Owning a stand can take up quite a bit of room in your shed or garage, which is a problem if you’re stuck for storage space. So can you save space by using your miter saw on the ground?
Although you don’t need a stand to operate a miter saw, using one will increase accuracy. Holding the wooden board and trying to keep it level is challenging without the use of a stand. Prolonged use of a miter saw on the ground may also lead to issues with your back and knees.
If you’re stuck for space, then I have a few recommendations in this article for portable stands that won’t take up a lot of room.
Should you use a miter saw on the floor?
It is possible to use a miter saw on the floor and you won’t damage the tool, but it might make using it a bit more difficult for you in the long run. This is because you usually use a miter saw to make quick and accurate miter cuts, but using it on the ground or on a table can make it much more difficult to use, especially if you are cutting long lengths of wood.
If you are cutting long lengths then you will probably need to create a stand to lay the board on so that it does not move while you are cutting it. If you are using a miter saw on the floor then you’ll probably need to use something to hold the wood in one place while you cut it and it probably won’t be as accurate as if you were using a mounted saw.
As well as not being as accurate, you could end up with wasted lumber, and using a miter saw on the floor could be dangerous for you. If you are using it on the floor then you will need to make sure that the floor is solid and not likely to be damaged easily as miter saws are extremely powerful and produce a lot of vibration when they are used.
Although the miter saw itself wouldn’t damage the floor the wood that falls after you have cut it could. Therefore, it is best to use the saw on a concrete floor if possible. Also, you should always make sure that you are using it in a dry area as using a power tool anywhere near water could be extremely dangerous.
Another thing to consider if you are planning to use your miter saw on the floor is the toll that it can take on your back if you are using it for a long time while it is not at the correct height for you.
What if space is an issue?
If space is an issue for you then you can use your miter saw on the floor, but it would be better if you were to mount it on something that is stable and can support the wood that you are cutting.
Folding miter saw stand
A folding miter saw stand
is a useful tool if you don’t have much space. This is a stand that has a horizontal base and foldable legs. It is extremely popular as it can be quickly folded and unfolded and it is easy to store and carry around.
A folding miter saw stand is a great choice if you don’t have much room to store it or need to transport it from place to place.
Rolling miter saw stand
Rolling miter saw stands have one main difference when compared with other types of stands and that is that they have wheels, which means that it is easy to transport them short distances. It also has foldable legs with telescopic supports and a base for the saw to be attached to.
The folding legs can be pulled out wide to provide a stable work area. The miter saw can be fastened to the base with spring-loaded brackets and it can be clamped in different positions.
Benefits of a miter saw stand
A good miter saw stand has many benefits that will make your saw much easier to use. It will help to prevent back pain while you are working and will greatly improve the quality of your projects by allowing you to make much more accurate cuts. Some of the other benefits are:
- Improved accuracy
- Provides a much more stable work area
- Makes cutting longer pieces of lumber much easier
- Allows you to work much quicker / be more productive
- Portable
- Prevents back pain
Versatility
Most miter saws can cut wood that is between 6 and 8 inches long easily, but it will struggle to cut pieces that are any longer and will have much less precision. When you are cutting longer pieces of wood you really need something to support it and a miter saw stand will provide that support and allow you to cut longer pieces easily.
Compact
If you’ve been considering using your miter saw on the floor, or are considering purchasing a stand for it then space is probably an issue for you. Unlike a workbench, a miter saw stand is easy to move and is compact. They can usually be folded up quickly and easily and stored anywhere. Most types are not very heavy either, which makes transporting them really easy too.
Portable
As just mentioned above, most miter saw stands are light and easy to move, which makes them great for moving from place to place. However, not only are the stands themselves easy to move, they can make your miter saw portable if you choose a rolling stand. A rolling stand means that there’s no more hassle of trying to lug your saw around, even only across your work area, as you can simply roll it to where you want it.
Accuracy
One of the main – and possibly most important – benefits of using a miter saw stand is that it allows you to quickly make cuts with far greater accuracy. The stand will support the material that you are cutting while supporting your saw at the same time and the stoppers on it will allow you to easily make cuts repeatedly.
Stability
A miter saw stand can provide a much more stable work area for you to use your saw on and the stable base will help you to make accurate cuts. If you have an uneven surface in your work area then it is quite easy to ruin cuts if you slip or the machine moves, but you won’t need to worry about that if you use a miter saw stand.
