Do I really need a miter saw?

Zebraman wrote: ↑ Ok, here's the scoop, I"m not a fluent or frequent wood worker, and I need to make 2x4 cuts and as well fence board cuts, and I have a circular saw, and my thought is to use a speed square to make all the cuts.....then I'm told to just get a miter saw because it'll be so much quicker, and I'll be guaranteed straight cuts.

Zebraman wrote: ↑ Ok, here's the scoop, I"m not a fluent or frequent wood worker, and I need to make 2x4 cuts and as well fence board cuts, and I have a circular saw, and my thought is to use a speed square to make all the cuts.....then I'm told to just get a miter saw because it'll be so much quicker, and I'll be guaranteed straight cuts.

My thought is that I should still be able to get straight cuts using a speed square, or some guide to flush against the circular saw's plate, and line up the blade with the cut mark....as long as I push the saw straight and along the speed square/guide, I would imagine I can get a decent straight cut. Then I'm told, any slight wobble of the blade won't render anything straight.

Thanks

Ballroomblitz1 wrote: ↑ Think you need to determine if you are doing a limited one time project or if you are investing on doing multiple projects in the years ahead.

If a one time job i would just borrow a mitre saw, makes any cuts super easy and fast, saves a to of time and gets perfect cuts every time.

If you are going to have future projects then invest, it is part of the trifecta of power tools that every home owner should have in their tool box. I wouldn't go without a drill, circular saw & mitre saw for the three power tools one should own, then fill it in with reciprocating saw, sawzill, jig saws, impact drill, multiple drills for various needs (impact, drywall) and the list would go on and on.
Sort of sounds like you have a one job and done scenario so if that is the case borrow a mitre saw from a friend or neighbour. If you cannot borrow and the cuts are not too visible like top deck boards then just use a circular saw, people did that for years and years prior to the invention of mitre saws and it always worked out.

Mitre saws are ideal for straight cuts as you are going to do, sounds like your job is small and your cuts not critical enough to worry too much about.

Why not explain your project....replacing a few boards, a massive deck. Would you like to invest n some tools or prefer not to have to build a toolbox of tools. Lots of the decision is based upon that.

blackn54 wrote: ↑ It is just easier and quicker to use a mitre saw to do the cut vs circular saw, same way your circular saw is better than using a jigsaw, and a jigsaw better than using a handsaw.

Also a lot of cut you will need to support it the piece properly to prevent pinching when cutting with a circular saw.

SubjectivelyObjective wrote: ↑ A speed square and circ saw is more than good enough for the cuts you're thinking about making. Most professionals who own a mitre saw will still use a circ saw and speed square for cuts like this.

This said.... if you're looking for an excuse to buy more tools..... One could say its "needed", lol.

But no really, you can save the money, storage space, and do the job just as well with a circ saw. If you want a cleaner cut you could buy a finish blade as well.

Zebraman wrote: ↑ I thought all pros use mitre saws as their complete single go to tool for wood cuts....I see it in job sites all the time in my walks.

Zebraman wrote: ↑ Thank you Ballroomblitz1!

The things I"m planning on doing are as follows:

Replace a few fence boards and deck boards that need lumber to cut to length.
A dozen 2x4's got handed down to me, so I was thinking of building a planter

That's really all for now. I can't say if I'll be working on anything else.....


Cheers

Zebraman wrote: ↑ I thought all pros use mitre saws as their complete single go to tool for wood cuts....I see it in job sites all the time in my walks. Maybe I am looking for an excuse yes I guess a bit of practice will help me a lot in using the circular, so will take that route.

Thanks

Ballroomblitz1 wrote: ↑ just use a circular saw, people did that for years and years prior to the invention of mitre saws and it always worked out.

Ballroomblitz1 wrote: ↑ For that i would just use the circular saw, you'll never get the use out of a Mitre Saw in my opinion. While Mitre Saws make for a faster, cleaner cut for the limited use you details hardly worth the financial outlay of purchasing. You will get a solid job done just taking your time using the available tool at hand. Cheers.

JEDI Force wrote: ↑ If you plan on doing other projects in the future it might be worth it. You can get some great deals on kijiji and sell it after your are done if you don't want to keep it and you will likely break even. I bought a used Ryobi 10" sliding mitre saw for $80 since I am doing renovations in my basement. I like it and I am using it quite a lot for now. After the basement is done, I don't know if I will keep it but if I sell it, I will be able to sell it for more than I bought it for (the guy kept receiving offers higher than his asking price).