What is the main purpose of a miter saw?

The main purpose of a miter saw is to make precise crosscuts and angled cuts in wood. This tool is specifically designed to allow users to set angles for cutting, often used for creating frames, moldings, and other detailed woodworking projects. By pivoting the blade at various angles, the miter saw excels at producing clean and accurate cuts that are essential for fitting pieces together accurately, particularly in projects that require angled joints. The capability to make these precision cuts distinguishes the miter saw from other tools.

In contrast, cutting wood into strips is typically the function of a table saw or a band saw, while sanding the edges of wood is done using a sander, not a miter saw. Joining pieces of wood together usually entails using other tools and techniques, rather than the cutting function that a miter saw provides.