sliding compound miter saw. Each has the ability to make angled crosscuts, but there are also some features that are particular to each.
* '''Conventional''' miter saws are mounted on a swing arm that can pivot right or left to make squared angled cuts. The blade head can swing at least 45 degrees and sometimes as much as 60 degrees.
* '''Compound''' miter saws have motors that can swing left and right and tilt for beveled cuts. They're useful for cutting picture frames or any other project that requires making angled cuts in two places.
** A compound angle means cutting a bevel and an angle at the same time.
* '''radial arm saws.
** They can handle 11.5-inch stock and are actually safer to use than radial arm saws since you can push the head through the cut instead of pulling it along.
** Head can be tilted for beveled cuts and angled for miter cuts.
Recommendations
There are not many reviews of miter saws. Taunton's 2006 Tool Guide reviewed 12head compound miter saws, while Workbench Magazine reviewed 12" sliding compound miter saws. Here are their editors' choices and and best buys.
'''Features'''
* '''Positive Stops''' These allow precise cuts on specific angles; more positive stops means less set up time.
* '''Sliding Fences''' Add support to tall stock during regular miter cuts and slide out of the way for bevel cuts.
* '''Blade Size''' inch diameters. Larger diameters mean longer cuts, but using them also requires more power.
* '''Electric Brakes''' 3 seconds as opposed to 10 seconds.
* '''Easy Makes setting the saw quick and accurate.
