What Can I Use Instead Of A Miter Saw – Let’s Find Out Several Alternatives

What Can I Use Instead Of A Miter Saw

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Before shelling out money on a fresh new miter, you should ask yourself “what can I use instead of a miter saw“. In addition, it’s a valid point to wonder why one would acquire anything if they already had the necessary resources.

The miter saw is expensive and rarely used in woodworking, this is why the vast majority of individuals are interested in alternate solutions. So, if you need this invaluable time-saver machine and don’t have money to buy one, try out our alternate tools for one.

Although there are many different tools that can be used in the place of a miter saw, the most popular are a table saw, jig saw, hand saw, circular saw, and track saw. Here’s the detail of these alternates solution for cutting beveled cuts, or cross cuts.

What Can I Use Instead Of A Miter Saw 

When making numerous identical beveled cuts and cross cuts, nothing can beat a miter saw. Whenever a woodworker needs to make one of these common cuts, the miter saw is considered the best time saver tool for it. 

Even though a miter saw is ideal for making miter cuts, some other equipment that is found in most work wood shops can be used to achieve the same results. Using these alternate tools to make the necessary cuts may require some time for completing the task, but hopefully, the work will continue. 

Note: In case you’re having trouble with the aforementioned issue due to high cost, I suggest using the following alternatives: 

Buzz Saw Or Circular Saw 

The common and most widely used power tool in a workshop dedicated to woodworking is a circular saw (also known as a buzz saw). Many amateur woodworkers opt for a buzz saw before dropping money in a table saw.

Adjusting the footplate angle of the handheld circular saw allows it to replace a miter saw when making beveled cuts. During cutting bevels, adjusting the footplate’s angle effectively alters the blades’ own cutting angle. In addition to its primary use, the circular saw has a number other of uses such as crosscutting the wood.

Making a jig to hold the workpiece in place while making continuous crosscuts with a buzz saw can save helps in time saving and reducing the risk of injury. Further, you can also make bevel cuts with the help of this powerful tool.

To make bevel cuts, simply tilt the footplate and continue using the buzz saw as you would normally do. By doing so, you can make a beveled cut by adjusting the angle at which the saw blade enters the material to be cut.

Buzz saws can be converted into miter saws with the help of a variety of adapters and stands available from a variety of manufacturers. While saving up for a miter saw, you could use the attachment which can be sold separately from the circular saw. 

There are many attachments available currently in the market to aid in the accuracy of longer cuts for any woodworker. It is essential to note that radial arm saw, track saw, and circular are not the same. They are just the kinds of circular saw, detail is given below:

  • Radial Arm Saw Or Rotatable Arm Saw

To put it simply, the radial arm saw is a form of circular saw that is supported by a horizontal arm that can be moved in and out of the way. In contrast to the table saw, the blade is fed through the material instead of another one.

The mechanism is essentially a circular saw with a guide that hangs above the ground. The rotatable arm saw can make angled cuts by having the blade slid through the material at a predetermined angle.

The radial arm saw’s bevel lock must be unlocked prior to making a bevel cut. The angle of the blade can be changed in this way. As a result, a bevel cut can be made into the material at any angle. Not satisfied? Learn more about “What can I use instead of a miter saw” here.

  • Track Saw

Some people argue that circular saws are not great for making straight cuts unless it takes time and you need to set up a straight edge carefully. Well, I agree with these people, the circular saw has limitations in making horizontal cuts.

So, the good news is that you may still use a power tool named “track saw” rather than a miter saw. A track saw is a circular saw modified to run along rails for precision cutting. This means that similar techniques for making bevel and angled cuts on a circular saw can be applied to a track saw.

All you have to do is set the track saw at the desired angle and cut along the marked line. Adjusting the base plate for a bevel cut and the angle of the material to achieve the desired result follows the same principle.

In any case, the most precise marking of bevels and angles will require the use of even the most basic measuring tools. Keep going down to learn more about “What can I use instead of a miter saw”.

Bench Saw Or Table Saw:

The table saw is the most frequently used power tool in thousands of woodworking stores. Comparatively, it’s more expensive and risky than a miter saw. However, it can do more jobs than a power miter saw. The table saw is the most hazardous tool in the garage without any doubt. 

Repeated crosscuts and beveled cuts can be made by this powerful tool. You just have to tilt the blade of the table saw and use the miter fence with it for making beveled cuts. Using the table saw jig is the most efficient way to make identical cross-cuts.

Adjusting the blade angle on a table saw is usually possible, so you can make bevel cuts. Turning a wheel on the table saw’s control panel typically allows the user to adjust the blade’s angle of attack to suit the material being cut.

Perform a few test cuts on scrap wood to ensure you have the angle dialed in correctly: the precision of this approach is limited by the precision of the saw’s alignment. Further, this power machine includes a miter gauge which allows for precise miter cuts. 

Using a miter gauge, you can make an angled cut by tilting the wood before it meets the blade. The miter saw is my go-to tool for making beveled, and miter cuts. However, a miter fence can also be useful in some situations.

Due to the fact that I had before employed a table saw lacking a miter gauge. For that purpose, I went out and bought a high-end model. However, if you already have a functional miter gauge, you’ll probably don’t need to upgrade it.

A jig like a power table saw sled is ideal for making crosscuts while making multiple identical cuts. In order to make crosscuts within a table saw, you will need to put some effort and time into creating a jig: however, once it gets complete, it can be used again and again.

Jig Saw

Jig Saw

If you are out of other options, using a jigsaw is considered a wise idea. However, as compared to the above-mentioned tools, this is not commonly available in the garage. Frankly speaking, this choice is terrible but still works for you.

Bevels can be cut with a jigsaw rather than a miter saw by adjusting the footplate’s tilt. With the footplate in its standard position, crosscuts can be made, and a jig can be fashioned for making identical cuts repeatedly. A jigsaw is cumbersome and produces less precise results than a miter saw.

Since a jigsaw is so slow, most woodworkers only use it for cutting out irregular shapes like circles and waves. But straight crosscuts and beveled cuts can be made with a jigsaw in any emergency situation.

The jigsaw’s footplate can be adjusted to the desired bevel-cut angle in order to make beveled cuts. In addition, to keep the blade from bending and creating a crooked bevel, you should work slowly.

Cutting across the grain of the wood with the jigsaw’s footplate in its normal position yields a crosscut. Cutting straight and true with a jigsaw in a crosscut is challenging, but a clamped-in straight edge can help you a lot.

Handy Tip: A jig can be built to hold the wood in place during numerous identical crosscuts. However, this process will be time-consuming.

Hand Saw

hand saw

A hand saw and a manual miter box can serve as an acceptable alternative cutting combination for a woodworker on a strict budget. Instead of using a miter saw, you can use a miter box and a hand saw with the right blade to make angled crosscuts and bevel cuts.

Bevels can only be cut at the angles marked on the miter box. Straight cuts can also be made with the mitre box and a handsaw. Working with a hand saw and a miter box is restricted primarily by the size of the workpiece, which must fit within the miter box’s confines.

Since most miter boxes only include a handful of commonly used bevel angles, it may be worthwhile to start taking the time to build your own miter bow.

Crosscuts can be taken place with a miter box, or you can fasten the wood in a vise and freehand cut along penciled lines. A few weeks back I used this technique, and I found that a speed square was invaluable in allowing me to make clean cuts at 90 degrees and at angles.

A miter saw can make quick work of miter cuts, but a hand saw and miter box (used with caution) can produce cuts just as clean and precise. There are a number of hand saws that can be used as a substitute for a miter saw. Several of the most popular and widely employed are shown below.

  • Hack Saw: Even though it was made to cut metal, a hack saw’s thin blade can easily slice through metal or plastic, or pipe. If you are in a bind, you could use it as a saw to break through wood, though doing so too often could dull the blade.
  • Crosscut Saw: A crosscut saw is useful to make rough cuts in wood, such as when sawing lumber or pruning branches. This saw is sharpened enough to cut the wood grains by placing it perpendicularly. These saw’s wide teeth and thick blades make quick work of even the roughest timber. One or two people can use this tool at the same time.
  • Coping Saw: Similar to a hack saw: the blade of a copying saw is held in place by tension. It gets its name from the fact that it is most effective when used to make coping joints rather than miter joints, and it is employed for making curved cuts in wood.
  • Fret Saw: A fret saw is a specialized tool for cutting intricate patterns in the wood. Its blades have about 32 teeth per inch, making them precise and productive but also prone to breaking. This bow is considered best in order to make tight curves.
  • Bow Cut Saw: An up-to-date variation on the traditional crosscut saw, the “bow cut saw” is a cutting tool with a curved blade. This is a medium-sized hand tool that is typically employed in the great outdoors for different tasks such as log cutting and tree pruning. This power tool is easily cleared away the sawdust with each stroke of a bow cut saw’s crosscut teeth. In addition, their long and thin blades are well-suited for slicing through thick planks of wood. You can also make a curved cut with the help of this powerful tool.

Still Having Trouble: Visit Local Tool Library

Tool libraries enable members of the community to borrow equipment and tools for a specific set the time periods. Some of these local libraries operate as rental stores. They only require a membership or charge a little fee. But only a small percentage of them are entirely cost-free.

If you don’t have the aforementioned tools in your garage, you can get them from the local tool library. In addition, you ask the proprietor of the library to provide you with a tool that works the same as a miter saw. Moreover, if you are still interested in miter saw, you may acquire this tool from your local library for a small time. 

Conclusion

What can I use instead of a miter saw – More than a hundred different possibilities exist now. However, picking the right one will help you do your project more thoroughly and clearly. My research and experience led me to the alternatives I listed above as the finest substitutes for a miter saw. If you don’t have a miter saw, I’d suggest a table saw or circular saw instead. It is hoped that they would produce the same outcome as a miter saw.

FAQs

Can I use a circular saw instead of a miter saw?

Similar to a miter saw a circular saw allows for cross cuts, miter cuts, and bevel cuts. Plywood can be easily ripped into smaller pieces or cut to any size you require.

Do I really need a miter saw?

A miter saw can do intricate work faster and safer than a table saw. It’s so useful that every general contractor should have one on hand.

Can a beginner use a miter saw?

A miter saw is an excellent tool for anyone just starting out in woodworking; I made a lot of stuff while I was teaching myself how to use one properly. Each and every cut is clean and precise, and you can choose an angle between 45 and 90 degrees.


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