There are a lot of different tools available, and it can be overwhelming (and expensive!) to acquire everything you need to complete a project. Because of this, it’s tempting to use the same tool for a variety of uses, even uses they weren’t necessarily intended for. One such temptation may be using a miter saw to cut metal.
A miter saw can cut metal, but doing so may cause more harm than good. Miter saws are for cutting wood, which is much softer than metal. Cutting metal with a miter saw can cause overheating, safety hazards, and an overworked motor.
The rest of this article will answer all your questions about miter saws, how to use them safely, and what to use them for. I’ll also offer some recommendations for my favorite miter saws available.
Can You Use a Miter Saw To Cut Metal?
You can use a miter saw to cut metal, but it is not advisable. Cutting metal can have undesirable side effects, such as too much heat, a lack of safety, and overworking the motor.
Miter saws are robust tools, and they can cut through many materials. However, just because they can doesn’t mean that they should.
So, while the saw can cut through metal, some side effects of doing so are undesirable and dangerous.
Cutting metal with a miter saw can cause a lot of extra heat, resulting in sparks. That is because miter saws work at a higher speed than chop saws, which are saws designed to cut through metal. Because of this extra speed, the blade and the material have more friction and, therefore, get hotter.
This extra heat can damage the material you’re cutting. You may have to do some repairs to fix this damage, which is an unnecessary hassle. This excess heat can also cause a lot of sparks, which is dangerous to the user.
Finally, the extra heat associated with cutting metal can overwork the motor in the miter saw, causing the saw to stall or stop working.
If you want to use a miter saw to cut metal, here are some tips for doing it as safely and effectively as possible:
- Ideal for cutting Plastic, Aluminum and Non-Ferrous Metals
- Construction grade carbide teeth provide maximum resistance for longer life
- Electrophoretic Coating reduces the rusting and corrosion
If you follow these tips, you should be able to cut metal with a miter saw. However, I do not recommend it. Miter saws are for wood, and other tools, such as chop saws, are more suitable for cutting metal.
What Should You Never Cut With a Miter Saw?
You should never cut stone, bricks, or tile with a miter saw, as doing so is dangerous and produces massive dust. You shouldn’t cut metal with a miter saw unless you have a proper blade.
Miter saws are designed to cut wood, so it is best to use them only to cut wood. However, sometimes you want to cut something else and don’t want to pay rent or buy a completely different tool.
As discussed above, you can use a miter saw to cut metal, but only if you are using a proper blade. Otherwise, you risk damaging your miter saw’s metal and motor.
Technically, you can cut stone, bricks, and tile with a miter saw, but this is dangerous and potentially damaging to your saw.
Related: 8 Things To Never Cut With A Miter Saw
For these materials, it is best to use a concrete saw. I recommend the Evolution R300DCT 12-inch Concrete Saw. This saw has a considerable cut depth of 4-½ inches (11.4 centimeters) and a powerful electric motor that can easily cut through these materials. It also comes with an adjustable blade guard.
- HUGE CUT CAPACITY - Cuts up to 4-1/2” (115mm) deep. That's more capacity than most leading petrol saws
- POWERFUL ELECTRIC MOTOR - 15A Electric Motor. No pull cords; no fuel & no servicing
- BLADE GUARD - Adjustable blade guard with one handed operation for easy vertical cutting
What’s The Difference Between A Miter Saw and a Chop Saw?
If you’re shopping for or researching miter saws, you’ve probably come across chop saws. While these are similar tools, there are essential differences between these saws. You’ll have to understand these differences to know when to use each saw and how to use them safely.
The difference between a miter saw, and a chop saw is the material that each one cuts best. Miter saws are ideal for making quick cuts to wood and can cut at angles. Chop saws are best for cutting metal and are much slower and more stationary than miter saws.
Both tools are for the crosscutting of materials, and they both use a back fence that holds the material as you cut it. They also both have a circular saw blade. However, this is where the similarities end.
Chop saws do not have blades that bevel or miter, and they are for cutting metal, not wood.
These saws also often include clamps to hold the metal down as you cut it. The blade can go up 15 inches (38.1 centimeters) in most cases. These saws’ abrasive blades typically have difficulty making precise cuts because they deflect during use. In addition, chop saws are much slower than miter saws.
On the other hand, miter saws make straight or beveled cuts and are used to cut wood. Blades for miter saws can go up to 12 inches (30.48 centimeters).
What Is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw is a stationary saw used for making crosscuts in a piece of wood. This kind of saw consists of a circular blade that you can position at different angles and then lower to cut.
This kind of saw has a stand that allows you to pivot the saw blade. This feature makes cutting pieces of wood at precise angles easy and perfect for creating joints.
Types of Miter Saws
There are four different types of miter saws:
Cuts That Miter Saws Can Make
These are the four basic cuts miter saws can make, depending on the type:
Miter saws are good tools for regular crosscuts because they are stable, durable, and can cut through most boards. It’s also easy to align the cut line, and some miter saws even come with a laser that displays exactly where the cut will be.
Miter Saw Benefits
Here are some of the advantages of using a miter saw:
The above reasons are some of the many benefits of having a miter saw in your woodworking shop.
The bottom line: If you want to get a woodworking job done quickly, efficiently, and well, then a miter saw is a great tool to use.
How To Use a Miter Saw
Miter saws are useful tools, but they are also incredibly powerful and can do some severe damage to the user if not used properly.
Before using your miter saw, you should read the owner’s manual thoroughly. This manual will instruct you on using the machine and teach you about the saw’s limitations. Having a complete understanding of these things is essential if you want to use the saw safely.
Here’s a very general guide on how to use a miter saw:
- Mark where you want to cut on the material.
- Place the material on the saw.
- Align the blade with the cutting mark.
- Adjust the miter saw angle.
- Start the saw and cut.
- Release the trigger and let the blade slow to a stop before you lift the saw.
Here are some tips for using a miter saw:
Safety Tips for Using a Miter Saw
Finally, your safety is of utmost importance when using a miter saw. Here are some safety precautions you should take:
A miter saw is an easy tool for DIYers to use with practice. As long as you follow the above safety precautions, you’ll be cutting wood quickly, smoothly, and safely.
Best Miter Saws Recommendations
There are many options for miter saws out there, so it can be challenging to know which one to get. Here are my recommendations for picking the best Miter Saws.
Related: All You Need To Know About Miter Saws
Dewalt 12-Inch Miter Saw
For an affordable miter saw, I recommend the Dewalt 12-inch Miter Saw. This reasonably priced saw is reliable and precise. The 15 amp motor is capable of up to 4,000 RPM, sufficient for most projects.
This miter saw also features a stainless steel miter detent plate and a miter lock that provides accuracy and durability while allowing quick and easy adjustments.
- Stainless-steel miter detent plate of 12-inch miter saw blade comes with 14 positive stops
- The mitre saw features the precise miter system and machined base fence support
- Tall sliding fence of DEWALT miter saw supports 5-1/2-inch base vertically
Metabo HPT Compound Miter Saw
The Metabo HPT Compound Miter Saw is an excellent option for this price point. I like this saw because it comes with a laser marker and an upfront bevel lock. It also bevels to the right and left, so if that’s something you’re looking for in a miter saw, you’re in luck.
The zero rear clearance slide system lets the saw move effortlessly and smoothly along fixed rails. Additionally, the upfront bevel lock allows for quick angle adjustments. With this saw, you can get a professional finish without paying a professional price.
- Metabo HPT C10FSHC 10" Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker, Zero Rear Clearance Slide System, Ergonomic Upfront Bevel Lock, Includes 10" 40T TCT Miter Saw Blade
Bosch CM10GD Compact Miter Saw
The Bosch CM10GD Compact Miter Saw has the Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide system, which allows for better alignment and broader crosscuts.
Additionally, the upfront metal bevel controls allow for quick and easy adjustments. The saw also comes with a dust collection chute and a vacuum adapter, so you may not need to invest in a dust extractor as long as you aren’t cutting materials that produce excessive dust.
I also like the crown chop lock, which locks the head into place for the best chop-cutting capacity. The ambidextrous trigger has a soft grip, so you can use the saw all day without experiencing too much discomfort. This saw is compact so that it won’t take up too much space in your workshop.
For those with a medium budget, this saw is a great choice.
- ACCURACY: The Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide System allows wider cross cuts and better alignment
- CONVENIENCE: Featuring large, upfront metal bevel controls and Square lock precision fences for precise, quick and easy adjustments. Complete with dust collection chute and vacuum adapter for easy...
- CONTROL: This miter saw provides accuracy and cutting control at all angles. Crown chop lock locks head in place for maximum chop cutting capacity for upright base moulding and nested crown. Depth...
Makita Sliding Miter Saw Kit
The Makita Sliding Miter Saw Kit comes with a saw with a brushless motor with 4,400 RPM for fast and smooth cutting. The auto-start system uses Bluetooth technology, so you can turn the power on and off wirelessly. The automatic speed technology adjusts the speed during the cut so the cut is as smooth and professional as possible.
This saw is also a cordless option, so you will not have to worry about a bulky cord getting in the way of your work.
The kit comes with the saw, two lithium-ion 5.0Ah batteries, an 18V lithium-ion dual-port charger, an auto-start wireless transmitter, and a vertical vise, so you’ll have everything you need to start using this top-quality saw right away.
- Powered by two LXT batteries; x2 LXT technology delivers more power, speed and run time without the hassles of a cord
- Makita built electronically controlled BL Brushless motor delivers 4, 400 RPM for faster and smoother cutting
- Auto-start wireless system (AWS) utilizes Bluetooth technology for Wireless Power-on/off communication between tool and optional dust extractor
Conclusion
Miter saws are powerful and practical tools for various projects, but you’re better off using them on wood only. They are capable of cutting through metal, but doing so is potentially dangerous and can cause damage to your project and the saw. Other tools, such as the chop saw, can cut through metal more safely and effectively than a miter saw.
