As any woodworker will tell you, if you need to cut angles, you need a miter saw. Different kinds of miter saws are good for performing different kinds of functions, and likewise, some miter saws are ideal for beginners while others are designed with the pros in mind. This miter saw guide will help you find the right one for you.
Compound Miter Saws - Straight Angles
Compound miter saws are for making straight cuts and horizontal angles, however, thanks to the tilt in the saw, many users also put them to work cutting bevels into wood. This is the different between a compound miter saw and a basic miter saw. The basic saw has no tilt and so no ability to cut the beveled edges. An added bonus is that they are easy to use, so even a novice woodworker can use on, especially when using a miter saw stand.
Beyond the basic compound saw is the dual power compound saw. These saws, which are also sometimes called double power bevel saws, cut straight and horizontal angles, much like a compound miter saw. However, these saws are even lighter and easier to tilt so it is easier to cut bevels with more control and accuracy with one of these saws in your workshop.
On the other hand, sliding compound miter saws are not about bevels at all. Instead, these saws are for cutting up large quantities of wood, because they can be easily slid along the surface.
The king of the compound saws is the dual compound sliding saw. Tilting, sliding, beveling, these saws do it all, but they come with a price tag to match. These saws are for generally for professional use.
Radial Arm Saw
These versatile saws are a must have bench saw for any woodworking shop. You can do straight cutting and miter cutting with them, although with somewhat less accuracy, so they are a good saw for when you are getting started.
Panel saws on the other hand are the saw of choice of large scale lumber yard operations. Panel saws can dice up a piece of lumber in no time (hence the name - cutting wood panels), making them ideal for churning out large projects. Panel saws don't really have a place in home use, however. Panel saws are for lumber related businesses and building contractors, and home users have no need to shell out the big expense on a large panel saw.
