What’s the Best Mitre Saw for High Precision Cuts?

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Asked By WoodWarrior92 On

I'm getting more serious about my carpentry and need a mitre saw that can consistently give me accurate cuts. Right now, I'm using a budget Ryobi sliding compound mitre saw, and I'm struggling to get the same cut right every time – it varies between 0.1 and 3 degrees, which isn't cutting it for my projects. I suspect it's due to the blade moving a bit, and while this saw works fine for casual tasks, it doesn't cut it for precision work. So, I have three questions: 1. Would investing in a higher quality saw resolve this issue? 2. Are sliding mitre saws not suitable for high accuracy? Should I stick with fixed mitre saws? 3. What saw do you recommend for achieving extremely precise cuts? This new saw will be installed into a custom workbench and won't be moved around, while my old one will be for less accuracy-focused jobs like framing and decking. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

5 Answers

Answered By CuttingEdgeExpert On

Sounds like you might want to double-check how you're securing your saw too. I often see issues with cheaper saws stem from looseness in the setup or not using the twist lock properly, which can lead to inconsistencies in cuts.

Answered By DIYDoctor89 On

How long have you had that saw? I experienced a similar issue and found that a worn bearing in the motor shaft was causing my inaccuracies. Replacing that part only cost me around $13, and my saw works great now!

WoodWarrior92 -

It’s about five years old, but I’ve really put it through the wringer. I can’t wobble the blade much, but the arm does flex a bit when it's fully extended.

Answered By BladeMaster4Life On

Make sure you're using a good quality blade! The ones that come with lower-end saws aren't always the best for accurate cuts. I’ve had great results with my sliding Bosch saw, provided I use a good blade. It made all the difference in achieving those precise measurements.

WoodWarrior92 -

Yeah, I did upgrade to a quality blade, and it helped, but I’m aiming for a 0.1 tolerance ideally.

Answered By PrecisionPursuit1 On

Upgrading to a better saw can help, but it’s worth noting that mitre saws may not always achieve the exact precision you’re after. A lot comes down to how you handle the saw too. If you do go for a higher-end model, keep in mind that even top-notch brands might still have a slight variance that's within their tolerances. Also, because they're sliding saws, they can introduce more wiggle into your cuts compared to fixed models. For very precise miters, consider using a well-calibrated table saw or a radial arm saw instead, as they tend to provide more stability for those tricky angles.

SawdustSlinger42 -

Thanks. A table saw is definitely on my radar, just haven't gotten around to it yet.

Answered By CraftyCarpenter21 On

Honestly, I’d suggest looking into a quality table saw with a high-grade miter gauge, like the Incra 1000SE, rather than focusing solely on mitre saws. Make sure that your saw blade is set precisely at 90 degrees and parallel to the miter slot for optimal accuracy. My own mitre saw is a Dewalt DW780, and I mostly reserve it for rough cuts now, preferring my table saw for anything that needs to be spot on – it really is the heart of my workshop.

WoodWarrior92 -

Thanks for the insight!

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