If you are looking for a tool, which you would be able to use to make precise crosscuts and miters, look no further than the miter saw. Without this type of saw in your tool collection, any kind of woodwork will be tough. This is especially true for professionals, but even if woodworking is just a hobby for you, it can get much more interesting if you get yourself a miter saw.
Furthermore, the miter saw is not an expensive tool, especially not when compared to other kinds of saws. Of course, you might need to pay a bit more if you want a miter saw that will provide you with many different features, like a laser guide for precision, for example.
But, the good news is that miter saw equipment is not necessarily expensive. In fact, all you need is to know how to choose good accessories. We’re going to help you with that. Keep on reading and find what you need to know about miter saw parts and features! So, let’s start with one of the most important features, the blade of the miter saw.
Miter Saw Blade
The size of the blade is what you need to pay attention to if you are looking to make a particular depth of the cut. Typically, miter blades can’t make a too deep cut, which is why most of them come in sizes of either 8, 10, or 12 inches.
Size is not the most important factor when it comes to choosing the miter saw blade. It’s more important to see for what type of material is the blade intended. Different materials require different blades, so you can choose from those for wood, metals like aluminum, or even concrete. In most cases, a miter saw will come equipped with a wood-cutting blade, so you might think about buying a few extra if wood is not your material of choice.
Dust Extraction
If you want your miter saw to serve you best for a long time, you need to treat it well. By this, we mean that you must not allow certain particles to enter the motor. If that happens, all kinds of problems may emerge. In fact, a saw full of dust can even get on fire. The solution, however, is pretty simple. Just by buying a dust extractor, you will solve this problem forever.
Dust extractor is a kind of vacuum cleaner that you attach to the miter saw. It will use the same power source as the saw, collecting the sawdust while the saw is cutting wood. Apart from doing good for your miter saw, the dust extractor also does well for your health, as it stops you from breathing in the tiny dust particles. In fact, this is the reason why many countries around the world are thinking about making the use of dust collectors mandatory.
Saw Stand
Here’s another thing that can be considereda part of safety equipment. If you hold the miter saw in your hands while making the cut, you risk hurting yourself. Unfortunately, finding the right place to put the saw is not easy if you’re doing work on a construction site. That is why we urge you to think about buying a miter saw leg stand. A great thing about this type of stand is that it’s foldable, meaning that you can carry it around with you.
Laser Guide
Just a few years ago, laserpointers for miter saws were not that commonly used. One of the reasons was that they weren’t cheap. But, the times have changed. Today, many miter saws come equipped with a laser guide. If yours doesn’t have it, you can buy one at an affordable price and install it easily.
We believe that it would be a smart move, given the fact that a laser guide removes the need of using a marker every time you need to make a cut. With a laser installed, you will be able to make super precise cuts as you will see exactly the spot on the wood piece where the saw blade is going to lay.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t use the miter saw on a regular basis, you really should think about improving it by adding a few extra accessories. Not only will these parts of equipment make the work easier, they will also add to your safety.
