Compound Miter Saws: Reviews

Updated August 2008

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Budget miter saw

*Est. $120 Compare Prices

Reviews say that for rough cuts on 2x4 and 2x6 lumber, this 10-inch Craftsman compound miter saw is a good buy, but the cut quality isn't fine enough for the most precise work. Nor is the laser adjustable, but the saw… comes with a stand, vise clamp and extension tables, and the dust port fits a small shop-vac hose or the included dust bag. Preset detents make most settings fast; the miter and bevel angles adjust to 45 degrees. (check price at Sears)

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Sears.com: More than 30 owners review and rate the Craftsman 21231 miter saw here, giving it a relatively high average rating of 4.5 stars ...

ConsumerReports.org: June 2007Consumer Reports magazine doesn't test the Craftsman 21231 in this review, but does it test two similar Craftsman ...

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$119.99 from Sears.com

10-inch miter saw

Ridgid MS1065LZA

*Est. $200 Compare Prices

This slightly more expensive Ridgid compound miter saw has an adjustable laser -- a feature missing on the cheaper Craftsman 10-inch miter saw above. Reviews praise the Ridgid miter saw's accuracy and ease of use, with… nice little extras like a fence you can mark on (and erase) for consistent cuts. After registration, the Ridgid miter saw has a lifetime warranty.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

ConsumerReports.org: This review compares the earlier Ridgid MS1065LZ -- now the MS 1065LZA -- with 12 other compound miter saws. Rankings are based ...

ConsumerGuide.com: This review, based on brief testing, gives the Ridgid MS 1065LZ the highest possible ratings for performance and value, and ...

Homeowners Blog: This review of the earlier Ridgid miter saw (with the nonadjustable laser guide) is brief but useful because it is based on two ...

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12-inch miter saw

Hitachi C12LDH

*Est. $370 Compare Prices

The laser guide on this bigger Hitachi miter saw is even better, with a separate switch so you can set up the work without turning on the blade. Reviews praise the digital readout of the miter and bevel angles. The… 12-inch blade can crosscut up to a nominal 4x8 lumber, and you can cut molding vertically as high as 5.125 inches against the fence. The Hitachi saw has a five-year warranty.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Tools of the Trade: This review gives first ranking to the Hitachi C12LDH after testing it in comparison with seven other 12-inch compound miter ...

Lowes.com: The Hitachi C12FDH is the top-rated miter saw here, with about two-dozen owners giving it near-perfect ratings on all counts -- ...

Wood Magazine: This review compares the similar but single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH, with six other 12-inch compound miter saws, with detailed ...

Taunton's 2006 Tool Guide: This review of 10, 12-inch miter saws includes the single-bevel Hitachi C12LCH, finding its laser accurate but not as convenient ...

Amazon.com: A handful of owners give the Hitachi C12LDH miter saw mostly praise here, especially for the laser and digital readouts, but wish ...

Woodworker's Journal: This review compares the single-bevel Hitachi C12FCH, which lacks digital readouts, with seven other 12-inch miter saws, ...

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10-inch sliding miter saw

Makita LS1013FL

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

Though more expensive, a sliding feature adds more capacity; this Makita miter saw can make very smooth cuts on up to a 2x12. Admittedly this Makita saw doesn't have quite the precision and features of the new Festool… Kapex (*est. $1,300), but recent comparison tests find this Makita sliding miter saw close behind in performance and ease of use, and it's far less expensive. The Makita saw has a soft-start motor with electronic speed control, and reviews say it handles thick hardwoods well. The adjustable laser guide has a separate switch.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Woodworker's Journal: Woodworking authority Sandor Nagyszalancay tests the Makita LS1013FL along with five other 10-inch sliding compound miter saws, ...

Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide: Earlier comparison tests of six 10-inch sliding compound miter saws (originally done in 2006) find that the Makita LS1013FL cuts ...

Workbench Magazine: This review of seven 10-inch sliding compound miter saws names the Makita LS1013 a best buy, with smooth operation and excellent ...

Popular Woodworking: Based on comparison tests of seven 10-inch sliding compound miter saws, the older Makita LS1013 shares the Editor's Choice award ...

Amazon.com: Nearly three-dozen owners review and rate the Makita LS1013FL miter saw here, making it one of the top-rated miter saws at this ...

HomeDepot.com: The dozen user reviews of the Makita LS1013FL are unanimous in their praise, giving the saw a perfect five-star average score.

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12-inch sliding compound miter saw

Ridgid MS1290LZA

*Est. $500 Compare Prices

Reviews say miter saws this big are overkill for most users, unless you need to cut a lot of molding vertically. This large Ridgid sliding miter saw can miter a 2x10 board at 45 degrees, and miter angle can be set as wide… as 60 degrees. Dust control is good even with the dust bag, but the 2.5-inch port can also connect to a shop vac. The drawback is that it's huge and heavy, weighing 70 pounds -- but registering the saw with Ridgid gives you a lifetime warranty on it. You may have to special-order this saw at a Home Depot store if it is not available online.

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Expert & User Review Sources:

Fine Homebuilding: Based on comparison tests of six 12-inch sliding miter saws, this review judges the Ridgid MS1290LZA the best value, with praise ...

Tools of the Trade: Twenty experienced boat builders test eight sliding compound miter saws here, ranking the "solid and capable" Ridgid MS1290LZA ...

Journal of Light Construction: Comparing 13 professional-quality sliding compound miter saws in three different sizes, this review finds that the least ...

Workbench Magazine: This older comparison review of seven 12-inch sliding miter saws tests the earlier Ridgid MS1290, praising its accuracy and ...

HGTVPro.com: This brief review of the current Ridgid MS1290LZA highlights features, noting how the big table, fence and top-mounted motor ...

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Home Depot

for $549.00

Hitachi C10FSH *Est. $430

4 picks by top review sites.

DeWalt DW718 *Est. $680

4 picks by top review sites.

DeWalt DW716 *Est. $400

3 picks by top review sites.

Festool Kapex KS 120 *Est. $1,300

3 picks by top review sites.

DeWalt DW713 *Est. $220

3 picks by top review sites.

Makita LS1214FL *Est. $660

3 picks by top review sites.

Hitachi C12LSH *Est. $650

2 picks by top review sites.

DeWalt DW715 *Est. $290

2 picks by top review sites.

Bosch 5412L *Est. $650

2 picks by top review sites.

Bosch 3912 *Est. $310

2 picks by top review sites.


	Hitachi C10FSH 10-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser from Amazon.com New: $422.20 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	DEWALT DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw from Amazon.com New: $379.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	DEWALT DW713 Heavy-Duty 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw from Amazon.com New: $177.15 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Hitachi C12LSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter saw with Laser Guide and Digital Bevel Display from Amazon.com New: $569.43 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	DEWALT DW715 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter saw from Amazon.com New: $299.00 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Bosch 5412L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw with Laser Tracking from Amazon.com New: $589.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:


	Bosch 3912 15 amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw with Dust Bag and Work Clamp from Amazon.com New: $348.99 In Stock. Average Customer Review:

Compound Miter Saws: Reviews

Budget miter saw

10-inch miter saw

12-inch miter saw

10-inch sliding miter saw

12-inch sliding compound miter saw

Compound Miter Saws by Price Range