Saws
10 inch vs 12 inch Miter Saw
10 vs 12 miter saw which one do you need and how do they differ apart from the obvious blade size?
I you are looking to treat your self to a new miter saw for you woodworking shop or are a busy pro on a job site you might be torn between a 10 inch or 12 inch miter saw. As stated the obvious difference will be in the blade size. But, is blade size alone the only difference? In short they will differ in their cutting capabilities and what they can be used for.
What is a miter saw?
A miter saw or mitre saw is a saw used to make accurate crosscuts as well as miters in a work surface by positioning an installed blade onto a board. A miter saw in its earliest form was made up of a back saw in a miter box, but in modern-day application includes a powered circular saw that can be positioned at a variety of angles and also reduced onto a board placed against a backstop called the fencing.
Powered miter saws likewise cut bevels right into a job item by readjusting the upright tilt axis of top part of the maker while the table lays level horizontally. A miter saw for which the axis can be tilted in a solitary direction is called a single compound miter saw. If the axis can turn both left and right, it is referred to as a double bevel compound miter saw. Some are furnished with a gliding rail system or have a pivot arm to reduce broader job pieces when laid level on the table of the saw as well as flush against the fencing. This is called a moving compound miter saw.
What are miter saws used for?
Miter saws are mainly utilized for cutting timber trim as well as molding, but likewise can be made use of to reduce steel, masonry, as well as plastics, supplied the proper kind of blade is made use of for the product being cut.
Miter saws can be found in a range of dimensions. The most typical dimensions are 180, 250 and 300 mm (7 +1 ⁄ 4, 10 and also 12 in) size blades, each of which has its very own cutting capacity.
Both corded as well as cordless variations of the saw are readily available from numerous various manufacturers.
The 10 inch Miter Saw
A ten inch miter saw is usually used for more detailed work, but why? Because the smaller blade can spin at a higher RPM all things being equal. The blade will generally have smaller, finer teeth on it.
Like any cutting tool or saw the finer the teeth and the higher the RPM the finer the cut you can make, assuming the blade is suitable for the material you are trying to cut. A lot of 10 inch miter saws will.
The 12 inch Miter Saw
The larger 12 inch miter saws are almost always going to better than the 10 inch at cutting thicker stock.
They have a bigger capacity, are generally larger, more bulky machines which also means they are a little more solid too.
The 12 inch miters also will usually have a more powerful motor. The average power of the motor in a 12 inch miter will be about 15 Amps. That is not always the case on a 10 incher.
Lets take a look at the 10 inch and 12 inch miter saw offerings from DeWalt, the DW717 and the DWS779.
DeWalt DW717 Review
The DW717 is a 10 inch double bevel sliding compound miter saw. It has a 15 Amp motor that can spin it's blade to a max no-load speed of 4,000 RPM.
It has a miter range of sixty degrees to the left and fifty two degrees to the right.
It is a double bevel miter saw so you don't have to flip your work piece over to make the opposite cut. There are seven positive stops on the bevel detent system at the most popular angles.
The DWS717 has a tall fence which makes working with larger pieces a lot easier. It is roughly 22 inches wide and at full extension you get a full 37 inches of work surface.
Cutting capacity on the DWS717 is pretty good for a 10 inch miter saw. It can handle crown molding up to six inches.
Specifications
- 10 inch blade
- 15 Amp motor
- Maximum no-load speed 4,000 RPM
- 11 positive miter stops
DeWalt DWS779
The DeWalt DWS779 is a very popular 12 inch sliding compound miter saw.
The DWS779 has a 15 Amp motor giving out a no-load speed of 3,800 RPM.
It has a double bevel design that has positive stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, 45 and 49 degrees. The bevel ranges from forty nine degrees from the left through to forty nine degrees to the right.
On the miter front the DWS779 ranges from fifty degrees to the left and sixty degrees to the right.
If has a cutting capacity of 2x16 inch lumber at a ninety degree angle. At forty five degrees it can cut up to 2x12 inhces.
The newer version of the DWS779 is the DWS780. It is essentially the same miter saw with the exception of the inclusion of the XPS system. XPS uses a bright LED shone along the blade to cast a shadow that is perfectly in line with the blade.
This system is more reliable than a laser guide that may move or need to be re-calibrated after a blade change. You can read more about the DWS779 and DWS780 here.
Specifications
- 12 inch blade
- 15 Amp motor
- 3,800 RPM maximum speed
- Double bevel
- 3 year limited warranty
10 vs 12 Miter Saw
Who should buy a 10 inch miter saw ?
Anyone that does not need the ability to cut large crown molding on a regular basis. A 10 inch miter is more than enough for the average home woodworking shop or garage.
Also those that need to make extremely accurate cuts where the quality of the cut really matters, so quite a few furniture makers will favor the 10 inch miter saw.
Who should buy a 12 inch miter saw ?
A 12 inch miter is usually found in a busy commercial wood shop. However there are plenty of home DIY/woodworkers that will always opt for the larger blade diameter.
Just bear in mind that quite a few 12 inch miter saws will allow you to replace the blade with a 10 inch one. In this scenario you get the best of both worlds.
Occasionally you may get caught out working on a slightly bigger than normal piece and it is nice to know that you have that extra cutting capacity if you need it.
Don't forget that not only will the 12 inch miter saw be more expensive to purchase so too will the blades. If you are a heavy user this may be a concern if you opt for the best blades possible.
