To discuss the differences between a table saw, and a miter saw, this article starts with a table saw.
Things You Should Know About A Table Saw
Table saw is the best and most versatile power saw. It can be used for a lot of cuttings. Whether it is simple cuts, making miters, making crosscuts, or even ripping boards.
The major advantage it has over a miter saw is that it can handle many cuts that a miter saw can do, and it can do much more. So, it is a must-have in a woodwork workshop.
A table saw will help you out for cutting large boards for cabinets/furniture, trimming lumber pieces, or remodeling.
Its major disadvantage is its cost. Most table saws cost over $1,500. If you are not going to carry out serious projects, you won’t need to cough out such a large sum of money on a power saw.
Pros Of A Table Saw
1. Table saws are versatile
Table saws are highly productive and versatile. With a table saw, you can make all kinds of cuts. A table saw can make crosscuts, rabbet, dado, and many more. There are some cuts you can’t make with a miter saw.
2. They are the best for larger material
When you have large boards and other materials to cut, your best bet is a table saw. Since you take the materials to a table saw, you can cut any material with it as long as you have enough room in your workshop.
3. Table saws are more powerful than miter saws
By virtue of how powerful they are, table saws can quickly cut through any material and with so much ease. You won’t need to apply any physical force. You only need to position the material properly.
Cons Of Table Saws
1. They are dangerous
Even though the most recent table saws come with many safety features, they are still very dangerous. They are more dangerous than miter saws because their blades are exposed. One little mistake in the use of a table saw can lead to serious injuries.
2. They are expensive
As mentioned above, a table saw costs much more than $1,500, making them very expensive. You should be sure that a miter saw cannot handle your cuts before purchasing a table saw.
3. They take a lot of space
They are usually big, and they will take a lot of your workshop space. That is why you can’t move them around. You can’t use your table saw anywhere else apart from your workshop.
4. Things you should know about a miter saw
A miter saw cannot handle all the cuts that a table saw can handle, but it has a huge advantage over all table saws. Have you heard of angled cuts? Some projects require making cuts at different angles.
A table saw may not help much here. A miter saw is the best for such cuts. It is a machine with a blade mounted on it, and so you can bevel it or tilt it to the right or to the left to the required degree.
Picture frames, door frames, and crown molding are some of the projects that require blade tilting, and it is best done with a miter saw. While miter saws can also make crosscuts, they can’t cut rips like table saws.
Although there are several types of miter saws, they can all do the same thing. They are suited for the compound, bevel, and miter cuts. In short, a miter saw is suited for precise wood and mold cuts and for complicated designs.
Pros of miter saws
1. Accuracy
Miter saws provide a high level of accuracy in the cuts. So, when it comes to cuts that require high accuracy and precision, a miter saw will be your best bet. In fact, it is better than a table saw in these situations.
2. They are great for miter and bevel cuts
A table saw blade can only move up and down to vary the depth of cuts. It can’t tilt or bevel to the right or left. It is only a miter saw that can do just that. In fact, a miter saw is the best for bevel and miter cuts.
3. They astonish with angled cuts
By virtue of being able to tilt and bevel a miter saw, you can use it to make angled cuts easily. Whether it is 30 degrees, 45 degrees, 90-degree angle cuts, a miter saw will deliver it, but a table saw can only do a 45-degree cut. If you are making many angled cuts, then a miter saw may be indispensable to you.
5. They are safer
A miter saw is not as dangerous as a table saw because it comes with an automatic brake that stops the machine fast. Also, miter saws hardly kick materials back. So, if you are concerned with safety, you may go for a miter saw.
Cons Of Miter Saws
1. Unsuitable for rip cuts
While a miter saw can make a variety of cuts, rip cuts are not one of them. It can only make cross cuts across the width of a board. You need a table saw for that.
2. They can’t cut large stock
The design of the blade of the miter saw makes it impossible for the machine to cut through plywood and other large materials.
Final Verdict
After reading through miter saw vs. table saw, it should be clear to you that both of them have their pros and cons. So, if you are a professional woodworker or aspire to be one, it is necessary to have both of them. But if you can’t afford both, you may purchase a table saw first.