How to use a Sliding Miter Saw?

Stuart Wellbert
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What is Better Standard or Sliding Miter Saw

One of the most common questions people ask is "What should I buy, a standard miter saw or a sliding one?" While many people prefer using a sliding miter saw because of the convenience it provides, it’s not always the best choice.

Is Sliding Miter Saw Better than Standard Miter Saw?

The sliding miter saw is quite versatile which is why so many people choose to use them. They are a wise choice for many woodworkers. If you’re going to be installing professional grade hardwood floors, a sliding miter saw will be a must have.

They’re also great for installing crown molding around bathrooms and other similarly sized and shaped rooms. The stationary miter saw will come in handy if you’re installing the hardwood in a smaller area. The sliding miter also works exceptionally well unlike a standard miter saw, if you need to make cuts from both sides of the blade. These devices are great for trimming tree branches and are also the best choice for several other wood working projects.

Standard Miter Saw is Better than Sliding Miter Saw?

How to Operate a Sliding Miter Saw?

A sliding miter saw is a valuable tool in a wood shop. These power tools come equipped with sliding extensions that move the blade further away from the table top. This feature allows you to work with long pieces of lumber. However, the size of the pieces may be too large to fit through your workshop doorway, and the sliding miter saw can make it a tight squeeze. If you are unable to move the sliding miter saw out of the workshop, it is possible to slide it on the table.

This allows you to slide the cut pieces beneath the blade and push them back out of the way.

Usually, the sliding miter saw sits on a wide table and is secured with a standard hex wrench, to allow you to change the direction of the sliding action.

If you are moving the sliding miter saw out of your workshop, you will need to know the weight of the tool and check to see if it can safely stand alone on the table.

To ensure the sliding miter saw is stable during operation, you may want to use a set of stacked pallets, or some type of weighing apparatus.

If you are going to stack pallets, start by placing one on the floor. Put the sliding miter saw on top of the pallets and secure it in place with the hex wrench.