Crown molding is a common architectural element that requires detailed cuts to enhance a room’s elegance.
As a professional carpenter or enthusiast, possessing the appropriate saw can significantly improve the quality of your cuts.
However, the abundance of saw choices can make choosing the perfect one for your needs challenging.
Additionally, the jargon and terminologies associated with saws may not be familiar if you are new to the craft.
This article reviews the best saws for crown molding and highlights some vital considerations before buying this item.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Saw for Crown Molding
Type of Miter Saw
A miter saw is a popular power saw for accurate angled cuts in wood, moldings, and other materials. The tool spins around a pivot point, allowing you to create different angled cuts.
There are numerous varieties of miter saws which include:
- The Standard miter saw: Also referred to as a chop saw, this is a smaller and less expensive option than other miter saws. It features a saw head you can angle to the right or left to make miter at various angles.
- The compound miter saw: Although it’s similar to a Standard miter saw, you can tilt its blade to make beveled cuts at different angles. This versatility to adjust for both miter and bevel cuts makes it ideal for molding, baseboards, and other angled cuts.
- The Sliding Compound miter saw: This saw comes with the features of a compound miter saw but with a sliding mechanism for making long cuts. Its saw head can move back and forth along a track, making it ideal for complex projects requiring longer cuts.
Fence
A fence consists of a long, straight bar parallel to the blade for guiding cutting material.
It supports the material at a correct cutting angle to the blade, ensuring straight and precise cuts.
Many fences are adjustable for different cutting lengths and come with built-in calibrations to help you make accurate cuts.
Miter saw fence
Blade size
Although the blade size can determine the weight of the saw, it also determines the cutting capacity and materials.
Large blades can handle thick heavy materials, while small blades are ideal for small and delicate cuts.
The typical size of o a miter saw blade is 7 to 12 inches.
Crown molding stops & angles.
Crown molding stops refer to the adjustable miter saw settings that control the precise angle of the miter cut. In contrast hand, the angles dictate the bevel tilt of the blade during molding and other trim projects.
Some miter saws have pre-set stops for popular molding angles, ensuring seamless adjusting.
Other types require manual setting using a protractor or a digital display.
A saw with a wider range of adjustable stops and angles provides enhanced flexibility and precision.
LED Marker/ Laser Guidance
LED markers and lasers project a line or dot onto the workpiece, detailing where the blade cuts.
These techniques ensure that cuts are exact and accurate, lowering the possibility of errors or waste.
Consider whether a guidance system is vital to your project, and consider its accuracy and functionality.
While some saws may feature inbuilt laser systems, others may require additional accessories.
Best Saw for Crown Molding
DEWALT 12-Inch Miter Saw, Single Bevel, Compound
The DEWALT 12-Inch is a compact single-bevel compound saw designed for power, precision, and portability. It features a 15-amp motor and 4,000 rpm to offer the power and efficiency required for demand projects.
Pros
- A tall sliding fence to handle large pieces
- Features 14 positive stops for easy angle setup
- With a wide angle for versatility
- Ideal for large cutting tasks
Cons
- With a poor dust intake
- It does not have a soft start or stop functionality
Customer review
I am Impressed by the compactness and lightweight design of this saw.
BOSCH 12 Inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw
The BOSCH is a 12-inch corded miter saw with a 15-amp dual-bevel and 60-teeth blade suitable for big projects. It features a patented axial glide system to provide broader cross-cuts and enhanced alignment.
Pros
- Compact to save space
- Easy to adjust the uniform bevel
- It comes with stainless steel miter scales
- With 45-degree bevel detents for accurate cuts
Cons
- No laser guiding system
- Its table isn’t flat enough, which affects the accuracy
Customer review
I love the axial glide system and the efficient dust collection.
Metabo HPT 10-Inch Miter Saw
The Metabo tool is a compound miter with a 15-Amp motor to generate 500 rpm for fast, accurate cuts. It features an extended flip fence that accommodates large pieces.
Pros
- It’s lightweight for easier maneuverability and portability
- With a large table for better material support
- With 0-45 degree bevel range with adjustable bevel stops to enhance accuracy.
- Features thumb-actuated positive stops for quick miter adjustments
Cons
- With kickbacks that result in injury
- Prone to too much vibration
Customer reviews
This saw is necessary for those seeking a powerful and precise tool for demanding projects.
Evolution Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
It is a 10-inch dual bevel sliding miter saw for cutting various materials. It features an extensive range of bevel tilt of 0-45 degrees and miter angles of 50-50 degrees, precise and consistent.
Pros
- It’s versatile enough for cutting a wide range of materials
- Feature dual bevel sliding functionality for accurate cuts
- With laser precision guidance for enhanced accuracy
- It comes with a 3-year limited warranty.
Cons
- It’s heavy and bulky.
- Its support may be weak and height low for some users
Customer reviews
The ability to switch between various materials without changing blades makes this a great miter saw.
DEWALT 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The DEWALT 12-Inch is a sliding compound miter Saw with a double bevel suitable for challenging tasks requiring power and precision.
It features a CUTLINE blade positioning system that offers a cut line indication for enhanced accuracy and visibility.
Pros
- With LED-projected shadow on the cutline
- An efficient dust collection system
- With a tall sliding fence for crown and base molding
- With adjustable stainless-steel miter detent plate with ten positive stops for efficiency and accuracy
Cons
- Inadequate guiding LED lights
- Narrow nozzle and inefficient dust collector
Customer reviews
This saw is an excellent addition to my workshop since it’s robust and accurate.
How to Cut Crown Molding with a Miter Saw
Cut crown molding can appear intimidating, but it can be simple with little practice and appropriate methods.
Ensure precise cutting because even minor errors can pile up and affect how the crown molding ultimately fits.
Here is a broad description of how to use a miter saw to cut crown molding:
- Mark the molding’s cutting locations and the molding’s length.
- Use a protractor or digital display to set the miter correctly saw angles to match the molding angle.
- Adjust the bevel angle on the saw to match the angle required for the molding.
- Clamps the pieces together to prevent them from moving while cutting.
- Turn on the saw and perform the necessary miter and bevel cuts while holding the molding tightly as you work.
- Check the cut pieces’ fitment and adjust the angle settings. Repeat the cutting process as necessary till the pieces fit together correctly.
- Replicate the cutting process for each additional piece of molding, adjusting the angle settings as required.
Conclusion
A crown molding saw is vital for your projects; you can add quality to your work with the appropriate tool.
With the above-researched products and a buying guide, it shouldn’t be hard for you to choose the right tool.