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Compound Miter Saws: Ratings of Sources
Total of 22 Sources

For an explanation of how we rank reviews, see our ratings criteria page.

1. Woodworker's Journal
June 2008
10" Sliding Compound Miter Saws
by Sandor Nagyszalanczy
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Woodworking authority Sandor Nagyszalanczy tests six 10-inch sliding compound miter saws, comparing and rating them on nine different factors. The Festool Kapex miter saw gets top ranking overall, with… handle and trigger comfort its only weak point. The less expensive Makita LS1013FL ranks close behind, with the Hitachi C10FSH in third place as a good budget choice. The surprise here is that the Bosch 4410L takes only fourth place, though it outranks the Metabo KGS303 and the Craftsman 921201.

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2. Tools of the Trade
July-Aug. 2008
Tool Tests: Sliding Miter Saws
by Joe Youcha and Greg Londos
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

Two of the four comparison tests of miter saws here are quite recent, covering the latest models; earlier reviews from 2004 and even 2002 test quite a few saws that are still available. The July 2008 review… by Greg Londos tests eight 12-inch compound miter saws by using them on the job in finish carpentry, while the Aug. 2008 review by Joe Youcha reports on tests of sliding 12-inch miter saws by 20 boat builders using them to build 28 wooden boats plus several other projects. The review also covers the new Festool miter saw, providing an interesting perspective since 20 different experienced workers tried it.

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3. Fine Homebuilding
April-May 2008
12-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws
by Kit Camp
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Six of the newest 12-inch sliding miter saws are compared here, based on tests cutting a wide range of materials, including melamine-covered shelving and wet pressure-treated posts. The saws are also compared for fence quality, adjustment precision and ease, and more. The Makita LS121FL is judged best overall, and the Ridgid MS1290LZA is the best value.
4. Wood Magazine
Sept. 2007
12" Mitersaws
by Editors of Wood Magazine
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This review compares seven 12-inch compound miter saws for accuracy. The Bosch 3912 and DeWalt DW715 get the top ranking here, with the Ryobi TS1552DXL named as a budget choice. A year earlier, a half-page review gave a perfect five-star rating to the Hitachi C12LSH 12-inch compound miter saw, praising its combination of innovative space-saving design and 12-inch crosscut capacity.
5. ConsumerReports.org
June 2007
Miter & Table Saws
by Editors of Consumer Reports
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This review rates and ranks thirteen 10-inch compound miter saws based on objective tests of accuracy, speed, ease of use and edge finish -- including one cordless miter saw and three sliding compound miter… saws. Though the review picks one sliding compound miter saw as fastest, editors don't recommend this type for most users, suggesting instead that consumers add a table saw for use with wide lumber.

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6. Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide
Sept. 2007
10-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws
by Andy Beasley and Taunton Press Editors
5 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

The miter saw test results presented in this review are basically a summary of the Sept. 2006 review in Fine Woodworking (also published in the 2007 Tool Guide). Both Tool Guide issues add results from a… survey of over 9,000 readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines, which agree with the editors' top choice, the Bosch 4212L. In a separate article in the 2008 Tool Guide, editors preview two new miter saws, the 12-inch dual-bevel Ridgid R4121 and the 10-inch DeWalt DW713. A separate write-up covers the new Festool Kapex KS120 and earlier reports compare 12-inch compound miter saws.

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7. Woodcraft Magazine
Aug. 2008
Kapex Makes the Kut
by Jim Nuckolls
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Based on tests, this brief review of the Festool Kapex miter saw concludes that it "sets the bar" for innovation, precision and value. The reviewer notes that the saw's capacity is close to that of most 12-inch miter saws, but saves space since it can be placed against a wall. Other features that earn special praise here are the speed-sensing motor and excellent dust control.
8. Woodworker's Journal
July / Aug. 2006
Bargain-priced Miter Saws: Eight Great Picks
by Chris Marshall
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

We'd rank this review higher if it were more recent, since the testing is excellent. The eight 12-inch miter saws reviewed here are priced at around $300 or less, but they're tested using top-quality… 90-tooth blades that add about $100 to the cost. Though contributing editor Chris Marshall recommends a single-bevel 12-inch compound miter saw as sufficient for most users, he ends up giving the dual-bevel Craftsman Professional 21235 the "Best Bet" award, praising the legibility of the scales, tall moveable fences and excellent dust collection.

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9. Workbench Magazine
As of Aug. 2007
Workbench Tool Test: Sliding Compound Miter Saws
by Editors of Workbench Magazine
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This comparison review would rank higher if it were more recent; it tests seven 10-inch sliding compound miter saws for accuracy, smooth cuts and ease of handling. Workbench Magazine editors select the… Bosch 4410L as best overall, praising its up-front controls, adjustable handle, expanding side tables and laser, along with its power and performance. Earlier issues name the Skil 3800 miter saw and Hitachi C12LSH Zero-Clearance Sliding Miter Saws as among the top innovative tools.

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10. Popular Woodworking
Aug. 2004
Tool Test: 10-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws
by David Thiel and Kara Gebhart
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

These tests of seven 10-inch sliding compound miter saws are excellent, so we'd rank this review higher if it were more recent. Each saw is evaluated for ease of use and tested for cutting accuracy and… smoothness, using both the factory-supplied blade and then a top-quality blade. The Bosch 4410 (now the 4410L) is the top pick, followed closely by the Makita LS1013FL. In the April 2006 issue, Christopher Schwarz reviews the DeWalt DW718 12-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw.

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11. Journal of Light Construction
Feb. 2006, July 2004
Toolbox: Metabo KGS 305 Miter Saw
by Roberto Ramirez
4 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment

This detailed review covers the 12-inch Metabo KGS 305 dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw, based on jobsite use over several months. This site offers several other detailed reviews of miter saws,… including a December 2005 review of the Delta 36-255L TwinLaser Miter Saw (now the Delta 36-322L) based on a full year of use. A July 2004 review by finish carpenter Richard Hark compares 13 professional-quality sliding compound miter saws in three different sizes.

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12. The Power Tool Geek
June 22, 2006
Makita Miter Saw with Light AND Laser
by Brian Mark
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This review praises the Makita LS1214FL, the first miter saw to include both a fluorescent work light and a laser guide, finding both to be useful improvements. Brian Mark is a self-proclaimed "power tool geek," and his reviews take more of an engineering point of view, which provides a nice balance to the woodworking and carpentry reviews.
13. Builder News
July 2007
Tool Review: Miter Saws
by Art Waldal
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment The most recent review here compares four 10-inch compound miter saws based on some hands-on testing, including a Rockwell brand not usually included in comparison tests. A 2005 review at the same site covers several miter stands and compares two 12-inch compound miter saws, the Bosch 4212L and the Ridgid MS1250LZ. Both reviews are brief but helpful.
14. HGTVPro.com
As of Sept. 2008
Tool and Gear Reviews
by Mark Clement
3 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment A professional remodeler reviews two miter saws here and previews a third. He gives the Hitachi C12LSH a mixed review, with some interesting details, but notes no drawbacks to the Worx T480 10-inch compound miter saw.
15. Amazon.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saws
by Contributors to Amazon.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Owners review miter saws sold here, including most major brands. The majority of models have accumulated enough ratings to make the average credible, and the site is convenient to browse, since the listings show the average rating. However, most miter saws get high ratings here, and few owners have much basis for comparison. A few models do get noticeably low ratings.
16. HomeDepot.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saws
by Contributors to HomeDepot.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Home Depot also publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of miter saws, including useful and often quite detailed comments. The list isn't as easy to browse as at Amazon.com, because you have to click on a model to see if it has any reviews at all.
17. Sears.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saws
by Contributors to Sears.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Sears also publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of miter saws sold here, covering lots of Craftsman models but only a few other brands. Several DeWalt miter saws get the highest ratings.
18. Lowes.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saws
by Contributors to Lowes.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Lowe's publishes owners' ratings of miter saws, but without any comments. In addition to an overall rating, each miter saw gets ratings (on a five-point scale) for features, value, design, quality and ease of use. Most miter saws sold here do get plenty of ratings, so the information is quite useful. Hitachi miter saws across a wide price range get very positive ratings here.
19. Northerntool.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saws
by Contributors to NorthernTool.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This retailer sells fewer miter saws, but its own brand, Northern Industrial, gets mostly positive reviews here. However, more expensive DeWalt and Makita miter saws get the highest ratings.
20. LumberJocks.com
As of Sept. 2008
Miter Saw Reviews
by Contributors to LumberJocks.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Owners publish detailed reviews of miter saws here, with the ratings summarized across reviews. The criticisms of lower-rated saws are especially worth noting.
21. Acme DIY
Mar. 2007
Acme DIY Reviews the Bosch 5412L Dual-Bevel Slide Miter Saw Dual
by Editors of AcmeDIY.com
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment This review of the 12-inch Bosch 5412L sliding compound miter saw recommends its accuracy but criticizes the laser guide, the dust control and the factory-supplied blade. Tests using a better Freud blade find the saw accurate and easy to use, even on hard maple, though the bevel setting is a bit stiff. No comparisons are made with other miter saws.
22. New Woodworker
As of Sept. 2008
Tool Reviews
by Tom Hintz
2 stars Credibility Rating
Our Assessment Woodworker Tom Hintz provides separate reviews of four miter saws, with some comparisons among them. The reviews are detailed and well-illustrated, but we rank this site lower because each review is almost entirely positive, with no drawbacks noted.

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