Cutting 4x4 posts with a 10" mitre saw?

[miguel]

I find myself with a need to cut some 4x4 posts. They'll be used outdoors (pressure treated) and won't be used for anything being featured in Architectural Digest.

My choices are: a 10" mitre saw or a 7 1/4" circular saw. I know that ideally that's a job for a 12" mitre, but I really don't want to pay $300 - $500 to make 8-10 cuts.

I'm leaning towards the mitre just to have less work by not having to flip the posts 2-3 times to make multiple "passes" at the cut with the circular saw.

Last question is, if you think the 10" will get the job done, would a general blade or fine finish make the job easier or it doesn't matter.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide!

 

[Jaybird1980]

I find myself with a need to cut some 4x4 posts. They'll be used outdoors (pressure treated) and won't be used for anything being featured in Architectural Digest.

My choices are: a 10" mitre saw or a 7 1/4" circular saw. I know that ideally that's a job for a 12" mitre, but I really don't want to pay $300 - $500 to make 8-10 cuts.

I'm leaning towards the mitre just to have less work by not having to flip the posts 2-3 times to make multiple "passes" at the cut with the circular saw.

Last question is, if you think the 10" will get the job done, would a general blade or fine finish make the job easier or it doesn't matter.

Thanks in advance for any input you can provide!

I've done it many times. 40 tooth will be fine as long as it's carbide tipped.

 

[miguel]

I've done it many times. 40 tooth will be fine as long as it's carbide tipped.

Thanks, man!

I need a new blade anyway, so I was thinking about going with a 40-tooth Diablo. Website asys it is carbide, so I should be in good shape since I'm going to be crosscutting them: https://www.homedepot.com/p/DIABLO-...l-Purpose-Circular-Saw-Blade-D1040X/100055325

 

[blain]

The Project Farm, head-to-head review of 15 circular saw blade brands.
A little older Project Farm head-to-head review of 10 "demolition" blade brands.
Both reviews include Diablo blades.

 

[Sigblitz]

I do it all the time with the same blade it came with.

 

[04FXSTS]

I have a 12" sliding miter so that is what I use for most everything. Have two blades the general purpose that came on the saw either 40 or 60 tooth carbide. The other is a Diablo 100 tooth carbide that gives a really nice finish. My Ridgid brand saw is easy and fast to change blades so anything that does not have to be really nice or if it is treated wood gets the general purpose blade. Jim.

 

[Brandon]

Diablo makes a good (enough) blade.

 

[WanderingSol07]

What about a Sawsall?

 

[Butch627]

Whatever blade you have in your 10-in saw will work just fine for what you're doing. Sawzall would take much longer, be more imprecise, and would need a proper blade for that.

 

[Ark]

Even if you have to roll it and make multiple cuts, miter saws are much nicer and safer because they eliminate so many axis of movement. I don't remember what size it was but cutting 4x4s with mine was never an issue. Wouldn't want to do it with a circular saw.

 

[miguel]

A follow up...the mitre worked like a champ. Mini Miguel thought it would take us much longer to make our cuts. Nice clean cuts, too.

Thanks for your input!