A mitre saw is essential if you’re regularly working with wood. Mitre saws deliver clean and accurate cuts at a variety of angles. At Toolstation, we know that you demand precision when sawing wood – that’s why we only stock the best and most trusted brands. With such a wide range of sizes available, this is the place to find the best mitre saw for your next job – blade sizes can vary from 185mm or 210mm for smaller jobs, up to 305mm when a greater cutting depth is required.

An electric mitre saw is stationary, and you pull the blade downwards into the material. This is different to a circular saw where you feed the blade through the material, and you can make cross cuts, mitre cuts and bevel cuts with complete precision.

Single bevel mitre saws will swing the blade one way only but, if you choose a double bevel mitre saw, you can make blade angle adjustments to the left and right – perfect if you want to make cuts in any direction. For even greater versatility, consider a cordless mitre saw. You won’t have to worry about power cables or extension leads, and you can work anywhere the job takes you.

Sliding Mitre Saws

A sliding mitre saw gives you the added advantage of moving the blade forward, rather than just up or down. The saw slides on a bar, giving you a back-and-forth movement which helps you work with thicker, longer pieces of wood or timber.

Compound Mitre Saws

Want to make a mitre cut and a bevel cut at the same time? That’s when a compound mitre saw comes in handy – you’re able to tilt the blade and head to a variety of angles, achieving what’s known as a compound cut. By cutting two angles at once, a compound saw is a real time-saver.

Chop Saws

A chop saw tends to have a more powerful motor and a larger blade, delivering a greater depth of cut into wood or other materials. Sometimes known as a drop saw, these chop saws are designed for straight cuts and lack the precision of a mitre saw – they’re perfect for making rough crosscuts, or working with tougher metal materials.

At Toolstation, you’ll find an extensive DeWalt mitre saw range alongside other leading trade and DIY brands. Looking for an Evolution mitre saw? Or maybe one from Milwaukee or Makita? You’ve come to the right place.

FAQs

What are the different types of Mitre Saw?

There are three main types of mitre saw, all designed to make accurate cross cuts to a variety of materials. These include a standard mitre saw, a compound mitre saw, and a sliding compound mitre saw.

A standard mitre saw allows the saw head to pivot left and right, enabling angled mitre cuts. A compound mitre saw offers the same functionality but also allows the blade to tilt, making bevel cuts and compound cuts possible. A sliding compound mitre saw combines both of these features and incorporates sliding rails, allowing the blade to move forwards and backwards, ideal when working with wider materials.

Should I choose a sliding or non-sliding mitre saw?

Choose a non-sliding mitre saw if you want something compact, lightweight, and suitable for cutting narrow materials. If you regularly work with wider boards, flooring, or larger timber sections, opt for a sliding mitre saw, as the rails provide a much greater cutting capacity.

What's the difference between a Single and Double Bevel Mitre Saw?

A single bevel mitre saw only tiles in one direction, whereas a double bevel mitre saw can tilt both left and right. Double bevel saws make it quicker and easier to perform complex bevel cuts without having to reposition the material.

How accurate are Mitre Saws?

Mitre saws are very accurate when they’re correctly set up and properly maintained. Specific features on some models offer precise angle stops and guides, making them ideal for joinery, trim work, and other applications where clean, precise cuts are required.

Do I push or pull the blade when cutting with a Mitre Saw?

With a standard mitre saw, lower the blade directly through the material. On a sliding mitre saw, pull the saw head towards you, start the blade, then push it smoothly through the material to complete the cut.

Do all Mitre Saws have dust extraction?

Most mitre saws include a dust bag or dust extraction port, but not all models offer the same level of dust collection. Connecting the saw to a suitable vacuum extractor tends to provide the best results.

What should you never cut with a Mitre Saw?

While mitre saws are suitable for cutting primarily wood, but also plastic and some metals, it’s important to never cut materials that the saw is not designed for. This includes things like masonry, stone, or hardened steel. If you’re unsure, always check the manufacturer's recommendations and check the correct blade is fitted for the material being cut.

Do I need a mitre saw stand for cutting long lengths of timber?

A mitre saw stand is highly recommended when cutting longer lengths of timber, as it provides additional support, improves accuracy, and helps reduce the risk of the material moving during a cut.

Makita Blue & Silver 1500WW Mitre Saws

Related Categories