Miter Saw Buying Guide - What to look for:

Miter saws are handy tools to have in any workshop and they come in 3 different models. The traditional miter saw has the motor mounted on a swing arm that pivots right or left to make angled cuts. The compound miter saws motor also swings left or right and they tilt for beveled cuts. When you tilt the saw on both of its axes at once, you get a compound miter cut. Projects that require angled cuts in two planes (like picture frames or crown molding) are perfect for compound miter saws. A compound miter site is more expensive than a traditional miter saw, but the added convenience of one pass compound cuts is worth the money. Lastly, a sliding compound miter saw gives you the versatility of a compound miter saw with a sliding feature (like a radial arm saw). The sliding feature allows for increased length of cut (crosscuts more than 11"). Added features on a miter saw can sure make life easier and we have gone over them below (keep reading).

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Blade size is important (see below on purchasing miter saw blades) when choosing a miter saw. The basic sizes are 8", 10", and 12" - the larger diameter miter saw blades can make longer cuts. Positive stops refer to factory set points which permit accurate cuts on specific angles. Hence, the more positive stops, the less time to setup the saw and the quicker the job will get done. Self retracting blade guards are a big safety feature to look for - they keep the guard clear of the stock giving you a good view of the cutting line. While the saw is raised the guard covers the blade completely. Electric brakes help stop the saw motor when the trigger is released. Some electric brakes will stop a blade in about 2 seconds (can take up to 12 seconds on saws without this feature). Shaft locks immobilize the blade and shaft making blade changes easy. Dust bags collect sawdust and mount right to the saw. Table extensions mount on the sides of the saw and give longer stock better balance which equates to more accurate cuts. Sliding fences add support to tall stock on basic miter cuts but slide out of the way for bevel cuts. Portable stands create a sturdy base and improve safety. Common blade types are the steel blades (cheap and good for softwood cuts - dull faster in hardwood), high speed steel blades (harder than steel blades) remain sharper longer, carbide tipped blades - expensive, but stay sharpest the longest of all blades.

Best Miter Saws - Dewalt - Hitachi - Delta - Makita - Bosch - Craftsman - Ryobi:

After reviewing woodworking sites and reading what owners and experts had to say on miter saws, we have compiled a list of the best miter saws on the market. You can find out more details with owner opinions on all these saws at Amazon.com. Consumers recommended the Bosch 5412L 12" Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw with Laser Tracking ($573) - Bosch has an excellent name in the saw business and this new miter saw has Arbor Laser Tracking for increased speed and accuracy and the upfront bevel lock level makes bevel cuts effortless. The DEWALT DW703 Heavy Duty 10" Compound Miter Saw ($179) is lightweight and sturdier than the Hitachi 10-inch saw, but most owners say the dust collection could be better. The Hitachi C10FSH 10" Dual Bevel Slide Compound with Laser ($489) has a new laser cut guide for improved accuracy on cuts, a high flip fence design for extra support, and a frontal bevel scale makes reading angles easy. We also like the 5 year warranty that Hitachi gives on this saw. Other top miter saws include the Makita LS1013 Dual Slide Compound 10" Miter Saw Kit ($516), Bosch 4212L 12" Dual Bevel Compound Miter Saw with Laser Tracking ($349), Hitachi C8FB2 8-1/2" Sliding Compound Miter Saw ($379), DEWALT DW712 8-1/2-inch Single-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw ($389), Porter-Cable 3802L 12" Compound Miter Saw with Twin Laser ($325), Delta MS250 Shopmaster 10" Compound Miter Saw ($101), and the Milwaukee 6490-6 10" 15 Amp Magnum Miter Saw, 4800 RPM ($199). Worth mentioning, but not as highly recommended are the Ryobi 18 Volt Miter Saw (ZRP550), Ridgid 10" Compound Miter Saw w/Exactlilne, Black and Decker FS1500CMS Fire Storm Compound Miter Saw 10" ($170), Metabo KGS305 12" Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw ($799). Craftsman makes miter saws but we had a hard time finding reviews for them. We find one that was recommended on Epinions.com - the Craftsman 10" Aluminum Miter Saw 21210 ($100). Reviewers say it's the "Best Mitre Saw for the Money" and is "ideal tool for the economic construction company owner". You can find these miters saws at Sears, Home Depot, Lowes and any other tool or woodworking store. We prefer to shop online and buy miter saws from Amazon with all their reviews and ratings by actual owners.

Miter Saw Blades - Miter Saw Stands:

A good miter saw stand adds increased safety and stability. The top brands for miter saw stands are Grizzly, Jet, DeWalt, Bosch, StableMate, Rousseau, Hitachi, and Milwaukee. We went to Amazon.com to see what owners said about the top selling stands and picked the best of the best. The Grizzly H7657 Miter Saw Stand ($89.95), DEWALT DW723 Miter Saw Stand ($199), Bosch TracRac T3B Portable Miter Saw Stand ($224), StableMate PLUS100 Universal Miter Saw Stand ($99), Rousseau 2950 Miter Saw Stand ($362), Shopmaster by Delta SM105WS Miter Saw Stand ($99), Hitachi UU610cz 12' Miter Saw Stand ($159), HTC PM6000 Pro Miter Saw Stand ($188), PortaMate PM4400 Miter Saw Stand ($89), Fulton MM-1 MiterMate portable miter saw stand ($72), and Milwaukee 48-08-0350 Miter Saw Stand ($104). As for miter saw blades, the best selling products are the Freud LU85R012 12", 96-Tooth Alternate Top Bevel Red Perma-SHIELD Blade ($114), Forrest CM10806105 Chopmaster Blades for Miter Saws 10", 80-Tooth Miter Saw Blade ($96), Hitachi 725206 10" 72-Tooth Carbide Blade ($37.50), Makita A-93550 10" x 70T "Quiet Cutting" Carbide-Tipped Saw Blade ($54), DEWALT DW3128P5 12" Blade Combo Pack ($49.95), and the Porter-Cable 12901 Riptide Miter Saw Blade: 10", 60-Tooth, Triple Chip and Flat Grind ($33). You can also find a nice selection of miter saw blades at Toolstoday.com.

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