Table saws, circular saws, and miter saws are three of the most common power tools. They are all used to cut large materials into the sizes and shapes you need. If you are new to woodworking and your budget is limited, you will want to know which saw is best and what to invest in first.
Different saws have various features and you should choose the saw that best meets your needs based on them. Therefore, understanding their strengths and weaknesses is at the core of your section of the right saw.
This blog compares the three saws in five aspects: component & structure, function & versatility, workspace & portability, ease of use & safety consideration, and cost. You can determine which saw is the right one for your project with this article.
Differences Between Table Saw, Circular Saw and Miter Saw
Component & Structure
Table saw: It is the most stable of the three, with a flat table and a strong motor, standing on the floor with four legs. The iron table body provides solid support for the cutting work, the precise and straight rip fence ensures that the workpiece can get accurate width and straightness. Some table saws have a feature that lets you adjust the saw blade up and down, which enriches the diversity of the cutting.
Circular saw: The structure of the circular saw is much simpler, consisting of a handle, motor and shoe (baseplate). When cutting, you can use the baseplate to fit the surface of the workpiece as a guide datum. Then, hold the handle and move the saw to make a straight cut on the workpiece.
Miter saw: It has a table base, motor and downward handle. Some miter saws have a slide bar device for the handle. The table that can be adjusted to different angles is the core of the sawing, achieving the cutting work that needs to be angled splicing.
Function & Versatility
Table saw: It is a versatile cutting machine used to make cross cuts on wide boards and rip cuts on narrow boards with ease. Thanks to its wide table, it is able to cut almost all the sizes that we use in our daily woodworking. Its powerful motor makes it possible to change the saw blade to a thicker one for grooving.
Circular saw: Due to its simple construction, it is capable of simple cutting work. Because the circular saw is a hand-held tool, it can’t provide sufficient power, so it can only be able to mount a smaller saw blade and cut thinner workpieces. Circular saws can’t do much work at once, but their small size and light weight allow them to adapt to changing work environments.
Workspace & Portability
Table saw: The table saw is large and heavy to move, and it requires a large storage space. If you have an independent workshop with a large enough space, and you need to make larger wooden projects such as dining tables, cabinets and beds, a table saw will be your best choice.
Circular saw: It is more suitable for decorative woodworking and can be taken to different workspace. Strict space requirements are not necessary and it can meet the average family's daily carpentry work.
Miter saw: The miter saws are more specialized for angle cuts. If you want to make a cut on long materials, like door frames, you need a wide space to operate. There is no long table on a miter saw, you should use some auxiliary support tools to prevent the workpiece from hanging deformation.
Safety Consideration
Table saw: It may seem that table saws are for professionals and are dangerous for beginners, but this is not the case. Table saws have adequate protective devices, like the blade guard, splitter, and emergency switch to ensure your security during the operation process. The rip fence also eliminates the risk of beginners having a poor grasp of the material. Of course, it is essential to follow the instructions carefully to operate the saw safely.
Circular saw: It is the most difficult of the three with the greatest safety hazards. This is because you need to hold it by hand to make cuts. Some factors can easily cause potential dangers. For example, the blade might cut the wood the wrong way, and the blade might bounce back if you don't press down hard enough.
Miter saw: Miter saws are relatively safe. The blade exerts downward pressure, so you should clamp the workpiece tightly (especially for long and thin pieces of wood) to prevent splatter when cutting. The blade starts spinning slowly, so you need to wait 2-3 seconds for it to reach its maximum speed before you cut.
Read more: Ten Types of Clamps and Their Best Uses
Cost
The structure and materials of the table saws, circular saws and miter saws can be able to explain that their prices have a great gap.
- Table saws: Their prices range from one or two hundred dollars for home use to tens of thousands of dollars for industrial use.
- Circular saws: Due to their simple structure and function limitation, their prices can be as low as a few tens of dollars, and the cost of those with richer features is up to three or four hundred dollars.
- Miter saws: Their cost are determined by their level of accuracy, ranging from two or three hundred dollars for home use with less accuracy, to around one thousand dollars for industrial use with higher accuracy.
Which One is Better for You？
Table saw, circular saw and miter saw are three excellent cutting machine that help you do the work with high efficiency. However, no one of them can do all the work. When choosing a saw to invest in, firstly you should have a clear idea of the project you desire, and then choose the right one based on its features.
Table saws are bulky but versatile. They can make rip cuts, bevel cuts, cross cuts, and miter cuts, as well as kerfing, dado cuts, grooves, and rabbets. Circular saws are small and portable. They can make rip cuts, bevel cuts, and cross cuts. Miter saws are better for small workpieces and fine crafts. They can make cross cuts, precise miter cuts, and bevel cuts.
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