Compound Miter Saw Review

Introduction to Compound Miter Saws

Power miter saws make quick work of crosscutting lumber and molding. They take less space than most table saws, and since they're mounted on a stand, they're faster and less tiring to use than circular saws. The most basic miter saws, often called chop saws or cut-off saws, just cut straight across the board or miter an angle. (A miter is a joint formed by cutting equal diagonals at the ends of two pieces of material so they fit together exactly to make a corner.) These are fine for cutting steel. However, for woodworking and carpentry, reviews recommend a compound miter saw that can cut precise miter angles and bevels. That's the kind of miter saw covered in this report.

We found an excellent review of the smallest, simplest 10-inch compound miter saws (the least expensive size) at Consumer Reports, where 13 miter saws are ranked based on objective tests. An earlier miter-saw review at American Woodworker includes some of these small miter saws.

Other miter saw sizes and types are compared in woodworking and construction publications. We found the most recent reviews at Woodworker's Journal and at Tools of the Trade Online, both of which compare the new Festool Kapex (*est. $1,300) with less expensive miter saws. Some earlier reviews are also still useful, since miter saws tend to stay on the market for many years, and the reviews are based on rigorous comparison tests.

Most new miter saws come equipped with a laser guide to speed setup and improve accuracy, but reviews say some laser guides are much easier to use than others. An inaccurate and nonadjustable laser guide can be more frustrating than not having a laser guide at all. Not surprisingly, reviews say the best laser guide is on the expensive Festool Kapex miter saw. Experts prefer a laser guide that's not only adjustable, but has a separate switch so you can use it to set up the work without having to work under a spinning blade. DeWalt miter saws usually come without a laser guide, and the optional DeWalt laser guides (*est. $70) get mixed reviews.

If you need a miter saw for very precise, smooth cuts and can't afford the Festool Kapex, reviews suggest upgrading a budget miter saw to a better blade with more teeth. If you plan to do this, be sure the blade is designed to withstand the miter saw's rotational speed, and of course, add the cost of the new blade to that of the miter saw itself. For example, a top-quality 10-inch Forrest blade with 80 teeth, the Forrest CM10806105 (*est. $130), costs more than the least expensive miter saw reviewed here. Even a less expensive blade like the 80-tooth Freud TK806 (*est. $55) can add significantly to the total price.