Carpenters who have been around a while probably remember a time when the answer to what a chop saw is was simple: a new, time-saving innovation on the jobsite. By performing one simple function—crosscutting trim and framing lumber—it streamlined the workflow on construction sites as well as in-home woodshops.

It didn’t take manufacturers long to introduce one basic feature—the ability to rotate the saw—that greatly increased the chop saw’s usefulness. It eliminated the need to cut miters (angles) by hand with a miter box and hand saw. But manufacturers didn’t stop there! They added other features, such as a tiltable blade that can cut bevels and a sliding track for cutting wide boards.

Saws with these added features are now known as miter saws. They’re as different from their chop saw predecessors as modern mobile devices are from the early Apple Newton or PalmPilot. But chop saws, though largely displaced from the woodworker’s tool collection by miter saws, haven’t disappeared. You might still find traditional ones for cutting wood, but most are now designed to cut metal.

What Is a Chop Saw?

If you’re wondering what is a chop saw, it’s a cutting tool that crosscuts (cuts across the width) lengths of wood or metal into shorter pieces. It doesn’t cut angles, bevels or curves and it doesn’t do rip cuts (cuts along the length).

The cutting area consists of a table with a fence in the back to support the material being cut and a device for clamping it. The cutting part itself is a circular saw mounted on a stand that extends about a foot from the middle of the table and pivots up and down.

To make a cut, the user grips the handle on the top of the saw, pushes the trigger to start it and lowers the blade into the material. The saw automatically returns to its original position when the cut is completed and the user releases the handle.

How Does a Miter Saw Work for Precision Cutting?

A miter saw resembles a chop saw, with one key difference: The stand holding the miter saw can pivot left and right, usually to a maximum angle of 45 degrees.

The front of a miter saw table is rounded, not square like a chop saw table, and it’s marked with an angle gauge. The handle used to rotate the saw extends from the front of the table, and a locking mechanism prevents the saw from moving once you’ve selected the angle.

A compound miter saw has an added feature: It rotates on a horizontal axis parallel to the table and locks onto a selected angle. This allows you to make bevel cuts, i.e., cuts at angles other than 90 degrees in the vertical plane. Some compound miter saws are mounted on a horizontal track, allowing the user to slide the saw back and forth to cut wide pieces of wood.

What Are the Uses for Chop Saws and Miter Saws?

As we mentioned above, most contemporary chop saws are metal-cutting tools. Because of this, the table is usually longer than it is wide and features an adjustable clamp. Metal-cutting blades are interchangeable. You can select an abrasive blade, which cuts slowly but works on any type of metal or a tungsten carbide-tipped (TCT) blade with teeth.

A TCT blade works faster and more accurately for cutting tubing and other relatively thin metals. Although the blade angle isn’t adjustable, you can make angle cuts by clamping the material to the table at an angle.

Chop saws are used for cutting:

  • Metal rods, such as rebar and angle iron;
  • Metal and plastic pipes;
  • Metal building materials, such as studs, gutters and posts;
  • Wood with embedded nails, screws and other metal.

A miter saw does everything a traditional wood-cutting chop saw does, plus a lot more, so woodworkers use it a lot. A standard miter saw can do most cuts you’re likely to need on a construction site. But if you’re in the shop, a compound miter saw is more useful.

Miter saws are used for cutting:

  • Straight crosscuts in wood studs and trim pieces, such as baseboards and corner bead;
  • Hardwood floor boards to length;
  • Angles needed to construct frames for windows, doors and picture frames;
  • Bevels for lap joints, which are stronger than butt joints made by cutting ends at 90 degrees;
  • Compound angles in crown molding.

Choosing the Right Saw for Your Projects

When you’re deciding which saw to use, it helps to think about the type of cuts you need, especially if you’re working with angles. Chop saws, miter saws, circular saws and table saws all serve a specific role in a workshop. Each tool has strengths and trade-offs based on material type, precision and versatility. Here’s how they compare when it comes to accuracy, safety and ease of use.

Pros of using a miter or chop saw

  • Precision: Both allow you to align a cut with more precision than a circular saw and the blade doesn’t wander while you’re cutting.
  • Repeatability: Making the same type of cut over and over is easy, so you can quickly mass produce parts.
  • Safety: Although you do need to wear eye protection and keep your hands away from the blade, cutting with a chop saw or miter saw is safer than the same cut with a circular saw or table saw.

Cons of using a miter or chop saw

  • Specific purpose: Chop saws and miter saws only do crosscuts.
  • Limited stock size: Miter saws and chop saws can’t handle really wide or thick material. Even most sliding miter saws are limited to 12-inch-wide stock.
  • Small table: When cutting long stock, you usually have to construct your own support system.

Chop Saw vs Miter Saw: How Much Do They Cost?

When comparing the cost of a chop saw vs. a miter saw, Home Depot notes that you can get a decent chop saw for a little over $150. But if you need more power or a blade that tilts for cutting bevels (yes, some chop saws do have this feature), it’ll probably be more in the neighborhood of $400.

Today, most miter saws are compound miter saws. You can find a budget one for a little more than $180, according to Home Depot. If you want one that slides on a track, the price runs between $450 and $700. Both corded and cordless miter saws are available in this range.

Tips for Using Chop Saws and Miter Saws Safely

  • According to West Virginia University, you should always wear industrial-rated safety glasses or a face shield to protect your eyes from debris.
  • Avoid loose clothing or jewelry that could get caught in moving parts. Tie back long hair or tuck it under a cap.
  • Use appropriate hearing protection and a dust mask when operating the saw.
  • Make sure blade guards and fences are secure and functioning properly before each use.
  • Use sharp, clean blades that are properly set so they cut smoothly without forcing.
  • Let the saw work at its own pace and don’t force it through material.
  • Keep your hands and fingers at least four inches away from the rotating blade.
  • Inspect your material for nails, screws, knots or other hidden hazards before cutting.
  • Don’t attempt to cut small pieces you can’t hold securely.
  • Never make freehand cuts. Always use the fence or a clamp for control.
  • Firmly press the workpiece against the fence and use clamps whenever possible to prevent shifting.
  • Never reach behind, over or under the blade while it’s spinning or connected to power.
  • Unplug the saw or remove the battery before making adjustments or changing the blade.
  • Clear sawdust and scrap pieces from the table and floor to reduce slipping or tripping hazards.

FAQ

What materials can chop saws cut?

When asking what is a chop saw, it helps to look at its capabilities: among the many uses for chop saws are cutting through tough materials like steel, aluminium, iron pipes and rebar. With the right blade, they can also handle PVC and even wood embedded with nails.

What type of cuts does a chop saw make?

According to Rotabroach, a company specializing in annular cutting tools, chop saws are limited to making straight, 90-degree cuts through materials. They cannot make angled cuts like a miter saw, which is better suited for miter saw precision cutting. Their strength is in making powerful, clean, straight cuts through tough materials quickly and effectively.

Which saw is better for woodworking—a chop saw or miter saw?

According to Woodsmith, a resource for woodworkers, the right choice depends on the material and the type of work you plan to do. If you’re tackling fine woodworking projects and already exploring essential power tools, a miter saw is typically the best saw for cutting angles, making it ideal for tasks like trim work or cutting smaller lumber. In contrast, a chop saw is better suited for rough, straight cuts through thicker materials like large lumber or metal. Its powerful motor and larger blade make it great for fast, repetitive crosscuts where precision isn’t important.

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Author
Chris Deziel
Chris Deziel is a freelance service journalist who worked in landscaping and home improvement for more than thirty years. He has published over 10,000 how-to and expository pieces on home improvement and nature topics since he began writing in 2010. Deziel lives and works in an off-grid home in California where he enjoys recording original music an...
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Chris Deziel