What is a Double Bevel Mitre Saw?

Double bevel mitre saws are a type of mitre saw that has two angles. One is the normal 45-degree angle, and the other is a second, smaller angle. The double bevel allows you to make different types of cut at both angles with only one machine.

No matter what size or price range, every mitre saw includes several common features across all models.

Each saw has a pivot arm, blade guard, and some clamping mechanism and locking device so that users can lock down their material before making the bevelled angle cuts.

Some types of mitres also have an automatic bevel locking system, so you don’t have to reset the locking bar when you switch between different bevel angles.

Types of Double Bevel Mitre Saws

There are two distinct types of double bevelled angle mitre saws: Double bevel and compound mitre saws:

• Compound mitre saw- has a sliding arm, which lets you cut materials up to 10 feet long. This type of saw is ideal for framing carpenters and construction workers who need to make many long cuts.
• Double bevel sliding mitre saws - A sliding mitre saw has a fixed arm, which makes it more suitable for smaller projects. The fixed arm has a small cutting capacity, so it usually can’t handle large framing jobs.
• Double bevel sliding compound mitre saws - This is a relatively new type of mitre saw that combines the best features of sliding and compound mitre saws.

Although it’s a relatively new product, it’s quickly becoming one of the most popular power tool models on the market.

How to Choose a Double Bevel Mitre Saw?

The project you use your mitre saw for will determine which model is best for you. If you mostly do smaller projects around the home, you probably don’t need one of the big, bulky compound mitre saws with a 10-inch blade.

- Cutting capacity - The cutting capacity of a mitre saw is the distance between the saw’s blade and the pivot point at the base of the saw’s arm. The longer the distance, the larger the material you can cut.

Most mitre saws have a cutting capacity between 2 and 12 inches, but the bevel length is also important.

Dual bevel mitre saws typically have a cutting capacity of 2 inches on the regular bevel and 2 or 3 inches on the double bevel.

- Blade size - Mitre saws typically use one of two blade sizes: 10 or 12 inches. The blade size you require will depend on the tasks. If you primarily make precise cuts with wood and are framing a new home, a 10-inch blade may be sufficient.

But if you do a lot of metal framing or cutting other materials, you probably need a 12-inch blade.

- Blade type - Mitre saw blades come in different styles. The most common are carbide-tipped blades and general-purpose blades.

Carbide-tipped blades are designed for cutting materials like steel, tile, and ceramic. As a result, they often wear out quickly when cutting wood.

General-purpose blades are better for cutting wood but don’t last as long as carbide-tipped blades. Double bevel mitre saws typically come with a combination blade for cutting wood and metal.

If you need a blade for cutting specific materials, you can buy a separate blade for your saw.  See the great range of tools and accessories available at AHC tools and chat to one of our experts to find out what's best for you! 

- Table size - Some bevelled angle mitre saws have a small table, making it challenging to cut larger materials. A larger table is better for cutting large materials, but it may not be large enough for some materials, like large pieces of plywood or materials with many curves.

Double bevel mitre saws typically have a table size of 12 by 28 inches. If you do a lot of cutting with large pieces of wood, you may need a larger table.

- Bevel capacity - The bevel capacity of a mitre saw is the maximum angle at which the saw can cut. This is an important feature to consider if you do a lot of angled cuts. Double bevel mitre saws typically have a bevel capacity of 52 degrees on the standard bevel and 36 degrees on the double bevel.

- Motor type - The motor type indicates the power of your mitre saw.

Most mitre saws have a 15-amp motor, but some have a 10-amp motor, which is appropriate for smaller projects.

Double bevel mitre saws typically have a 15-amp motor.

- Other features - Many mitre saws have additional features that can make cutting easier. One of the most useful is a laser guide, which projects a laser line on the surface of your material. This makes it easier to make accurate cuts.

Double Bevel Miter Saw Features

Table - The table is the surface that holds your material while you make the cut. Most tables are made of aluminium, which is lightweight. Still, some tables are made of heavier-duty materials like cast iron. A table that swivels is helpful when making bevel cuts.

Bezel - The bezel is the part of the saw that holds the saw blade. Some bezels can be removed and replaced with different blades, giving you more versatility with the saw.

Fence - The fence is the sliding arm on the right side of the table. It holds your material in place while you make a cut. The fence can be adjusted to hold materials of different thicknesses.

Blade guard - The blade guard is a protective cover for the saw blade. It prevents fingers from coming in contact with the blade and reduces the risk of injury.

Riving knife - The riving knife is a safety feature that prevents wood chips from getting stuck between the saw blade and the table.

Other features - Other features may include a foot pedal, an electric brake, a table extension, and a dust bag.

Pros and Cons of Double Bevel Mitre Saws

Double bevel mitre saws have several advantages. They can make mitre cuts on both sides, which helps cut crown moulding.

They are also relatively quiet and easy to use.

Double bevel mitre saws do have a few disadvantages. They cost more than standard mitre saws and take up more space.

The biggest disadvantage of double-bevel mitre saws is that they are more challenging to use than a standard mitre saw.

To make precise cuts, you must be careful to line up the fence correctly, which can be difficult.

Conclusion

Mitre saws are handy when you need to make accurate cuts, especially when working with wood.

Double bevel mitre saws are the best choice for most projects because they have larger saw blades that can cut through thicker materials.

Double bevel mitre saws are ideal for large framing jobs and other projects requiring cutting wood more than 2 inches thick.

Double bevelled angle mitre saws have a few disadvantages. Still, they are an excellent choice for almost any project and are worth the extra money they cost compared to a standard mitre saw.