Sliding Mitre Saw
A mitre saw is an important hand tool in any workshop. The miter saw is an essential instrument that runs on electrical or mechanical power; a cutting tool that cuts with the help of a spinning circular blade. It is a small device that is portable, with blades of 8 to 12 inches in diameter. Generally, mitre saws come in three models, namely the basic mitre saw model, the compound mitre saw and the sliding compound mitre saw.
The compound mitre saw is the most expensive of the three models and is useful in making crown moldings and picture frames. 10 and 12-inch blades are used and its motor swings to the left and the right. The sliding compound mitre saw is similar to the compound miter saw but has a sliding feature like the radial arm saw. It enables to cut larger pieces of wood.
Factors to Consider when Purchasing your Sliding Mitre Saw
The main issue is the portability of the saw. The sliding mitre saw is heavier and bulkier, hence difficult to carry around. So if you plan to move the tool around, then this saw is not meant for you. The blades that can be used come in sizes of 8, 10 and 12 inches. The bigger the blade, the larger the cutting area. Preset stops set in the table enable you to cut at the precise angle. A retractable blade guard is an essential safety feature you must look for.
Blade Selection
Depending on the type of cutting you want to do, you can purchase different kinds of blades. Steel blades are perfect for soft wood but will dull quickly. High speed steel blades are harder than steel and will not dull as fast. The carbide tip blades stay sharp for a longer time and are much harder than steel. Dust bags to collect the sawdust are a useful feature that protects the user from inhaling any sawdust. Always buy a saw with an electric brake so that the blades stop spinning within a couple of seconds once the saw has stopped.
As with all other tools, buy a good quality sliding mitre saw, without going for cheap products which may end up costing you more in the long term.