Table Saw vs Miter Saw vs Circular Saw Basics | How to Choose a Type of Saw | This or That DIY
Table Saw vs Miter Saw vs Circular Saw Basics | How to Choose a Type of Saw | This or That DIY
Your first saw is one of the most important tools in your belt for any beginner DIYer. Learn the basics of how to use table saws, miter saws, and circular saws, and which type of saw I think you should get as your first saw. If you’ve been wondering which type of saw you should buy, check out how to use each of these saws so you can make the best decision for your situation.
Affiliate links to my saw recommendations:
Table Saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/WVV3M
Circular saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/E44v4
Miter saw: https://homedepot.sjv.io/NjjVK
#BestBeginnerSaw #SawBasics #ThisOrThatDIY
I need job wood working my age 23
Nicely broken down! I have made a bunch of things just with a circular saw as I don’t own any other saw except a jig saw which I hardly ever use. It’s possible to use the circular saw but every little cut other than a cross or miter cut can be a creative problem solving exercise. It takes time and sometimes the cuts aren’t precise but most of the time, I have been please with how neat the joinery looks. I have even ripped boards to the right width and thickness for my projects. With that being said, I am struggling with cutting neat rabets and grooves for some reason. Leaning towards going for a table saw only. Good to know it can make miter cuts too.
Why do we need a miter saw of the table saw does the same?
UGH! I have a circular, but I loath the blasted thing. With the new thumb button added to the power trigger, well it makes me all thumbs. I didn’t grow up with a "thumb" button. It throws me off, makes cutting extremely awkward for me. So I thought, I’ll fix the circulars little red wagon by getting a miter. Sure I can’t make long cuts, but a certain hardware store will do that for me. But when shopping for a miter with the Memorial Day sale I found a table saw for $10 more than the miter.
SON of a BISCUIT! What to do!? Both are lightweight and on the small size. Table saw can do more, but I’m working in a very small area. Fell like I want to get the miter, then a project is going to jump up and I’m going to face palm myself for not getting the table. Back to the drawing board.
Have all 3, but always use a push stick on your table saw keep hands at a safe distance. Been cutting for 40 years and still have all my fingers.
Plunge, or track saws are a great addition also
Very informative video. What would you recommend would be the best for shelving?
great
she hot
36 yrs as a carpenter….my opinion is you should not be showing anybody anything with open toed shoes …smh
I blame you for my wife’s interest in My Hammers and My Drills in My tool box . 🤣🤣🤣🍸,thanks for sharing!
Had the miter saw but took it back and got a nice Dewalt circular saw and jigsaw to start with.. Table saw next and then the miter saw😎
I would think that the average person would find the most use from a mitre saw for general daily building work.
Unless there is sheet cutting as well, then the skill saw.
1) mitre saw (perfect for fast, accurate & repeatable small cuts)
2) skill saw (all rounder)
3) table saw (perfect for accurate & repeatable large cuts)
Should I get a circular saw or mitre box? The saw would be better to also make straight cuts.
Good review. Thx
great vid thanks!
Thank you so much for the video!
My husband is lazy and so I’m going to learn how to put trim up and other small things by watching YouTube videos. 👍👍👍
Thank you for the video. I have been trying to determine what to buy between the miter saw and table saw. Reason being that I want to be able to cut rabbet joint but also be able to cut angles. The only missing information is whether or not the table saw can be set up with a rabbet joint "blade".
What’s a sar?
Jig saw and Miter!
I have been doing DYI work for the last 5 years. I have collected dozens of tools from Milwaukee, starting from drills. Saws were among the last that I got because they are the most dangerous and I got two young boys. I remember damaging (and almost hurting myself) my $500 milwaukee fuel mitre saw the first time I used it. I had to read the instructions twice when I replaced it. They arent a joke. I still dont have a table saw…
Miter saw is perfect for quickly being able to cross cut relatively narrow pieces like a 2×4 to correct length. Table saw is good for ripping pieces like making them narrower and also doing jig cuts. Both have their place depending on what you need but table saw can be at times more versatile in the fact that you can rip and cross cut pieces of various dimensions with it. With miter saw you can only cross cut narrower pieces but it’s quicker to cross cut with miter saw and gives you straight cutting edge. Miter saws also have capability of doing angled cuts very easily.
I’m going to be building a small home, and was wondering if I needed a miter saw or just use my circular saw?
The only thing missing is safety glasses, earplugs, shoes and saw guards. 🙂
Thanks for making this video. I only own a circular saw and I was thinking of upgrading to a miter saw but I honestly have not mastered the circular saw yet. This video was the confirmation I needed to keep my money in my pocket.
A good replacement for your miter saw it’s a radial arm saw that will allow you much longer cut and do the same purpose and makes excellent miter cuts I also recommend that beginners with a table saw to use the guard it really isn’t inconvenient if you learn to use it with the guard from the beginning and as time goes on and you feel a little more comfortable the guard can be removed be sure with the table saw you also have a good push stick to push your wood through rather than running your hand along the wood in between the fence and the blade not recommended and always safety glasses very nice.
Excellent video- clear and to the point.
Be careful when you use a push stick to move your piece on the table saw. If you have your push stick right next to the fence, you risk causing a kickback. I only mention this because you did it in one of your clips. Thank you for your perspective, I have a miter saw and considering a circular saw for longer cuts. Be safe with that push stick placement.
Very informative. Thanks.
Good review, ultimately is really based on your budget and versatility.
you are a badass!
I don’t have the battery powered miter saw. I didn’t know they even made one. Great idea cutting boards to fit at the store. I have that exact table saw plus a large one with cast iron extensions. I have a miter, 2 of which you can make your cut a pull it toward you to cut wider boards. I Father was a carpenter so I inherited all his tools. To many to list. Bless your heart, I love your channel. Battery powered miter saw. Hummmm !
Hi, i just started getting interested in dyi with carpentry I never used the saw before! Should i start with a circular saw?
Excellent video all the saws are useful in their own way another useful addition would be a bandsaw I have just bought one and it is now my go to saw for most jobs. Really like your videos.
I need the chop saw next.. The table hmm no room to put it ,
Got a miter saw as my first tool because I was very worried about safety. After using it for one project, I’m so much less concerned and wish I had something that could cut long lengthwise pieces or cut shapes out of plywood. Or create different joints. Makes sense what they say that beginners buy them to start and immediately move on to a new tool. 😂
So what youre saying is I need all three. 🤷♀
If I ever got this tool i will go for circular saw.. i have seen many many videos converting circular saw to a table saw setup
Why did 117k people watch this video?
I fall in love too easily… le sigh.
I cant stop watching!
Thank you, I will be starting with the circular saw.
I subscribed😘😘
What a great video! Thanks for sharing
The issue with circular saw is that requires a lot of material to support the piece that you are cutting this is the reason why it is so dangerous . With the miter you have the base plus the side extensions with the table saw it is the same you have the base. The only advantage the circular saw has that it is the cheapest of the 3 tools and you can make cut on the fly but this is way people get injured . On a work site contractors will have spare material to build a stand to work also carpenters can easily guess what is safe to free hand plus they have the experience to make a straight cut with no support a beginner is lacking the knowledge and the experience give him a powered free handed tool and wait for the disaster.
Thanks! I’ve had a radial arm saw in my garage for decades (which I bought from the previous home owner) but I sold it because I couldn’t justify the amount of space it took up (and far more dangerous than these). I’ve always had a circular saw, but never owned a miter or table saw, so this video is very helpful. I had no idea there were battery powered miter saws. Mind blown. That might be perfect for the small jobs I have to do.
So I did it too 😀 just using Woodprix woodworking plans 🙂
um…. that circular saw CAN cut angles….
Which can cut tiles and bricks?
I did it myself. Find Woodglut quickly. if you want to do that.
Hey y’all. I’m new to the channel but have been DIY’ing for a while(yrs). I just got my first table saw last week and of course, I pulled up a few videos on the Tube about my specific model and table saws in general. Well hell I’m scared to DEATH!! Almost every video goes on and oon and ooonn about the dreaded “kick back” and how the “Table Saw” is THE most dangerous saw out of all the old traditional saw types with its UPWARD mounted, user facing blade position. I had never even heard of these “Jigs” and “Push” blocks/sticks I’ve now got to acquire just to cut certain combination cuts like long tapered rips on pressure treated 2×6’s or 2×8’s. What’s the advantage of this damn death machine , the “Table Saw”? What good are they? Especially, if you get decent with a regular ol hand held? It’s only been a couple weeks but so far I’ve been disappointed and leery of this thing. Any tips suggestions appreciated. Thanks all! B