The process of cutting apart a material with an edge that is not perpendicular to the other part is known as bevel cut. Means, if you are cutting material at anything other than 90 degrees, you are making a bevel cut.

A bevel cut increases the surface area resulting in a more secure joint. So, whether it’s welding, crafting or carpentry, bevels cuts are important.

How a Bevel Cut Different Than a Miter Cut?

A cut made at any angle other than ninety degrees on the workpiece along the length of its width is called a miter cut. On the other hand, the bevel cut is made along with the thickness of a workpiece.

To make a miter cut, you have to angle a blade through the horizontal plane, but for a bevel cut, you need to adjust it on a vertical plane. Hence, a bevel cut changes the angle of a material, unlike the miter cut.

A compound miter saw like Dewalt DWS779 is the best tool for a bevel cut because it allows you to adjust the blade in two different angles. First, rotate the blade on its vertical pivot to set a miter angle. Then rotate the blade again on its horizontal pivot to set a bevel angle.

Different Ways For a Bevel Cut

As we stated earlier, compound miter saws are the best to make bevel cuts. However, they cannot cut along the length. So, you can use a table or circular saw for a bevel cut. You can also use a wood router in combination with a chamfer bit. In any of the tools, you need to calculate the angle. Let’s discuss them one by one.

With a Table Saw

Move or rotate the angle adjustment knob to set the desired blade angle. You will be able to see the angle just above the control, but some changes might be inaccurate.

So, use a protractor or digital inclinometer to make sure you got the right angle. Once you verify the angle, place the wooden piece, push it through the blade to get the bevel cut you need.  Also you can read the ultimate buying guide of a table saw, if you don’t have any.

With a Circular Saw

You can also get bevel cuts using a circular saw like SKIL 5280-01, wherein you can change the angles of its blade. Secure a wooden material with the workbench and then move the saw for better results. Follow a steady and slow movement to avoid any deviation. We also recommend using a protractor to measure the angle; just to avoid any mismatch or rework.

 With a Wood Router Tool

You can also use a woodworking router to change the straight edge of wooden material to bevel. However, you have to fit the tool with a chamfer bit like V Groove. Once ready, you will be able to choose an angle for bevel cuts.

Benefits of Bevel Cuts

• Carpenters prefer bevel cuts for softwood materials when they need soft edges to maintain safety and increase their resistance against weathering.
• Wooden materials with bevels trims along the edges make no damage to the adjacent wall
• Bevel cuts give an authentically pleasing appearance
• If you are an expert, you can make a bevel cut join look like a single piece of wood. As both the adjoining pieces will overlap each other, you can make the joint even more attractive.
• Makes the wooden or metal joints stronger to take some extra load

Takeaways

It’s difficult to achieve bevel cuts using hand tools because it lacks precision. Even if you are an expert, you cannot get perfect bevels using a manual saw.

Power tools are more favorable because of the accurate angles they can offer. However, not all the machines will show you an accurate angle. So, we recommend that you use a protractor or digital incline meter to make sure you got it right.