Miter saws are a great tool when you have to cut at an angle. The blade in the miter saw is mounted on a swing arm that can be pivoted in a direction to make the cuts. This type of saw proves to be handy when you cut the picture frame, window cast, door frame, or crown molds. There are different sizes and variations available for the miter saw. To begin with, you will find compound miter saw, dual compound miter saw, and the sliding miter saw in the market.
The main difference between the sizes of the saw is the difference in the size of the blade. The good thing about having different sizes of the blade is that you can get versatile jobs with the help of the saw. However, the bad thing about having different sizes in the miter saw is that you may need different sizes, and you may end up increasing the capital infusion in your workshop.
We get a lot of questions around what size of miter saw is appropriate for general usage. There is no correct answer to the question without being able to understand your usage. All these things are required to understand and recommend a particular size. Since we don’t have your requirements available, we have listed some of the miter saw’s basic features and the comparison factor that will enable you to choose the right size.
7-1/4 Inch Miter Saw
The 7-1/4 inch saw is of great utility when looking for a saw for the crown molds, picture frames, and window casts. They are great when you are dealing with average-sized wood. The 7-1/4 miter saw offers a great utility when compared with other larger saws. They are also affordable, and they have decent power. Some of the 7-1/4 miter saw comes with a laser cutting through straight lines, giving you higher reliability.
- 7-1/4 miter saws are perfect for cutting molds and frames. They have a high level of precision.
- These saws are affordable, and they are very portable. You can even carry them in the boot of your car.
- 7-1/4 miter saws are great when it comes to flexibility.
Pros
- 7-1/4 miter saws are portable and lightweight.
- They offer smooth cuts, and they have a thinner kerf.
- Many cordless options are available in 7-1/4 miter saw, and accuracy is high.
Cons
- Some people may feel that the 7-1/4 miter saw is underpowered.
10 Inch Miter Saw
All the major brands offer a 10 inch miter saw, and they are pretty durable. The 10 inch saw can make an average size cut compared to the 7-1/4 inch of a 12 inch saw. They are less expensive, and they are also easy to handle. These types of saws are not very aggressive, and they are compact at the same time. Apart from this, these miter saws are also easy to move, so if you are looking for a powerful tool for your projects, then 10 inch miter saw can serve the purpose well.
The 10 inch miter saw can cut 5.5 inches and 2 x 6 cross-cut, which is undoubtedly a great advantage. Apart from this, the miter saw also can help you get a 45 degree miter cut with 2×4 lumber. You can also buy a sliding 10 inch miter saw for added flexibility.
- 10 inch miter saws are great for crown molding, and you can easily cut 4 inches or 5 inches with the saw.
- These 10 inch miter saws are also portable yet very powerful. You can even get a dual compound miter saw to be able to cut in both directions.
- Different types of blades can be attached to the 10 inch miter saw, hence offering you higher reliability in cutting various materials.
- If you often work with 4x4s, you can use a 10 inch miter saw. Some people may recommend a 12-inch miter saw, but you can save yourself some money by using a 10 inch miter saw.
Pros
- 10 inch miter saw are powerful compared to 7-1/4 inch saws, and they are still portable.
- 10 inch miter saw are also affordable.
- You can attach different types of blades to 10 inch miter saw.
- The saw works great with different materials, and you can even cut 4x4s.
Cons
- This is slightly heavy when compared with a 7-1/4 inch miter saw.
Difference between 7-1/4 Inch Vs. 10 Inch Miter Saw
There are some differences between 7-1/4 inches and 10 inches miter saw. We have listed them below for you.
- Power– Generally speaking, the 10 inch miter saw is more powerful than the 7-1/4 inch miter saw. These deliver higher power to you, and you also get a smoother cut with the help of the 10 inch miter saw. You can check for the motor specifications for both the saws.
- Type of Work–The next important thing is the type of work you intend to do with the miter saw. If you are intro framing work or mild woodwork, you can get a 7-1/4 inch miter saw since that offers greater precision when compared with the 10 inch miter saw. The kerf of the 7-1/4 inch saw is also lower. The 10 inch miter saw is great for dealing with more rigid materials.
- Size& Price –In terms of size, the 7-1/4 inch miter saw is a lot more compact when compared to the 10 inch miter saw. So, if the portability is the issue, then you can even get the 7-1/4. Also, a 7-1/4 inch saw is cheaper than a 10 inch saw.
Wrapping Up
These are the differences between the two sizes of the saw. The 7-1/4 inch saw is an excellent tool for cutting through the delicate moldings and other framing wood. If you often deal with thicker pieces of wood, then you can also work with a 10 inch miter saw, which would help you get a more powerful tool. If you are a hobbyist and work mainly on personal projects, you can manage with a 7-1/4 inch saw. Otherwise, if you work on major construction projects, then you should get a 10 inch miter saw, or you can consider even a 12-inch miter saw.
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