Because 4×4 posts are convenient to work with and suitable for making fences, these are mostly preferred by everyone. In case you own a miter saw and wondering if can you cut a 4×4 with a miter saw, this article is for you.
You can cut a 4×4 wood post with a miter saw. The key here is to pick the right size miter saw. Not all of them are suitable for cutting precise 4×4 pieces.
If you want more details about it, make sure to read the entire article.
Can You Cut A 4×4 With A 10 Inch Miter Saw
A 10-inch miter saw is certainly capable of cutting a 4×4. We won’t say that it’s perfect because there is a bit of hassle and risk in using a 10-inch miter saw. These miter saws have a depth of about 5 ½ inches.
That means they will roughly make the cut required for a 4×4 post. Another thing that makes the miter saw a bit troubling to use is that you need to remove or adjust the blade guard as needed.
This affects the safety of the procedure, which is why we do not recommend using these miter saws for cutting a 4×4. If the miter saw is a free-standing unit rather than a stationary one, you will have more trouble with cutting the post.
One exception we must mention here is sliding compound miter saws. These are more flexible in their functions. So, you can easily cut a 4×4 post with these. If you’re considering investing in one, No products found. is something you can look into.
The bottom line about 10-inch miter saws is that they’re not the ideal choice. If you’re cutting 4×4 posts once or twice and you own a 10-inch miter saw, it’s not a big deal. You will get away with it even though you may have to work on the same piece a few times to make it precise.
Nonetheless, if you’re going to make frequent 4×4 cuts, investing in a better-suited miter saw makes more sense. And if you want to stick to a 10-inch miter saw, go for a sliding one.
Can You Cut A 4×4 With A 12 Inch Miter Saw?
If you want your 4×4 posts to be straight and precise, you will want to cut them with one pass. A 12-inch miter saw is one of the very few power tools that are perfect for cutting 4×4 posts. People who value preciseness and want the edges to be perfect will be most benefitted when cutting the wood posts with a 12-inch miter saw.
A 10-inch miter saw will certainly be less expensive than a 12-inch miter saw. So, if you’re investing in a new miter saw, you will have to think the entire decision through before buying it. One great option to consider when buying a 12-inch miter saw is the No products found..
Cutting A 4×4 With A Miter Saw
Did You Know Homes explains a straightforward way you can use to cut a 4×4 with a miter saw. Here’s how you do it-
- Safety above all. The first thing to do is to wear gloves, glasses, and hearing protection. Miter saws are louder than the safety level and require ear protection. You can check our article on why are miter saws so loud if you’re interested.
- Setting the angle comes next. The miter is supposed to be at a 0-degree angle while the bevel should be at 90 degrees.
- It’s important that you label the piece you’re cutting. It makes the cut more precise. Place the piece on the board and align the blade with the marks you made. Don’t start cutting yet.
- Depending on the miter saw you’re using, turn it on and push the blade slowly toward the piece. Rushing the process may induce kickback and sabotage the cut. So, be patient while going through the wood.
- Wait till you’ve reached the stop and then slowly raise the blade again. Repeat the process with other pieces as well.
Should I Get A 10-Inch Or 12-Inch Miter Saw?
There are a few things to keep in mind if you want to invest in a new miter saw. Let’s say you are buying a miter saw for cutting 4×4 posts. The first question is whether this is your primary necessity or a secondary one.
How frequently you will be cutting the same-sized posts are also a concern. If this is the sole reason for a miter saw, you can go for a 12-inch miter saw. This is where the price comes in. Buying a 10-inch miter saw will cost you less, and you can cut 4×4 with a 10-inch miter saw too.
So, why invest in a 12-inch miter saw? That’s because it’s more suitable, safe, and can cut perfect pieces with minimal effort. Using a 10-inch miter saw will require you to make some adjustments to the blade guard. Besides, you will not get the same precision and edge that you will get with a 12-inch miter.
If price is a deal-breaker for you, investing in a 10-inch miter saw makes sense. If not, you can go for a 12-inch miter saw. Another option to consider is a sliding miter saw.
Selecting a sliding miter saw allows you to stick to a 10-inch miter saw as well as get the miter saw in a 10-inch size. However, there is no reason to think that you will be saving money. Sliding miter saws cost a lot more than 10-inch or 12-inch miter saws.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why use a miter saw to cut a 4×4?
Miter saws are inexpensive power tools. Most of the time when people search for ‘can you cut a 4×4 with a miter saw,’ they usually already have one in their hands. Because it’s a widely available power tool, it’s less expensive and more convenient.
However, you have to make sure that you’re using the right size miter saw to create precise and clean cuts.
Can a 12-inch miter saw cut a 4×4 with a single pass?
The middle ground for cutting a 4×4 is a 12-inch miter saw. A 10-inch miter saw might prove to be too small, and a sliding miter saw might be too expensive. A 12-inch miter saw, on the other hand, is neither too expensive nor too small.
You can easily cut a 4×4 post with a single pass when using a 12-inch miter saw. This is a sweet spot for people looking for the perfect option to invest in.
Final Words
So, can you cut a 4×4 with a miter saw? You certainly can. All you need is the correct size, and you will be making frequent clean, and precise 4×4 pieces in no time. It’s always a good idea to utilize what you have in hand if the task is a one-time thing.
On the contrary, when frequently cutting the same pieces over and over again, you may want to invest in a power tool that’s more suitable for the task. This not only increases the life of the tool but also makes the cuts clean.
