(design engineering) A hollow-ground saw in diameters from 6 to 16 inches (15.24 to 40.64 centimeters), used for cutting off and mitering on light stock such as moldings and cabinet work.
Miter saw
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(′mīd·ər ′sö)
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A miter saw (also called mitre saw and less frequently a miter box) is a tool used to make accurate crosscuts and miters in a workpiece.
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Manual miter saw
The first miter saw ever made was the manual miter saw. It is a saw with replaceable blades suspended on rollers in a metal guide that allows making accurate crosscuts and miter cuts. They are used in picture framing but have largely been displaced by the power tool in carpentry and joinery operations.
Motorized miter saw
A motorized miter saw (also called a chop saw or drop saw) is a power tool used to make a quick, accurate crosscut in a workpiece. Common uses include framing operations and the cutting of molding. Most miter saws are relatively small and portable, with common blade sizes ranging from eight to 12 inches.
The miter saw makes cuts by pulling a spinning circular saw blade down onto a workpiece in a short, controlled motion. The workpiece is typically held against a fence, which provides a precise cutting angle between the blade and the longest workpiece edge. In standard position, this angle is fixed at 90°.
A primary distinguishing feature of the miter saw is the miter index that allows the angle of the blade to be changed relative to the fence. While most miter saws enable precise one-degree incremental changes to the miter index, many also provide "stops" that allow the miter index to be quickly set to common angles (such as 15°, 30°, or 45°).
Features
Some features that differ across various models of miter saws include:
- A compound feature allows the angle of the cutting blade to be changed relative to the horizontal plane. This allows the saw to be used for bevel cutting. Some compound features allow the angle to be set between 0° and 50°, but they have generally been replaced by the more useful "double-bevel" which allows the angle to be set between -50° and 50°. A saw with a compound feature is known as a compound miter saw or CMS.
- A slide allows the cutting blade to be moved several inches along the cutting plane during the cut. This enables the saw to make cuts that are longer than the diameter of the blade. A saw which combines the sliding and compound features is known as a sliding compound miter saw or SCMS.
- A laser guide provides a precise visual indication of where the cut will be positioned on the workpiece in the current configuration. Some models provide a single reference line for one side of the kerf, while others provide two lines to reflect the total kerf width.
- A blade guard is a cover for the teeth of the cutting blade. Most modern miter saws have self-retracting blade guards, which automatically retract when the saw is lowered onto a workpiece and re-cover the blade when the saw is raised. It is very dangerous to use the saw if these guards are removed or damaged.
- A dust bag connects directly to the saw, and helps to collect sawdust away from the workpiece during cutting. Optionally, many manufacturers sell adapters to connect a shop-vac in lieu of a bag to capture more of the dust and simplify disposal. Dust removal with these saws is notoriously poor.
- A safety clamp helps to lock a workpiece into position prior to making a cut. This is an especially important feature when cutting smaller workpieces (eight inches or smaller).
See also
External links
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