Speed Adjustable Miter Saw
Wood trimming machine: characteristics, selection
For cutting small workpieces with high accuracy, it is recommended to use a trimming machine. Outwardly, it is similar to an ordinary hand-held circular saw; to achieve quality and positioning accuracy, it is mounted on the frame.
Choosing the design of the trimming machine
Miter Saw Design
The relevance of manufacturing a home-made cross-cutting machine can be due to several factors: the high cost of factory equipment, special design requirements. Therefore, sometimes it becomes necessary to make a trimming machine yourself.
For manufacturing, you need to familiarize yourself with the main design features. They determine the quality and parameters of the facing of boards or other wood materials. An important quality of the equipment is the accuracy of woodwork. The geometry of the product depends on this, which is a determining factor for production lines and during work in the home workshop.
A modern trimming machine should have the following components:
When working with boards, milling machines generate a large amount of chips and wood dust. In order to avoid clogging of the saw mechanism, it is recommended to consider a system of forced waste removal from the processing area.
For facing at an angle, you should choose models with the function of turning the disk at a certain angle. It is difficult to make such a mechanism on your own, therefore, they are limited to changing the position of the disk only in the vertical plane.
List of equipment specifications
Small miter saw
The next stage of work is the calculation of the characteristics that a trimming machine for processing wooden boards should have. They depend on the size of the workpiece, its configuration and the requirements for the quality of the face.
Initially, the required cutting depth and processing speed are determined. To perform the trimming operation, it is enough to purchase or make a desktop model. Large production machines can have several sawing units and a number of other additional functions.
But regardless of the design features, the trimming machine is characterized by the following technical parameters:
- Maximum and minimum saw diameter. It determines the depth of cut and dimensions of future equipment;
- Range of distances from the end plane of the saw blade to the working table
- Parameters of the rotary unit, if provided in the design;
- Power of the electric motor of the main drive;
- Number of revolutions and the possibility of adjusting them.
To connect a chip vacuum cleaner, you should know the diameter of the inlet pipe. If it has a non-standard size. You can use adapters. Also, for reliable fixation of the boards, additional components are used. Clamps. Their design and configuration directly depend on the parameters of the workpiece.
The ease of use of the equipment is affected by the location of the control elements. The on / off button should be on the working handle, with which the lowering of the disk for sawing boards occurs.
Simple model of cross-cutting machine
An example of a homemade cross-cutting machine
You can make homemade trimming machines at home. But for this it is important to correctly develop a scheme for the future design and select materials for its manufacture. As the main cutting tool, it is recommended to take a hand saw.
The easiest way to assemble a miter tool for boards is to install hinges on the factory support of the circular saw. They are mounted on one side on the plane of the desktop. It can be a chipboard or solid wood. Then you must perform the following steps.
- Fasten the hinges to the bed.
- Make a through hole on the desktop for the drive to move.
- Install a vertical metal stand with bracket to secure the spring. It will be necessary to reduce the reverse force of the cutting tool.
It is important to consider the maximum depth of cut on a tree. It should not exceed the thickness of the baseboard. Trimming machines of this type have the main drawback. Restrictions on the width of the processed material. Therefore, as an alternative, they prefer to make equipment with a broaching function.
To increase the depth of cut, you can make a full frame. Usually it is made of steel corners, and a metal sheet is used as a desktop.
Professional Miter Saw
Wide billet milling machine
To implement the broaching function, one of the manufacturing schemes can be used. The installation of hydraulic cylinders or the offset of the saw block along a horizontal guide. In the latter case, the trimming machine will be able to process large boards.
First you need to make a bed of equipment. To do this, you can use the king pin of the desired size. In the rear part of the structure, two clamps are welded, which are necessary for installing the cylinders. It is recommended to use ordinary automobile shock absorbers. The working fluid is previously removed from them, and the cylinder capacity is filled with air. Pressure parameters depend on the size of the shock absorbers.
To fasten the cutting tool, it is necessary to make a support platform connected to shock absorbers.
Final assembly recommendations:
- An angle grinder can be used as a cutting tool. It has a convenient handle for lowering the saw and a fairly small weight;
- To rotate the structure, the trimming machine is mounted on a support bearing. This makes it possible to do the treatment at an angle, along and across the fibers;
- Protective equipment is necessarily applied. The cover on the cutting tool and the possibility of a forced stop when overloads occur, if not provided for in the tool.
It is additionally recommended to install a soft start block in the angle grinder. This will avoid jerking when the tool is running.
Terms of Use
Work on the miter machine
Regardless of the design chosen during operation, the trimming machine must have the necessary safety indicators. To do this, you should study the operating rules of such equipment.
First of all, you need to choose the right saw blade. The thickness of the cut and the quality of the work depends on its parameters. After its installation in the miter machines, the position is checked, the orientation of the plane relative to the working table is controlled.
During operation, the trimming machine should not experience additional mechanical stress. This is especially true for pressing the cutting part to the surface of the wooden part. At the end of trimming, the equipment surface is cleaned of dust and chips, its condition and the presence of possible malfunctions are checked.
The shows the manufacturing process of a home-made trimming machine for processing boards:
Overview of models, specifications and prices
- Types of trimming
- Key Specifications
- Power
- Disc diameter and cutting parameters
- Drive and gear type
- Additional options
- Browse Popular Models
A wood end saw is widely used in the carpentry industry, and it is customary to use it to cut plastic, wood or metal workpieces at an angle. To date, the sales leading miter saws rating includes brands Makita (Makita), Interskol, Bosch (Bosch), Metabo (Metabo), Dewalt (Devolt), Festool (Festul), Dexter (Dexter), Practyl (Practical ), Hitachi (Hitachi), Jet (Jet), Ryobi (Rayobi), Forward (Forward), Caliber, AEG (AEG) and this is not a complete list of popular brands. As you can see, there are many things to choose from, the main thing is to do it wisely, competently. If you are faced with the need to purchase a circular tool, but do not know how to choose a miter saw with decent technical characteristics, we recommend that you familiarize yourself with the materials of our article.
Types of trimming
In the Russian market of power tools, miter saws for wood from dozens of well-known and not very manufacturers are represented in a wide range, and an inexperienced person can easily get confused in the abundance of offers. What you need to know when buying a carpentry unit and where to start choosing a miter saw? You will surely find answers to this and other questions further.
To begin with, we note that, like any other tool, trimming can be domestic and professional. An excellent example of professional trimming is the Festool KAPEX KS 120 model (100,000 rubles), and among the budget samples we can distinguish the Caliber Master PTE-1300 / 210M saw (5800 rubles). Manufacturers offer consumers conventional and combined miter saws. Conventional tools have decent cut quality, while the combined miter saw has a number of advantages that guarantee the convenience of the cutting process in various conditions.
If, after buying, you plan to install the unit on the table for the miter saw, and, in fact, turn it from a manual model into a full-fledged trimming machine for wood, then there is no point in choosing a mobile combined version. As a stationary installation, it is better to purchase miter saws with a broach that allow you to process wide parts. Trimming with a broach easily copes with cutting a board, the width of which reaches 43 cm.
Key Specifications
The guarantee of the right choice of any tool is the worthy parameters of certain characteristics that you need to pay attention to when buying, and a miter saw on wood is no exception. Unlike additional options that play an auxiliary secondary role, there are a number of parameters that professionals are advised to pay special attention to.
Power
This indicator is often crucial when buying electrical devices. Of course, the more powerful the unit, the larger the diameter of the saw blades that will be installed on it, which means you can process larger workpieces. Please note that in proportion to power, the weight and cost of the device increases. The higher the spindle speed, the cleaner the cut, so this parameter also should not be ignored.
Speed Adjustable Miter Saw
Disc diameter and cutting parameters
For domestic use, a saw blade with a diameter of 250 mm is ideal, with its internal (landing) diameter of 30 mm. If it is necessary to form a long cutting line, select a trimming machine on a tree with the possibility of horizontal movement of the saw. The presence of two guides allows you to cut marker boards and plates of various materials, and, as noted earlier, end saws with a broach have such characteristics, to which a special stand or stand comes.
Drive and gear type
The disk tool can be equipped with an asynchronous or commutator motor. The first sample demonstrates quiet operation and a long service life, and the collector unit has a decent resource, but over time requires the replacement of brushes.
A conventional or combined miter saw is equipped with one of two gears that drive the cutting element:
- Toothed. Demonstrates reliable operation, eliminating slippage during intense loads. It is quite noisy in operation and in some cases vibration of the saw blade may occur.
- Belt. It eliminates the drawbacks of the previous version and is characterized by a more stable quality of the cut, however, such a saw needs to be adjusted periodically, especially if it is a violation of the recommended operating modes by an inexperienced master.
Additional options
Each manufacturer makes every effort to improve their products and provides this or that model with additional options that increase the safety of work and improve their quality. So, most modern samples are equipped with:
- Work area lighting;
- Automatic adjustment of the saw speed;
- Cutter depth limiter;
- Laser level.
Also, a stand can be included in the kit for the tool, providing it with a fixed position. Thanks to this design, the master does not need to purchase or make a table for a miter saw.
Browse Popular Models
In this part of the article, a small overview of the popular models of miter saws and their brief characteristics with approximate are offered.
Diold PTD-1.6m-255 (13,200 rubles)
Domestic milling saws Dyold do an excellent job of straight cutting various types of wood, as well as cutting at an angle and at an angle of up to 45 degrees. An additional stand, which is included in the trimming kit, allows you to increase the length of the longitudinal cut, and the presence of a dust bag makes it possible to connect the trimming to the hood.
Kraton MS-06 (12 294 rub)
Miter saw Kraton. Ms-06 provides for the adjustment of cut angles, as well as equipped with removable table extensions. Also, manufacturers equipped it with a laser level and a connector for connecting a vacuum cleaner. Due to the rigid cast construction, the tool is highly durable.
Ankor Corvette 4M 90040 (11 682 rub)
The Miter Saw Enkor Corvette 4M is designed for processing soft and hard wood, as well as other building materials, provided that a saw blade of the appropriate sample is installed. This combined miter saw allows you to cut at a right and oblique angle, as well as at an angle.
Bison ZPT-305-1800 PLR (15103 rubles)
Miter saw ZUBR ZPT-305-1800 PLR is equipped with a soft starter, a laser marker, a dust collector and an adapter that allows you to connect to an exhaust hood or vacuum cleaner. Complete with trimming are two table extensions, a saw blade with a key and a clamp for securing the tool. The manufacturer also has a budget option for trimming (ZUBR ZPT255 1800 (7900 rubles)), which is suitable for domestic use. At a similar price, you can purchase the Metabo KGS 216 M tool, similar in characteristics.
Einhell TH-SM 2131 Dual / Einhell TC-SM 2131 Dual (11 990 rubles)
The miter saw Einhell TH SM 2131 Dual is distinguished by a clean and quick cut of wooden workpieces, and due to the swivel-tilt mechanism, the master can perform both conventional and double inclined cuts. A miter saw with a broach of this type makes it possible to process workpieces whose width reaches 310 mm. The kit includes a bag for collecting chips, a laser module and an integrated scale.
Dewalt DW713 (20,000 rubles)
Miter saw DeWALT with engine braking system and the ability to lock the spindle meets all modern requirements for this type of equipment. This is a good reliable tool with a high cutting speed and a powerful engine, which comes with a persistent stand with the possibility of extension, a cam lock and a convenient ergonomic handle. In this price range, you can purchase a tool of the Ryobi trademark with similar technical characteristics.
Dewalt DWS 780 (59 000 rub)
The DeWALT DWS 780 miter saw with continuously variable sawing speed is a professional tool that has all the advantages of modern cutting units. Manufacturers provided the design with an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector for industrial waste. Precise cut is guaranteed thanks to the XPS system, which aligns the disc along the intended line.
Hammer STL 1200 (10 706 rub)
The Hammer STL 1200 saw is a simple household tool without special auxiliary options, which does not prevent it from coping with its main purpose perfectly. The unit is equipped with smooth speed control, an adapter for connecting a vacuum cleaner and a dust collector. The tabletop design is compact in size and relatively light in weight.. The MAC Allister saw, made in China, has about the same characteristics and the same price tag.
Rotation speed rpm
Tilt angle
Cutting height, mm
Cutting Width, mm
Metabo KS 216 M Lasercut
Metabo KGS 254 M
Bosch GCM 800 SJ
Wood trimming machine. Features and applications
In order to cut small workpieces, and even with high accuracy, it is worth using a trimming machine. Outwardly, it is very similar to the most ordinary hand saw. To achieve a high level of quality and accuracy, it is mounted on a frame.
Trimming Machine Design
Before you begin to create a cross-cut machine with your own hands, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the main design features. It is they who determine the quality and parameters of the facing of boards or other wood materials. An important indicator of the quality of equipment is the level of accuracy of woodwork. The geometry of the material depends on this, which in turn determines the factors for the production lines, as well as while working in the home workshop.
As part of the trimming machine must be present:
- The saw block incorporates an electric motor and a system for transmitting torque to the working shaft on which the saw blade is mounted
- System of lowering / raising the side of the processing. Most often it is a system of brackets with shock absorbing devices in the form of springs
- The desktop is needed in order to fix the workpieces in a specific position relative to the disk. In such a table, a rotary mechanism may be present to realize the facing of complex products.
In the process of working with boards, trimming machines create a large amount of chips and wood dust. So that the mechanism does not become clogged, a system of forced removal of waste from the processing area is needed.
In order to perform cross-cutting at an angle, it is worthwhile to prefer models that have the function of turning the disk at a certain angle.
Equipment specifications
It is necessary to calculate all the characteristics that a trimming machine for wood processing should have. They directly depend on the dimensions of the workpiece, its configuration and the requirements for the quality of the cutting.
First of all, you need to find out the required cutting depth and processing speed. For home use, the desktop model is suitable. Large machines used in production have several sawing units and some additional functions.
However, regardless of the design features, the trimming machine has the following technical parameters:
- Maximum and minimum saw blade size. This parameter is responsible for the depth of cut and dimensions of future equipment.
- The distance from the end of the saw blade to the desktop
- Dimensions of the rotary unit, if provided by the design of the machine
- Power level of the main drive electric motor
- The number of revolutions and the possibility of changing them.
To connect a chip vacuum cleaner, you need to know the cross section of the inlet pipe. If its size is non-standard, then you can use adapters. For even more reliable fixation of the boards, you can use additional components. Clamps. Their design and configuration directly depend on the dimensions of the workpiece.
Simple trimming machine
You can create a homemade trimming machine for wood at home. However, for this it is important to correctly draw up a diagram of the future design and acquire materials for its creation. The main cutting tool you can take a hand saw.
The most elementary option for assembling a miter tool for boards can be called the installation of hinges on the factory support of a circular saw. They are mounted on one side on the plane of the desktop. As it can be a chipboard or solid wood. Next, you need to work in this sequence:
- Mount hinges on the bed
- Make a through hole on the desktop for the stroke of the circular saw
- Mount a vertical metal stand with bracket to secure the spring. The stand is needed to reduce the reverse force of the cutting device
- Fasten the spring to the stand and saw
- To mount a clamp for boards. As this, you can use any mechanical model created from improvised materials.
Be sure to consider the maximum depth of cut of wood. This indicator should not exceed the thickness of the baseboard. Miter devices of this type have a major drawback. There is a limitation on the width of the workpiece. To avoid this, it is worth making equipment with a pull function.
To increase the depth of cut, you can create a full frame. Usually it is created from steel corners, and a metal sheet is used as a desktop. The will tell you more about how the trimming machine works.
Professional Miter Saw
A do-it-yourself cross-cutting machine with a broaching function can be created by using the installation of hydraulic cylinders or shifting the saw block along a horizontal guide. In the second version, the trimming machine will perform processing of boards of greater width.
In the beginning, you need to make a frame for the equipment. You can use the king pin of the required dimensions. In the back of the structure, it is worth welding two clamps that will be needed at the stage of installation of the cylinders. Experts recommend the use of simple automobile shock absorbers, from which it is worthwhile to remove the working fluid from operation, and fill the cylinder capacity with air. Pressure indicators depend on the dimensions of the shock absorbers. To fix the cutting device, you need to make a support platform that connects to the shock absorbers.
Final assembly tips:
- The cutting tool can be an angle grinder, which is equipped with a convenient handle for lowering the saw and has a small weight
- To rotate the structure, the trimming machine must be installed on the pillow block bearing. This will make it possible to process wood at an angle, along and across the fibers.
- Be sure to use the system tools. The casing for the cutting tool and the possibility of a forced stop in case of overloads, if one is not provided in the tool.
- Also, it will not be superfluous to mount the soft starter on an angle grinder. Thus, you will be able to minimize the appearance of jerks during the operation of the tool.
Advantages and disadvantages of homemade machines
A circular saw trimming machine, even created with one’s own hand, can saw not only wood, but also plastic, aluminum and even alloys based on non-ferrous metals. The main advantages of such equipment include:
- Lack of need for large investments
- Low cost of components for assembling the saw
- You can personally think over the design parameters, and the machine itself, and the desktop for it
- Independent choice of tool rotation speed
- In the case of self-assembly, repair and disassembly is not difficult, because you know how everything works.
Of the minuses, we highlight:
- Some design details may not be of the best quality
- There is no factory warranty, so it is not known how long a homemade device will last
- Low level of productivity in comparison with factory analogues. It is quite difficult to create high-quality tools with high power from the materials at hand, the most accurate selection of components
- You need to have good knowledge in the field of electric motors and other mechanical devices
- Even having the same characteristics as the factory model, a homemade machine will be less functional
- Security level. Unfortunately, craftsmen rarely create a high level of security for their device, as a result of which work on improvised devices can be traumatic. Factory options in this regard are preferable.