Many DIY enthusiasts and carpenters might be confused between single and double bevel miter saws. The difference between a dual bevel miter saw and a compound miter saw might also be unclear.
All of these tools are great at speed and precision in making bevel cuts or miter.
So, how can you choose the one that you need?
In this post, you will find the difference between a single, dual, and compound miter saw. Moreover, we will help you determine which one is most suitable for your needs.
Quick Summary
You will find information on the following areas of topic in this post:
- What is a Miter Saw?
- Types of Cuts
- What is a Bevel Cut?
- Single vs Double Bevel Miter Saw
- Major Differences
- Dual Bevel Miter Saw – Pros and Cons
- When is a Double Bevel Miter Saw needed?
- Single Bevel Miter Saw – Pros and Cons
- Single Bevel vs Double Bevel Miter Saws
- Tips to Choose the Right Miter saw
- Conclusion
Let’s explore!
What is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw is a powerful woodworking electric tool and allows speedy and accurate cutting. It has a circular cutting blade fixed on an arm that tilts and pivots to provide the best angles for cutting.
Bevel is the ability of the saw to pivot in both the left and right directions. A miter saw that can pivot in a single direction only, usually, the left direction, is a single saw.
Miter saws are used to cut various building materials such as:
- PVC pipes
- Lumber
- Flooring
- Siding
Stationary miter saws cut downwards rather than horizontally. You have to bring the blade downwards to cut into the material vertically, hence the name stationary.
On the other hand, sliding miter saws cut pieces of material horizontally.
A miter saw is known by many names, including:
- Chop saws
- Chop box saws
- Miter box saws
Types of Cuts
A miter saw cuts in four ways.
CrossCut
These are the standard miter cuts at a 90-degree angle.
Miter Cut
These cuts are made at a 45-degree angle such as for picture frames.
Bevel Cut
These cuts are made at the edge of the material at a specific angle. For example, staircases may be cut in such a way.
Compound Cut
These cuts are a mixture of angled and bevel cuts.
What is a Bevel Cut?
Image Courtesy: Reddit
Bevel cuts made from a miter saw are a sloping edge used in stonemasonry or carpentry to join two pieces together at an angle to create a clean finish.
Bevel Capacity
A bevel capacity is a maximum angle that a miter saw can reach to create a cut. Usually, the saws are preset at a well-known angle and you can take these preset angles as guidance in the settings.
Learn more with our various RESOURCE GUIDES.
Single bevel miter saws can bevel in one direction and can make bevel cuts of 90 degrees only. The limits of this bevel saw make it perfect for beginners and hobbyists.
On the other hand, a double bevel miter saw, also known as a dual bevel miter saw, can bevel in both left and right directions. The double bevel is capable of making this pivoting motion.
The wider range of motion allows precise cuts and helps achieve different angles. This type of power tool can be most helpful for a professional’s workshop.
Major Differences
A single bevel miter saw differs from a dual bevel miter saw in the following ways:
- A dual bevel miter saw is a lot more expensive than a single bevel miter saw because it is a high-quality tool.
- A single bevel can make an angled cut whilst the double bevel can make cuts on both sides of the material without the need to turn the material around.
- A dual bevel is heavier as compared to a single bevel.
- A single bevel is more affordable than a dual bevel which is quite expensive.
- A single bevel is user-friendly while a double bevel might take some practice to get used to.
As mentioned earlier, a double bevel miter saw can pivot in right and left directions which allows it to make precise cuts on both sides of a board.
The pivoting movement allows you to select several different angles between 0 to 45-degree angles. Some saws might allow you to choose up to 60 degrees as well.
Dual movements will allow you to make identical cuts with identical angles on both sides of a material. This technique helps professionals save a lot of time around the workshop.
Pros of a Dual Bevel Miter Saw
The pros of a double bevel include:
- A dual bevel miter saves a lot of time thus allowing you to complete multiple projects in a short time. It is essentially great for crown molding projects or other trimming projects.
- The rotation of the head of the saw allows you to make cuts with more precision on both sides of the material which improves quality.
- It reduces the chances of human error and increases accuracy.
Cons of a Dual Bevel Miter Saw
The cons of a double bevel include:
- A double bevel miter saw is far more expensive than a single bevel miter saw.
- Since a double bevel miter saw has a variety of different capabilities, therefore, it is not easy to use. It is not recommended for beginner woodworking projects.
- Along with complex usage, the double bevel miter saw is very heavy which further complicates operations.
When is a Double Bevel Miter Saw needed?
Some projects require the greater capabilities of bevel miter saws to give more accurate and high-quality results. This is where double bevel miter saws are most appropriate.
Double bevel miter saws reduce human error and make bevel cuts with high precision. You do not need to go through the hassle of flipping the board and realigning angles.