Mitre saw vs chop saw vs drop saw

Chop saw and drop saw in plain English

Chop saw and drop saw describe a saw where the blade on a hinged arm drops down onto the work. In timber and DIY use they almost always mean a mitre saw. Builders say drop saw, joiners and hobbyists say mitre saw, and many listings use both words.

There is also the abrasive chop saw or metal cut off saw, which uses a 355 mm abrasive disc or a special cold cut blade to cut steel tube and bar. That is a different tool with a different guard and speed, and it is not for wood trim.

Mitre, compound and sliding

A basic mitre saw rotates left and right on its table to cut angles across the face of a board. A compound mitre saw also tilts the head for bevel cuts through the thickness, which is how you cut crown moulding and some skirting joints. A sliding compound mitre saw adds rails so the blade can travel forward and back, which roughly doubles the crosscut width.

Our explainer compound vs sliding mitre saw covers those choices in detail.

Which one for skirting, trim and decking

For skirting boards, architrave and picture frames, a compound mitre saw with a 216 mm or 254 mm blade is plenty if the board is narrow. For wide skirting laid flat and decking boards, a sliding saw saves flipping the board. What size mitre saw do you need shows typical cut widths.

Use the mitre angle calculator to work out angles for out of square UK walls.

See our mitre saw picks →

Cutting metal and multi material saws

Some mitre saws are sold as multi material and come with a blade rated for thin steel, aluminium and timber with nails. They run slower than a standard wood saw. Never fit a steel cutting disc to a normal wood mitre saw, and only cut metal with a blade and saw the maker approves for it.

If your main job is cutting steel box section, a dedicated metal saw is safer and more accurate than adapting a wood saw.

Note:Check the blade rating and saw manual before cutting anything other than wood. Wear eye protection; metal swarf is hot and sharp.

Choosing between them

If you work in wood, search for mitre saw and decide between compound and sliding. If a listing says chop saw, read the specs: a timber blade with bevel and mitre scales means a mitre saw, while an abrasive disc means a metal cut off saw. If you also need long rip cuts, a mitre saw is not the tool; see mitre saw vs circular saw.

For decking and sleepers, check the cut depth and width on the listing. A 305 mm sliding saw cuts deeper than a 216 mm one.

Think about where the saw will live as well. A non sliding compound saw is compact and easy to carry to a room. A sliding saw needs space behind it for the rails, unless it has a front mounted glide arm, and it is heavier. A stand with extending supports makes either one safer with long boards; see how to set up a mitre saw stand.

Frequently asked questions

Is a chop saw the same as a mitre saw? In UK timber use, usually yes. Strictly a chop saw only crosscuts, while a mitre saw also turns for angles.

What is a drop saw? Another name for a mitre saw, common on building sites.

Can a mitre saw cut metal? Only multi material saws with a suitable blade, and only thin sections. Use a metal cut off saw for steel.

Do I need a sliding mitre saw? Only if you cut boards wider than a non sliding saw can handle, such as wide skirting and decking boards in one pass.