Miters. The name of the saw comes from a miter cut, as you may have guessed. Any angled cut you make through a piece is referred to as a miter cut. Crosscuts go parallel to the sides of a workpiece, whereas miters run diagonally at any angle. Thus, a miter saw is a saw that can make miter and crosscut cuts. Miter saws are used by carpenters for making precise cuts along with other tools such as drills and routers. They are particularly useful when making joint connections, because they allow the user to make multiple cuts from one original position on the block. A carpenter can save time by measuring and cutting all the pieces for a project from a single location instead of having to move each piece separately to a different spot on the job site. Miter saws come in various sizes and configurations but they all work on the same principle of cutting at an angle. Crosscuts are perpendicular to the face of the stock and are used to create decorative features or to separate large elements within the woodwork. For example, crosscutting is often necessary before applying finishes to walls. Crosscuts can also be used to open up space within the woodwork for other items such as cabinets or shelves. Because crosscuts are made at right angles to the edge of the stock, they cannot be done with a miter saw alone. A second tool is needed to finish the cut.