Sliding Compound Miter Saws

10-inch sliders are ideal for most users

If you can afford the purchase price and shop space required for a sliding compound miter saw, reviewers say the 10-inch size is the "sweet spot," giving you the most capability for the price. Most sliding compound miter saws include better blades, too, offering 60 to 80 teeth per inch for smoother cuts. If you cut tall moldings, however, you might think twice, as the sliding capability actually decreases the vertical capacity of the miter saw, while letting it cut wider boards flat.

The well-reviewed Makita LS1013FL has been redesigned as the Makita LS1016L (*Est. $505), which uses a new, patented four-rail system to support the sliding action. The two sets of short rails instead of the two long rails used on other sliding miter saws give the Makita LS1016L superior capacity (compared with other 10-inch sliders) in a compact size. It can crosscut up to 12 inches (at 90 degrees) and cut baseboard and crown molding vertically at 4.75 inches and 6.875 inches, respectively.

The Makita LS1016L is a 2010 Editor's Choice at Tools of the Trade, where it's praised for cutting accuracy, capacity and compact footprint. A detailed review at another publication aimed at professional builders, the Journal of Light Construction (JLC), is also enthusiastic. Controls and scales are judged excellent, and cutting is smooth and accurate. The laser guide is the type reviewers prefer: fully adjustable with its own switch.

The Makita LS1016L has a soft-start motor, but the JLC review finds that the four rails make cutting less smooth than ideal -- though this doesn't affect accuracy. Another drawback is that like preceding models, this Makita only bevels to 45 degrees. Though dust collection is another weak point, tests show that a shop vac can collect most of the fine particles and about two-thirds of the sawdust.

Most reviews say you can get superb dust collection in a miter saw, but it comes with a stiff price. The manufacturer says that the Festool Kapex KS 120 (*Est. $1,300) collects 95 percent of the dust it produces. A Popular Woodworking review finds that cutting wide boards still sends some sawdust into the air, but it praises the Festool's "luxury engineering and impeccable workmanship."

This expensive miter saw is praised for its precision and smooth performance, earning the top spot in more reviews than any other miter saw. Woodworker's Journal compares the Festool miter saw with eight other 10-inch, sliding compound miter saws in a recent review, finding that the Festool also outperforms the others for accuracy and quality, operating smoothness, angle-setting ease, laser guide and its fence and table. If you can afford the best, the Festool KS 120 miter saw is the one.

Obviously, a $1,300 miter saw isn't for everyone, and Tools of the Trade Online finds that the Festool's numerous high-end features can be confusing. Woodworker's Journal named the Makita LS1013L a best bet -- noting operation as smooth as the Festool and cutting power. Both miter saws use soft-start motors with electronic controls that make it easier to handle thick hardwood without the motor bogging down.

The less expensive Hitachi C10FSH (*Est. $430) wins praise from more than 100 owners posting user reviews at Amazon.com. They like the adjustable laser guide with its own switch, as well as the saw's accuracy, build quality and ease of use. At 43 pounds, the Hitachi miter saw is also lighter than the 52-pound Makita and 47-pound Festool.

The Hitachi C10FSH miter saw ranks third at Woodworker's Journal, where it's judged "sturdily built" and an excellent budget choice. Testers find the Hitachi operates more smoothly and has more cutting power than the pricier Bosch 4410 (*Est. $550), with controls that are easier to use as well. The main drawback to the Hitachi miter saw is that the vertical grip is the least comfortable of the saws tested.

12-inch sliding compound miter saws are big and heavy

Many reviews find 12-inch, sliding compound miter saws too much for most, since they don't offer a huge capacity gain over 10-inch, sliding miter saws. If you plan to cut a lot of molding, though, reviews say a 12-inch, sliding miter saw makes the task easier and is worth the extra size and cost. Be aware that these are very heavy, and most take up a lot of workbench space.

The dual-bevel Milwaukee 6955-20 (*Est. $650) is generating buzz and coming out on top in the most recent comparison tests we found. It's the Editor's Choice at Popular Woodworking, where it's the only saw out of the six with effective dust collection. Editors also like the extremely precise digital miter setting (to 0.1 degrees), solid build quality and dual work lights that illuminate both sides of the blade (though there's no laser guide). Fine Homebuilding also praises the machining, controls, scale and overall ease of use, calling the Milwaukee 6955-20 miter saw "a peerless baseboard-cutting machine."

Wood magazine's Dave Fish also gives the Milwaukee saw a top rating, saying it's "the best I've ever used." A more detailed review at the Journal of Light Construction says of the Milwaukee 6955-20, "it's as close to perfect as any miter saw I've ever used." Cuts are very precise, adjustments are easy to make, and the saw's capacity is excellent. It can crosscut up to 13.5 inches at 90 degrees or 9.5 inches at 45 degrees. Baseboard capacity (cut vertically against the fence) is 6 inches, or 6.5 inches for very thin material. This review estimates that about 75 percent of the dust is collected -- very good for a big miter saw.

As a budget alternative, the Ridgid MS1290LZA (*Est. $550) is worth a look. Its predecessor, the Ridgid MS1290LZ performed well in tests at Tools of the Trade Online and the Journal of Light Construction. Like the Milwaukee, the Ridgid miter saw can cut a nominal 2-by-10 at 45 degrees.  Owners reviewing miter saws at HomeDepot.com like the Ridgid MS1290LZA. Miter angle can be adjusted to 60 degrees, and the bevel moves to 47 degrees in each direction. The laser guide is adjustable, though it lacks a manual switch. The Ridgid miter saw's main drawback is that it's awkward to carry.