If you are like me and you first inclination is to tackle most projects yourself, you learn fast that any job will go better with the proper tools. A power miter saw is one item that every homeowner that does any kind of wood working should definitely consider investing in. Also, if you do a lot of metal or steel cuts, a chop saw will also make for a necessary purchase. After the circular saw and jig saw, the miter saw should be the next power saw purchase a do it yourself type homeowner should make. These saws are a must have if you are making numerous cross cuts, installing any kind of trim or doing a large wood flooring installation. Due to its accuracy and ease of use, my miter saw is the saw that I get the most use out of because I will utilize it even if I am just making a few cuts.
However, the chop saw is probably one of the most dangerous tools in your toolbox. Since a quality saw will easily cut through steel, a finger will certainly provide no match for one of these powerful saws. I say this because after making several similar cuts, it is easy to become somewhat comfortable and over confident with the saw which is then followed by complacency. As an example, once I was working installing a bead board ceiling in my kitchen and the job was nearing completion. My wife came in and said I needed to finish up and get ready as we were going to dinner with another couple. I was standing at the miter saw and told her I just had a couple of more boards to install and I would head for the shower and be ready to go. I then hurriedly began the last cut I was to make for the day when I realized my left hand was just in the path of the blade. Luckily, I stopped the saw just as it touched my hand and escaped with a one inch laceration that was just before requiring stitches. Since that day, I follow a few simple safety rules and make sure I keep them in mind before I make the first or last cut of the day.
