What is the difference between a regular Miter cut and a compound miter cut?

Question

I'm going to purchase a miter saw and do not know the difference between the two "cuts". I'm installing
crown moulding using mostly inside miter cuts, and a couple of outside miter cuts.
I am going to install moulding on a cathedral ceiling in the future, would that project involve the compound cuts??

Answer 1

If you put a piece of trim flat against a wall, and cut it at an angle for another piece to match it (like door or window trim) its a 'miter' cut.

If that piece of trim sticks out from the wall at an angle, and you still need to join it, at an angle to another piece of trim, its a compound miter...like your crown moulding. You would actually see the trim cut at an angle... and the cut itself is angled, rather than 'straight down' through the trim.

There ARE ways to get compound cuts from a standard miter saw. The compound miter saw is more versatile, IF you know how to use it.

If cost is not a problem, by the compound miter saw, as they tend to be built just a bit better, and a little more rugged than standard miter saws.

I would also suggest that you sign up for some seminars, classes, etc (or at the very least, get someone to demonstrate the saw for you) from wherever you are going to purchase the saw, if possible, or from a local 'big box' supply store. They can be very useful, or very confusing, hehehe.

Have Fun

Answer 2

First things first; a compound miter saw will cut an angle on two planes. As you face the saw, the blade will tilt in the vertical plane it will also swivel in a horizontal plane - thus 2 angles at once. It's harder to explain than to see when you have the saw in front of you. Installing crown molding is a classic use of a compound miter, HOWEVER there is a simple method of making the cuts using only the 45 degree swivel. (non compound) It's done by holding the molding at a 45 against the saw fence, in much the same manner as it will be installed on the wall. (the actual mantra is 'upside down and backwards' - so called because you are looking down on the molding instead of up as when it's installed.)
I'd bet big money that you tube has an instructional video. Only the first cut is hard. It's easy once you understand the concept.

Answer 3

Miter Definition

Answer 4

If you have molding that is angled to the wall like 45, 32.5 degrees or some other angle, and not flat against the wall or ceiling then you will need a compound miter cuts. If you will be working on a cathedral ceiling then I'm sure you will need to do compound cuts. Also you should get a saw with a 12" blade.

Answer 5

A miter cut is 1 angle a compound miter cut has 2 angles a compound miter saw is a much better saw for your project I assure you I have 18 years in carpentry.

Answer 6

1

Answer 7

A regular miter cut is like you see in a picture frame corner -- it is an angle in which a saw cuts straight down through the piece of material. A 'compound' miter is when you cut on an angle through the thickness of your material as well as the regular angle. This cut would make it possible for you to overlap pieces of your material pretty much seamlessly and usually involves removing material from the back of your piece on the 'pretty' side and the front of your piece that will 'hide' behind the other piece. On trim in your home, there are materials available today that make it unnecessary for you to get involved with compound cuts -- they make pieces for inside and outside corners that are decorative so that you can just straight cut your trim and cover it with the decorative corners...great for do-it-yourself projects. If you hire a carpenter to do this sort of work though, you should expect him/her to use the compound miters on your project if you're being charged for professional work!

Answer 8

What Is A Miter Cut

Answer 9

Get the best miter saw ya can...unless you can do it by hand and site....if ya have a lot to do..get the best

Answer 10

Yes it would . Two angle cut .