What size Miter Saw do I Need? Ultimate Guide
What size Miter Saw do I Need? this is an interesting question that almost every newbie may ask. If that’s the case let’s see which one will be best for you.
Miter saw size depends upon the nature of the job that you are into. If you are working on a bigger project then you will need a 12 inch miter saw for deeper cuts. While the 10 inch miter saw can work fine on smaller ones.
With that said, some applications require a 12 inch miter saw as well. I have covered everything in detail in this article to make sure you have no problem when it comes to selecting the right miter saw for your needs. If you are interested in exploring the secrets of miter saw size then keep on reading.
How big of miter saw do I need?
I know you are here to learn about the right miter saw size right? Well just as I mentioned earlier there is no specific saw that can help you in all conditions.
However, you will need to consider your job first before selecting the right type of saw for your needs. Here is a quick tip when choosing the right type of tool for the job.
Consider your project and see how big it is? Are you working on a small home project? Is it a DIY home renovation? a table design or you want to make a picture frame.
Considering the scope of your job will help you to decide how big of a miter saw do I need. In addition to this, if you are a complete beginner you need to learn how many types of miter saws are there.
Based on their sizes Miter saws can be divided into the following types:
- 7-1/2 inch miter saw
- 8 inch miter sas
- 10 inch miter saw
- 12 inch miter saw
Should I buy a 10 or 12 inch miter saw?
Most people are confused here. They can’t decide whether to go for a 10-inch miter saw or a 12-inch miter saw. Let me give you a few hints that will help you in picking the one that suits your needs.
If I were in your place I would consider the scope of my project first. 10 inch miter saw is suitable for those who are working on something smaller. It comes in handy for small DIY projects, picture framing, etc. In other words,10 inch miter saws can work surprisingly well on 4×4 lumber.
On the other hand, the 12 inch miter saw allows you to produce deeper cuts. It comes in handy when you are working on bigger projects let’s say a treehouse, a backyard office, or something.
These kinds of projects usually involve deeper cuts of different pieces. if your project requires dense lumber it is wise to use a 12 inch miter saw. It can cut deeply through thicker lumber without any issue due to the bigger blade diameter.
I know things are still cloudy and you are still not able to pick the right one yet but don’t worry. We are not done yet I will make sure after reading this article you will be able to decide your tool confidently.
Here is a quick comparison table of 10 inch vs 12 inch miter saw. I hope this will clarify things much better and quickly for you.
| 12-inch miter saw | 10-inch miter saw | |
| 45° miter cut | 2 x 4 Lumber | 2 x 6 Lumber |
| Cross-cut Size | 5.5 inches. Cuts 2 x 6 | 7.5 inches Cuts 2 x 8 |
| Advantages | affordable price, easy to handle, compact size | Powerful, suitable for producing deeper cuts, |
With that said let’s learn the two tools more in detail and see what they are capable of. I am sure it will make a better and clearer picture in your mind.
Can a 10 inch miter saw cut a 4×4?
If you are using a miter saw equipped with a 10 inch blade and you want to cut a 4×4 piece of lumber. You can do it, however, not in one go.
It will require a little bit of effort as the blade diameter is a bit small for the wood. If you want to cut through it you will need to do it in a step-by-step process.
First of all mark the pieces of wood that you want to cut. Then place the work piece under the blade and try to produce an accurate cut on one side.
After that switch the wood piece in another direction and do the same. Make sure to use a square guide or a laser guide to make precise cuts.
With a little bit of creativity, a 10 inch blade size can come in really handy. It is because the blade size is less expensive and very easy to handle.
Can a 10 inch miter saw cut a 2×6?
You can use your 10 inch blade to cut through the 2 x 6 lumber but it depends on what kind of cut you want to make. If you are about to produce a 90 degrees cross-cut then you won’t have any problem.
However, for miter or angled cuts, you can face problems as the blade diameter has some limitations. It can not go through beyond its capabilities. With that said, you don’t need to worry about it as there is always a way to do the job.
If you want your 10 inch miter saw to cut a 2×6 you will need to do this job in steps. First, make a cut as much as possible. After that, turn your workpiece in another direction and finish the job. However, you will need to keep precision in mind otherwise you may ruin the whole project.
Can a 10 inch miter saw cut a 4×6?
No, the 10-inch saw is a bit small for a 4×6 lumber. You can use a table saw for that or something else. However, a 10-inch miter saw won’t be able to help you in such conditions as it can’t produce both crosscuts and angled cuts.
With that said, if your job involves cutting a 4×6 blade then you might want to use a 12-inch blade for that. 12 Inch saw can do the job quite perfectly as there are no diameter limitations.
How thick can a 10 inch miter saw cut?
After doing detailed research on 10 inch blades I found a few interesting things. Here is a basic chart of cut sizes that you can produce with your 10 inch blade.
| Lumber Size | Can a 10 Inch Miter Saw Cut it? |
| 2×4 | Yes (both cross and miter cut) |
| 2×6 | Only cross cut |
| 2×8 | Not in Single Step |
| 2×10 | No |
| 2×12 | No |
Can I put a 10 inch blade on a 12 inch miter saw?
After reading the article so far, I hope you might be having a better understanding of the blades with 10-inches diameter. However, some people may also think if they can mount a 10-inch blade on a 12 inch miter saw.
I also did some research on that and found a few interesting facts. You can definitely install a 10-inch blade on a 12-inches miter saw but you will need to be careful. The arbor holes on the blades need to be of similar size otherwise it won’t be possible.
However, if you want to place 12 inch blades on a 10 miter saw then it isn’t possible because of the size limitation as the smaller ones have limited capacity.
Can I use a 7 inch blade on a 10 inch miter saw?
Yes, you can use a 7 inch blade on your regular 10 inch miter saw but I wouldn’t recommend doing so. It is because the 7 inch size is not recommended for deeper cuts. If you are working on some bigger projects then you will have a hard time using your saw.
As a general rule of thumb, you can install blades with smaller sizes than your power tools. Apart from that, you will need to make sure that the arbor holes are similar on both.
What is the best 10 inch miter saw?
After doing in-depth research I found a few best 10 inches miter saws. Though we aren’t going too deep when describing each saw. But I will give you a general overview of each one of them.
The reason why I am recommending these tools is that I have already done in-depth research on these. The first one i.e the DeWalt DWS714R is one of the finest quality miters saw that you will ever find on the market. It features some interesting qualities that make the power tool different from the rest.
The first thing that I like the most about DWS71R is its build quality. The saw comes in a tank-like structure which makes it extremely durable. It will stay by your side and keep on providing excellent performance.
Apart from that, if you have a bit higher budget then the CM10GD is another top-quality miter saw. First of all the saw comes with a very powerful motor that makes it different from the rest.
At the same time, the 15 amp motor makes it work as smoothly as cutting butter with a knife. You won’t feel any hurdles during the project as the saw is extremely reliable and easy to use.
Lastly, I recommend the Hitachi C10FCG on my list. The coolest thing about this saw is its dust collection system. It helps maintain a cleaner working environment. The saw also features a powerful 15 AMP motor that makes it able for smoother cutting due to its amazing cutting power.
You can use it for heavy-duty tasks like a pro. However, you need to keep the blade limitation in mind though.
I think that’s enough for now and let’s talk about the 12 inches blade. Let’s see where you can use 12 inches blades and how useful they can be.
Can a 12 inch miter saw cut a 4×6?
12 inches blades are the most powerful among all. They will help you produce those angled cuts more easily as compared to other blade sizes. The 12 inch saw blade can cut a 4×6 without any problem.
No matter whether you are working on crosscuts, miter cuts or bevel cuts the blade has enough diameter to go through it. Most of the time you don’t need to switch the working piece from side to side.
In addition to this, working with a 12 inches blade becomes more easy when using a dual bevel miter saw. Sometimes people call it a compound miter saw and sliding compound miter saw.
Will a 12 sliding miter saw cut a 6×6?
Just as I mentioned earlier a 12 inch blade can go through the 6×6 piece without any problem. The same is the case with the sliding miter saw. In addition to this, the sliding feature on such miter saws makes the job even easier.
It is because they can extend their arms due to the slide and as a result produce even deeper cuts on large pieces.
What size wood can a 12 miter saw cut?
Here is a quick chart that describes the 12 inch size miter saws can produce.
| Lumber Size | Can a 12 inch saw cut it? |
| 2×4 | yes |
| 2×6 | yes |
| 2×8 | yes |
| 2×12 | yes |
| 4×2 | yes |
| 4×4 | yes |
| 4×6 | yes |
What is the best 12 inch miter saw?
Now that you have learned about the capabilities of 12 inch miter saws let me show you a few of my favorite tools. These are the best choices when making cuts for crown molding and other activities.
The first one is Delta Cruzer which is one of the amazing power tools that you will ever buy. Although the Delta Cruzer saws are available in different sizes their 12” diameter will cover you most of the time. The saw features a decent quality structure that provides long-lasting performance.
it has a 15 amp motor that provides enough power to the saw for cutting a lot of objects. In addition to this, the saw is extremely easy to use and very user friendly. If you are looking for something for projects like crown molding then it can be the right choice.
Apart from that, the DeWalt DWS716XPS doesn’t need any introduction. It is because the company has earned itself a name due to its high-quality products. here are a few things that I love about the DWS716XPS.
It has a 15 amp powerful motor that can generate an RMP of 3800 in total. Such speed allows you to work on any kind of project quite efficiently without any hurdles. Apart from that, it comes with an LED light that allows more accuracy during the job.
Lastly the Metabo HPT. It is the well-known Hitachi but they have changed the name of the company. However, the quality of the products is still the same. The saw comes with a powerful motor that allows you to cut different lengths of wood pieces like a pro. It is surprisingly easy to use and handles. Moreover, the precision of this power tool is of the next level.
why does my miter saw kickback
Final Words
Most beginners are confused about the blade sizes for their job. As a beginner, almost everyone keeps thinking about what size miter saw do I need. After doing a lot of research and quite a bit of digging on the internet was able to find some interesting facts.
If you are working on something regular such as picture frames etc then the 10 inches miter saws will work best for you. Apart from that, the 12 inches miter saws come in handy when handling jobs that require deeper cuts.
I hope you will have enjoyed reading the article. If you find it helpful please share it on Facebook and Pinterest to help other people who are looking for the same answer.
“If there is something that needs to be changed or improved on this article please feel free to let me know. I will be happy to make the corrections”.
