Mitre Saw Guide: Accurate Cuts Every Time

Mitre saws make accurate crosscuts and angle cuts fast and repeatable. They're essential for trim work, framing, and many other tasks.

Types of Mitre Saw

• Basic mitre saw: Pivots left and right for angle cuts
• Compound mitre saw: Also tilts for bevel cuts
• Sliding compound: Slides forward for wider cuts
• Double bevel: Tilts both directions

Blade Size

Common sizes and typical uses:

• 185mm (7-1/4"): Compact, portable, limited capacity
• 216mm (8-1/2"): Good balance of size and capacity
• 250mm (10"): General professional use
• 305mm (12"): Maximum capacity for wide boards

Key Features

What to look for:

• Positive stops: Common angles (45, 22.5) lock accurately
• Laser or shadow line: Shows cut position
• Dust collection: Keeps work area cleaner
• Fence design: Tall fences support crown moulding
• Blade brake: Stops blade quickly after cut

Cutting Capacity

Check capacity for your typical work:

• Crosscut width at 90 degrees
• Crosscut capacity at 45 degrees
• Maximum cutting height
• Crown moulding capacity

Blade Selection

Match blade to material:

• 60-80 tooth: Fine finish on trim work
• 40-60 tooth: General purpose cutting
• 24-40 tooth: Faster cuts in framing

Using a Mitre Saw Safely

• Let blade reach full speed before cutting
• Hold material firmly against fence
• Keep hands clear of blade path
• Let blade stop before raising
• Support long pieces both sides
• Wear eye and ear protection

Setup and Calibration

For accurate cuts:

• Check fence is square to blade
• Verify 0 and 45 degree detents
• Check bevel is square
• Use a precision square to verify

Corded vs Cordless

Cordless mitre saws from DeWalt and Makita offer impressive performance. For site work without power, they're invaluable. Workshop use with heavy cutting may still favour corded models.