Ok so this is probably a stupid question for 99% of you but I’m a girl and don’t know a whole lot about power tools...I need help choosing a saw. I need one that is capable of cutting 2x4’s. I believe both of the saws below are capable and I would prefer the miter saw because I can use that to finish the trim in the basement. Is there a table that I’m supposed to mount the miter saw to or do you just use it on the ground?
Or is a table saw sufficient for what I need? Will I get more use out of one over the other?
First, that’s no excuse and don’t sell yourself short!
Miter Saw:
As the name suggests, miter saws are for cutting miters (i.e. Boards at an angle) and 90º cross cuts (cuts across the grain of the wood.) The larger the blade, the thicker the board you can cut. A regular miter saw basically pivots up and down on a hinge while a sliding miter saw slides in and out allowing It to cut wider boards. Sliding miter saws are also heavier and more expensive. A regular 12” miter saw will handle boards up to about 5” wide.
A compound miter saw both rotates left and right (making an angle as you look down from the top) as well as ’leans’ over (making an angle as you look at it head-on) A double bevel miter saw will lean both to the left and to the right while single bevel saw will only lean in one direction. Compound cuts are handy to make if you are doing crown molding but most of the time you will only be doing simple miters, so I’d focus on that.
You can use a miter saw on a table/bench, on the floor, up on saw horses or you can get a dedicated
miter saw stand. If you’re doing much work, your back will thank you for having the saw up at a standing height. No matter what option you use, make sure you have a support to hold up long boards and keep them flat on the saw.
Table Saw:
The big thing a table saw can do is rip boards (cut them lengthwise along the grain.) It can also cut miters, rabbets (a notch along the edge of the board,) dados (grooves in a board) and handle larger goods like plywood to some degree.
If you are looking and a table saw, you need to spend a lot more money to get a decent one. The small cheap ones like you posted are under powered, not very accurate and will generally be frustrating to use. Even a good portable table saw will have trouble ripping thicker or harder stock like maple or hickory.
When it comes to cutting miters, especially in longer boards, a miter saw wins hands down. You can do it on a table saw but it’s difficult to support the board properly and unless you get a good miter setup for the table saw the cuts won’t be as accurate. The table saw is more versatile, but the miter saw is better.
I have a
12” dewalt single bevel miter saw and a totally happy with it. For what you describe, a similar saw would be perfect.
Suggestion: if you are doing trim-work, check into renting or buying a small air compressor and finish nailer. It makes a world of difference!
best wishes trigger!
