What Is the Difference Between a Sliding Miter Saw & a Standard One?

Miter Saws

• Miter saws have many uses, but the most notable is making angle cuts for installing molding. The precise, repeatable angle cuts allow the carpenter to cut opposing angles that match perfectly. All miter saws can make cuts at any angle ranging from 45 degrees left, through zero degrees, to 45-degrees right by rotating the table to the correct angle. On a compound miter saw, the blade tilts from zero to 45 degrees in addition to the table rotation. This allows complex cuts.

Standard Miter Saw

• A standard miter saw has a blade that can only move up and down on the arm to which it is attached. This limits the width of the board the saw is capable of cutting to a little less than the table width beneath the blade. Various models have different blade diameters, which also limits the cutting width. Standard sizes include 12 inch and 10 inch for plug-in models and 7 1/2 inch for battery powered saws. Battery-powered miter saws are only available as standard models. Standard miter saws require minimal front-to-back working room.

Sliding Miter Saw

• The sliding miter saw adds width to its cutting capability by making the blade arm movable. The work is positioned on the table, against the fence. The operator starts the blade, slides it out to the outer edge of the board, and lowers the blade into the board, then guides it back through the board toward the fence. As with standard miter saws, the table turns 90 degrees from 45 degrees left to 45 degrees right. Compound versions allow the blade to tilt up to 45 degrees in at least one direction. Sliding miter saws need more front-to-back working room than a standard miter saw.

How to Pick a Saw

• When the bulk of the work performed is on narrow moldings, the standard miter saw is the best option. They are accurate, don't require a lot of space and do the job quickly and neatly. A standard miter saw costs less than a sliding miter saw with the same features. If portability is a concern, battery models are available. Sliding miter saws make accurate cuts across wide boards and moldings. If you are planning on making many wide cross cuts, on angles or straight across, the sliding miter saw will do work quickly and accurately for a somewhat higher price.