Compound Miter Saws Reviews

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Compound Miter Saws Reviews Reviewed
Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Compound Miter Saws Ratings Comments on Reviews
1. Wood Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	12" Mitersaws Editors of Wood Magazine Sept. 2007		This review compares seven 12-inch compound miter saws for accuracy. The review recommends 12-inch miter saws because of their 8-inch crosscut capacity. A chart gives detailed ratings of each miter saw on 16 separate factors, based on well-documented testing, and the review summarizes pros and cons for each model. 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 gives a perfect 5-star rating to the Hitachi C12LSH 12-inch compound miter saw, praising its combination of innovative space-saving design and 12-inch crosscut capacity.
2. Consumer Reports >> Details/Subscribe	Miter & Table Saws Editors of Consumer Reports June 2007		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. The review also recommends upgrading the saw blade instead of using whatever comes with the saw for faster and smoother cuts. Oddly, the review doesn't evaluate the laser guides on the miter saws that include them -- important information that's missing.
3. Taunton's 2008 Tool Guide >> Details/Subscribe	10-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws Andy Beasley and Taunton Press Editors Sept. 2007		The miter saw test results presented in this review are basically a summary of the Sept./Oct. 2006 review in Fine Woodworking (below), also published in last year's Tool Guide. Both issues also summarize results from a survey of readers of Fine Woodworking and Fine Homebuilding magazines, which included more than 9,000 participants this year. Survey results for both years agree with the editors' top choice, the Bosch 4410L. 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. This issue also reviews six miter-saw stands and eleven router tables, based on objective tests.
4. Fine Woodworking >> Details/Subscribe	10-in. Sliding Compound Miter Saws Andy Beasley Sept. / Oct. 2006		This review compares the six 10-inch sliding compound miter saws currently on the market, arguing that for most users, this size and type gives the most value. Based on objective tests of smoothness, accuracy and power, plus evaluations of each saw's ease of use, the Bosch 4410L gets the highest rating. The second-ranked Makita LS1013L actually cuts slightly better, but the Bosch miter saw handles best and gets excellent ratings for smoothness, power and accuracy as well. For about $70 less, the Milwaukee 6497-6 is a good value, with high ratings for accuracy, but it isn't as easy to use as the Bosch or as smooth as the Bosch and Makita. The Chicago Electric 90891 is judged too jerky and imprecise, while the Metabo KGS 303 is more expensive than the better-rated saws, and the Hitachi C10FSH ranks in the middle. All the laser guides were too blurry to be worth using.
5. Woodworker's Journal >> Details/Subscribe	Bargain-priced Miter Saws: Eight Great Picks Chris Marshall July / Aug. 2006		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. Evaluations are detailed, with pros and cons stated clearly. 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. However, its laser guide isn't adjustable (and the one tested is off). For better, adjustable lasers he recommends the Hitachi C12FCH and the twin-laser Delta 36-322L. The Ryobi TS1551 and DeWalt DW715 are recommended only for fairly rough carpentry. A later single-product review (Oct. 2006) praises the Firestorm 10-inch compound miter saw for its electric brake and manual laser-guide switch, but gives no evidence of testing.
6. Workbench Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Workbench Tool Test: Sliding Compound Miter Saws Editors of Workbench Magazine June 2005		Testing 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. Three other miter saws perform very well, so it's the extra features and ease of use that separates them. These are the Makita LS1013, the Milwaukee 6497 (with the best blade) and the Hitachi C10FSH (with easiest blade changes). The Porter-Cable 3807 and similar Delta 36-250 are accurate, but they lack power and easy adjustments. In addition, the January 2006 issue of Workbench includes the Hitachi sliding miter saw among its top ten innovative tools for 2006.

Compound Miter Saws Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Compound Miter Saws Ratings Comments on Reviews

7. Tools of the Trade	Tool Test: Sliding Compound Miter Saws Brent Hull July / Aug. 2004		A building and remodeling crew tests five 12-inch sliding compound miter saws in the shop and on jobsites (doing framing and trim jobs) over an eight-week period. Tests cover the whole range of uses, from cutting 2X lumber and trim molding to tests of power, accuracy (cutting 2-inch hardwoods) and ease of adjustment. The highest rating goes to the now discontinued Bosch 4412, with the Ridgid MS1290LZ a close second; both have innovative features that make them easiest to use. In other reviews, Tools of the Trade Online editors give the Hitachi C12LSH 12-inch sliding compound miter saw an Editor's Choice award for 2006, praising its innovative sliding mechanism and LCD display. A May 2006 review praises the Worx WT480 10-inch compound miter saw.
8. Popular Woodworking >> Details/Subscribe	Tool Test: 10-inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws David Thiel and Kara Gebhart Aug. 2004		This review compares seven 10-inch sliding compound miter saws. In addition to evaluating each saw for ease of use, they are tested for cutting accuracy and smoothness, using both the factory-supplied blade and then a top-quality Freud 96 tpi blade. The summaries for each miter saw are well organized and helpful, offering some details not readily found in other reviews. The Bosch 4410 (now the 4410L) is the top pick, followed closely by the Makita LS1013.
9. Journal of Light Construction >> Details/Subscribe	Sliding Compound Miter Saws Richard Hark July 2004		This review compares 13 professional-quality sliding compound miter saws in three different sizes. The author, a finish carpenter, notes that a larger blade usually vibrates more, has more runout (wobble), and that 12-inch miter saws can weigh twice as much as 10-inch saws. He recommends double-bevel saws, preferring 10-inch blades in general. However, Hark finds that the least expensive 12-inch miter saw tested, the Ridgid 1290LZ, actually tops all the rest for capacity and ease of use, even boasting good dust collection. Finishing second is the 10-inch Bosch 4410 (now the 4410L). The lighter Hitachi C10FSH is recommended for its portability. Each of the 13 miter saws gets detailed ratings on seven factors.
10. American Woodworker >> Details/Subscribe	Tool Test: Miter Saws Jon Stumbras Jan. 2004		Most of the text of this article is a miter saw buyer's guide, but there is a chart that summarizes ratings of fifteen 12-inch and eighteen 10-inch compound miter saws. Top ratings are shared by the 12-inch Delta 36-255L (now the Delta 36-322L) and similar Porter-Cable 3802L. While excellent, this review's age keeps it from ranking more highly, and most of the products reviewed have now been replaced by newer models.

Compound Miter Saws Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Compound Miter Saws Ratings Comments on Reviews

11. Fine Homebuilding >> Details/Subscribe	What's the Difference? Power Miter Saws -- Direct drive or belt drive? James Kidd 2007		This brief article explains the difference between direct-drive and belt-drive miter saws. Direct-drive miter saws offer more power (higher rpm) for the price, but at the expense of vibration that can lessen accuracy. Also, direct-drive miter saws can't make equally angled cuts in both directions. Belt-drive miter saws can do this because the motor is offset from the blade, giving more clearance. They can also miter tall stock better. No model recommendations are made, but the article uses the DeWalt DW716 as an example of a dual-bevel 12-inch belt-drive miter saw. The Bosch 3912 is shown as an example of a 12-inch direct-drive miter saw.
12. Workbench Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	Tool Report Editors of Workbench Magazine Aug. 2007		These short reviews cover two new miter saws. The Evolution Rage III 10-inch sliding compound miter saw earns kudos for its ability to cut metal as well as wood. Another brief review highlights the 16-pound dual-bevel Craftsman 7.25-inch miter saw, which is big enough to cut molding or even 2x4 lumber. The Feb. 2007 issue includes a brief review of the new Skil 3800 miter saw, highlighting its motion-activated laser guide. In a Feb. 2006 review, editors name the Hitachi C12LSH Zero-Clearance Sliding Miter Saw as one of the top ten innovative tools for 2006, praising the new rail system.
13. The Power Tool Geek	Makita Miter Saw with Light AND Laser Brian Mark June 22, 2006		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. He likes the original Makita LS1214 for its dual linear ball bearings (the superiority of this feature is well explained in a separate article). Another article on this site explains that direct-drive miter saws like the Makita LS1214 are better than belt-driven miter saws, since belts eventually stretch and get loose.
14. Popular Woodworking >> Details/Subscribe	DeWalt DW718: Excellent with Minor Demerits Christopher Schwarz Apr. 2006		This brief review of the DeWalt DW718 12-inch dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw gives it a rating of 4 out of a possible 5, based on measured testing. Squaring the blade to the fence is easier than on other saws, and the fence is flat on both sides of the blade. Dust collection is poor, and the review recommends making a zero-clearance throat plate since the plate supplied is hard to adjust. Also, there's no safety switch.
15. Journal of Light Construction	Toolbox: Metabo KGS 305 Miter Saw Roberto Ramirez Feb. 2006		This detailed review covers the 12-inch Metabo KGS 305 dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw, based on jobsite use over several months. The review notes that this saw has plenty of power and adds that while the cross-cutting capacity is less than that of the Ridgid MS1290LZ, it is typical and adequate. The bevel and miter scales come in for some criticism here, and at 68 pounds, the Ridgid MS1290LZ is heavier than most. 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.
16. Builder News	Tool Review: Miter Saws Art Waldal July 2007		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 with laser guides built into the outer blade collar. Both reviews are brief but helpful.
17. HGTVPro.com	Tool and Gear Reviews Mark Clement As of Dec. 2007		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. A brief preview of the 12-inch Ridgid MS1290LZA dual-bevel sliding compound miter saw praises its design and adjustable laser guide, but it isn't based on jobsite tests.
18. About.com	Craftsman Professional Laser Trac 12-inch Compound Miter Saw Review Chris Baylor June 2007		The woodworking guide at About.com is beginning to test and review power tools, but so far, the reviews include only one miter saw, the 12-inch Craftsman 21235. This first miter saw review is quite good, however, clearly based on testing and highlighting drawbacks as well as advantages. The review praises the miter saw for both power and accuracy, coming to the conclusion that with the accessories included, it's quite a bargain. However, Chris Baylor does note that the blade guard is in the way in lining up cuts outdoors, where the laser guide is hard to see. Also, the trigger is "touchy" and has to be fully depressed to work correctly.
19. OnlineTool Reviews.com	Tool Reviews Dean Bielanowski As of Dec. 2007		Australian reviewer Dean Bielanowski provides detailed, well-illustrated reviews of several relatively inexpensive compound miter saws, noting any differences for readers from the USA. He finds the positive stops on the miter-angle adjustment on the Bosch 3912 the best he's seen. This review is extremely detailed, recommending the Bosch 3912 as well worth its price. The Ryobi EMS1830SCL, sold in the United States as the Ridgid MS 1290LZ; is recommended here for its outstanding miter range and large dust-collection port, though the Makita LS1214 has a smoother slide function.
20. Wood Magazine >> Details/Subscribe	10" Compound Mitersaws Woodworking Tool Review Dave Campbell with Rich Bright Sept. 2002		Although this review is outdated, it evaluates options not reviewed much elsewhere. Tests are rigorous, ratings are clear (on an A through D scale), and the review lists pros and cons for each of the eleven miter saws. The top rating is shared between the DeWalt DW703 and the Milwaukee 6494-6. Budget picks include the Delta 36-225 (now the 36-322L) and Craftsman 24315 (now the 21233).
21. Popular Mechanics >> Details/Subscribe	Compound Interest: Comparison Test: 8 Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saws Thomas Klenck Feb. 2001		Despite its age, this review of eight sliding compound miter saws is still useful. Most of the saws reviewed here use 10-inch blades, but top rating goes to two big 12-inch miter saws. Several of these models are still available new, though Makita has stopped making cordless miter saws. This review does highlight some engineering features other reviews neglect.

Compound Miter Saws Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Compound Miter Saws Ratings Comments on Reviews

22. Acme DIY	Acme DIY Reviews the Bosch 5412L Dual-Bevel Slide Miter Saw Dual Editors of Acme DIY Not Dated		This review of the 12-inch Bosch 5412L sliding compound miter saw 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.
23. Amazon.com	Miter Saws Contributors to Amazon.com As of Dec. 2007		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, so just going by rating doesn't narrow the field much. A few models do get noticeably low ratings.
24. Sears.com	Miter Saws Contributors to Sears.com As of Dec. 2007		Sears also publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of miter saws sold here, including Craftsman miter saws and several other brands. Recently, Sears began showing the average rating right on the list of models, making them much easier to browse. You still have to click on a model to read individual reviews, but you can see at a glance which models get the highest ratings. At the time of this report, the miter saws that get top ratings here are fairly inexpensive 10-inch compound miter saws; the two top-rated Craftsman saws even include stands.
25. Lowes.com	Miter Saws Contributors to Lowes.com As of Dec. 2007		Lowe's publishes owners' ratings of miter saws, but without any comments. Each miter saw gets numeric ratings for features, value, design, quality and ease of use. You have to click on a model to see the average rating, then click again to see the detailed ratings and the number of people who've rated it. 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.
26. HomeDepot.com	Miter Saws Contributors to HomeDepot.com As of Dec. 2007		Home Depot also publishes owner-written reviews and ratings of miter saws and other power tools sold here, showing the average rating of a model after you click on it. Instead of rating the saw on specific factors, users write descriptive comments. Most miter saws -- including some expensive sliding compound miter saws -- have accumulated enough reviews to make the average rating meaningful. In fact, the top-rated miter saws here are all priced at $400 or more, though a Ryobi budget miter saw does get notably high ratings.
27. Epinions	Compound Miter Saws Contributors to Epinions As of Dec. 2007		This is another site where users post reviews and ratings of specific miter saws based on their own use. You can sort the list by average rating here with better results than at Amazon.com, but there are far fewer reviews of each miter saw. In fact, most have no reviews at all. Note that sometimes owners post reviews for the wrong model, changing the average rating up or down.
28. New Woodworker	Tool Reviews Tom Hintz As of Dec. 2007		Woodworker Tom Hintz provides separate reviews of 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.
29. American Woodworker >> Details/Subscribe	Motion-activated Dual Laser Editors of American Woodworker Sept. 2007		This half-page review of the Skil 3800 10-inch compound miter saw is based on features rather than testing, but it does contain useful information. The dual laser is motion-activated, so you can use it to position the wood without turning on the blade (which is dangerous). The laser lines can be fine-tuned to whichever side you see best. The saw includes extension tables, a hold-down clamp and crown-molding stops.
30. Northerntool.com	Miter Saws Contributors to Northern Tools.com As of Dec. 2007		This retailer has started publishing reviews and ratings of the tools sold here. A nice addition to the usual 5-star rating and owners' comments is a summary of how many reviewers would recommend this miter saw to a friend. Reviews here are helpful, but unfortunately, few miter saws have received more than one or two reviews so far. An exception is the 10-amp budget 10-inch miter saw sold under the Northern Industrial brand, which gets nearly 20 reviews. All but one owner would recommend it as a good buy for the price, at least for rough carpentry cuts.

Compound Miter Saws Reviews above this line are significantly better than reviews below.

Review Ratings	Citation	CS Credibility Rating	Compound Miter Saws Ratings Comments on Reviews

31. GalTech.com	Miter Saw Buying Guide Editors of Galttech As of Dec. 2007		This brief article summarizes safety features well. The recommendations for specific miter saw models are based on other reviews, not testing or use, but the article doesn't document which reviews have been consulted. It also seems to be outdated, since it says it's hard to find reviews of Craftsman miter saws; there are now quite a few such reviews at Sears.com.