Popular Woodworking 2000-11 № 118, страница 48

Make crosscuts, miters and bevels

with this powerful and accurate machine.

generation ago, most well-equipped woodworking shops had a radial arm saw to crosscut and miter lumber. These days, the miter saw has replaced the radial arm in most shops because it's less expensive, portable and more accurate.

In fact, the miter saw is capable of both rough work and finesse. You can crosscut rough stock before jointing and planing, trim studs to size, crosscut moulding or make picture frames with tight miters. There are three types of miter saws: • Standard miter saws. These saws basically combine the old wooden miter box and a circular saw. You can make crosscuts and miters anywhere between 45 degrees (or more) and 0 degrees to the left and right. These saws are available with a blade between 8¹/4" and 15" in diameter.

• Compound miter saws. For just a few dollars more, you get a saw that makes crosscuts and miters — plus the head bevels to 45 degrees or more to the left, right or in both directions. If you've ever cut crown moulding, you know how necessary this function is. These saws are available with a blade between 8^1/4" and 12" in diameter.

• Sliding compound miter saws. At the top of the line is this saw, which has the saw head mounted on a sliding carriage so you can crosscut and miter wide boards, up to 12" wide on many models. These saws are available with a blade between 7^1/2" and 12" in diameter.

For home woodworkers, we recommend either a 10" or 12" compound miter saw or a 10" sliding model. Some woodworkers use the standard miter saws with a 15"