The best slide miter saws will be rated for the amount of work that it can handle, and this is often measured in terms of its ripping capability. Rip speed is the ability to saw through materials that are not flat. Because wood comes in varying shapes, the actual cut angle can vary as well, and depending upon your needs, you might need a machine that has a larger or smaller blade. Some of the best miter saws have blades that are rated for the amount of ripping that can be done. There are also saws available that can be mounted on a stand.
With most miter saws, the blade is held in a fixed position in the chuck. To move the blade to different positions, there are tabs on the front of the unit that locks the blade into place. All saws come with a built-in safety guard that covers the blade from accidental contact with the surface. In addition, all saws should come with a blade conditioner, which works to reduce the amount of friction that is between the blade and the wood.
Most miter saws will have several standard features, but there are some optional ones that can help improve the performance of the machine. One feature that is available on almost all miter saws is an adjustable blade height. This allows the user to change the height of the blade at different times. While this may seem unnecessary, it can make cutting long and wide boards easier, especially when you are ripping boards that are much longer than your typical project.
Another feature that is common on miter saws is a crosscutting setting. This allows the user to cut across a surface without needing to flip the blade over. Depending upon your particular needs, having an adjustable crosscut setting is essential. With some miter saws, it may be necessary to use an extension ladder to get the blade to a proper angle when crosscutting; other saws will have a simple ring on the underside of the blade that will provide the necessary adjustment.
Miter saws generally come in one of two varieties: diamond or flat top. The difference between these two blades is the angle of the diamond. Diamonds generally have a slight curve while flat top miter saws curve in a straight direction. Miter saws with a diamond blade tend to be more expensive, but the upside is that they are more accurate and may be used for more complex projects. If accuracy is a major concern, it may be best to purchase a flat top miter saw.
When selecting a miter saw, it is important to take note of the angle of the blade at the point where the blade will contact the wood. The general recommended distance between the blade and the wood is two to six inches. When the blade is at least two inches from the wood, the blade will have a ninety degree angle when it is touching the wood, and the resulting cut will be a regular straight line. A miter saw with a ninety degree angle at the point where it touches the wood will result in a very irregular cut, sometimes resulting in sawing holes into the wood. Miter saws with a ninety degree angle are best suited for small jobs.
One of the most important features of the miter saw is the saw’s diamond angle. The angle of a diamond saw is usually adjusted in order to make the cut smooth and accurate. Diamond saws with a sixty degree tip are the most commonly purchased type of saws. These saws have an overall length of around twenty-five inches; however, they can also be purchased as home machines. Other styles of saws, such as a forty-six inch saw, tend to be more appropriate for professional jobs.
