Skill saw vs Mitre saw, or other tool?

[Red Squirrel]

I'm debating on what my next power tool will be. I only own two drills and a jig saw. I want a good multi use cutting tool so I can maybe do a few small wood working projects. I'm leaning towards a skill saw, as it can do what the mitre saw can but the mitre saw can't do what the skill saw can (ex: cut a long sheet of plywood). Though a mitre saw can do better precise cuts. I'm even debating on getting both, but think I'll settle for just one for now. I got 200 bucks for Christmas and since I have not bought myself any toys in a long time think it's fair that I buy myself something instead of putting it on my loan. I might even cheat and go a bit over 200.

Another thing that came to mind is a table saw, but think that's something I might be better off waiting till I setup a real shop in my garage.

 

[IronWing]

Describe what you mean by "skill saw". I suspect you mean a handheld circular saw but I want to make sure before I offer up a heap-o-wisdom.

 

[DrPizza]

I personally don't believe that a skill saw can do what a mitre saw can, unless you're going to simply say "cut smaller pieces of wood." A mitre saw makes very accurate cuts on smaller pieces of wood, and is especially better than a skill saw for accurate cuts other than 90 degrees. But, I can't see why there's any reason you couldn't get both. You can pick up a decent used skill saw on virtually any craigslist for a good price. The quality you want in the skill saw will really depend on what you're going to do with it. If you're just primarily going to cut 2x4s to length, then just about any skill saw is good enough. But, if you ARE going to cut a lot of plywood & want really good cuts, then a somewhat more expensive skill saw would probably be worth it.

 

[Red Squirrel]

I personally don't believe that a skill saw can do what a mitre saw can, unless you're going to simply say "cut smaller pieces of wood." A mitre saw makes very accurate cuts on smaller pieces of wood, and is especially better than a skill saw for accurate cuts other than 90 degrees. But, I can't see why there's any reason you couldn't get both. You can pick up a decent used skill saw on virtually any craigslist for a good price. The quality you want in the skill saw will really depend on what you're going to do with it. If you're just primarily going to cut 2x4s to length, then just about any skill saw is good enough. But, if you ARE going to cut a lot of plywood & want really good cuts, then a somewhat more expensive skill saw would probably be worth it.

Yeah and that's what I meant by accurate cuts. I could try to make such cuts with a skill saw but it would be much harder and probably not yield the same results. Since I'm a beginner I wont be doing stuff like crown molding right away. I'll be making mostly stuff requiring straight 90 degree cuts. A mitre saw is safer for doing lumber cuts too though as it's stationary.

I might just get both too, they might have good deals at Canadian Tire when I go.

and yeah by skill saw I mean a circular saw.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Buy a decent miter saw and a cheaper circular saw. You should be able to get both for about $200. If you plan to rip a lot of plywood, get a table saw later.

 

[olds]

Skil is a bran name, not a type of saw.
That being said, a curricular saw and a cut off saw are not even the same type of tool/saw.
If I could only have one, I'd get a curricular saw. Hard to rip plywood with a cut off saw.

 

[disappoint]

Well I think it depends on whether you will bring the workpiece to the saw or the saw to the workpiece. Also depends on how accurate an angle you want. Even for 90 degree cuts the mitre saw will give you 90.0 degrees, the skill saw might come close, but depends more on your skill lining it up, which means you have to do it carefully and not as quickly.

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

Skil is a bran name, not a type of saw.
That being said, a curricular saw and a cut off saw are not even the same type of tool/saw.
If I could only have one, I'd get a curricular saw. Hard to rip plywood with a cut off saw.

what's a curricular saw? Having some leftover eggnog today?

 

[SonnyDaze]

what's a curricular saw?

It's a saw used for cutting course wood you silly.


OP, they are both good saws to have. Mitre saw comes in handy for moulding. Circular saws can do wonders for cutting down large panel pieces (ply, mdf, etc.)

 

[mugs]

It's a saw used for cutting course wood you silly.

You win the thread.

Each saw is good for different things. If you only get one the circular saw will be more versatile, but depending on the projects you do the the miter saw may do everything you need (and it will do a better job, and it will be easier).

 

[Mike Gayner]

what's a curricular saw?

It's a saw used for cutting course wood you silly.

LOL wow what a douche.

 

[bruceb]

Compound slide miter saw is best if you are going to do a lot of trim and moldings where the angles must be dead on or they will show as poor workmanship.

Circular saw (or Skill as you call it) is best for general purpose cutting, such as 2 x 4 wood on a job site, trimming rafter tails, plunge cuts thru plywood or other uses where the saw must be brought to the work.

For cutting sheets of plywood, best bet is a table saw with an outfeed table, at the same height as the saw bed. They are a very versatile tool, but you need some room for them.
A circular saw can cut plywood, but you need a long straightedge, clamps, a pair of sawhorses to put the wood on and someone to help hold it down.

And be sure you buy carbide blades as they stay sharp longer and do a better job.

 

[olds]

what's a curricular saw? Having some leftover eggnog today?

LOL. Firefox spell check...

 

[Red Squirrel]

Thanks for the tips, I will look more and I might end up just buying both.

I later on want a table saw as well but I'll wait till I setup my garage as a shop for that. I need to run more power to it if I want to get serious. Probably a 100 amp sub panel. Heat for winter, possible big vacuum, etc... adds up.

 

[olds]

Thanks for the tips, I will look more and I might end up just buying both.

I later on want a table saw as well but I'll wait till I setup my garage as a shop for that. I need to run more power to it if I want to get serious. Probably a 100 amp sub panel. Heat for winter, possible big vacuum, etc... adds up.

I have a shop vac hooked to the dust collector on my chop saw. When the chop saw comes on, the vac comes on. I have the parts to set up my table saw this way but haven't done it yet.

Switch:http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

 

[Red Squirrel]

I have a shop vac hooked to the dust collector on my chop saw. When the chop saw comes on, the vac comes on. I have the parts to set up my table saw this way but haven't done it yet.

Switch:http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

Cool so when it detects that the power tool is drawing power, it powers on the two other outlets? That's pretty nice.

I always forget about Sears actually. They do sell power tools as well and I can just order online then go pick up the order when it's in. I'll check out what they have.

 

[3chordcharlie]

I have a shop vac hooked to the dust collector on my chop saw. When the chop saw comes on, the vac comes on. I have the parts to set up my table saw this way but haven't done it yet.

Switch:http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...0070921x00003a

No problems with amps here having two tools kick on at once?

 

[Red Squirrel]

No problems with amps here having two tools kick on at once?

I suppose it is probably ok on a 20 amp circuit. I have not planned out my garage yet but I do know I will make everything 20 amp GFCI (think it's code for garages to have GFCI, but I'll do it regardless). I'm even thinking of having a switch for each receptacle so I can quickly turn off a tool without unplugging it.

Here's another question, when it comes to blades are they pretty much universal or do I need to buy the same brand? I know there are different sizes but other then that is there a difference?

I also see blades for cutting through different materials, do I need a different saw to use those? I actually have a small project that may involve cutting into cement so if I get a circular saw and also buy a masonry blade I could do that project too. Also need to get some decent bits for my hammer drill while I'm at it.

I will probably end up spending like 500 bucks when I'm done. I'll be like a kid in a toy store.

 

[3chordcharlie]

Saw blades are generally in standard sizes, and you probably don't want the same brand.

Buy a decent saw, and when the blade needs replacing, buy a good one (blade, not saw). There are lots of things a good saw can help with, but in the end, if it has a working motor and it spins straight, it will be fine with a good blade.

A cheap blade will make any saw perform poorly.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Yeah I noticed some blades are super cheap while some are expensive. Is this a case of you get what you pay for?

I saw a masonry blade for like 15 bucks. I also saw a framing (wood) blade for like 60 bucks! I would expect a masonry blade to be rather expensive.

I'm eyeing this saw right now, but I'm still looking at them:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00927049000P?keyword=circular+saw

A bit pricy compared to others, but Dewalt is a known good brand.

 

[iGas]

Circular saw is for rough cross & rip cuts, and most of the jobs can be done with it quickly. Mitre saw or compound/sliding mitre saw are great for accurate finishing cross cuts that can't be use for ripping.

IMHO, you get both saws if you are serious.

 

[3chordcharlie]

If you expect to keep and use this saw for a long time, then $100-200 is a good range to shop in. At that range, don't limit yourself to DeWalt though, there are quite a few options there. I don't have a strong ioinion on it, because I don't own a circular saw new enough to be relevant.

OTOH, you can probably get a good older saw much, much cheaper. As in pretty much free, freeing you up to buy more tools.

 

[olds]

No problems with amps here having two tools kick on at once?

Not at all.

 

[Red Squirrel]

If you expect to keep and use this saw for a long time, then $100-200 is a good range to shop in. At that range, don't limit yourself to DeWalt though, there are quite a few options there. I don't have a strong ioinion on it, because I don't own a circular saw new enough to be relevant.

OTOH, you can probably get a good older saw much, much cheaper. As in pretty much free, freeing you up to buy more tools.

Yeah I actually found a few that I'm interested in, in that range. Is there any brands I should maybe avoid?

 

[3chordcharlie]

Like I said, I don't know enough about current model circular saws to be much use.