Choosing between a single vs double bevel miter saw comes down to one thing — your workload. A miter saw is an exceptionally handy tool for cutting wood at precise miter angles. In addition, you can also use a single, or dual bevel miter saw to make crosscuts, miter cuts, bevel cuts, and compound cuts.
A miter saw is a great addition to a home workshop. For a start, it’s straightforward to set up and use. With a little practice, you will soon be making custom picture frames, building bookshelves and crown moldings, and creating high-quality furniture pieces.
However, it is not easy to decide when it comes to choosing between a single bevel saw and a double bevel saw. For example, a single bevel model may be ideal if you occasionally have woodworking projects. However, there is sometimes little price difference between single and dual bevel saws.
If you are unsure what type of miter saw to buy for your home workshop, this article is for you. This information will help you make an informed decision on which one is the best investment.
What Is a Miter Saw?
A miter saw is a power tool used by woodworkers, carpenters, and joiners to make cuts at angles in wood up to a 90-degree angle. A common miter saw has a robust base and a circular blade attached to it. The user pulls the miter saw blade down onto the work-piece to make a cut at the exact angle required.
What Is a Miter Saw Used For?
Carpenters and woodworkers use a miter saw to cut lumber or other materials at various angles. Typically, the power saw makes angled or crosscuts in many carpentry applications. You use a standard miter saw for cutting precise angles in moldings, picture frames, floorboards, and other wood pieces.
Single vs Double Bevel Miter Saw Comparison Table
| Benefit | Single Bevel Version | Dual Bevel Version |
| Cost | Cheaper | More expensive |
| Ease of use | Easy for standard cuts | Better for dual bevel cuts |
| Versatility | Crosscuts, single bevel cuts, miter cuts | Crosscuts, dual bevel cuts, miter cuts |
| Precision | Less precise | More precise |
| Complexity | Simple cuts | Complex angles |
What Is a Single Bevel Miter Saw?
A single bevel miter saw is for making angled cuts by tilting the circular blade in one direction — typically to the left. Also called a compound miter saw, the tool can make a bevel cut that looks like a ramp or slope from the side.
A single bevel compound miter saw can also make a “compound cut” – a combination of a miter cut, and bevel cut.
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This is quite a handy tool that not only makes miter and bevel cuts alone but simultaneously as well. And if you want to do bevel cuts on both sides of your piece, it requires to be flipped over with the hands. But you need to flip the piece in the same placement as on the other sides or else the accuracy in the cut will not be achieved.
A single bevel saw is a perfect choice if you don’t have too much to handle. It is the best tool for beginners or amateur woodworkers. Homeowners can also use this type of saw if they have to deal with smaller projects.
You can make the most cuts using a single bevel miter saw as with the double bevel saw, but it requires a lot of effort to deal with larger projects.
Double Bevel Miter Saw
A double-bevel model is a miter saw where you can tilt the blade’s angle in both directions. This feature allows you to quickly swivel from left to right when making cuts at complex angles. This feature is ideal for cutting crown moldings and trims.
Using a dual bevel unit in a workshop eliminates the need to remove and reposition pieces of wood to make cuts of opposing bevel angles. The double miter allows you to make accurate cuts more efficiently.
Advantages and Disadvantages — Single vs Double Bevel Miter Saw
Dual and single bevel saws have pros and cons, depending on their use. Therefore, whether to buy a single or dual version depends on your level of expertise, workload, and the types of woodworking projects you plan to take on.
Single bevel miter saws — Pros vs
Double bevel miter saws — Pros
- Cost: Although the price of dual-bevel miter saws is coming down, their single counterparts are still cheaper. Therefore, the single version of a miter saw is the best choice if you are on a budget or only occasionally use a miter saw.
- Simplicity: The single bevel version is ideal if most of your cuts are 90-degree or 45-degree angles. The single bevel saw is more straightforward to use.
- Versatility: When comparing a single and dual bevel version, you will find that the single bevel saw is just as versatile. You can accomplish everything you want — just with a bit more effort.
- Increased workload: The main advantage of a double bevel saw is that you can work faster. This is a major benefit when working with trim and crown molding projects.
- Increased accuracy: The ability to tilt the bevel saw from side to side, making matching cuts on either side of the work-piece, maximizes precision when using a power saw.
- More Efficient: Using a dual bevel saw on complex woodworking projects allows you to be more efficient without “cutting corners.” This becomes important if you are a tradesman.
Single bevel miter saws —Cons vs
Double bevel miter saws —Cons
- Less accuracy: When it comes to making dual-angled bevel cuts, a single bevel saw makes more mistakes. You must spend more time getting the angles precise to ensure identical bevels cuts and a tight fit when installing moldings or trims.
- Limited capabilities: The single bevel miter saw only allows you to make one-directional angled cuts.
- Longer work time: If you are cutting complex angles or working on intricate projects, a single-bevel compound saw is a significant disadvantage.
- Cost: Due to increased functionality, a dual-bevel version is more expensive. Therefore, it is vital to consider the return on investment when purchasing workshop power tools and whether a double-bevel version is worth the extra money.
- More complex: Dual bevels saw are more complicated to use and typically not suited for beginner DIY enthusiasts or working on basic projects. However, advanced woodworkers taking on complex projects may find dual bevel saw absolutely necessary to make identical bevel cuts.
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Another thing to consider if you are left-handed — the single bevel miter saw may be difficult to use as they tend to tilt to the left, making it easier for right-handed people.
Using a dual bevel miter saw, you’ll be at ease as it takes no extra effort to deal with crown moldings and to make uniform cuts. It is quite efficient in getting the job done quicker and faster. It is a better option to handle high-capacity tasks.
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Table That Compares the Features of Single vs Double Bevel Miter Saw
| Feature | Single Bevel Miter Saw | Dual Bevel Miter Saw |
| Crosscuts | Yes | Yes |
| Miter cuts | Yes | Yes |
| Bevel cuts | Single bevel | Dual bevel |
Which Jobs Are Each Most Suited To
Single-bevel compound miter saws are suitable for most woodworking projects. For example, you can use them to make photo frames, cabinet joints, picture rails, baseboards, and similar woodwork projects.
But suppose your work mostly involves installing baseboards, crown moldings, or trims. In that case, it is worth investing in a double-bevel compound miter saw. You will find that you can work with more accuracy and complete jobs in a faster time.
When To Go For a Single Bevel Miter Saw?
A single bevel saw is suitable for most standard cutting tasks in the workshop. You can make crosscuts, bevel cuts, and miter cuts. Of course, it is possible to make opposed bevel cuts — the only downside is that it takes more time. Additionally, the dual bevel cuts may not be as precise.
Because a single bevel unit is lighter and cheaper, it could be the best option if you only do occasional woodwork. However, if you make complex cuts or cut many moldings, the single bevel option would work out more time-consuming in the long run.
When To Go For a Double Bevel Miter Saw?
On the other side of the coin, if you’re a professional craftsman and have to deal with heavy-duty tasks, a dual bevel miter saw should be your selection.
It’s worth paying the extra money because it is the right tool for the type of work you deal with. Being an expert in using tools already, you won’t face a hard time getting used to it.
You may find it a bit heavy in weight but that does justice with the kind of work it gives out. It’s a versatile tool that offers a variety of cuts to be made with it. You’ll get the accuracy and precision in cuts because of its dual directions of angles while cutting. If you’re the type of person who prefers perfection in work, this compound saw will meet your expectations.
Some of its uses are custom woodworking, expert crown molding, and handcrafted items. In single vs dual bevel miter saw comparison, dual bevel saw takes the lead when professionalism is concerned.
The quality of cuts remains intact while making a lot of repetitions. You can achieve the same cuts on each side with this saw. A full range of different compound angles can be obtained for compound cuts on the usage of the double bevel miter saw.
FAQ’s-Single Vs Double Bevel Miter Saw
What Is a Double Bevel Compound Miter Saw?
A double bevel compound miter saw moves in both directions, left and right to create perfect bevel cuts. There’s no extra fatigue you have to go through unlike in the case of the single bevel miter saw. You can obtain perfect moldings and great cuts for your wood pieces using a dual bevel mite saw.
Single vs Double Bevel Miter Saw — Conclusion
Both a single-bevel miter saw, and a double-bevel version are excellent for making various types of cuts.
If you are a DIY hobbyist and occasionally make bevel cuts or are looking for an entry-level saw, then go for the single bevel saw.
However, suppose you are a professional woodworker and work on larger projects. In that case, the double bevel saw is the best option. Not only will you save money in the long run, your work will also look better, and bevel joints will be more precise.
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I’m Thomas Steven with more than 12 years of experience in woodworking. It has always been my passion to become a successful woodworker. I have completed hundreds of successful projects. This blog is a way of sharing my woodworking experiences and what tools get the best results. I write about woodworking while being an associate with Amazon and I earn a little commission from every qualifying purchase.