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Table Saw vs Circular Saw vs Miter Saw:Which Is Good For You?

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Using the right type of saw can make any job a lot easier.

On the other hand, if you choose poorly then it is going to make life a lot more difficult for you.

Therefore, it is important to understand which type of saw is perfect for each situation.

What Can a Table Saw Do?

A table saw is one of the most versatile woodworking tools around, as it can be used to carry out a wide range of jobs. For example, it is ideal for cross cuts, miter cuts, box joints, ripping boards, and more. It is easy to set it up for these jobs and you certainly don’t need to be an expert to get quality results every time.

Straight cuts and perfectly angled cuts are simple to make here. A table saw cuts quickly and accurately without any fuss. When you are planning on making furniture or cutting a lot of wood then this is a sensible choice of tool.

On the negative side, this is a big tool that isn’t exactly the most portable option. If you are short of space or plan to carry out jobs in different places, then this isn’t likely to be your best option.

Another issue to bear in mind is that table saws tend to be more expensive than smaller tools, and can also be extremely dangerous when used incorrectly.

There is no doubt that if you are planning to build up a big workshop then a table saw should be included in it at some point, although beginners might find it a somewhat intimidating tool at first.

What Can a Circular Saw Do?

Often called a Skilsaw or electric handsaw, a circular saw is a highly efficient woodworking tool that many people have at home. This is an inexpensive option that is also practical and pretty easy to use.

You can use this tool with differing sizes of blade for varying jobs. These saws are powerful enough to make light work of even tough, thick pieces of wood. The best models are easy to adjust and provide enough safety features to make you feel comfortable right away.

While circular saws are extremely portable, the cordless versions also have a habit of using up their batteries pretty quickly, which can be a hassle if you need to use one for big jobs away from home. Some people also find them more difficult to get a clean, neat finish.

Given the low cost and versatility of these machines, getting one is a smart move if you are planning on cutting a lot of wood. While it does some of the same jobs as a table saw (rip cuts, cross cuts), there are enough differences between the two tools for you to consider buying both.

You can also use the different blades available for cutting other materials, such as tiles, metal, and plastic. All of this adds to its versatility and should guarantee that you use it plenty. Anyone who carries out DIY jobs at home will need a circular saw sooner or later.

What Can a Miter Saw Do?

A miter saw is used to make highly precise cross cuts, bevel cuts, and miter cuts at whatever angle you have in mind. These tools are often known as chop saws or drop saws, because of the way that the blade comes down quickly in a chopping motion.

It is important to understand that with this device you can’t make long rip cuts. This tool is all about making highly precise cuts in a controlled manner. It is very safe and easy to use, with repeat cuts simple to carry out.

Miter saws are easily portable, due to their small size and relatively light weight. When in use, it remains fixed to a table while you take the wood to it. This drastically lowers the risk of injury but it is also true that you could end up with a lot of wood chips flying around when you use one.

The combination of stability and power offered by miter saws means that they are suitable for cutting through just about type of board.

If you want to product highly accurate cuts every single time then this tool will give you exactly what you need. Even if you are a complete beginner, this is a simple tool to get started with and staying safe should be easy.

Which One Should You Use?

As we have seen, each of these woodworking tools has its own list of advantages and disadvantages.

Below is a list of some of the main advantages offered by each of them.

  • The miter saw offers the highest levels of precision
  • The circular saw is highly portable
  • The table saw is extremely versatile
  • The miter saw is very safe to use, even for a first-time user
  • The circular saw is inexpensive to buy
  • The table saw works through big jobs very quickly

Your decision on which one to buy is perhaps made more difficult by the fact that each of these saws can carry out similar tasks. However, each also has some unique features and uses that set it apart.

Anyone who is planning on carrying out a lot of woodworking jobs in the feature will probably want to have all of these tools to hand for different occasions. In that case, your main question might be which one to start with.

The versatility and low cost of the circular saw makes this a smart option for getting going with, while the overall practicality of the table saw means that it could be an ideal starting point for a good workshop.

What about if you have a specific task in mind? We have seen that some types of cut can be made by any of these saws, while others need you to choose a specific model. If you can choose from more than one kind of saw then the best idea is to consider which one is likely to give you better value for money and more use in the long term.

The truth is that any one of these tools is a solid purchase for someone who plans to work with wood. If you end up with all three then no job will be too big or too small for you to handle.

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