Sliding miter saw is one of the must-have tools in a workshop. Be it for DIY purposes or professional use, it can make fast, accurate and smooth crosscuts. In addition to crosscuts, it can also compound cut, miter and bevel within few seconds. It can move the blade forward and backwards (towards and away) from the user while cutting. Thus, allowing wider cuts and cutting through even harder materials. If you are new to purchasing a sliding miter, then consider below factors…
Blade Size
It represents how deep the blade can cut. A general rule while analyzing this factor is – larger the blade size, the wider/deeper cuts. So, a miter saw with a 12-inch blade size in diameter will offer better performance than a saw with a 10-inch blade.
Motor Power
Since these saws are powered by an electric motor, it is essential to consider the motor power. The right choice depends on the type of project (home or worksite) you’re using the saw. Home-based projects require a saw with less motor power, while worksite/professionals require a saw with a powerful motor. For more information on how to choose a sliding miter saw, we recommend reading our “Buying Guide” thoroughly. We have also picked up the Best Sliding Miter Saw based on the same information.
Best Sliding Miter Saws
Top Sliding Miter Saw: Reviews
1. DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Best band saws Best miter saw blades Best metal cutting saws Best table saw Types of Saws and Their Uses
If you are looking for a reputable brand of power tools, you can go with Dewalt. It also offers a sliding miter saw that offers decent performance to the user. The Dewalt DWS779 sliding miter saw is present in the 1st position in this article as it offers a great balance between price and performance. You get a powerful 15 amp electric motor in this saw. This powers a 12-inch cutting blade that is one of the largest options out there when compared with other options. Its motor offers a high speed of 3800 RPM that can easily cut through even hard materials without any issues. You can use it to cut 6.75 inch deep objects without any issues. A great thing about Dewalt miter saw is that it offers a great build quality along with a 3-year warranty. Best Features:
12-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 3-year warranty 3800 RPM motor Maximum cutting thickness of 6.75 inch Miters to 60 degrees to the right and 50 degrees to the left Angled cut up to 45 degrees
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Large cutting blade Precise miter system Easy adjustments
Cons
RPM is less A bit on the expensive end
2. Bosch Glide Miter Saw
Bosch can be another great option if you are looking for power tools as it offers a wide range of options. You can even find multiple sliding miter saws from Bosch out there. Bosch’s sliding miter saw is present in the 2nd position in this article as it can be a great option if you are looking for premium options. As per its name, it comes with a cutting blade that has a diameter of 12 inches that makes it one of the largest options out there. It uses a powerful 15 amp electric motor to power this cutting blade for easy cutting. You get clean cuts while using this miter saw as it has a total of 60 teeth. A great thing about this miter saw is that it comes with an extended base design that offers a capacity of up to 14 inches to the user. Best Features:
12-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 1-year warranty 60 tooth cutting blade Up to 14-inch cutting capacity Dual bevel angle mechanism Decent build quality
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Large blade size Axial glide system for wider cutting Ease of use
Cons
No laser guidance Very expensive
3. Genesis Compound Miter Saw
Genesis is a brand of power tools that is known to make affordable and value for options. This is also true for its sliding miter saws mentioned in this article. This Genesis GMS1015LC sliding miter saw is present in the 3rd position in this article as it is the cheapest option present in this article. Even then, you get decent performance from this miter saw. It comes with a 15 amp electric motor that offers high speed. It powers a 10-inch blade that is quite decent for the given price. While you only get a 2-year warranty with it, its build quality is quite decent. You get a 60T carbide cutting blade in this saw that can easily last for a long time. This saw comes with a total of 9 miter stops for precision control. Best Features:
10-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 2-year warranty 9 miter stops Bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees Die-cast aluminum base for lightweight and stability Includes an electric brake
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Blades can be changed quicly and easily laser guidance for precision cuts Electric brake stops for safety
Cons
Small blade size Poor build quality
4. Hitachi Bevel Compound Miter Saw
As mentioned earlier, Hitachi or Metabo HPT makes a wide range of miter saw options. Thus, we are here with another one from Hitachi here in this article. Just like the previous Hitachi sliding miter saw, this one also offers a great build quality along with a 5-year long warranty. Due to this, you can expect this miter saw to easily last for a long time. It even offers a great performance due to its 15 amp electric motor. This motor has a power rating of 2.57 HP that is more than enough for its 10-inch cutting blade. You get a bevel range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees along with a miter angle range of 0 degrees to 52 degrees, which results in precise control. Even though this saw has a sturdy build quality, it weighs just 24.2 pounds. Best Features:
10-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 5-year warranty Bevel angle range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees Miter angle range of up to 52 degrees in both directions
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Powerful 15-amp motor Lightweight. Easy to maneuver and transport Large table provides better material support
Cons
No laser guidance system Blade guard comes off from the unit
5. Delta Power Equipment Miter Saw
Delta is a lesser-known brand of power tools when compared with other options out there. But its sliding miter saw can be a great option for a lot of users out there. The Delta sliding miter saw is one of the more compact options out there as it has a 10-inch cutting blade. This blade is powered by a 15 amp electric motor that offers decent performance for the given price. One of the most unique features of this saw is that it comes with an inbuilt laser for extra precision. This sliding miter saw is that it comes with a 2-year warranty and a decent build quality. It comes with a bevel angle range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees that can be easily adjusted. Another great thing about this miter saw is that it comes with an electric brake system feature. Best Features:
10-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 2-year warranty Bevel angle range of 0 degrees to 45 degrees Inbuilt laser for precision Extension mechanism for extra stability
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
10 miter stops Lightweight and easy to carry Electric brake for instant stopping
Cons
Fence is short Table lock is not reliable
6. Skil Dual Bevel Sliding Miter Saw
Skil is a reliable seller of hardware tools including drills, drivers, sanders, screwdrivers, planers, and saws. Skil’s dual bevel sliding miter saw features a powerful 15-amp motor to deliver up to 4,800 rpm for quick and detailed cuts. One of the distinct advantages of using this miter saw is that you will achieve a precision cut like no other. Unlike other miter saws that use laser guidance for precision cuts, this saw uses LED shadow lines. Using this, you can achieve higher precision that other miter saws. With the help of this miter saw, you can cut wood up to 2×12 at 90 degrees and 2×8 at 45 degrees. The dual bevel gives you four stop positions at 45 and 48-degree left, 0-degree, and 45-degree right. Besides, you get 11 stops at the most used cutting angles and can up to 50 degrees left and right. The sliding miter saw is covered under a 3 years limited warranty from the date of purchase. Best Features
10-inch blade 15-amp powerful motor Delivers 4,800 rpm 3 years limited warranty Can cut wood up to 2×12 at 90 degrees and 2×8 at 45 degrees Four stop positions LED shadow line for precision
Components:
Power miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Makes high precision cuts Powerful motor with 4,800 rpm Long warranty period
Cons
Depth can not be adjusted
7. Metabo Compound Miter Saw
Metabo HPT stands for Metabo Hitachi Power Tools that offer a wide range of power tools. This even includes various sliding miter saw options. Metabo HPT’s C12RSH2S sliding miter saw is the most reliable and durable option present in this article. This is due to the reason that it offers an excellent build quality along with a 5-year long warranty that is much better than other options out there. Just like various other options out there, it comes with a 12-inch cutting blade. It uses a 15 amp electric motor that results in high performance while using this miter saw. This has a 60 tooth carbide that can easily last for a long time. Best Features:
12-inch cutting blade 15 amp electric motor 5-year warranty 60 tooth carbide blade Raise fence height up to 5 ⅛ inch
Components:
Sliding miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Compact slide system Easily adjustable laser system Large sliding fence Long warranty period
Cons
Difficult to make straight cuts Ball bearing are not sturdy
8. Wen Compound Miter Saw
Wen is a small brand that manufactures and delivers reliable power tools that provide powerful performance. Wen’s compound miter saw uses a powerful 15-amp motor that is used to cut boards up to 12 inches wide and 3 ½ inches thick. To get the desired cuts, you can rotate the miter 45 degrees in either direction. This is achieved with the help of 9 miter stops. On top of this, you can bevel the miter saw 45 degrees to the left. Using this miter saw, you can get high precision cuts.Thanks to the class II laser guide that will illuminate your line of cut. The miter saw comes with a 6-3/4-inch baseboard vertical capacity and a 7-1/2-inch Crown molding nested capacity. The compound miter saw is covered under a 2-year warranty period from the date of purchase. Best Features
12-inch cutting blade 15-amp motor Makes 3 ½-inch thick cuts 2 years warranty 9 miter stops Molding nested capacity of 7-1/2-inch Vertical cutting capacity of 6-3/4-inch
Components:
Power miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Decent blade size Can cut the material at unique angles Affordable
Cons
Wood gets stuck on the blade Markings on the scale comes off
9. Evolution Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Evolution is a popular brand that manufactures multi-material cutting power tools that are accurate and reliable and offer incredible value with versatility. Evolution’s compound sliding miter saw runs on a high torque powerful 15-amp motor that drives a 10-inch blade. You can cut a wide range of materials using the same blade. With the high torque motor, you can cut through mild steel up to ⅛ inches. You can adjust the depth of the saw to get the desired cuts. Besides, you also have laser guidance that allows you to make precision cuts. By adjusting the bevel handle, you can get a 45-degree finish on your workpiece. You can set the angle precisely with the help of the bevel scale. Furthermore, you can make cuts up to 50 degrees using 5 miter stops. The compound miter saw features a quick clamping mechanism using which you can secure the workpiece easily and firmly. Evolution provides a 3 years limited warranty on this compound miter saw from the date of purchase. Best Features
10-inch blade 15-amp high torque motor 3 years limited warranty 5 miter stops offer 50 degrees cuts 45-degree finish on workpiece Quick clamping mechanism Adjustable saw depth and laser guidance
Components:
Power miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
High torque motor Saw depth can be adjusted Long warranty period
Cons
Blade size is small Not heavy duty
10. CRAFTSMAN V20 Sliding Miter Saw Kit
Craftsman is one of the popular brands when it comes to high quality power tools, hand tools, hardware accessories, and other outdoor equipment. Their compound miter has made to our list because of its amazing features and quality. The miter saw is powered by a 15-amp motor that delivers up to 3,800 rpm. Using this, you can effortlessly cut boards of up to 2-inch x 6-inch and 4-inch x 4-inch. It has a 2 ½-inch dust port that ensures your workplace is clean. Even if you are a beginner, you can still achieve precision cuts using the laser guidance system. You can easily mount the laser without the use of any tools. You can fold it into a compact size for transporting and storing it conveniently. It is lightweight and weighs only 28 pounds. So, you can carry it around easily. The brand offers 3 years limited warranty on all its power tools from the date of purchase. Best Features
4-inch blade Weighs only 28 pounds Foldable for compact use and storage Laser guidance system 3 years limited warranty
Components:
Power miter saw User manual Warranty card
Pros
Lightweight and easy to operate Foldable design allows for compact storage Long warranty period
Cons
Blade size could have been large
How to Choose the Best Miter Saw?
Depending on your need and price range, you have to select the right product. For this sliding miter saw, you have to consider various factors to know whether it suits perfectly for your cutting requirements or not. Take a look at those factors and consider them when you’re buying the sliding miter saw.
1. Power:
In general, this sliding miter saw runs on an electric motor. The more powerful the engine, the harder and more complex projects it can handle. Look for a motor that has 15 amps and a rotation speed (no-load) of at least 3500 RPM. It is the least value you have to consider while planning for professional usage of this saw. Remember that a sliding miter saw with a low-powered motor won’t provide a cleaner cut (or) unable to cut thicker woods. In case, planning to use this saw for home-based projects, then you won’t need a most powerful motor. So, before making its purchase, you have to re-think about which project you are going to use this saw, and is its motor power is enough to perform your work.
2. Saw Blade:
The size of a given sliding miter saw is based on its blade’s diameter. We mostly observe compact saws have 7 ¼ inch blade, followed by 8 ½ inch blades, yet they are quite rare. The sliding miter saws with 10 inches and 12 inches blades are quite commonly available in the market. Since these sliding miter saws with 10-inches and 12-inches will make longer/wider cuts than their compact saws. So, consider the working material’s dimensions (like wood) to get the right saw blade of a sliding miter saw for your work. It won’t mean that you have to always choose a saw with a 12-inch blade. Many models will let you use a wide blade size range. So, it is essential to know what you are using the saw and what type of wood and its thickness you are cutting for.
3. Cutting Speed:
Choosing a blade with a higher tooth count will aid you in a clean, effective, and smoother cut. Generally, a saw with a 12-inch blade diameter will have more teeth when compared with a blade having smaller size. But the main drawback is that a saw with a higher tooth count will slow down the cutting speed. Most experts suggest using a large blade while cutting thicker pieces of wood and having a more clean-cut appearance. While switching the module to a low tooth count will let you cut faster with less finishing and precision.
4. Cutting Ability:
The cutting ability is essential to consider while purchasing the sliding miter saw. It means a saw should have a strong motor and a right blade size for cutting materials. Also, you should have the ability to cut any type of materials accurately along with offering a variety of angles for proper cutting. For getting this cutting ability, you have to consider these features.
Predetermined Positions or Positive Stops:
Always keep an eye on pre-determined positions or positive stops, as they set to the most common cutting angles. It let you alter faster cuts for the specific angles. You will find some saws that come with just one-touch switches that let you move quickly from one cut to another cut.
Bevel Angle:
The bevel angle will allow the saw to tilt and also to rotate the base. This will let you change the cutting angle when you are sawing. So, it is essential to consider/examine the bevel before purchasing the miter saw. Most of these saw models offer a wide range of bevel angle, a few models have a bevel angle range of 0° – 45°, whereas others have 0° – 60°. Always prefer to choose a miter saw with a wider range, as it provides high precision control while using the saw. Also, choose the saw with an ease of access to its bevel control. For a few models, this bevel control is located at the back that makes it hard to reach at certain times. So, check out the model having a bevel lock lever at the front (like Bosch) to operate it conveniently. Most of these miter saws offer dual bevel that let you can bevel on both right and left without having any problem. This bevel cutting is underrated even though it rotates the saw head easily while you make another (opposing) bevel cut other than reversing the entire piece.
Miter Angle:
Check out the miter angle of a given saw before its purchase, which is quite useful when making joints of wooden pieces. The horizontal angle of cut is considered most as this miter angle of a cut. One can find a wide range of miter angle that is up to 50° or 60°, in which its range differs for right and left directions when you’re cutting wood. So, a miter saw with a high miter angle is the best option to choose and purchase.
Reliable Lock:
When you place the saw in the lock position, then you have to ensure it stays like that, as it should be reliable. We generally won’t want the saw to move out of the place in the middle of making cuts. So, locking the material in place will aid in proper & accurate cutting along with a huge safety concern. Also, it is easy to adjust when you need to change the angle in a second. Most of these models offer a miter knob used to lock the table in place after setting it in a desired angle. So, to lock the saw in its place, you have to tighten the knob and move the knob to another angle to loosen the saw. For instance, use Dewalt that offers a latch button and a unique miter lock handle, which let you press rather than use a miter knob & detent lever.
5. Safety Features:
Using a saw is quite dangerous unless and until you won’t follow the safety measures mentioned by the manufacturer while operating them. Have a look at some common safety features that let you safely use/operate this saw. Saw Guards – As the name implies, this safety feature will protect you from any unfortunate accidents while working with this saw. Saw Base – The saw base is another safety feature used to operate the saw properly. Purchase a quality saw stand to assist this base. Working on a dedicated saw stand with a stable base will provide good-looking cuts. Check out for sliding base extensions, especially if using the saw for cutting longer workpieces frequently. Electric Brake – With this safety feature, you can halt/stop the blade from spinning whenever needed. You can do it quickly like within a couple of seconds. This safety feature will prevent you from accidents, as it stops the saw blade immediately.
6. Blade Change:
One should have the ability to change the blade/module quickly to perfectly suit for cutting various types and thickness of the wood. For instance, a miter saw having a single nut blade change option will definitely reduce the time required to change the blade. While an onboard storage option is seen in a few miter saw models to store the wrench to change the blade and use it to change the blade quickly, which saves a lot of time without hunting for tools while changing. So, check it out while purchasing the miter saw.
7. Dust Chutes:
A lot of fine wood dust is produced while cutting wood planks. But it is important to keep the area clean to make an efficient and precise cutting. To get rid of this issue, some manufacturers designed a dust collection spot along with a miter saw. It won’t let the dust blow away all over the places and thereby makes it easy to clean afterwards. While a few models offer air blowing option near its cutting area, which helps to maintain a clean cutting area and thereby let you cut precisely. But initially, it makes a mess by moving the dust into the air to clean the area. However, these dust chutes won’t come into your mind, unless and until it becomes a crucial factor and aids in proper cutting efficiency and various health reasons.
8. Sliding Rails:
With this feature, you can easily move the saw blade forward & backward (forth and back). The length of the rail track will determine the saw’s maximum cutting width of the wood. These sliding rails can be either a single sliding rail or four sliding rails. A saw with more sliding tracks will add complexity and needs to be more careful while operating, yet it offers smoother movement than a saw with a single sliding rail.
9. Fence:
Looking to make repetitive cuts easily, you have to choose a fence having a cast-in scale. Also, these fences are textured that ensures your workpiece sits securely and won’t easily get slip when you are cutting the workpiece.
10. Laser Attachment:
With its gaining popularity, most models are including this feature. Though the hobbyists or DIYers seem to like the laser attachment feature for accurate cuts, the professional won’t care about this feature. It allows you to see where the saw blade is going to place and thereby aids accurate cuts. So, it is worth an added investment, especially for those, who are not confident in their ability to make accurate cuts.
11. Clear – Cutting Guards:
One can directly see through these clear-cutting guards, which makes you easily finish the project. This extra feature when paired with the laser will offer various benefits. For instance, the saw generally moves right through the wood while you are cutting it. This feature is quite useful for people who have less confidence in their ability to cut precisely while slicing something need finesse such as crown molding. So, check out this transparent blade guard option while selecting a miter saw. This lets you adjust the blade quickly at the desired position without lifting to align at the cutting mark.
12. Warranty and Price:
When compared with a common miter saw, this sliding miter saw costs a bit more. And its cost depends on the quality and the brand of the given saw. Though it is costlier, make sure to purchase the good quality sliding miter saw, as it provides great flexibility while cutting woods. It is also essential to check the warranty terms & conditions (given by the manufacturer) to know what is replaced or repaired, in case, if anything happens wrongly within the warranty period. In general, most sliding miter saw manufacture offer a minimum of 1-year warranty and some offers 2-, 3-, 4- or 5-years long warranty on their product.
How to use a sliding compound miter saw?
Before you start using any product, you should make yourself familiarize with all about its components, working function or operating methods. The same applies to this sliding compound miter saw. For this, you have to check out the user manual or watch some videos related to its miter saw to get a clear idea on how to use and operate this saw properly. Here we are providing some general guidelines to know how the saw functions. Have a look at them. Always select the right blade for the saw as per your cutting requirement to do its job perfectly. This allows you to perform the task quickly, easily and also extend the lifespan of the saw. In case, if your blade is overheating or vibrating more, then it getting dull and has to be replaced. Before starting the cutting, make sure to perform a test by using a piece of wood to know whether the angles you are setting correctly and thereby cutting comes out exactly how you set/need. Then lock the saw to ensure that your cutting remains consistent and look how you want it to be. But careful that not to over screw the locking mechanism, or else it results in causing strip and may break the screw eventually. So, the best way to learn about anything (including how to use this sliding compound miter saw) is to use them. Whenever you get stuck, then simply refer to the user manual (or) go to the manufacture’s website (or) check it online to find a solution for the problem. If having enough knowledge and experience you can use the saw like a pro.
How to take proper care of this sliding compound miter saw?
To grab the better performance and longer lifetime of a saw, you have to take some proper care and maintenance of the sliding miter saw. For this, you have to check out that its blade is not loose before you use this miter saw. Also, check out for any damage to the blade tooth and if found any crack or damage in the blade, then simply replace it. Ensure that the chainsaw is turned off right after the cutting session and before starting the cleaning process. You have to empty the dirt chute to reduce spillage and use a damp cloth to clean the cutting area. To prevent any accidental start, you have to ensure that a safety switch is engaged properly.
Difference Between Fixed Miter Saw & Sliding Miter Saw:
Here we are providing the difference between a fixed miter saw and a sliding miter saw. Let’s check out these two types of miter saws and select the one that suits perfectly for you.
Fixed Miter Saw:
It has been used for more than 50 years, which become one of the favorites to use in the workshops of professional builders and hobbyists. This versatile saw is used to produce bevel cuts, miter cuts, basic crosscuts and compound cuts. It is perfect for cutting a moderately-sized piece of wood/lumber, trims, crown moldings, and baseboards, in which the thickness of the workpiece is as 6-inches. It is easy to use, portable, compact, and affordable when compared with its versatile sibling-like miter saw. All you need to do is simply drop the saw into the workpiece to cut, while for a sliding miter saw, you have to pull the saw towards you by dropping it to the edge of the workpiece and horizontally slide it back to cut the wood piece.
Sliding Miter Saw:
This saw will produce miter cuts, compound cuts, bevel cuts, and crosscuts. The sliding miter saws can reach up to 12-inches cutting clearance (up to 16-inches for larger ones), while fixed miter saws has only 6-inches cutting clearance. This sliding miter saw is a must to use a saw, especially while using to cut a thicker piece of wood/lumber frequently. Though, they are quite expensive, which makes it won’t be the best option to invest in this tool if you are not using it frequently. Or else it sits in the workshop collecting dust. These saws are bulky, as they occupy a lot of space in your workplace/garage. A few models are heavyweight, which makes it hard to move around. In case, if you fix to set on sliding miter saw, then simply check out our buying guide to get a clear idea of what to look for and how to choose the best sliding miter saw while purchasing in a hardware store or online.
Conclusion:
If you want a saw for cutting all kinds of materials with high accuracy, then you can go with a sliding miter saw. These generally offer highly precise control while cutting anything due to their various control options. And today, we have mentioned some of the best sliding miter saw options in this article. You can also find their major features and options, along with a detailed buying guide. This has all of the major aspects and factors regarding sliding miter saws. As you would expect, all of these things can be quite useful to easily choose the perfect sliding miter saw for you. But if you are still confused and not able to buy one, you can simply go with one of our recommendations: For those of you who are on a budget, the Genesis GMS1015LC sliding miter saw can be a great option. Even though this is the cheapest option present in this article, it comes with a large 10-inch cutting blade that is as good as other expensive options out there. This blade is powered by a 15 amp electric motor that allows you to easily cut through hard materials. Since this is a budget option, you only get a 2-year warranty with it. Thankfully, you get an excellent build quality in it that is always great to have. The Metabo HPT C12RSH2S is the most durable and reliable option present in this article. Most of the other options out there come with a 2 year or a 3-year warranty. But this one offers an excellent build quality along with a 5-year warranty. It even offers equally good performance as you get a 15 amp electric motor in that powers its 12-inch cutting blade. You also get an ergonomic design along with high precision controls. You can also consider the Dewalt DWS779 sliding miter saw if you want a balance between price and performance. This saw comes with a highly powerful electric motor that is rated at 15 amps. It powers a 12-inch blade for easily cutting large-size objects using this saw. Its 3800 RPM electric motor can cut with sharp and clean cuts while used for cutting different materials. As Dewalt is a reputable brand of power tools, you also get a pretty good build quality along with a 3-year warranty in it. Make sure to share your thoughts in the comments section. You can also post any questions down there if you have any! Comment * Name * Email * Website
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