Table Saw vs Miter Saw: Which one is best?
When it comes to picking the right tools for personal and professional projects, there are plenty of different things to take into consideration such as its ease of use, its portability, and whether it’s right for the job or not.
When you start debating between a table saw vs miter saw, you’re going to need to think about the blades that can be used, the size of the device, and what it’s most often used for. A table saw can be a phenomenal partner for large projects, as it boasts a robust design used for tackling large materials, whereas a miter saw is better for small projects such as cutting and installing baseboards around the home.In this guide, we will explore the differences between the two in an effort to help you buy the right equipment for your next project.
Direct Comparison
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Product 1: Table Saw
- Spec/Feature/Value #1: Body Design: Stationary
- Spec/Feature/Value #2: Included Accessories: Protection guard, saw blade, push stick, adjustment wrenches
- Spec/Feature/Value #3: Power Type: Electric (Corded)
- Spec/Feature/Value #4: Material Cutting Size: Up to eight feet
- Spec/Feature/Value #5: Quality of Cuts: Smooth and precise
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Product 2: Miter Saw
- Spec/Feature/Value #1: Body Design: Portable
- Spec/Feature/Value #2: Included Accessories: Saw blade, dust bag, vise assembly, bar wrench
- Spec/Feature/Value #3: Power Type: Electric (Corded or battery operated)
- Spec/Feature/Value #4: Material Cutting Size: Up to eight inches
- Spec/Feature/Value #5: Quality of Cuts: Smooth and precise
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Breaking it down
As mentioned, there are plenty of interesting things that you will find incorporated into both table and miter saws, but there are also striking differences that could make one tool better for certain projects. With that being said, as we break both of the items down, we’re going to look at three main things:
- Versatility: Who is the saw recommended for? Can it be used on several different projects? How large is the saw?
- Power: What type of materials can each saw work through? Is it powerful enough for at-home and professional jobs?
- Maintenance: What is required to keep the saw in working condition? Is one saw more difficult to maintain than another?
Versatility
The first feature we’re going to look at is whether the saws are versatile or not. As a tool that you might be using on a regular basis, it is important that it’s simple to use across a broad range of applications.
Miter Saw
One of the most interesting things about a miter saw is that it offers an exceptional level of versatility when it comes to transporting the machine from one jobsite to another. As it is not corded like a table saw, all you need to do is pack it in its carrying case and bring it wherever you need it.
With that being said, miter saws are designed with the everyday repair person in mind, meaning they are developed to tear through a variety of different smaller materials for household and small-scale projects.
Table Saw
As the master of versatility and innovation, a table saw is undoubtedly going to give you access to far more options than a miter saw, simply because it’s designed for any project in the world. These units are significantly larger, come with many more features, and are designed to blast through materials at varying thicknesses and lengths.
However, if you have little experience with a table saw, they can be dangerous to use. In addition, if you intend on using one around the home, you’re going to need a dedicated workshop to set it up.
Winner: Table Saw
It’s easy to see how the table saw is far more versatile than the miter saw. Although it has a large body, it also gives you the opportunity to work with more materials at varying thicknesses and sizes.
Power
The second feature we’ll delve into is power, as you’re going to want to make sure that you’re buying the right equipment to power through the job you’ve been assigned to.
Miter Saw
When it comes to power, miter saws surely perform well enough to work on smaller materials. With that being said, you’re not going to want to use one of these machines to cut through material that is eight inches thick, as you might burn the motor.
Miter saws offer the perfect amount of power for small projects around the house such as everyday woodwork, cutting baseboards, installing decking, etc.
Table Saw
On the other hand, a table saw is equipped with enough power to tackle industrial and home-based projects, though it might be a little excessive for DIY renovations and smaller projects.
A table saw gives you the ability to power through thick materials, particularly heavy pieces of wood, with little to no issues, which surely proves that it outperforms a miter saw any day.
Winner: Table Saw
With a body that was built to rip through some of the heaviest materials that you’d find on an industrial job site, the table saw is substantially more powerful than the miter saw.
Maintenance
Finally, the third feature we’ll explore is maintenance, as every handyman needs to know exactly how to take care of their machines and what type of cleaning is required to keep them in working order.
Miter Saw
As with any type of tool that you can get your hands on, you’re going to need to maintain your equipment in order to help it last a long period. With a miter saw, you should always watch for debris in and around the blade, as well as ensure that you clean off your working surface at the end of the day.
You will also want to find a safe and dry place to keep it stored so all of the small components remain intact in the event that it’s stored for long periods. Overall, the maintenance with a miter saw is far less intense than with a table saw.
Table Saw
Because table saws incorporate a vast array of different small and large components, as well as the fact that you will most likely be ripping through thicker materials on a regular basis, you’re going to need to maintain it regularly.
Without regular cleaning, ensuring the blades and the measuring components are tuned, and preventing the development of rust, your table saw will become unsafe to use. At this point, you’ll be spending more money on repairs than anything else.
Winner: Miter Saw
At the end of the day, because the miter saw works with smaller materials and is smaller in design, it’s far simpler to maintain.
Final Recount
Table Saw: 2/3Miter Saw: 1/3Based on the three different categories we compared a table saw vs miter saw, it’s easy to see that the table saw was the winner. With that being said, does it mean that the table saw will be better than the table saw overall? Let’s consider a few pros and cons to each so we can get a better idea of what the best cutting tool is for all projects.
Winner: Table Saw
Pros and Cons of Each
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CONS |
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Miter Saw |
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Table Saw |
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Final Verdict
At the end of the day, it’s difficult to put a pin on exactly who the winner is, as both saws are recommended for very different purposes. When it comes to a miter saw, you’re going to only want to use it on small household projects and it’s a great piece of equipment for beginners to use on thin and lightweight materials, such as pieces of baseboard.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, a table saw can be your best partner when it comes to large-scale projects, such as industrial ones. They can rip through a wide variety of materials, offer the utmost amount of versatility when cutting, but they are also large, difficult to transport, and designed to be heavy duty.If you know what type of project your getting into, consider the pros and cons of both a table saw vs miter saw in order to make the right choice.