Chop saw vs. miter saw look very much alike. Some people often get confused about those two and think that they are the same. It is because they have many similarities. These two also have major differences, one of them is good for this, and one of them is better to be used to do that.
That is why before you enter a shop and decide to buy one, it is important to make the right decision in picking the right tool for cutting your metals and woods. Knowing their characteristic differences can save you time and money and distance yourself from danger.
Chop Saw vs. Miter Saw Overview
Chop saw is more common in commercial or industrial shops and very helpful in cutting large volumes of heavy material or metal. Most chop saws come with a standard abrasive blade to cut metal. This type of blade produces lots of sparks when cutting the material, and the material is hot after the cutting.
But some manufacturers have made chop saw with multipurpose cold-cut blades where there would be little sparks, and the material is cold to the touch after the cutting process. Chop saw for wood is a more common chop saws type because it is pretty easy to operate. Although this chop saw can only move up and down for straight cutting, they are speedy and accurate for making cuts.
Miter saw comes in 10 to 12 inches. Just like the chop saw, the miter saw also comes with a round blade. The blade of the miter saw can be angled and tilted to make a clean cut. This saw is perfect to be used on small boards or light materials. The ability to make angled cuts in a miter saw helps frame, woodworking, or molding project.
Chop Saw vs. Miter Saw Differences
Chop saw and miter saw is the most common saws that get confused with differentiating at first glance. Both of them use a circular blade and move up and down instead of back and forth. Nevertheless, they have some differences that make them stand out from each other.
Chop saw’s blade can only be used to cut straight up and down the line in cutting, while the miter saw’s blade can be spin, angled, and tilted as its axis can swivel. If you look at the appearances, a chop saw is bigger and more powerful than a miter saw.
Chop saw is more perfect for cutting for hard and heavy materials, such as a large sheet of metal, since it has a bigger motor and a larger blade.
The chop saw is more suitable for building-site or production shops. On the other hand, a miter saw is particularly designed for woodworking; to cut wood, trim angles, cutting molding pieces, and making cleaner cuts for product finishing.
Regarding what materials you will be working with, an appropriate saw can meet your needs. The key is to know the difference between the chop saw vs. miter saw.
