The topic about left or right sided circular saws, http://forums.taunton.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=tp-breaktime&msg=106146.17, got me to wondering about miter saws and whether we really need one. Seems to me that a well tuned circular saw and a large square with accurate angle markings could do anything a miter saw can do, probably quicker and probably better.
Think about it. a simple speed square sets the miter and adjusting the saw sets the bevel. Your arm provides the slider. Why do I need a miter saw to do that? For larger lumber, a bigger square and/or a bigger saw.
Is there a miter saw on the market that will cut a 2×12 at 45 deg. without having to use a second saw to complete the cut? I know my 12″ Bosch scms won’t do it. Is there a miter saw that is truely rock solid? Every miter saw I’ve ever used has at least a little springiness to it. I even use that to my advantage when I need to take an extra 1/10 degree off a cut. A circular saw, however, rests directly on the wood. Zero play.
So, I ask, do we realy need miter saws if we can just learn to use the simpler tools? And wouldn’t it be faster and more accurate?
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Replies
Run some large crown molding down a rake and get back to me on that.
Or race me cutting 200 studs to the same length.
Each has it's place for sure.
I helped my boy buy a lot and we started building a house. I never used a Bigger miter box for cutting studs before, Only my worm drive, He set his up with a stop and i cut all his studs much much faster.
Years ago on some jobs we used RASaws but i was impressed to use a large miter saw.. So i learned something new but still came out ok when i corrected him on all his header sizes.
Okay, this is one of those posts I wish I hadn't posted. I don't know what the he!! I was thinking, or wasn't. I guess I just don't do enough big trim work to have realized how much can't be done without one.
I'm Eating Crow. Yum, Yum!--------------------------------------------------------
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LOL; Best laugh I've had today!
BruceT
Can't find the delete button fast enough sometimes huh.
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
just make a big wood miter box.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
I couldn't do without my mitre saw, on finish work anyway, but I don't ever bring a table saw to the jobsite - - -
My circ saw is a Makita (Japanese version), the reg blades for it are 52 tooth fine blades, they cut and rip beatifully. That and a rip guide will serve all my purposes. My table saw stays in my shop.
Scott
My table saw stays in my shop.
My li'l Delta table saw stays in the van most of the time.--------------------------------------------------------
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I like posts and conversations that challenge common assumptions.I thought that is what you might be trying to do for sake of discussion.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
I like posts and conversations that challenge common assumptions.
I thought that is what you might be trying to do for sake of discussion.
I was refering to doing away with the miter saw altogether - framing, trim, siding, the whole bit. I thought about it in my own little world of simple home repairs. Didn't take long to see what a dumb idea that was.
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Edited 6/25/2008 12:38 pm by Ted W.
It's not dumb, I have framed for years without a miter saw. Asked my boss for one, he laughed. On apts. I always brought me 10" craftsman that I was trying to break, so I could justify to DW that I needed on of them sliders. It finally broke, when I needed a miter saw. DW went and bought me another, a Ryobi of all things!(still didn't get a slider) Maybe I can break this one soon, I can only hope!
Don't eat all the crow yet. If you are talking about framing, then I agree. There is no need for a mitre saw on 99% of the framing jobs that Ive done. Nor do you need a speed square.Of course, everything depends on your systems and techniques. If you set up your game plan needing mitre boxes, table saws and tools of that nature, of course you'll need them. If you set up a game plan without them, then they won't be needed. In my travels, if a finish carpenter did a little side job on a frame, he needed chopsaws, mitre boxes and tables saws. If a framer did a little finish, he thought he could mitre everything with his power saw. I guess it's just the nature of the beast. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
Lot of sobering replies here, but as for the 300 studs the same length... wouldn't you gang cut those with a big circ. saw?--------------------------------------------------------
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I hope you are talking about framing only, right?
I hope you are talking about framing only, right?
Uhh... yeah, of course. You don't really think I'm that... well.. of course. Framing.
(I'm not tossing my scms just yet.)--------------------------------------------------------
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>>>>>>I hope you are talking about framing only, right?Uhh... yeah, of course. You don't really think I'm that... well.. of course. Framing. <<<<<<<That is the way that first post read.
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Yes we need miter saws. Faster - yeah in some cases. More accurate - I really can't imagine.
Ever try to miter a short piece of shoe with a circ saw?
Ever try to miter a short piece of shoe with a circ saw?
I'm eating my words. --------------------------------------------------------
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Can you put a clean 22.5 degree miter on the end of a piece of 1/2" quarter round or base cap with a circular saw in less than 2 seconds? How about shaving half a hair off the end of a piece of maple face frame, or trimming a volute?
If I were framing, I could get through the day without my slider, but for siding and trim, and almost all interior work, the slider sure comes in handy.
That would save an incredible amount of money.
What size of saw do i need to cut a 3 1/2"maple newel post?
Should I use some of the money I'm saving to buy wood filler?
"Perfect is the enemy of Good." Morrison
What size of saw do i need to cut a 3 1/2"maple newel post?
Should I use some of the money I'm saving to buy wood filler?
Makita Big Boy
Yes, lot's of filler. --------------------------------------------------------
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I recently tried cutting miters on some casing with my speed square and my circular saw.
I didn't work. I held it as tight as I could and it still wandered.
Got the miter saw out and first time it was right on.
Maybe if I glued some sand paper on the bottom of the speed square it wouldn't move. It was a slipery PVC board.
I have done what you say when in primitive locations with few tools. I can assure you that it is neither as fast nor as accurrate as a good mitre saw. If I lost all my tools, that would be one of the first I would replace.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
You don't need a miter saw because it's the only saw that will do the job, you need a miter saw because it's the fastest and most accurate saw to do the job.
Let's face it, our grandfathers and their grandfathers did most of the same work we do now but without power tools and they managed just fine. If you used only hand tools today you would probably go bankrupt..unless of course your an artist and can charge a big premium for all that extra labor.
Don't really have anything to add, just wanted to get in on the dogpile.
You can have my miter saw when you can pry it from my 7 dead fingers.
Don't get him riled up, he'll swing his plumb bob and put out your laser.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations
"We strive for conversion,we get lost in conversation, and wallow in consternation. "Me.
You got three live fingers !!??? :)Live by the sword, die by the sword....choose your sword wisely.
For now.
:0
Ted W.
I hate table saws, The quality accurate ones aren't portable and massively more expensive than a SCMS.
There are too many tasks which a SCMS can do fast, accurately, and safely compared to the same task on a table saw..
Table Saws do only one task well and efficiently they rip!
compound miter saws do cross cutting well.
Some of My timbers are cut at 54.4 degrees and I can set my saw in seconds to make that cut. Then If I take my angle finder I can check each cut and they are exactly at 54.4 degrees.
I can do that with a timber 18 feet long, try that on a table saw sled!