One is Right for You. Compound mitre saw table

Deciding Between Table Saw and Miter Saw – Which One is Right for You?

Knowing the difference between a table saw and a miter saw is very important if you’re going to utilize each one properly.

Some people who plan on performing casual DIY at home may not want to purchase every type of saw out there, and will want to know which one they will get the most use out of.

Building up your toolkit slowly is one of the best ways to build up a collection of quality tools that will help you to complete your DIY projects to the best standard.

Here, we talk about the table saw vs the miter saw so you can make an informed decision on the one you need to use for a certain project. Different projects may require either one or the other, and the one you select can make a difference to how much time is spent on a project, and even how accurate your project turns out to be.

Let’s start by taking a look at what exactly the tools are to give you a better idea of what you might need.

What Is A Table Saw?

A table saw is one of the most used tools out there. Many homeowners and casual DIYers own a table saw as it is extremely versatile. There are many table saw designs available, from a basic tabletop version to a full contractor’s version.

The table saw is an essential tool that can be used for an unlimited number of woodworking tasks.

The table saw is a versatile and common tool, and usually one of the biggest tool purchases that a wood worker will make.

Thinking about the various types of table saws available and how they suit your needs is a good idea before you go out and make your purchase.

There are hundreds of brands and types of table saw. We’ll talk more about this later!

What Is A Miter Saw?

A miter saw is a specialized tool that allows the user to make cuts at a variety of angles. The miter saw has a blade mounted on a swing, allowing the user to produce cuts to the left or the right.

By using this type of saw you can quickly make cuts for things like crown molding, picture frames, door frames, and more.

It’s another very popular saw on the market today, which is why many people wonder whether they need both types of saw to complete the DIY that they have in mind.

The main purpose of miter saws is to cut miters, and it is used by contractors, remodelers, carpenters, and more. It’s good for simple 45 degree angles and can cut aluminum, plastics, and even concrete. There are many types of miter saw too, such as basic and compound. Again, we’ll go into more detail later.

The Difference Between a Table and a Miter Saw

As both the table saw and the miter saw are extremely popular, people can get confused when it comes to figuring out which kind they need to buy or rent. In this case, it’s important to know the differences between the two so you can make the best decision.

The table saw is more versatile than the miter saw when you consider the overall amount of things it can do.

In addition to making rips it can also crosscut boards, and it can also cut panels of various sizes up to about 4’x8′, however, that doesn’t mean it performs every job to the highest standard.

It can do many jobs, but you won’t necessarily notice a high quality of each job.

The miter saw does only crosscuts on boards up to about 6″ for a 10″ saw, and maybe 8″ for a 12″ saw. It does these things fairly accurately, so it’s good if you need accurate cuts. There is an overlap to the capabilities of each of these saws.

A table saw with a miter gauge can handle crosscuts on shorter boards that can be managed sideways on the saw table. However, it would be unsafe to crosscut a board that’s 20 feet long.

Similarly, placing an angled cut on the end of a long board isn’t safe. You’ll find that many people simply prefer to have a table saw on hand to help with many of their tasks. However, this is totally dependent on the tasks that you have in mind.

If you’re doing things such as kitchen renovations and building your own decking, you might just save more time with a miter saw. It’s so important to consider the types of projects that you’re taking on before you can know which type of saw you need. Bear in mind that it may be worth renting one of the tools for a one off job rather than buying outright.

When And How To Use A Table Saw

The table saw is one of the most versatile and productive tools in the woodshop. It can be used to rip, cross-cut, miter-cut, square, dado, rabbet, and even apply shapes to the edges of wood stock.

However, using this saw is considered one of the most dangerous, and you must take steps to reduce your risk of injury.

One of the most important things you need to do is perform regular maintenance on your table saw. A properly-tuned table saw will cut easily and smoothly.

However, it is dangerous to operate a table saw that you have not adequately maintained. You must make sure that you take maintenance steps, including keeping the table saw rust free.

When you have properly maintained your table saw, it can add accuracy and safety to your woodworking projects.

Make sure you check over your table saw before you use it. to ensure that there’s no rust and no issues. A thorough check is important as it could not only hinder your project, but be dangerous for you too.

If you’re the kind of person who uses your table saw regularly, you’ll want to perform maintenance after you’ve used it each time. If you only use your table saw occasionally, then ensuring you store it properly is crucial. It may not be as susceptible to rust, but it’s still important to check.

You should use a table saw if you need to make many cuts that are the same length. Doing this by hand can cause discrepancies in size, whereas using a table saw is far more accurate.

Let’s face it, it can also be pretty boring to spend time creating cuts exactly the same size. You may not realize that they are different sizes until afterwards either, which can be extremely annoying.

A Contractor’s saw is more portable, however, it still has many safety features and can be used both indoors and outdoors. The benchtop saw is the smallest, but it has large outputs when it comes to wattage. It must be handled with the utmost care if you want to remain safe.

Ensure it is in a fixed position before you begin working with it. You can get 600W to 2000W and in general, the more power available the quicker and deeper the cut will be.

Bear in mind that just because the benchtop saw is the smallest, does not mean it is the cheapest. Rather than going by price, you should consider the size and features you need.

HOW TO USE A MITER SAW. super basic tutorial for beginners / miter saw for beginners

A table saw can also give you more stability when cutting large pieces of timber. The timber does the work for you while the blades maintain stationary, which allows for a more accurate cut. It also saves you much energy in the long run.

There are many different types of table saw available. The cabinet saw is a huge heavy table saw that sits in your workshop. It is used by serious woodworkers and will provide the most accurate work if you set it up properly.

DIY Miter Saw Stand Plans: Homemade Plans You Can Build

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The best way to use your miter saw efficiently is by holding it to a stable surface like a saw stand. Rather than spend so much on a stand, building one singlehandedly with a good plan is more cost-effective. However, some plans are complicated and complex to comprehend.

The following DIY miter saw stand plans would get you started with constructing your model.

Folding Miter Saw Stand Plan

If you want to build a mobile miter saw plan without compromising space, this Folding Miter Saw Stand Plan by Wilker Do’s will get it done. This design has collapsible wings to save space and a gargantuan top to accommodate your miter saw.

Apart from accommodating the saw, there’s also enough space for the project you are working on. The instructions are straightforward and detailed enough for even a beginner.

Miter Saw Cart Plan

Not all plans are mobile and easy to store, but this Miter Saw Cart Plan from fellow woodworker Ana White combines both features.

Its wheels enable mobility, and the table collapses into a foldable model for effortless keeping and storage. It can accommodate both the miter saw and the project.

Our wood experts love the simplicity of this plan and how inexpensive it is to construct it. For beginners and professionals, this plan is great for designing your next saw stand.

Dual Tool Station Plan

The Dual Tool Station Plan from Shop Notes is an excellent plan for professionals that work on large projects and uses different equipment simultaneously. This plan makes it convenient to reach for a tool without pushing your strides.

Unlike the previous plans, this plan has a dual tool station for accommodating your miter saw, project, and other tools. It also has storage for extra accessories and tools.

Compound Miter Saw Station Plan

The Compound Miter Saw Station Plan from Wood Central has two standout features – its large, long-cutting surface and storage. Our team wasn’t surprised by the size of the cutting surface, considering it was meant for compound miter saws.

Since it has a large cutting table, you can work on lengthy pieces of lumber with no adjustment. With the extra spaces, you can store vital tools and items.

Miter Saw Stand Plan

This basic saw plan from Chief’s Shop is simple and inexpensive to build. Woodworkers with no skills at all can make simple constructions with this plan. You should opt for this plan if you don’t need extra spaces or a large cutting area.

It requires basic materials and hardware that are readily available. You can even use scraps to design your stand with this plan.

DIY Mobile Miter Saw Stand

As the name goes, this stand plan can move from one point to the next. Mobility isn’t the only feature of this stand. It has an extra storage compartment with six drawers for keeping additional tools and items.

In addition, it has extensions on both sides of the stand to allow you to work on longer plywood conveniently.

Miter Saw Table with Extra Storage

The good thing about the Miter Saw Table with an Extra Storage plan is that it doubles as a workbench. So, you can do most of your woodworking projects on it.

Another excellent feature is the design. While it’s easy to construct, you can customize it to fit your space. You can add drawers and shelves underneath if you need more storage space for your tools.

Ultimate Tool Stand Plan

Designed by Christopher Merrill, this stand plan offers excellent versatility and convenience. It has a large cutting table that doubles as a workbench for other carpentry activities [1].

It has several s for keeping tools and other essential items. However, one thing the plan lacks is portability. You will struggle to move the stand on your own. On the good side, it uses fewer materials to construct. Each step is detailed and self-explanatory.

Ultimate Miter Saw Stand Plan

This plan from Popular Woodworking will improve the use of your miter saw. It is designed for woodworkers who need extra storage space and uses their miter saws frequently.

Tools are within your reach with this stand. Best of all, you don’t need to take many strides as the compartments are in proximity to each other. This stand isn’t the best in portability. So, you need space for it to fit in.

For a complete DIY project, here’s how to can draw your own woodworking plan before you start assembling the wooden pieces.

Miter saw bench design considerations

This article covers a wide range of ideas about a miter saw bench. As you probably know a miter saw is a power tool that makes accurate crosscuts in a board at a specific angle. It is commonly used for cutting of face frames, skirts, bracing, and molding or trim. The board is held against a fence that provides a precise relationship between it and the of the blade. The default angle of cut is 90 degrees.

Remember way back when? Maybe you’re old enough to have used the “original” miter box with its stocky hand saw. They were made as wooden or plastic three-sided boxes. The front board served to hold the board and has 90 and 45 degree slits cut in it. The slits guided a hand or back saw to cut the board in two.

An advance in cutting miters was made in the 1970s with the introduction of the power miter saw. In addition to the power saw a major improvement was the miter index. The index allows the angle of the blade to be changed relative to the fence holding the board. These days miter saws enable precise one-degree incremental changes to the miter index. They also provide set cuts that allow the miter index to snap to common angles.

Types of miter saws

• Standard miter saw – A powered version designed generally for making cross cuts on a piece of work at a wide range of angles.
• Compound-miter saw or single compound miter saw. In addition to spinning to change the angle of the cut, the saw can be tilted in one direction to cut, essentially, two angles on the board.
• Dual compound-miter saw – Dual or double compound saws allow the head to rotate to both sides.
• Sliding compound-miter saw – Sliding miter saws provide a longer cut by sliding the saw back and forth on a rail.
• Laser guided miter-saws – Some miter saws project a laser line on the wood showing where the cut will be made. I have this type and find it’s great for more precise cutting.

Fences

The fence part of the saw against which the board rests. The fence is fixed while the saw can be rotated to create the angle of cut. It serves to hold the board. Often when building a miter saw bench the fence is extended to the right and left to hold longer boards steady.

The photo above is found in an interesting article about secondary fences for your miter saw. Essentially this is a sacrificial fence that allows better control over cutting. Especially true with smaller pieces. It also eliminates tear out while providing more support.

On the other hand, some argue for not having a fence on your bench and using only the saw fence.

“First off, this isn’t a revolutionary concept that I invented but it’s something I thought long and hard about and became confident in my choice through years of using a miter saw with nothing but the stock fence. In the end I think a fence does more harm than good.”

While others offer three advantages of using an extended fence.

• An additional fence makes a more accurate cut. He counters that misaligned fences and bows on boards negate this advantage.
• A fence is needed to place a stop. Spagnuolo and other woodworkers propose a t-track placed on the table surface serves nicely as a stop.
• And my favorite. A fence prevents piling stuff on the bench. Basically, the real answer is to be more organized. Good luck with that.

Read the article to see if it makes sense to you.

And fence stops

A fence stop is a block that allows you to repeatably make the same length cut.

Some people group their pieces and try to make one cut for all the boards at once. This has never really been consistent for me. Parts move around and sometimes cut at an angle different than the others.

Surely a better move is a stop block. Now the block can be attached to a fence or mounted in a t-track on the saw bench table. The idea is that the end of a board butts against block. And you can see this achieves a repeatable cut size.

Commercial fold-up miter saw rigs often have settable stops built into their wings. And there are products that can automatically set stops and slide materials again the stop for Rapid and accurate cuts. As always – time is money and their options require you to spend it.

Space considerations.

If you are one of those lucky woodworkers with unlimited shop space skip this section. If you are not read carefully.

Certainly opinions over the size required to a miter saw setup vary a fair amount. The only hard factors are the saw size – and even that varies.

Surely think about this when you design your miter saw bench. What is the miter saw swing arm radius how high is the table? If the

saw arm swings beyond the saw base make sure you allow room fully right and left swing. A third consideration is the amount of hear tilt when cutting compound cuts. Put you saw on a table or work bench and swing it to its extremes. While doing that measure the tallest, deepest, and widest dimensions needed to house that saw. Measure the height from the saw table base to the table or work bench surface.

Pretty much those are non-negotiable sizes in your bench design.

• Depth – consider how you will achieve dust control when selecting a depth. There are people who suggest that a miter saw bench depth can be as little as 14 inches. Also, there are those who insist 30 inches is the right amount. I’ve heard people who mount the benches to the wall to prevent it from tipping over. Smile but don’t forget this is you plan to have lots of drawers or slide out storage. The weight of a few routers extended 24 inches from center might just be the tipping point!
• Height – a friend of mine feels strongly about not having a fixed height in his shop benches. Well his for sure – but in general he thinks the bench height depends on the human user’s height. At 6 foot 6 inches it should be different than 5 foot 3 inches. Everything I read seems to settle on 36 inches or so. But still when you have you saw out to make the measurements – try different heights to see where the saw feels comfortable to you. And remember the height of the saw table from the floor will be the height of the bench.
• Width – here is where things vary a lot. Certainly, the width depends on how much space you have and what kinds of work you do the most. Someone making small furniture or jewelry boxes need less than someone working with long crown moldings.

As they say it’s all in the trade-off. If 90% of your work is – call it – smaller – set up for that. When you need more room, you can move things around. There will be more on flexibility later.

Wings

One way to address width is to have the wings or extensions fold down. You can even have one segment of fixes wing attached to one section of a fold down. The limit is of course the size of the fold down is limited to the height of the bench.

There are countless combinations of width configurations. But you get the idea.

There are other approaches. One creates moveable cabinets or tables on wheels. As long as they are the same height [including wheels] as the miter saw bench you can move them around as needed.

Multiple machines per bench

Some small shop owners solve space issues by placing more than once machine on a bench or table. I’ve seen combinations of table saws and miter saws on the same work surface. And you probably know that some approaches mount a table saw and a router on the same surface.

I am not a big fan of table saw and miter saw combinations because the miter saw stick up over the table surface and get in the way. There are plans for a miter saw / table saw approach where the miter saw swivels out of the way. That seems awkward to me.

However, I can see what I feel tools that essentially linear in their cutting tasks being mounted on the same table. For example, a miter saw and router. Or even a miter saw and drill press / mortise.

Storage requirements and opportunities

And this gets into the real space issues in a shop. Where to keep things? How to hide them? Anyone for organizing?

If you browse the internet looking at chop saw bench plans, you’ll see anything from the most basic stick structures with shelving to cabinets with doors and drawers. Wow some of those look like my kitchen!

Without getting specific there are three options for storage.

• Open shelving – good for longer things like lumber.
• Drawers – my favorite since I’d rather pull them out than bend over to reach in to retrieve things. Beware of tip over potential.
• Doors – good for hiding things away. Some feel doors on the section of their workshop bench plans that holds the miter saw must have doors for dust and chip control.

Of course, size varies both horizontally and vertically. The overall miter saw stand is the limit to the storage size. However, do not forget that more cabinets or shelves can mount behind the saw fence. And those might be on the bench or attached to the wall. For flexibility on hanging cabinets you might consider French cleats.

Material types – cost, look and feel

Many of the DIY miter saw stand plans found on the internet are made from 2 by 4 and screwed together. Plywood or MDF is used for the tops and, if there are shelves, shelving.

Well a very rough design for that might look like this. No cut out for the miter saw in the center exists on the design as of yet. The material required – 2 X 4 X 96 is about 10 pieces and 4 x 8 sheet – 2 pieces. Total cost? Depends on what you pay in your area.

Again, a sacrificial top may allow replacement after wear and tear. Remember to round the corners of the edges all over.

On the other hand, more attractive and expensive materials can be used.

Power and Dust Control

Miter saw dust shoots dust and pieces in every direction, making it hard to collect. The dust ports on most miter saws don’t work that well. Even when hooked up to a vacuum system, mess happens.

If you like, take a look at this web site for some good information.

“There are so many different ways to contain miter saw dust, with varying results. Some only work for saws without the sliding mechanism for cutting those wide boards, so check the depth of yours before you start building!”

Many options exist for power. The basic requirement is power for the saw. You might want to add an outlet for the shop vac. And consider power for a light.

Using SketchList 3D

SketchList 3D allows you to create a plan for your workbench in a very small amount of time and with little effort. Of course, designing the miter saw stand on the computer screen is easier and less costly – in terms of material – then doing a prototype.

Why and how can you use SketchList 3D?

• Consider and explore options – using SketchList 3D create your chop saw bench plan allows you to try an unlimited number of configurations. With the computer can easily alter the height, width and depth of the bench. This early design state is where you might explore combining different tools on the same bench. Remember the suggestion about putting a router into the same structure as the miter saw. With SketchList 3D you can even “load” boards of different sizes onto your miter saw bench top to see what it would be like to handle them.
• Check out the details – I found one design where a contractor type table saw and the miter saw built into the same worktop. The challenge was creating a way to rotate or flip miter saw so it didn’t interfere with cutting large sheet material when using the table saw. Design complicated parts, like design for the supports, blocks, and axle like pipe around which the rotate happens in software. Much better to create that design in SketchList 3D and tweak it as necessary.
• Place it in your shop – you can model your whole shop in SketchList 3D. Personally, I think it’s completely acceptable to create three-dimensional blocks to simulate your machine tools. All they need is the proper size. Another hint for you on this is to place a board underneath the machine tool on the floor. Sort of like a rug. If you size that board to accommodate clearances needed when using the tool, it’ll give you a better layout.

Summary

A miter saw bench plan is an exciting project for your workshop. The process of laying out requirements, your desires for the piece, and space/size considerations starts you toward a excellent working saw bench. You can create the most basic bench plan from lumber or even recycled materials. Or you can indulge yourself and create a work piece with doors and drawers and shelving and make it look like furniture.

Create several different alternatives and print them out as shop drawings with dimensions. And create some nice three dimensional images to give you a sense of space and mass. After you finalize your design generate the cut list, and maybe a layout diagram for your sheet goods. Then take it off to the lumberyard along with your credit card.

Next stop is the shop to build it all. Enjoy yourself.

David Rozewski

My woodworking love started in 6th grade in school shop class. I have a BS in Industrial Technology and an MBA. At my first job, I computerized a production accounting system – the results were positive, and I loved the challenges. I left the corporate world to begin woodworking full time and one of my first decisions was to use CAD for my designs. I found that CAD did not meet all my needs. I wrote a specification of what I wanted and turned it into a prototype. SketchList 3D incorporated in 2007. We completed programming and launched. Today thousands of woodworkers use SketchList 3D.

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Miter Saw vs. Table Saw

The difference between a miter saw vs table saw can be a bit confusing. Miter saws and table saws both perform fundamental tasks and achieve common types of cuts, resulting in daily usage for craftsman. If you want to know how to choose table saws and miter saws for your shop, this guide shows exactly what to look for. It addresses major differences between both types of saws, including their primary applications.

Miter Saw vs. Table Saw

To find the best table saws and miter saws, there are a few things to consider before you begin. For example, the needs of a large shop differ from the needs of a personal hobbyist. Here are the four aspects to consider while you shop for one that suits you.

Aspects to consider in top rated table saws and miter saws

• Project size: Do you work with large or small projects?
• Available workspace: How much space do you have to work with?
• Power: Do you require professional-grade tools?
• Versatility: Will you need to perform more advanced cuts?

Small work spaces limit the size of the tool you bring into the shop. Professionals who need to bring their table saws from one job site to another will not want to lug around a bulky table saw when they need to make common rip cuts. They will prefer a mobile solution, one that gives adequate power without taking up too much space. Those working in larger spaces, especially on roomy shop floors with high-volume tasks, may prefer the extra power and tabletop space that comes with larger types of table saws.

The same concept applies to miter saws. The home carpenter who wants to make simple angle cuts doesn’t need a complex or expensive piece of machinery. His preferences differ from a woodworker who needs to frequently perform compound cuts. In both situations, the size of the blade also plays a role in the decision. Miter saws with larger blades allow for longer cuts without any extra material adjustments. Smaller machines use smaller blades, and the whole setup takes up less space. The best table saws and miter saws suit the size of your project and the size of your workshop.

Table Saws

There are three different variations on a traditional table saw. In most home woodshops, table saws stand on their own legs. They often have wheels for mobility around the shop floor. In heavier industrial environments, the legs are replaced with a full cabinet. All the best table saws and miter saws connect with dust management systems, usually with a bag or hose that attaches near the blade.

These home and professional table saws both serve as semi-permanent solutions. Their size makes them difficult to transport without special equipment, and those who need to bring their table saw with them usually use a different solution. For these mobile woodworkers, job-site table saws provide similar results without all the extra weight. These lighter saws don’t have their own bases. You must set them on top of a sturdy workbench or table to use them.

Miter Saw

Unlike table saws, miter saws don’t usually come with stands. They sit on the workbench while you use them and, in some cases, they come with extension arms for added support. There are two main types of miter saws.

The Basic Miter SawEvery miter saw should allow you to complete two styles of cuts. You should be able to use the most basic styles to create straight cuts, which slices through the width of a plank of wood at a 90-degree angle. The basic styles also allow you to complete angled cuts. To achieve this, you adjust the angle of the blade over your material and pull the blade down the same way you would with a straight cut. To achieve more advanced cuts, you need a compound miter saw.

The Compound Miter SawThese tools work like basic miter saws, but they come with one significant difference. In addition to angle cuts, these saws can cut with a bevel. The blade tilts into position and locks at the angle you need for your cut. Some sellers break down this style of miter saw into further categories. Advanced versions of a compound miter saw allow you to tilt the blade in both directions from its 90-degree starting position.

Miter Saw vs Table Saw Uses

Table Saw Uses

There are two types of cut you can make with a table saw. If you cut a piece of wood, going with the grain, it’s called a rip cut. If you cut against the grain, slicing the wood in half, that’s a cross cut. No matter what types of table saws and miter saws you use, you should be able to complete this second type of cut on a thin piece of wood. The value of a table saw comes from its ability to handle much longer and much wider materials.

Though a table saw takes up more room than a miter saw, it also handles longer cuts. The best table saws and miter saws include extra shelf space on either side of the blade, and you can use external supports when working with even larger sheets or planks. Home and shop table saws usually have larger surfaces than workbench table saws. Their solid bases add support to the work surface and, in many cases, connect with your dust management system to clear the air.

Miter Saw Uses

Miter saws complete a few more styles of cuts than table saws. They perform straight cuts, angled cuts, bevel cuts and combination cuts. With all these settings, miter saws serve as a fundamental choice for many woodworkers. Craftsman use bevel cuts create hidden seams and crown molding. They use straight cuts for simple sizing cuts that maintain the square end of the wood and angled cuts to create edges that fit together at precise angles.

Unlike table saws, miter saws do not complete rip cuts. You cannot push wood through this tool. Instead, the miter saw uses the blade’s position to create measured cuts at precise angles. You move the machine’s handles to create the angle and bevel you need before pulling the blade through the surface of the wood.

Using One or the Other

Using a Miter Saw vs Table Saw

Use a miter saw when you need to cut wood into a specific length or at a specific angle. Carpentry projects involving trim and molding benefit from the use of a miter saw instead of a table saw. These tools can also be used to create picture frames and other crafts.

Using a Table Saw vs Miter Saw

Unlike miter saws, the blade on a table saw stays primarily in one position. You can raise or lower the blade depending on the thickness of the wood with which you work, but the stationary blade does not move during the cutting process. With a table saw, you push your wood across the blade. The guards and rails guide the wood to ensure accuracy.

Table saws perform larger and longer cuts than miter saws. They help cut down larger materials, too. While miter saws sometimes come with extensions for the sides, a table saw does not require a larger blade to produce a longer cut. Some table saw and miter saw uses overlap. You can complete short, straight cuts with both machines.

Which Kind of Saw to Buy

Many beginning woodworkers wonder how to choose table saws and miter saws for their shops, and the answer depends on what they want to accomplish. If you’re considering this question, your choice in machine should address a specific challenge. Those who build their shops from the ground up may want to start with a miter saw. These versatile tools complete many of the most common cuts, and they can be used for all sorts of projects.

If you plan to add to an existing collection of power tools, your solution depends on where you will find the greatest benefit. A job-site table saw adds versatility to your setup, but it most adequately supports those who need to spend less time carrying materials. Many at-home projects don’t require this level of mobility, so many woodworkers prefer the added power that comes with a stationary saw.

Final Thoughts

Location and ideal features should be taken into account when deciding between a Miter Saw vs Table Saw. Mobile craftsmen should consider tabletop options or machines that come with wheeled supports. Those working in the same station may prioritize the inclusion of additional features over added mobility. The most effective options address the size of your project and the locations where you prefer to work.

Table Saw vs Miter Saw

Table saw or miter saw, which is better for my job? Table Saw vs Miter Saw; Which saw should I get first and which one for the beginner? Do I need miter saw if I already own a table saw?

Allow me to answer all these questions and more. It can be tempting, especially with expensive power tools like power saws or other kinds of tools that can cost hundreds of dollars, to just buy one tool and use it for every job. This is the wrong approach to take and it can lead to subpar work. Having the right tool for the job is absolutely essential for producing quality work. So, it is important for both hobbyists and experts to understand exactly what each specialty power tool is good for and why they need it.

In this article, we will look at the difference between a table saw and a miter saw. When should you use one and when should you use the other? Who should get a table saw and who should get a miter saw? I will answer all these questions and more.

Miter Saw vs Table Saw – Pros and Cons

Before I explain the difference between the table saw vs miter saw, here is a quick comparison between the two.

What is a table saw?

Most of you who are familiar with handiwork, have seen a table saw up close before. So, you are probably pretty familiar with what a table saw is. For those who are not, a table saw is a flat table with a saw blade built into it, which allows you to make a variety of cuts. It is important not to get confused here; it is tempting to refer to everything as a “table saw,” but a table saw is a specific tool. A table saw will have a circular saw blade that is protruding out from the surface of the table through a slit. The blade that is fixed on a motor below the table can be raised and lowered. Table saws are very common in most woodworking workshops, whether they belong to professionals or simply amateurs. Because of its versatility and its ability to do a wide variety of jobs, you will be hard-pressed to find a woodworker without one.

They also come in a variety of models, and it is possible to find both stationary and mobile table saws at any hardware store.

What is a miter saw?

A miter saw a machine tool with a circular blade fixed on a swing arm which can be brought down on to the work-piece to make the cut. A miter saw is similar in conception to a table saw in that it utilizes a rotating circular saw blade to cut wood. However, a miter saw is meant for a very specific purpose, while a table saw is a general-purpose wood cutting tool. Miter saws are specifically designed to make accurate crosscuts and angular cuts. They have a swing mounted blade which can be set to different angles. This allows the miter saw to make far more precise miter cuts. And in general, it gives the user more control over where they make their cuts. Miter saws are slightly less common than regular table saws. But you will still find one in any workshop worth its salt.

Differences between Table Saw and Miter Saw

The main difference between the two lies in function, accuracy, and portability.

Uses

As I said earlier, table saws are general-purpose cutting tools. This means that they do a large variety of cuts, but it is not exactly precise. Where a table saw truly shines is its ability to make long rip-cuts and crosscuts.

A miter saw is a specialty power saw designed to make accurate crosscuts. For example, your average miter saw can really only make 6 to 8-inch cross cuts (this can vary quite a bit though depending on model). Obviously, this is a much smaller variety of cuts than a table saw can do. However, what the miter saw lacks in variety, it makes up for in pure execution.

How it works

In case of a table saw the rotating blade is in a fixed position. You will move the wood stock against the rotating blade to make the cut. On the other hand, on a miter saw you will fix the stock on the table and bring the blade on to the wood to make the cut. With a sliding compound miter saw, you will also move the miter saw blade across the work-piece.

Accuracy

A miter saw is the absolute best option for those who need precision miter cuts and bevel cuts of wood or other softer materials like plastic. Yes, table saws can do the same cuts that miter saws can. However, if you use a table saw to try and make precision cuts, then the chances of making a mistake go up drastically. Likewise, using a table saw to make a precise compound cut is going to take a lot longer. A table saw requires additional accessories like sled and miter gauge with extensions to make precise crosscuts and miter cuts.

Portability

Also worth noting is that miter saws are generally easier to move from place to place. So, if you want to do carry the saw different job locations, then you are best off going for either a mobile table saw (which is still fairly heavy and cumbersome) or a miter saw.

A miter with a rolling miter saw stand is highly portable and would come very handy for professionals.

Price

In general, a table saw and a miter saw (assuming both are from a reputable brand) will probably end up costing you about the same, so cost is not really a major difference. However, please keep in mind that can vary from retailer to retailer, and so your specific hardware store or online retailer may have different for miter saws and table saws.

When to go for a table saw

If you are just doing some general-purpose cutting, like saying cutting large boards of wood, then a table saw is the best option. Table saw is the best choice for long rip-cuts accurately. It will be able to quickly cut through large amounts of wood, which will obviously save you a lot of time down the road. Likewise, if you need to make crosscuts on short pieces of wood or cut up smaller wooden sheets, then a table saw is your best bet. Finally, any remodeling or carpentry work that you can think of is going to require a table saw.

Like I said earlier, a table saw can do most of the cuts a miter saw can with the help of sleds and miter gauge. However, it is going to be very time consuming and it is very easy to make mistakes when using a table saw for miter cuts. However, if you are confident in your abilities to make precise cuts with a table saw (or you have a good guide available to follow) then you should definitely do so.

When to go for a miter saw

If you are in need of very precise miter and bevel cuts, then that is the time to invest in a miter saw. Stuff like furniture rails, frames, edging, etc., are all precise jobs and will benefit from the miter saw’s accuracy and speed. Similarly, if you are doing a very complex project, then the chances are good that you will need a miter saw, so if you plan on doing any big projects in the future (like building a deck for example), then you should be investing in a good miter saw.

Who should buy what?

Are you a beginner looking forward to buy your first power saw? If you do not own a saw of any kind, then you should start off by getting a table saw. They are more versatile and far more useful for people who are just learning how to properly do carpentry or woodworking.

You should consider investing in a miter saw if you already own and are comfortable using the table saw. Do not get me wrong, miter saws can be extremely useful. But unless you are very experienced, it is far better to start off with a table saw and then work your way up to a miter saw. If you are a DIY enthusiast, you should always consider what project you are doing before you decide to make a purchase.

Carpentery vs Woodworking

I have heard beginners often using these two terms interchangeably. However, there is a difference. A carpenter builds the house. Carpentry involves building window and door frames, trimming moldings etc. Hence a miter saw is a precision power tool for a carpenter. On the other hand, woodworkers build furniture. Woodworking involves cutting large boards to size, ripping plywoods to build cabinets, deck etc. So in case of a woodworker, a table saw is the most useful cutting tool.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw Infographic

For those who love to see the visual representation, here is the infographic version of this guide.

The above infographic contains only the key points that differentiate a miter saw from a table saw.

Conclusion:

Table saw is more versatile compared to the miter saw. For most people, a good table saw should be the first power saw you should invest in. However, if you only need cut wide boards occasionally, get a good circular saw and an edge guide to trim the stock down.

Go for a miter saw if your work primarily involves precision miter and bevel cuts.

The following list of common projects should help you to choose between a table saw vs miter saw.

Table Saw VS Miter Saw – Which One Should You Choose?

Table Saw To rip pieces of plywood Cut a wide board to make window, wainscoting etc. To build furniture, cabinets and deck.

Miter Saw To make picture frames, door frames, window casing For Cap molding, window trim Cut crown molding, base molding To build a bird feeder, small knick-knack shelf etc.

Ideally, you must get both table saw and miter saw. But if you must pick one, buy a good quality table saw.