Sliding Miter Saw - Make Accurate Cuts

A miter saw (also called as mitre saw and less commonly miter box) is a mechanical tool used for making accurate crosscuts and miters in a workpiece. There are two types of miter saws commonly found. These are manual miter saw and a motorized miter saw. The first miter saw ever made in the world was a manual miter saw. It is a saw having replaceable blades suspended on rollers in a metal guide which allows making of accurate crosscuts and miter cuts.
Compound Saw

These are more commonly used in picture framing, but have now been replaced by its power operated counterpart. The manual miter saw is also the sliding miter saw. The motorized miter saw which is operated on power is also called as chop saw or drop saw. It is a power operated tool that is used to make quick, accurate, crosscuts in a work piece. This power tool is commonly used in framing operations and cutting of molding.

Compound Saw

Most of these miter saws are portable with blade sizes ranging from eight to twelve inches. This saw works by pulling a circular saw blade down onto a work piece in a short controlled motion, the work piece being held against a fence. This fence provides an accurate cutting angle between the blade and the longest work piece edge. In a standard position this angle is fixed at 90 degrees. The primary feature that distinguishes this saw from others is its miter index that allows the angle of the blade to be altered relative to the fence.

Whereas most miter saws provide a facility to make a one degree incremental change to the miter index, many also provide stops that allow the miter index to be properly set to common angles of repose like 15 degrees, 30 degrees or 45 degrees. Some salient features of the sliding miter saws are as under:

- A compound feature allows the angle of the cutting blade to be altered relative to the cutting plane. This also allows the saw to be used for bevel cutting. A saw with a compound feature is called as compound miter saw or CMS.

- A slide allows the cutting blade to be moved several inches along the cutting plane, which in turn allows the cutting blade to make cuts which are longer than the diameter of the blade. A slide which combines the features of slide and compound miter saw is called as sliding compound miter saw or SCMS.

- A laser guide gives the exact indication of where the cut will be made in the work piece in the arrangement.

- A blade guard is a cover for the sharp teeth of the cutting blade. Most modern saws have a self retracting blade guard, which automatically retract when the blade is lowered onto a work piece and re-cover the blade when it is raised.

- A dust bag is directly connected to the saw, which helps to collect the sawdust directly away from the work piece when cutting.

Sliding Miter Saw - Make Accurate Cuts
Compound Saw

Special Price!!! Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp

Oct 19, 2011 02:47:45

Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp
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Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp

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Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp Feature

  • Powerful 15 amp motor, 3.3 max. tool -horsepower
  • Crown miting detents - 31.6-degree Miter and 33.9-degree Bevel detents for quick, accurate, crown cuts
  • Large 25-inch aluminum base with 3-1/4-inch sliding extension for 28-1/4-inch total length - Provides extra support
  • Speed-track sliding fence system - base and fence slide-independently
  • Tall 3-1/2-inch sliding fence - For easy bevel setups and-increased crown molding cutting capacities


Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp Overview

What the Bosch 12-inch compound miter saw may lack in popularity compared to some of its competitors, it makes up for in quality design and construction. The saw has a heavy-duty 26-inch steel table that extends to 29 inches, and a tall sliding fence for working with crown molding and other large stock. While this isn't the lightest 12-inch saw available, at only 43 pounds it's still plenty portable, and comes with a cushioned top handle for easy carrying to and from the truck. Considering how solid and stable this tool is, and the amount of metal making up the base and table, we were actually surprised to find that it weighs as little as it does. The 15 amp motor on this saw, in typical Bosch fashion, runs remarkably smooth and relatively quiet. The electric brake stops the blade quickly every time. The miter gauge on this saw is engraved, so if the paint wears off you won't lose the markings or need to replace the saw. This is a great feature, and the Bosch saw is one of only a couple of saws on the market that includes it. It also features nine miter detents that can be easily overridden for micro adjustments, and we had no problem getting the table to lock in tight at a half degree off the detent. The saw has a comfortable horizontal D-handle, with a nice wide trigger and a safety switch inset in the handle right where your thumb can reach it. This saw offers all the accuracy and cutting capacity of other 12 inchers in a design that's easy and comfortable to use. Best of all, it comes with the Bosch reputation for solid engineering and smooth performance. The saw comes with a quick-action clamp, a directional dust chute, a dust bag, a 40-tooth carbide blade, and wrenches for adjusting the fence and changing the blade. -- Brian Trinen

Choosing a Miter Saw
Miter saws are versatile tools that have become a mainstay of workshops everywhere. These powerful saws make angled cuts by pulling a circular blade down onto a workpiece with a short, controlled plunge. It might appear that miter saws are infinitely complex and varied, but there are only three general types. The type you choose will depend on your woodworking needs.

Basic Miter Saws
Basic miter saws are the least versatile off the three major variations, but they’re a great starting point for novice do-it-yourselfers. These models typically adjust for miter cuts only, so consider upgrading if you need to do more than that.

Compound Miter Saw
Compound miter saws are easier to use than basic miter saws because you can place your stock flat for cutting, and they adjust simultaneously for miter and bevel cuts. A compound miter saw is great for jobs that feature stock that's not very tall or wide, such as door and window trim or picture frames.

Sliding Compound Miter Saws
Sliding compound miter saws are the most versatile of the available models. They have a motor and blade assembly that's mounted on a moveable arm to accommodate longer, wider workpieces. For smaller pieces, the saw performs like an ordinary fixed-head model. On some models, the blade can only pivot in one direction, but on a dual sliding compound miter saw, the blade can tilt to the right or left.

Important Features at a Glance
Though models will vary by manufacturer and design, these are a few of the more commonly found features that you might want to keep in mind.

  • Electric brake: Reverses the flow of electricity when the saw's trigger is released. This is an important safety feature that slows the blade quickly in case of emergency.
  • Blade guard: Most miter saws have self-retracting guards that withdraw when the saw is lowered for use, and reappear when it is raised.
  • Laser guide: Gives a precise visual line where the cut will occur on your workpiece.
  • Dust bag: Helps collect sawdust for a clearer, more tidy cutting area.
  • Shaft lock: Immobilizes the shaft and blade for quicker, easier blade changes.
  • Table extensions: Mount on either side of the saw to help balance longer workpieces.

Miter Saw Blades
Miter saw blades come in a variety of different sizes, grades, and materials, but there are three main types: steel, high-speed steel, and carbide-tipped blades.