Porter-Cable Miter Saw - User Manual

American Woodworker 2003 TOOL BUYER’S GUIDE 67
A miter saw is just the ticket for accurate
cuts, whether you’re building a house or
assembling a picture frame.
What is it?
Miter saws are designed for making precise crosscuts at any angle
from 0 to 45 degrees (some saws have a 60-degree capacity).
Miter saws are versatile and portable.They can be hauled to a job-
site to rough-cut boards for a deck one day and brought back to
your shop to cut delicate moldings for a furniture project the next.
The Family
There are three branches of the miter saw clan. The first is the
conventional miter saw. Designed primarily to make dead
square crosscuts and miters, these saws have been fixtures in
woodshops and at jobsites for decades. The saw head can swing
at least 45-degrees left or right of the centerline for miter cutting.
The second branch of the family is the compound miter saw.
Cutting a compound angle means cutting a bevel and an angle
at the same time. With a compound miter saw you simply set
the bevel cut by leaning the cutting head to the desired angle,
and set the miter angle on the table.A number of these
saws allow you to bevel the head left and right. Some
moldings, like crown for example, require compound
angles. On a conventional miter saw you have to prop the
molding upside down against an extra-tall auxiliary
fence. It’s a pain! A compound miter saw allows you
to make the same cut with the crown mold-
ing laying flat on the bed of the saw—a
huge advantage. A compound miter
saw is more versatile than a conven-
tional miter saw.
At the head of the family is the
sliding-compound miter saw. The
big advantage of these saws is
the huge leap in cutting capacity
made possible by the sliding head. Most of these
saws will crosscut 11-1/2 in.or wider stock, which
rivals the cutting capacity of some radial-arm saws.
But, sliding saws are safer to use than radial arms
because you push the saw through the cut instead of pulling it.
This eliminates climb cutting (cutting in the same direction as
How to Buy a
M
iter Saw
EDITOR: DAVE MUNKITTRICK • ART DIRECTION: BRENDA CANALES • PHOTOGRAPHY: STAFF, UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED
Visit www.americanwoodworker.com for a complete list of manufacturers, models and costs.Visit www.americanwoodworker.com for a complete list of manufacturers, models and costs.
Craftsman 21224; $300.
PHOTO COURTESY OF MANUFACTURER

Summary

How to Buy a Miter Saw

What is it?

Miter saws are designed for precise crosscuts at any angle, offering versatility for various job sites and projects.

The Family

Discusses the three types of miter saws: conventional, compound, and sliding-compound, detailing their capabilities.

Features

Positive Angle Stops

Distinct positive stops are best for accurate angle settings, ensuring the saw head firmly drops into the recess.

Easy-to-Read Angle Indicator

An easy-to-read indicator, like a hairline cursor with a vernier scale, allows for quick and accurate angle setting.

Fence Height

A tall fence is beneficial for cutting crown molding and provides increased support for compound miter saws.

Handle Style

Handles can be horizontal or vertical; horizontal style was preferred by the testing panel for ease of use.

Whats New?

Double Lasers Show the Kerf

New saws feature a double-laser system showing the exact cut line on both sides of the blade for precise cuts.

Blade Size and Tooth Count

Quick-Acting Hold-Downs

Quick-acting hold-downs, like toggle clamps, are best for securing large stock efficiently during cuts.

Two-Way Bevel Setting

Compound miter saws with left and right bevel capabilities offer easier compound cutting from either side.

Porter-Cable Miter Saw Specifications

General

Brand	Porter-Cable
Model	Miter Saw
Category	Saw
Language	English