I occasionally need to cut miters and bevels, mostly at 45 degrees for shoe molding, though sometimes I have to tackle weird angles for other projects. Currently, I have a handsaw, router, and jigsaw, but my attempts at beveling with the jigsaw didn't turn out well. Since I need to make a couple of 45-degree cuts soon, I'm considering purchasing a new tool. I know a table saw can handle both bevels and miters, and a miter saw is great for miters, but I don't have much storage space and would have to do my work outside due to not having a shop or garage. Should I look into a circular saw that can convert to a track saw for use on sawhorses and plywood, or would a miter box and handsaw suffice for my occasional needs? Or maybe I should consider a portable table saw or miter saw?
3 Answers
Honestly, you can get pretty far with just a carpenter's square, circular saw, and drill. A handsaw with a miter box could work for cutting bevels and miters. Just keep in mind, for odd angles, you might want to explore how a circular saw does it up front—it can be somewhat challenging without the right setup. But a solid circular saw might just do the trick!
If you're considering options, a table saw can tackle both your miter and bevel cuts well. Look for a job site saw with a rolling base to make it easier to store and roll out for use in the yard. They’re more versatile than you might think!
You might want to think about renting a table or miter saw for the project. It’s a cost-effective way to get the job done without having to deal with storage afterward. Plus, it could save you from investing in a tool you don’t use often.
True! If you plan on doing more projects in the future, a jobsite saw could pay off quickly by skipping rentals.
Thanks for the tip! My concern is that I might hit a weird angle that a miter box can’t handle. I’ve also seen some tricky tutorials on using a circular saw for miters. Do you think I should go larger with the saw?