Over the decades, miter saws have been a crucial tool in the art of crafting.
They are ideal for a wide range of woodwork duties as well as plumbing. Miter saws have been craftily engineered to yield carpenters and woodwork experts high productivity without much energy and time. However, to get the best out of a miter saw, you must use it for its correct purpose.
Choosing the ideal miter saw for a particular task involves various factors such as the type of material you intend to cut, the level of the precision of the cut, safety measures, and how quickly you want to get the task done.
A miter saw can be used for various woods, even those that are tough and thick. But is it safe to cut tree branches with a miter saw? Due to safety concerns, it is not ideal to use a miter saw on unprocessed and greenwood materials that have not dried up.
This article will enlighten you on why a miter saw is not recommended for use on tree branches.
Let’s dive in.
Why it’s Not Best to Use a Miter Saw to Cut Tree Branches
Due to lack of the necessary tool or lack of knowledge, one may attempt to cut tree branches using a miter saw.
Not only does this require high levels of technicality, which may be impossible to conduct, but it exposes one to much danger such as self-injury.
Using a powered miter saw around a wet or damp location is not recommended.
Thus trying to cut tree branches using a miter saw exposes you to a high level of danger.
You might end up being electrocuted, or even damaging the tool.
Experts highly recommend using the right tool for the right job.
A miter saw performs perfectly well on dry wood surfaces and with less moisture levels. It is ideal for bevel and angle crosscuts, which are precise and accurate. However, trying to cut branches with a miter saw is hazardous as the branches may fall back and injure you.
Additionally, cutting green wood materials will lead to sap production, which could cause allergic reactions such as irritation.
Moreover, there is the danger of the miter saw falling off and injuring the user.
Some miter saws are heavyweight, and may be difficult to lift and move around. For safety reasons, fixing a miter saw on a permanent table is recommended instead of moving or carrying it around.
Practically, using a miter saw for cutting branches can be seen as too much hard work. It will require some level of expertise and technique to do the same.
However, attempting to cut tree branches reduces your tool’s lifespan as it causes rapid wear of the saw.
A miter saw uses power to operate; it may be challenging to operate it away from the power source. Additionally, most of the miter saws are installed permanently to enhance productivity and avoid damage and the tool’s breakdown.
All this being said, you can use a miter saw to cut tree branches. In some cases it might be a good option, however I don’t recommend doing this with your brand new, high precision miter saw.
Here’s a great video offering some perspective into cutting tree branches with an old chop saw:
Correct Use of a Miter Saw
Regardless of the material that you are cutting, always use the correct tool.
Make sure to heed safety guidelines and follow safety instructions to the letter. This includes using hearing protection and safety goggles while necessary.
While using a power miter saw, it’s advised to do your cutting duties in your friend’s presence or have your phone with you in case of an emergency.
Miter saws are incredibly powerful but unbelievably destructive; thus, using them to cut tree branches may not be a wise decision. Ensure to choose your saw and gears for safety with care and adhere to all the instructions included in the user’s manual.
Blades used in the production of miter saws are much strong and sharp.
They are robust blades made of wire, chain, metal, and in some instances, made of stones and diamonds.
Any silly mistake while using this powerful tool could lead to the loss of a hand or even a leg, and if not lucky, you might lose your life due to deadly accidents.
Force is not required when using a mitre saw. A saw reaps better, accurate, and more safely at the rate at which it was designed to operate.
Cutting tree branches using a miter saw may lead to the application of extra force, which may not only be hazardous but may also spoil your miter saw.
The use of freehand while operating this potent tool is not allowed. A miter saw is supposed to be solidly fixed on a firmly fixed table to reduce the chances of unprecedented accidents while working in your workshop.
Any attempt to swing a miter saw in an attempt to cut tree branches should be strongly avoided.
So, what’s The Ideal Use of a Miter Saw, if not Tree Branches?
Although a miter saw is not good for cutting tree branches due to safety concerns, it is suitable for professional carpentry, woodwork, and plumbing activities.
A miter saw can be used to cut PVC pipes and other plastic construction materials.
Melamine saw blade is recommended, although you may also use a standard miter saw blade.
Power miter saws are specially designed to make angled cuts for trim work, rafters, moulding, and other general carpentry activities.
The tool is versatile as it may be used for various cutting duties. However, it should be used on dry surfaces and not on green woods.
When accurately used, a miter saw can yield much productivity, but when misused, it could be much hazardous.
This potent tool uses power to operate. The chances of electrocution are high when used on wet and moist surfaces. Always use the right tool for the right task.
