Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Which Is Better?

Table saws and Miter saws are getting very popular today among different users.  Because of the similarity in their names, users often are confused about which tool is the right one. In this article, we have listed the differences, uses, pros, and cons of the table saw and miter saw. Please look at how we have compared table saw vs miter saw to understand which would be the best choice for your requirements. 

Our Verdict

If we had to pick only one tool, then the tool we select is a Table saw, the reason for this is because a table saw can add accessories to it, this increases its ability to do more tasks, this tool does precise cuts, it powerful and efficient. Like every tool, this also has its limitations. It can be expensive, huge, dangerous, and difficult to use.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Comparison Chart

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Difference

1. Wood Size

Wood size refers to the shape and size of the wood you are working with. This is important because the size of the wood affects the tool that you would use to get your work done. A miter saw has a limit to the width of the wood to the width of the blade being used, e.g., a 10-inch blade can cut up to 8-inch thick wood, in the same way, the height of the wood is also limited to the miter saw. A table saw, on the other hand, does not have these limitations, and it can be used for plywood.

2. Cutting Angles

When it comes to cutting in angles, the miter saw is the tool to use. They are designed to make cutting at angles in ease. The head of the miter saw can be moved from side to side to cut any degree angle. A table saw, on the other hand, makes cutting at angles more difficult.

3. Safety

Both these tools, if not used correctly, are dangerous, but a table saw is more dangerous than a miter saw.

4. Purpose

A Miter saw is made for a specific purpose, but a table saw has a general-purpose.

5. Bevel Cuts

A Miter saw can be tilted laterally, which makes cutting bevels easy, you can also use a table saw, but because the Miter head is designed to move from the side, it is easier to use when doing bevel cuts.

6. Portable

Miter saws are light, which makes it portable to move around from place to place, a table saw is heavy, making it less portable. Although it can be moved, it involves a lot more work.

7. Budget

Compared to a miter saw, a table saw is much more expensive, making a miter more cost-effective.

8. Powerful

A Table saw can do almost everything that a Miter saw can do; therefore, it is the more powerful one.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Similarities

• Saws: both these tools are saws, which is one of the main reasons why most people get confused between the tools.
• Work: both the tools are used to work on wood and other materials.
• Concept: A miter saw is similar to a table saw. They both use a rotating circular saw blade to cut wood.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Features

Features Of Miter Saw

• Precise and accurate.
• Affordable.
• Comes with an 8, 10, or 12-inch blade size.
• Blade guard: blade guard is a feature that allows the blade to come outside only when its In front of the material.
• Built-in lights: many miter saws come with built-in lights; this helps to work with the machine more accurately when the surroundings are dark.
• Adjustable rear fence.

Features Of Table Saw 

• On/off switch: this tool comes with an on and off switch, located at the front of the saw.
• Ability to cut long and thick wood.
• Powerful.
• Ability to add a padlock: this is an additional feature that some tools comes with add on padlock this is for safety purpose.
• Extensions.
• Blade tilt handwheel.
• Dust collection ports: working with table saws can cause a lot of mess, which is why most saws come with dust collection ports attached to a vacuum; this helps collect all the sand dust.

Table Saw Vs Miter Saw: Overview

Overview Of Table Saw

In simple words, a table saw is a flat table with a saw blade built in it, which is used to make different cuts. The saw blade helps to cut wood in a precise and accurate manner. There are different table saws with various features available; therefore, before investing in one, it is better to research the tool based on the work you need it for.

For example, if you are working with lightweight, manageable tasks, then the saw you should invest in is a bench-top saw, and for heavy- work, a tool more capable of doing that task should be invested in. A table saw is mobile; it comes with wheels, which allows us to move it from one place to another. Using this tool for woodwork can create a mess, which Is why most table saws have dust collection ports which can be connected to a vacuum. This allows you to collect all the dust easily and prevents a lot of mess.

A table saw can cut any length of a board because the wood is kept in the blade. One big advantage of a table saw is that accessories can be purchased and added to the saw, which increases its functions. For example, a miter gauge or a sled can be added to make efficient angled cuts, cross-cuts, and so on. A table saw has a rotating blade that is in a fixed position. When you work with it, you need to move the wood against the blade to cut it. For general purpose cutting a table saw is the best option; listed below are a few of its uses:

• They were cutting large boards.
• Cut through the wood.
• Cross-cut on a short piece.
• Remodeling.
• Carpentry.
• Build furniture.

These are the few tasks that can be done with a table saw. A table saw is a dangerous tool. Therefore, you must read and know how to use it before using it.

There are different kinds of table saws available like a portable table saw, bench-top table saw, compact table saw, Jobsite table saw, stationary table saw, etc  or something like Skilsaw SPT70WT.. These saws have features that make them different from each other.

Overview Of Miter Saw

Miter saws are designed for a specific purpose, and it has a fixed blade brought down on the workpiece to cut. The blade used is a rotating circular saw blade. Miter saws are used to make an accurate cross and angular cuts. The blade is swing mounted, which can be set to different angles. Because of this, the cuts made on this tool is precise. The material being worked on will remain on the table while the saw moves and make the cuts; many users buy t his tool because of their precision and ease of use.

The user of the tool has more control. This tool is lightweight and safe to use. This saw is very portable; it can easily move from one place to another. Miter saws come with an adjustable handle, which can be easily adjusted to choose the cutting angle. They are very flexible and capable of moving horizontally and vertically. There are two kinds of miter saw: Basic Miter saw and Compound Miter saw.

A basic miter saw can cut miter and cross-cuts easily, and they are lightweight and very affordable; they are suitable to make frames finish carpentry work and moldings; if you are a beginner, then this is the best option for you. A compound miter saw can do it all, straight cuts, cross-cuts, bevel cuts, and miter cuts. They can be heavy and expensive, which is why they are more suitable for professionals. There are two kinds of compound miter saw: single bevel and double bevel.

When To Use Miter Saw?

Miter saws are more of carpentry work, so if you are a carpenter or if your woodwork requires clean cuts, precise cuts, molding, trimming, cross cuts, angled cuts, flooring, bevel cuts, flooring, remodeling, etc. for these uses, you can use a miter saw.

A DIYer, a beginner can also use a miter saw since the learning curve is high; it is less dangerous and easy to use.

When To Use A Table Saw?

A table saw is a more powerful, most common woodworking tool, so for any general woodwork, to cut long pieces of wood, to cut at a specific width, ripping, cross-cutting, cut joints, kerfing, etc. are some of the work that a table saw can be used to do.

Since the table saw is powerful, it is hazardous to use, so you should take precautions when using this tool. When it comes to investing in saws, there are factors like price, capacity, weight, uses, functions, brand, etc., which affect the purchase of a tool.

Best Table Saw

1. DEWALT (DWE7491RS) 10-Inch Table Saw

Dewalt is the leading brand of industrial tools; getting a table saw from this company is a smart decision.

Features:

• 32-1/2 inch rip capacity.
• Rolling stand with fence adjustment features.
• Easily cuts through large shelves.
• 15 amp motor.
• 3-1/8 inch depth cut at 90degrees.
• 2-1/4 inch at 45 degrees.
• 2-inch dust collection.
• Stabile.
• Weighs 110pounds.
• The speed is 4800 RPM.
• A 10-inch 24-tooth blade.

2. Grizzly G0690 Cabinet Table Saw with Riving Knife, 10-Inch

Features:

• Powered by a triple belt drive.
• 291/2-inch is the maximum rip capacity.
• The speed is 4300 RPM.
• It weighs 462 pounds
• Blade tilt is 45 degree left
• Has a 4-inch dust port.
• Has a T-slot miter gauge.
• A durable powder-coated cabinet.
• Features a T-square type fence system.

3. SKILSAW SPT99T-01 8-1/4” Portable Worm Drive Table Saw

Features:

• This offers maximum torque for ripping applications.
• It weighs 58.9 pounds only.
• 25-inch rip capacity.
• Accurate cuts.
• It can adjust the fence smoothly and accurately.
• The blade size is 8-1/4 inches.
• The dept cut at 45 degrees is 1-7/8 inches.
• The dept cut at 90 degrees is 2-5/8 inches.

4. Bosch 4100-09 Table Saw

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Features:

• The voltage is 120v.
• Portable.
• Efficient.
• The ripping capacity can handle up to 25inches wide.
• It weighs 124.2 pounds.
• Includes tool storage.
• Arbor lock.
• Square lock rip fence.

Best Miter Saws

1. DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw,(DWS715)

Features:

• 15 AMP.
• Speed 4000rmp.
• Single compound miter.
• It weighs 42.77 pounds.
• Durable.
• Arbor size of 5/8 inches.
• It comes with a tall sliding fence.
• Features cross-cut capacity.
• Portable.

2. Metabo 12-Inch Dual Compound Miter Saw With Laser

Features:

• The voltage is 120v.
• It weighs 59.7 pounds.
• Electric powered.
• The miter scale ranges from 0-52 degrees.
• The bevel scale ranges from 0- 48 degrees.
• 15 amp motor.
• 1950 watts.
• Laser.

 3. DEWALT FLEXVOLT Double Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw

Features:

• The voltage is120v.
• Cordless.
• It weighs 55 pounds.
• Flexible.
• Tall sliding fence.
• Can cut boards up to 16-inches wide.

4. Ryobi 10inch Compound Miter Saw

Features:

• Speed 5000rmp.
• 10-inch blade.
• It weighs 26 pounds
• Portable.
• Electric brake stops.
• Miters 45 degrees left and right.

FAQs

Final Thoughts 

If you can afford both the tools, you should have both of them since one tool is used for a specific purpose, and the other is for a more general purpose.

If you could only pick one, then a table saw is the best choice because of its ability to add accessories. It can do everything that a miter saw does, but it is heavy, dangerous, expensive, and not easy to use.

Based on your budget experience and kind of work that you are doing, you can select which tool suits you best, making the right choice between them solely depends on the nature of use.