A miter saw comes in handy for various works related to cutting, trimming and molding. It comes in two different varieties- the sliding miter saw and the non-sliding miter saw.
See Also:
As evident from the names, sliding miter saw or the non-stationary miter saw is the one that allows you to move the blade forward and backward and the non-sliding miter saw, also known as the stationary miter saw, is the one which does not have such a provision.
More...
General Overview: Sliding Miter Saw vs Non-Sliding Miter Saw
Both sliding and non-sliding miter saws are efficient and quality cutting tools. The sliding miter saw vs non-sliding miter saw debate is based on a few factors as explained below-
Cutting Length:
The fact that a sliding miter saw can be moved forward and backward enables you to cut wider boards using it. The area of the wood that you can cut will also depend on the dimensions of the saw used.
Just to give you a general idea, a sliding miter saw can cut more than half an inch of cut than a non-sliding one of its measurement can do for every one inch of the saw length. It might apparently seem to you that this difference is negligible and does not really matter.
However, those who have been into woodworks will understand how irritating it feels when you have to use your saw for a little bit of length that remains at the end, after finishing the major part of the cutting work.
Cutting Arc:
In terms of the cutting arc, it is the non-sliding miter saw that would win. It is possible due to the pivot angle arms that they have and that makes them the ideal one for giving bevel cuts.
It is not limited by sliding rails unlike the sliding miter saw and can thus give large cutting arcs.
Materials:
The materials that are cut using the miter saw are also of prime importance in deciding the type of saw that you should select.
In this case, the sliding miter saws are found to show some rigorous work and are able to cut wood, lumbar and other such thicker materials at ease. The non-sliding miter saws have more sophisticated application and are used for fencing materials and other related materials.
Storage Space and Portability:
The next factor that you should consider in this respect in this respect is storage space. The sliding miter saw is known to occupy much larger space as compared to its non-sliding counterpart.
It may thus be difficult for you to find enough space for it in the workshop or wherever you intend to work using it. Also, you will not be able to sit comfortably and use the saw.
Instead, you will have to find a place that is spacious enough to sit and work using the saw.Carrying it is itself a difficult task. It is much better to buy a non-sliding miter saw if you are okay with the range of cuts and want to go for the one that will be convenient with respect to storage as well as portability.
It is not always necessary that you will get the right work environment that you are looking for and will be able to utilize space as you want to. And it will also not be a wise decision to move to your backyard or garage every time you need to operate your sliding miter saw.
In short, the non-sliding miter saw will be a more hassle-free option as compared to the sliding miter saw.To understand the difference between these two types of saws more clearly, you may refer to ?here?.
Top Picks in Sliding Miter Saw
Before you make the final decision, you need to know more about the models of these saws.
The saws should not be compared on the basis of only one parameter but all the parameters like price, varieties and other such options should be considered.
If you have made up your mind to use a sliding miter saw for your operations and are looking for choices in this category, here are a few details about the leading sliding miter saw models of the time that might prove helpful to you:
Dewalt DWS709 Slide Compound Miter Saw
Some of the characteristic features of this masterpiece from Dewalt include:
- It comes with a 15 Amp, 3800rpm motor.
- It is comparatively light-weight and hence easier to carry as compared to the other saws of its category.
- The bevel scale is oversized and helps in measuring across larger scales.
- The tall sliding fences help in crown molding.
Makita LS1016L 10-Inch Dual Slide Compound Miter Saw with Laser
Makita, one of the leading tool manufacturers has its prime sliding miter saw with the following features:
- It has a compact yet rigid design.
- It has the largest crown molding capacity among the others of its class.
- Direct drive gearbox and gearbox systems are among the other additional features.
Dewalt DWS780 12-inch Double Bevel Compound Miter Saw
- It comes with a handle for extra portability.
- Another great feature to look for is an integrated XPS cross-cut positioning system.
Top Picks in Non-Sliding Miter Saws
Next, we move on to the different non-sliding miter saw models that one can choose from:
DeWalt Miter Saw Z.C.I. Fits 10" & 12" Non-Sliding Saws
Dewalt is the manufacturer of not only some of the greatest sliding miter saw models but also a few non-sliding ones. The outstanding features of DeWalt Miter Saw Z.C.I. Fits 10" & 12" Non-Sliding Saws are:
- The high throat opening can be used for chipping, kickback and tearing out wood.
- There are two inserts in provided with the package for zero clearance.
- It is easy to install and easy to work with.
Hitachi C10FCE2 15-Amp 10-inch Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
This compound saw, though of non-sliding type, comes with a number of attractive features like:
- It is the ideal saw for the tougher cutting saws as it provides you more power than many others of its type.
- It is a unique combination of comfort and control.
- It makes vertical molding possible thanks to the extended flip fence.
TruePower 919 High-Speed Mini Miter/Cut-Off Saw, 2-Inch
This non-sliding mini miter saw from TruePower is versatile and can cut a variety of materials like steel, wood, and brass with efficiency. Some of its greatest features are:
- It is capable of giving smooth, precise cuts.
- It helps in a faster operation with 7800 rpm.
- It comes at a reasonable price.
So these are some of the best sliding and non-sliding miter saws from which you can choose for your woodworks.
BOTTOMLINE
So this was all about the sliding miter saws vs non-sliding miter saws. As you must have understood by now, the sliding saws will help you to cut larger lengths or areas of the material concerned at one go while the advantage of the non-sliding ones lies in their portability.
So, if you are looking for a saw that would be able to give larger cuts at a faster rate, you should go for the sliding miter saws.
On the other hand, if you do not have enough space to work accommodate them, it is better to choose the non-sliding ones instead as it will be easier to keep them and carry them to wherever you require.
So select the right category of miter saws, choose your model and get started!
David H.
Very nice list.
I am curious, did you consider the Festool Kapex KS 120?
It remains my favourite miter saw.