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When you are purchasing a new miter saw there are a lot of decisions that you will have to make. One of the first decisions is based upon what size you want the saw to be? Then you have to determine if the saw is a sliding or nonsliding saw.
Lastly, you need to determine if you want a single or a double bevel miter saw. Of course, if you are like everyone else, you are probably wanting to find the best tool while spending the least amount of money. The thing that you should consider is what type of work you will be doing with your new miter saw.
Once you have this information, you can start shopping and then you will be able to make the best choice for your money. Now, you can look at both the single bevel and the double bevel miter saw and see how they stack up to one another.
Main Differences Between Single Bevel vs Double Bevel Miter Saw
The Main Differences Between Single Bevel vs Double Bevel Miter Saw are:
Single Bevel is able to make cuts at an angle, whereas Double Bevel Miter Saw can cut both sides of the board without having to move the board around.
Single Bevel is easier to move around, whereas Double Bevel Miter Saw is heavier.
Single Bevel is more affordable, whereas Double Bevel Miter Saw is a very precise and high-quality tool.
Single Bevel is very simple and easy to use, whereas Double Bevel Miter Saw is a great tool for professionals.
Keep reading to learn more about each of these saws, find some helpful hints and tips to help you in your decision-making process, and see some of our top picks for these saws.
What Does Bevel Mean?
There are four different ways in which a miter saw can cut. These include miter cut, bevel cut, crosscut, and compound cut. You should know a few things about each of these cuts. The miter cut, also known as the angle cut and cuts across the board at an angle, typically the miter angle is 45 degrees. Read our full guide if you’re not sure what you need here.
These are the cuts that you would see in the corner of the picture frame. A bevel cut is where you have a cut that goes at an angle through the thickness of the board. This is the type of cut that you see with a doorstop. The crosscut is a 90-degree cut that is straight up and down. The compound cut is a cut that does the miter angle and the bevel cut together.
Single Bevel Miter Saw
The single bevel miter saw is only capable of beveling in one direction. In most cases a single bevel saw will pivot to your left when you are facing the machine. It will not go past the 90 degrees vertical. In order to be able to cut in the opposite direction, you are going to have to physically move the board to the other side so that you can cut in the same direction.
What kind of Jobs is a Single Bevel Saw Good for?
A single bevel saw is a great tool for making a wide variety of different angular cuts. It is easy to move around because it is very lightweight. It can easily be taken to and from job sites and used around your home. In addition, it really offers you the chance to get anything done that you need to, but when you want to get the other side, you are forced to flip the board over.
Keep in mind when you are flipping a board over that you have to have it in the exact same placement as it was on the other side of the cuts are not going to work or line up. If you are going to be doing simple projects like trim, frames, or molding, then the single bevel saw is a great choice for you.
Pros
Very affordable and one of the most affordable miters saw
Lightweight and easy to move around or travel to jobs with.
Simple and easy to use, never feel overwhelmed or overcomplicated again.
Portable option for those who need to take their saw to different locations.
Cons
Takes more time to be able to do work.
When you are working, you have to rotate or turn the materials you are working on.
This saw does not work well on longer pieces of wood.
Top Single Bevel Miter Saw Choices
These are the top single bevel miter saw choices that will offer you the most.
Extended power and durability with the 15 amp motor that features 4000 rpm.
Matched base fence support to the precise miter system that is going to optimize cutting accuracy.
Stainless steel miter detent plate that is adjustable and has eleven positive stops that will improve productivity and ensure accurate cutting.
Sliding fences that are tall and support up to 5 ¼ inches nested and base crown molding that is up to 6 ½ inch vertically against the sliding fences. The saw easily slides out of the way for bevel cuts.
To the left bevels, 0 degrees to 48 degrees and miters to the left 0 degrees to 50 degrees to provide for greater versatility.
To the right bevels 0 degrees to 3 degrees for increased cutting capacity and 0 degrees to 50 degrees to the right miter for greater versatility.
The DW 715 DeWalt Miter 15 amp 12-inch single bevel compound miter saw is a really great saw on a budget. You can find them at a price point that is easy to afford and get right to work. They are easy to take out of the box and start cutting with as they require very little focus.
The DW 715 DeWalt Miter saw is the best that you can get for the least investment, but you should note that it also has the least number of features and it certainly does not have any of the perks, bells, or whistles that the more expensive models have. That being said, it is a really great model for anyone who is looking to invest in a nice single bevel miter saw.
If you are on a limited budget, a great miter saw for the money is the Dewalt DW715. This highly impressive tool is not only the most economical on this list but it's also one of the best miter saws on the market.
15 amp motor that features a 5500 rpm speed and is powerful.
Miter range features positive left stops at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 31.6 degrees, and 45 degrees and has positive right stops at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 31.6 degrees, 45 degrees, and 50 degrees.
Single bevel to the left up to 45 degrees.
To help aid quick and accurate cuts, the saw features an exact line laser.
Cutting capacity features 12 inches at 0 degrees and seven ¼ inches at 45 degrees.
Dust collection is very impressive and helps keep your workspace clean.
Ryobi is quickly becoming a trusted brand for consumer or home-based products. If you are looking for a miter saw for your house, this is a great choice. It is not a product that is intended for industrial or commercial use. This saw is affordable but is missing some of the features that you might appreciate that can be found on higher priced miter saws.
One of the first things that you might notice is that the saw does not have the same range as some of the more expensive types of saws. That being said, it is still a really nice saw for the money and a great value for those who are looking to have a simple saw in their homes.
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Double Bevel Miter Saw
A double bevel miter saw is one that will bevel in both directions. When you look at it, you are able to pivot the saw in both directions to the right and to the left. This allows you to make opposing bevel cuts in the same piece of wood. Instead of having to move the wood, you are able to swing the blade over simply.
What Jobs is a Double Bevel Saw Good for?
The double bevel miter saw is really great for a number of different types of jobs. The most popular uses of these types of saws is for custom and handcrafted items. These include both trim and crown molding, among other projects. Using a double bevel miter saw for these projects is really smart because it saves you a lot of time and energy.
In addition, you never have to worry about the placement of a board or keeping a board in the same position when flipping it over, because you never have to flip it over. You can just move the saw to allow you to do the job on the opposite side with ease.
One of the projects that is nearly impossible without a double bevel miter saw is intricate or fancy crown molding. While you can do basic molding, you are not able to get all of the intricate details without the double bevel.
Pros
Good for a true craftsman.
Precise machines that are of high quality.
Used to make custom, handcrafted trims.
Used to make custom, handcrafted crown moldings.
Save time and make cutting your boards easier without having to flip the boards.
Double bevel saws are more accurate.
Cons
Can cost more than double what a single bevel miter saw costs.
Some of these saws are very expensive.
Top Double Bevel Miter Saw Choices
The following are our top picks for the best double bevel miter saws on the market today.
Back fence design that is exclusive and can cut 2×16 boards at 90-degree angles and 2×12 boards at 45-degree angles.
XPS cross cut positioning system that is integrated and provides a cut line indication that allows for adjustment-free cutting.
Extended durability and power with a 15 amp, 3800 rpm motor.
Stainless steel detent plate that is adjustable allows for ten positive stops, helps to ensure accuracy, and improves overall productivity.
Over 75% of the dust that is generated when cutting is captured in an efficient dust collection system.
The DeWalt DWS780 12 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw does not come with a miter saw stand which is something to note so that you can purchase a miter saw stand if you choose this saw. There are a few things that are negative that can be said about this saw and the overall performance of the saw.
It is a high-quality option and one that is rated by many reviewers as the best miter saw on the market today. We really appreciated that we could use this saw easily and that expertise is not required to keep the saw functioning properly.
Integrated arm as a part of the Axial-Glide System instead of the rails to reduce the amount of front to backspace that is required for up to 10 inches by the saw. The saw can sit flush against a wall thanks to this design feature.
Precise cuts that are clean from 15 amp motor that produces 4800 rpm.
Attached vacuum collects 90% of the dust from sawing.
The sliding fence is four ¼ tall and helps to cut widths of 12 inches at 0 degrees and 8 inches at 45 degrees.
Both the right and left miters have a nice range with many positive stops. The miter range on the left has positive stops at 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 31.6 degrees, 45 degrees, and 52 degrees. The meter range on the left has 0 degrees, 15 degrees, 22.5 degrees, 31.6 degrees, 45 degrees, 52 degrees, and 60 degrees.
Bevel controls are upfront and offer a bevel range that features both rights and left stops at 9 degrees, 33.9 degrees, 45 degrees, and 47 degrees.
Bosch is a trusted brand that is known for its high quality of excellence and innovation. The Bosch CM10GD Dual Bevel Glide Miter Saw is a high-quality saw and one of the best choices on the market today. Instead of using rails, this saw uses a special hinged arm design. Thankfully this design is space-conscious, and the special arm does not need additional space, in fact, you can use less and push your saw to where it is flush against the wall.
The saw is a professional quality tool that will be perfect for both home and business use. That being said, there are a few factory defects that have been stated with some of these saws. While Bosch will correct everything, it can make it harder to figure out what you want from the saw.
This miter saw provides accuracy and cutting control at all angles. Crown chop lock locks the head in place for maximum chop cutting capacity for upright base molding and nested crown.
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Is a Single Bevel or a Double Bevel Miter Saw Better?
Whether a single bevel miter saw or a double bevel miter saw is better largely depends on what type of projects you will be doing. Regardless of which choice you go with, you can rest assured that you will have accurate and precise cuts. To determine which is right for you here are some tips and suggestions.
Choose a Single Bevel Miter Saw if…
You are going to be working on projects like picture frames.
You are hoping to make angled cuts in two planes.
You are okay with flipping boards to cut both sides.
Your job only requires you to have a pivoting arm on the saw, and the pieces of wood can fit within the saw’s size parameters.
You are not going to be completing a lot of different projects.
Choose a Double Bevel Miter Saw if…
You are a professional contractor working on jobs.
You are a hobbyist who is going to be working on frequent jobs.
You do not want to flip boards to do both sides.
You are hoping to make more precise cuts.
You are working on jobs like intricate crown molding.
You are going to be working on a large variety of different types of projects.
By knowing which projects you can complete and what you can expect from your new miter saw, you can determine if you would need a single bevel or a double bevel.
Tips for Choosing the Right Miter Saw
One of the most popular tool purchases recently has been miter saws. They continue to rise in popularity because of the jobs that you can complete when you own one. These are a versatile tool that is perfect for many different types of projects.
Homeowners, DIY enthusiasts, contractors, carpenters, home remodelers and/ or flippers, woodworkers, furniture makers, and craftsmen are all fans of the miter saw.
Most of the time, people only think about using a miter saw on wood, and in most cases, this is exactly how they are used. Just remember that you can also use a miter saw on aluminum, concrete, and plastic.
There is a wide range of different sizes that are available for miter saws as well as a wide range of different price points where these saws can fall. It really depends on what you are looking for and the projects that you are going to be doing.
Of course, you can always purchase one of the top choices that we shared with you, but I would always recommend doing your homework and ensuring that you have looked at what is available and really thought about which saw is going to meet the majority or all of your personal needs. There are different needs that you will have if you are a professional contractor versus if you are simply a DIY enthusiast.
We thought that we would share a few tips that are going to help you to be sure that you get what you are looking for.
Tip #1 — Know the Different Types of Miter Saws
The first thing that you should know is that there are several different types of miter saws on the market. There are three main types: basic, sliding, and compound.
Basic — These are the saws that you will want to use for making crosscuts and completing simple projects. This saw does not allow you to make bevel cuts. You will only be able to make miter cuts with this saw.
Compound — Compound miter saws allow you to make bevel cuts as well.
These are the tilted cuts that you most people are hoping for when they purchase a miter saw. The best thing about compound saws is that they will make both miter and bevel cuts.
Sliding Compound Miter Saws– This is the most versatile type of miter saw. Sliding compound miter saws will take some experience to operate and requires a certain level of skill to use it. It has all of the features compound miter saws, but then has a sliding arm as well so that you can cut wider pieces of wood. These are expensive, so they are an investment and a purchase that you will want to think about.
Tip #2 — Know What Features You Need to Look for
Regardless of what type of miter saw you are going to choose, you will want to consider some features. One of the most popular is some type of dust collection. This is a great way to ensure that you do not end up with a huge mess while you are working.
A second feature that you might want to look at is a laser guide that will help you to ensure that you have accurate cuts. You can also choose specific safety features and look for a blade that is going to work with cutting the materials that you would like to cut.
Tip #3 — Plan Ahead and Take Your Time
Researching different saws and checking them out in person takes some time. One of the best tips that we can offer you is to take your time and plan ahead when purchasing a miter saw. You really need to consider your individual needs, your budget, and what you are going to use the saw for before you can choose the one that is going to work the best for you.
When you follow these tips, you will find that you end up with a saw that meets all of your needs while having all of the features that you desire. Taking your time and not settling is important to reach your goal of owning your perfect miter saw, whether it be single or double bevel.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course, if you are in the market for a miter saw, whether it be single bevel or double bevel, there are probably some questions that you have. We tried to answer the most common questions and thought that you would benefit from having these questions answered.
What is the best dual bevel miter saw?
It is hard to say for sure what the best dual bevel miter saw is. Our personal choice for our favorite miter saw is the DeWalt DWS780 that we previously discussed.
We have chosen this saw because it is high in quality and offers you a chance to make intricate cuts with ease. You can work on a wide range of projects, and the saw can be used for both home and industrial purposes.
What is the difference between a 10 inch and a 12-inch miter saw?
There are not a lot of differences between a 10-inch miter saw and a 12-inch miter saw. While the 12-inch miter saw is going to be able to cut boards and projects that are a little bigger, the blade is not going to rotate as quickly so it takes longer to cut and the cuts are not always as precise as what is made with a smaller blade.
The the10-inch miter saw is going to be more affordable and will still get the job done. Many users report that the 10-inch miter saw offers a more precise cut. The 10-inch blade is only going to cut boards that are up to 6 inches wide, but the 12-inch blade can cut boards that are up to 10 inches wide.
Do I need a double bevel miter saw?
Depending on the type of project that you will be doing, you might determine that you need a double bevel miter saw. The double bevel miter saw allows for more precise cuts that you do not have to move the board or reposition the board for. If you are using a single bevel, you have to be very precise in your placement to ensure that all cuts line up the right way.
The double bevel miter saw is better for certain projects and those that require more intricate details. Many home users do not have a need for a double bevel miter saw, but contractors and professionals will find that the double bevel miter saw is a better option for them.
How big of a board can a 10 sliding miter saw cut?
A saw that has a 10-inch blade is capable of making an angle cut across a 5 ½ inch board. This makes it possible to cut a 2×6 with a ten sliding miter saw.
In addition, you can cut a 2×4 board at a 45-degree angle. If you are going to be working on smaller projects, there is no reason to choose a 12-inch blade for your miter saw.
What is the best miter saw for crown molding?
The best miter saw for crown molding is a double bevel miter saw. This is because you can ensure that your intricate cuts are possible from both directions.
The double bevel miter saw is the perfect choice for anyone, regardless of if they are a hobbyist or a professional woodworker, who wants to create beautiful crown molding.
What is the difference between a bevel and a miter cut?
To understand a bit more about the bevel saw, you really need to understand the type of cuts that the saw produces. The miter cut is a simple angled cut that is on the face of a surface. This is basically like when you cut two pieces of board to put them together to form a corner.
The bevel cut is from the surface of the board moving at an angle to the other side. This is the type of cut that is used for intricate products and the type of cut that is used for things like a doorstop.
How wide can a 12 miter saw cut?
A 12 miter saw can cut boards that are pretty wide, up to 7 ½ inches. The 12 miter saw can cut a 2×8 at a 90-degree angle. It can also cut a 2×6 at a 45-degree angle.
Are sliding miter saws better?
Sliding miter saws is an easy to use saw. It is a great saw for beginners and the better option for those who have never used a miter saw before.
That being said, the sliding miter saw is not as good at cutting thicker boards. So if you are looking for something that is going to cut more sizes of wood, the sliding miter saw might not be the best choice for you.
Final Thoughts
The first thing that you should be thinking about now is what saw is going to be right for you. There are definite positives that go with each of these saws. The best choice for you is going to be whatever saw is going to meet your individual needs best. Most people who are buying miter saws only have a need for a single bevel.
Homeowners, DIYers, and those who are working on specific basic projects are going to be happy that they did not waste the additional money on a double bevel miter saw instead.
However, if you are a contractor or professional woodworker or even a homeowner that has more than the basic needs for a miter saw, you might find that the double bevel miter saw is going to be the best option for you. This is the case with most professionals as they have needs for their saws that others do not.
By fully understanding your needs, you will be happy with the purchase you make. One way to ensure that you have all of your needs made is to look around your home and make a list of everything that you could use a miter saw for.
Once you have this list, you can go through the list, measure some boards, and figure out if one size or one style of saw is going to be better for your personal needs. Keep in mind that if you are going to be doing intricate work that you will want to make sure that you look into a double bevel miter saw.
We, the Updweller Team, are a group of writers and home renovation enthusiasts, and specialists. We love improving our home. We want to provide you with the best ideas for your home renovation. Our guides and reviews have you covered for your home projects. We guarantee we have what you're looking for. Let's create that empty space into a personalized project.
