Compact Cordless Miter Saws. Large miter saw
The Best Miter Saw for Woodworking Projects
After over a decade with my Makita miter saw I decided it was time to upgrade. And while the decision was mostly around needing a miter saw that would fit on my bench without needing 12-inches of travel behind the fence, I also wanted advanced features like a laser guide and improved accuracy.
So, after hours searching, comparing and browsing at the tool stores my choice was easy: the Festool Kapex was hands down the best miter saw not he market.
When looking at a miter saw here are the key features:
- Sliding rails for improved cutting capacity
- Compound and dual bevels for angle cutting
- Blade size is standard at 10″, but 12″ is best for large cuts (eg 6×6 lumber)
- Safety features like hold-down clamps
- Laser guides for improving cut accuracy
- Dust collection to keep the workshop clean
Festool Kapex KS120 REB
Best on The Market
While this saw is twice the price of most others, the features and functionality of it make it the only choice for a professional woodworker.
How Good Is the DeWALT 7-¼” Cordless Miter Saw?
When you look at Festool tools you need to consider the old adage of “buy once, cry once”. While premium priced, the Kapex hasn’t disappointed in hands on use:
- The laser guides are a bonus for some, but make cutting easier.
- The top thumb trigger keeps your hand in a more natural position
- Hold down clamping is a breeze with an easy-to-interact with design that improves safety
- Dust collection is very good, but as with all saws not perfect.
- Noise is average, but the blade brake minimizes extra “spin down” time
After a few months use my only complaints are the button to turn the laser on is hard to access and the dust collection is a bit less than hoped for. Even with a Festool dust extractor attached.
Best Value 10-inch Saw
With a bench friendly zero rear clearance design this Makita features many of the Festool key features at a budget friendly price.
In the 500-700 range this Makita fits both your bench and budget. Featuring a 10-inch blade (a 12-inch configuration is available), zero clearance, a tall fence and easy-to-use angle adjustment there’s little to not like about this model.
- Laser guides
- 12-inch crosscut capability
- 15 amp motor
- Soft start
- Dust collection port
- See-thru blade guard
Types of Miter Saws
Like any tool, it’s best to understand all the possible features of a saw first.
While not all features are required, knowing which are available will let you grow into or maximize the use of the saw.
So when it comes to miter saws, here’s the top features to consider:
- Blade size
- Single vs. dual bevel
- Fixed vs. sliding blade
- Positive stops
- Fixed vs. sliding fences
- Maximum cut capacity
- Bevel and angle cut range (over 45-degrees)
- Weight of the machine
- Integrated workpiece clamps
- Laser markers and other features
Now, as you know, the best models will pack all of the features we just took a look at into one saw. But the tough part is separating out what you need for your projects versus what you won’t.
With that in mind, and to help you pick the right saw, let’s take a look at the different types of miter saws:
Basic Single Bevel
Shown: DeWALT DWS715 12-inch
If your search is for an entry level saw that will cut 2×4’s by the hundreds then a single bevel saw is a great place to start.
This type of saw typically features:
- A standard 10″ blade
- Dust bag
- Positive stops to hold the saw at common angles such as 22.5 or 45-degrees
- Ability to cut from 0-47 degrees
However, this type has a big limitation if you plan to do any trim work: it won’t cut crown molding without a trim jig.
Fixed Dual Bevel Miter Saw
Shown: DeWALT DWS716
While similar in all features to a basic saw, the dual bevel allows for both left and right compound cuts. Which, if you plan on crown molding installation of any kind, will be a needed feature.
But, this saw is less popular.
Why? Well, with a fixed blade a dual bevel is great for its compactness (less weight, no slides in the way). But, at around 100 more than a standard single bevel its price point nears the entry point of sliding compound miter saws.
Which are up next and offer up a deeper cut for larger projects.
Sliding Compound
Shown: Makita LS0815F
A sliding compound saw is arguably the most popular saw on the market.
With blades ranging from 8 to 12″, huge cutting capacities and all of the features imaginable packed into one saw there just isn’t a more feature-rich model than this.
This type of saw typically features:
- Cutting capacity of at least 12″
- Dual bevels
- Numerous positive stops for locking in angles
- Ball bearing slides
- Adjustable fences with workpiece clamps
And, the top of the line units will feature sliding fences, laser markers and enhanced dust control
Cordless
Shown: DeWALT DCS361B
While surprising to some, most saws are now available cordless. And that includes cordless table saws that can power thru dozens of sheets of plywood.
With the most popular saws featuring dual bevels and mounted to a slide, you’ll find a good selection of smaller-bladed cordless saws that feature all of the capability of a larger corded version. But with two key features: ability to work off the power grid, and often weighing up to 25 pounds less than their corded equivalent.
So what’s the tradeoff? Consistent power for large jobs and a smaller blade size.
Zero Rear Clearance Saw
Shown: Makita LS1219L
As you’ve probably experienced or can guess, a sliding miter saw has a huge disadvantage: it takes up a lot of space.
Because the slides on most saws are 6-10″ they require room behind the fence. Which, in a small shop, creates a space dilemma as you need the cutting capacity but don’t need a 24″ deep miter saw jutting into your walkway.
- Bosch solves this with a unique articulating head that unfolds versus slides
- Meanwhile Makita uses a slide-over-fence design that allows for a deep cut but limits the space required behind the saw
The bottom line? If you have the budget and need a compact saw this type of miter saw is worth considering.
Mini Miter Saw
Shown: JOUNJIP Saw
For making cuts on small pieces of wood there is a miter saw that solves one of the biggest problems with miter saws: the blade is large, dangerous and it is almost impossible to cut small pieces without ripping and tearing.
Which makes the mini miter saw a unique addition to almost any woodworking shop. And, for builders of small projects and hobbyists an inexpensive solution and alternative to the full size miter saw.
Trouble finding the right miter saw and accessories? Check out Woodcraft for a great selection. And, for some tools, they offer up a regular 10% discount for new buyers.
Miter Saw vs. Chop Saw
While a chop saw and a miter saw share the same form, these saws difer greatly in use:
- Chop saws specialize in cutting metal while miter saws are usually for wood (but can cut metal with a special blade)
- Miter saws can cut angles while chop saws are for straight cuts
- Chop saws use abrasive blades while miter saws use metal blades with steel or carbide teeth
So, for purposes of this article we’ll stick to use of miter saw terminology and review.
Choosing the Right Saw for Your Shop
Budgets are important, and when it comes to woodworking tools there are potentially tens of thousands of dollars in tools to consider.
Which makes matching your projects to your tools important to make sure you can invest in the right dust collectors, hole jigs and the variety of other tools that make up a typical workshop.
So, with that, lets take a look at the best miter saw for YOUR uses.
Overview
Tools should be purchased to last a decade.
Or, at least that’s my principle as the one constant with tools is you’ll always need another one.
Which for most woodworkers is a constant budget and trade-off issue.
So what should you look for in a first-time miter saw? Well, consider these as the basics:
- 10″ blades are a must, but 12″ is too big unless you plan to cut off 6×6’s
- Sliding is required for cutting plywood
- Single bevel is fine, but with most sliding saws you’ll also get dual bevel
Makita DLS600Z. Is this a toy or a good mitre saw?
You might be asking if this excludes buying a fixed single bevel miter saw? It does, unless your budget is so tight you can’t afford the extra 100 or so for an entry level sliding miter saw.
Never buy a tool and then upgrade it a few years later. You’ll lose out on using that lost capital for other tools.
Overview
If you’ve used up the life span of your current miter saw or need an upgrade then choosing the next saw will certainly require a bit of research.
And, for upgrades, features are important and include:
- Laser aided cutting
- Larger cutting capacity
- Potentially a 12-inch blade vs. 10-inch
- Less weight for jobsite saws
- Space saving design without sacrificing on capacity
- Powerful motors
- And, of course, accuracy for perfect cuts
Upgrade Picks
Unless your passion is fine furniture and Festool is your upgrade tool of choice, then the Makita LS1219L SLIDING is a great place to start. First, it has all of the upgrade components you’d consider from a large 12″ blade to 15-inch crosscuts at 90-degress, laser aided cutting and dual dust ports for maximum dust extraction.
Overview
While serious woodworkers use their saw a few weekends a month (at minimum), if your search for a saw is focused on cost then a smaller saw with less capability is justified.
Which, as you may know, requires trimming back on features and looking for:
Yes, there are imports to choose from. And, of course, they offer up a 50 or more discount. But, you’re trading manufacturing durability that’s brand managed for an import gamble.
Best Budget Miter Saws
As you’ve seen a few times, Metabo covers a solid specturm of miter saw price points and has a single bevel saw with the Metabo C10FCH2S that has all the key features at a budget price point.
Overview
While most woodworkers are homeowners, not all homeowners are woodworkers.
Which, of course, requires a miter saw that is suitable for a homeowner and includes the core features for projects from building a bench, creating outdoor furniture or perhaps even a deck build.
So, with that in mind, you’ll want a saw like the Metabo FSHCT10 LASER that has:
- A 10″ blade for cutting most wood
- A slide as plywood projects are easier to make with a sliding miter saw
- Dual bevel for trim work (it’s standard on almost all sliding miter saws)
- And most importantly, lightweight since not everyone can heft a 50 pound saw
Miter Saw Accessories
Even with top of the line miter saws you’ll find the need for accessories that will make your saw more usable, safer and enhance portability.
So, as you’re making your decision on a saw, be sure to consider the following miter saw accessories that will enhance your purchase.
Miter Saw Dust Collection Hoods
As you can see above, a dust collection hood simply fits around the back of your saw like a hood. Since you likely know your miter saw dust can NEVER be caught by the (ineffective) dust collection bag, these hoods work to capture all of the dust.
And, when paired with your dust collection system (there’s a hookup at the bottom back of the bag) you’ll be able to capture a high volume of that dust.
- Rousseau 5000 Series Dust Hoodsis a popular hood that connects to dust collectors or vacuums, folds for on-job use and transport, and is Made in USA.
- Rousseau 5000-L Lighted Hood to help with visibility.
10 Million Dollar Stick from FastCap
If you’re not familiar with FastCap, they produce innovative tools that make woodworking BETTER. From fast setting glue, cabinet screws, cabinet jacks and more their main FOCUS is safety and making your day in the workshop more efficient.
So, as you might have guessed by the name, the 10 Million Dollar Stick is a miter saw safety tool that keeps your million dollar (all 10 of them) away from the saw blade.
Kreg KMS8000 Miter Fence
For well over a decade I used my Makita miter saw without a miter saw fence system.
But after upgrading my saw to a portable workstation and installing a fence I’ll never (ever) NOT having a miter saw fence because they:
- Allow for quick left and right stops using the t-track
- Use an integrated ruler for 1/32″ precision
- Speed up multiple cuts
- Improve accuracy
While these systems require a bit of setup and build (it’s woodworking, though, right?) you’ll never regret the decision to install a fence later.
DeWALT DWX726 Miter Saw Stand
After unboxing most miter saws you’ll find that they aren’t small.
In fact, most miter saws take up a good 24″ x 24″ of benchtop space and need 8-10′ of free space to either the left or right of the blade. And, for portability to job sites, you’ll face the 30-50 pounds (on average) weight of this unwieldly tool to be a bit much.
So, a lot of woodworkers choose to mount their miter saw to a stand that’s on wheels. And by doing so can fold up their saw (by bolting it to the stand, of course) for both storage and transport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size miter saw blade is best?
For most woodworkers a 10″ blade is more than sufficient in a miter saw. However, if your jobs include cutting 6×6 lumber, ,you need that extra bit of reach for crosscuts, or you just want the biggest miter saw on the market then consider a 12″. Generally, anything smaller than 10″ is not recommended unless it’s a portable miter saw.
How much does a miter saw cost?
Miter saws generally cost between 150 for an entry level unit up to 1700 for a high quality, precision unit for professionals.
How do I control dust on my miter saw?
The best way to control the dust generated by a miter saw is to use a dust hood that is connected to your dust collection system. By doing so, the dust that is normally exhausted into the air is caught and pulled into the dust hood and chute.
Is a sliding miter saw really worth it?
For most woodworkers you’ll find the need to crosscut plywood or larger boards is a mainstay of your miter saws job. And, for that reason, you’ll want a sliding miter saw that can make larger cuts than a fixed version.
Summary
While choosing the best miter saw for your workshop requires a bit of research it will pay off in the end when you’re setup and the saw has the features and capacity for all of your jobs.
Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
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Carpenter Ben Bogie puts eight ultraportable battery-powered compound miter saws to the test.
Synopsis: While job-site saws seem to be trending bigger and heavier, these smaller cordless miter saws have a lot to like about them—they’re easy to carry to the work site, deflect less than larger blades, and let you get right to work cord-free. Carpenter Ben Bogie tested eight compact saws for power and cut quality with cuts in 2x stock, plywood, poplar, and hardwood. Here, he gives a brief description of each tool and names his best-overall and best-value models.
Although the trend in the last 10 years seems to be increasingly bigger and heavier sliding miter saws, I started my career over 20 years ago learning on an 8-1/2-in. Hitachi, so returning to this size of saw feels familiar. There’s a lot to like about sliders this size. The small blades deflect less than larger blades, resulting in exceptional cuts, but the ability to easily carry the saw to the work site with one hand and get right to work cord-free is the real reason to get one. For this test, I limited our selections to 7-1/4-in. saws, assuming that this will be a super-portable second saw to complement the larger miter saw you probably already have. I also included the 7-1/2-in. Makita because it seemed close enough.
If you’re used to a corded saw, you may assume these battery-powered versions are just for punch lists, but modern high-capacity batteries mean you can set up one of these saws up in the morning and cut a day’s worth of trim without ever tripping over a cord. I compared all the models, side by side, making cuts in 2x stock, 3/4-in. plywood, 5/4×6 poplar, and 1×9 hard maple. I quickly plunged the saws into 2x stock to evaluate their power and cut quality. I made crosscuts in wide maple to check for wandering cuts. The Achilles heel of sliders is play in the sawhead. Excessive play causes the blade to wander and creates a belly-shaped cut in wide pieces. At full extension, most of these saws had minimal head movement—I was surprised. The Craftsman and Kobalt had the most play, with the DeWALT, Milwaukee, Makita, and Metabo HPT having almost none. The others fell in between.
Craftsman CMCS714M1
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
Controls and features
Out of the box, only three saws had their miter and bevel stops and pointers properly calibrated: the Metabo HPT, the Makita, and the DeWALT. I make it standard practice to check and calibrate a new saw, but it’s a nice feature to not have to. All of the saws have front miter locks and bevel locks in the back. Milwaukee has a miter-detent override, a nice feature when working close to a detent. The Kobalt makes you hold up the lock lever to pass detents, which I found awkward.
DeWALT DCS361M1
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
For bevel locks, the Makita and Metabo HPT have short-throw levers that are quick and effective. The Metabo HPT has a bevel-adjust knob that allows you to dial in the exact setting. All of the saws have compact footprints compared to 10-in. and 12-in. miter saws, which is nice for portability, but also means there isn’t a lot of room to support stock. Makita and Metabo HPT include accessory wings that expand the saw table. The small footprints also mean that some of these saws couldn’t crosscut through the 8-3/4-in. maple. The Makita, Metabo HPT, and Kobalt have larger crosscut capacity.
Kobalt KMS 0724B-03
Battery: 100
Charger: 45
Crosscut 90°: 2×10
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
Many of the saws feature a shadowline cut indicator, which I find to be superior to lasers as they’re crisp and don’t require eventual adjustment while also illuminating the cut zone in low-light conditions. Notably, the Ryobi and Makita feature neither a light nor a laser, which felt like a glaring omission. The Metabo HPT was the only one in the pack to use a laser, which is quite good, and also includes onboard lighting with two brightness settings.
Makita XLS02Z
Two batteries with dual-port charger: 260
Blade diameter: 7-1/2 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2-1/16 in. by 8-3/8 in.
Build-quality and power vary
As far as material quality, machining, and assembly, the Makita and Metabo HPT saws are very close, with a slight advantage to the Metabo HPT. The Ryobi and the Kobalt scored lowest in this area. For power and cut quality, it’s hands down Makita with Metabo HPT very close behind. Both of these saws feel more powerful than the others and absolutely plow through cuts with no noticeable hesitation or blade run-out.
Milwaukee 2733-21
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
The cut surfaces were smooth, square, and straight. The Ryobi was the least powerful-feeling while still delivering fair cut quality, and the Craftsman was adequately powered, but had a great deal of blade run-out, resulting in poor cut quality that I don’t think was a blade issue. An honorable mention goes to the Ridgid, as it’s well-powered, bevels in both directions, and makes decent cuts, even in hardwood.
Ryobi PBT01B
Battery and charger: 130
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
And the winner is…
For me, it all comes down to quality of cut and precision of the adjustments. Overall, the Makita and Metabo HPT saws are the clear leaders. They are beautifully executed saws with excellent cut quality. I’ll gladly take either for the most demanding finish carpentry. But for me, the Metabo HPT takes the crown. It has excellent cut quality, great capacity, and dual-bevel capabilities, and was the only one with a bevel-adjustment knob. You can also run it with a 110v adapter. My only complaint is that I’d prefer a shadowline cut indicator instead of the laser.
Metabo HPT C3607DRAQ4
Battery and charger: 200
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2-1/4 in. by 8-9/16 in.
The Makita saw is a close second; it has phenomenal cut quality and power, great capacity, and great build quality, but loses points for missing lighting and no cutline laser or shadow, and it’s only single bevel. Next would be the Milwaukee and DeWALT saws, which are perfectly adequate, but lack the refinement and precision of the Metabo HPT and Makita. The budget winner here for me is the Ridgid. It’s a good-quality tool with strong features and decent performance at a good price.
Ridgid R48607
Battery and charger: 150
Blade diameter: 7-1/4 in.
Crosscut 45°: 2×6
Note: For the specs listed here, we weighed all the saws and checked miter and bevel capacities ourselves. Battery offerings by manufacturer are varied and constantly changing—we’ve done our best to present a fitting comparison for each tool if a kit was not available for purchase.
Photos by Melinda Vazquez, except where noted.
From Fine Homebuilding #303
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Kobalt 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review
Updated 4/29/2011: You can find Kobalt products at your neighborhood Lowes, but before you head out, pick up a sweet Lowes Coupon. This coupon gives you an automatic 10% off any in-store purchase, and who doesn’t like to save money?
A miter saw is really a bread-and-butter tool for any professional wood worker or DIYer. It’s has a wide set of applications for many home improvement projects. So, it’s important that you choose a miter saw that is versatile, precise, and can handle any project you undertake.
Lowes produces its own line of tools called Kobalt. Kobalt brand features everything from tool storage and impact wrenches to ratchets and compressors. They were kind enough to let us try our hand with their 10″ sliding compound miter saw. Read on to learn about the features of this saw and how it stacks up.
Kobalt Miter Saw Review
Laser GuideLots of miter saws are including a laser guide to help users line up their cuts. The first thing I like about the Kobalt laser is it’s location. Some competitors place the laser guide on the end of the handle. These lasers are easily obstructed and more apt to being bumped and misaligned. Kobalt places its laser on the cutting head support, out of the way. Secondly, the laser doesn’t require batteries. Replacing batteries is cumbersome. Kobalt was Smart to integrate the laser power supply with the saw. Click on the picture for a close-up view.
Cutting This miter saw is very precise for both miter and bevel cuts. The saw blade cuts immediately to the right of the laser guide so you know exactly where to place your stock. The laser was accurate even when sliding the blade forward. Plus, this sliding miter saw is equipped with a 10″ blade. That means it can handle very large stock (3-5/8″ x 12″ @ 90° and 3-5/8″ x 8″ @ 45°).
Hold-Down Clamp and Extensions I’ve seen both of these features on other miter saws, but never really tried them out. These are small bells and whistles that really help your work flow. The Hold-Down Clamp quickly locks your material in place and has four different locations. The extensions easily slide out for additional support.
PriceI know I’ve already mentioned the price, but it’s worth mentioning again. At 199, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better 10″, sliding miter saw. Most sliding miter saws are about double this price tag.
Additional Features
Here are some additional features and specifications.
- 15 amp motor
- 10″ blade, 4800RPM
- Telescoping supports on left and right sides
- 45° max bevel and 50° max miter
- Electric blade brake
- Positive miter and bevel stops at common angles
- Sliding rear fence
- Horizontal switch handle
- Bevel detent and cutting depth preset
- Sliding rear fence
Areas for Improvement
There are two improvements Kobalt could address. First, the dust collector doesn’t work well. I setup outside and brushed off a fair amount of sawdust after I was finished. In the future, I’ll connect my shop-vac in place of the dust bag. My second complaint is the location of the bevel locking handle. It’s mounted on the backside of the cutting head support, making it difficult to reach.
Response to Commenters
There are few commenters below sharing disappointments with this saw. I appreciate the many different opinions, but it’s worth stating that my Kobalt Miter saw is still working like a charm, a year and a half after I ran this review. I do believe you get what you pay for, but this saw has performed through an entire first floor hardwood installation (click here for the full Hardwood Flooring Installation Guide) and even simple projects like cutting baseboard. The laser is still true and I’m still happy with it.These are the features I really liked about this saw.
Where to Buy the Kobalt Sliding Miter Saw
If you’re looking to purchase your first miter saw or even upgrade from a non-sliding version, the Kobalt Sliding Miter Saw seems like a reasonable choice to us. This saw includes all the important features of a mitre saw, but also sports a decent price at 199. (Sometimes 149 on sale).
Kobalt brand tools are available from Lowes.
What do you think? What’s your experience with this saw?
Large miter saw
Solid heavy design for a perfect pairing with Controlled Automation CNC drilling and punching lines.
The largest heavy duty miter saw (60º both directions) specifically for the structural steel fabrication industry. Features on this saw are designed with the fabricator in mind such as a robust heavy design of over 18,000lbs, a 10º blade cant, 2-5/8″ (67mm) blade size and a large specially designed planetary gearbox.
Rock Solid Box Structure
The two vertical linear guide columns from left and right combine with horizontal cross links to form a solid box frame. This structural design enables an extremely steady and sound saw bow movement and enhances your cutting precision. A total of four saw bow linear guides allow a smooth pulse-free up and down movement of the hydraulically driven saw bow.
Cut Faster, Save Larger with our Specially Designed Gearbox
Our specially designed planetary gearbox provides smooth and powerful cutting through the heaviest of materials. The power transmission efficiency is higher than 90%, topping all other gearbox types in mechanical performance. Also, it accepts more pressure during operation and will not create thermal distortion, providing long gearbox life under various production conditions. Over time, our customers realize significant savings in energy cost and increased productivity.
60-Degree Swivel to Both Sides
Controlled Automation’s SW-5120DM allows users to swivel to 60 degree both forward and backward, making your cutting jobs even more versatile and helpful when handling various miter-cutting jobs.
Dual vertical vising
The dual vertical vises work independantely clamping material on both sides of the blade, and positively grip the material at any miter angle. The standard plunger-style overhead clamp reduces cutting vibration on large structural shapes and improves cutting accuracy.
2-5/8″ Blade Our larger 2-5/8″ (67mm) Band saw blade is powerd with a 20hp motor for faster accurate cuts beyond most heavy structural saws.
Automatic Saw Measuring An optional Saw Measuring system is available combined with a Controlled Automation rack pinion probe system using Miter Multing through SICAM software for the best in material utilization and inventory feedback.
Chip Auger Standard on all Controlled Automation model saws, The Chip Auger removes chips from the cutting area into an easy-to-empty container
Large Diameter Cast Band Wheels Our exceptionally large diameter Band wheels used are of a hardend casting to provide unsurpassed Band wheel life and extended blade life.
Standard Shadow or Laser Light Standard on a Controlled Automation saw is the shadow-light system for operator assisted allignment or as an option, the laser line system.
Chip Brush The standard Chip Brush runs simultaneously with the saw blade thoroughly cleaning the saw blade gullet, preventing tooth strippage and reduces maintnenace costs.
Blade Guide Clamping Blade guides provide the optimum clamping force to maintain proper blade alignment to remove twist and improve blade life.
Extreme Horse-Power Compare the best with the rest and you will find Controlled Automation offers the biggest and best rated system overall for capacity and raw 20 horse-power motor as standard to get you cutting extremely fast.
Specifications
| 90º Capacity | 20.5″ x 51.2″ (520mm x 1300mm) |
| ± 45º Capacity | 20.5″ x 33.5″ (520mm x 850mm) |
| ± 60º Capacity | 20.5″ x 19.7″ (520mm x 500mm) |
| Machine Speeds | 50. 330 fpm (15-100 m/min) |
| Saw Blade Size | 2-5/8″ x 421″ (67mm x 10,700mm) |
| Vise | Hydraulic Full Stroke Cylinder |
| Motor Output | 20 HP |
| Machine Weight | 19,800 lbs |
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Best Cordless 12 Inch Miter Saw Head To Head
For this installment of our BestCordless Miter Saw Head-to-Head series, we took a look at four 12-inch cordless miter saws. If this is your first time reading one of our Head to Heads, trust that our crew poured over each saw to give you a comprehensive look at these tools. Furthermore, we provide our readers with insights you can only expect from seasoned pros, arming you with all the information you need before investing in a miter saw.
Full-sized miter saws are not for everyone, they shine when cutting framing lumber, large crown moldings, fascia and soffit trim, stair trim, and any cuts in larger thickness and width materials.
Best 12 Inch Cordless Miter Saw Evaluation Format
Our team has put some serious time and effort into this evaluation to bring you the most comprehensive information available. For this Head to Head, we broke things into several categories including Precision Accuracy, Performance (speed/power), Features, Ergonomics, Dust Collection, Decibels, and Price. For each of these categories, we’ll rank the saws and in the end, we’ll name the Best 12″ Cordless Miter Saw based on all the results combined.
- Precision, and Accuracy – In this category, we evaluated the accuracy of the miter saws, out of the box, and how easy it is to make adjustments.
- Performance [Power / Speed Test].We looked at cutting speed as an indicator of saw motor performance.
- Run-time – Lots of pros think run-time is important. The performance evaluation took a very deep dive into the power of the saw motors and how well the saws managed repetitive cutting of framing lumber.
- Features – An overall comparison of features and specifications.
- Ergonomics – Ergonomics are really important to users and an important category to consider when purchasing any power tool. In addition to traditional ergonomics, we also included functionality in this category.
- Dust Collection – Construction is a messy business and dust is one of the biggest evils in our industry.
- Decibels – We evaluated the sound level in decibels
- Price – Price is always an important factor in determining which saw is best for a user. We’ve included the current pricing found online for each of the saws “as-tested,” at the time of publication.
Best 12 Inch Cordless Miter Saw Specifications
Before we present the Best 12 Inch Cordless Miter Saw testing results, it’s helpful to set the stage by listing all the features and specifications for comparison. Specific differences in the saws are listed below.
Bosch GCM18V-12GDC Surgeon Glide
Brand new saw, coming to the market soon but not available yet
- Blade 12-inch
- RPM 2,550-4,000
- Weight 59.3 lbs.
- Max Cuts Angle 47 L, 47 R
- Max Bevel Cuts 47 R 47 L
- Vertical Capacity 0° / 45°: 3 1/2″/ 2″
- Crosscut Capacity 0° / 45°: 13 1/2″ / 9-1/2″
- Laser Cut Line on Both Sides of Blade
- Battery Voltage: 18 Volt
- Battery Capacity: 1
DeWALT DHS7900AT2
- Blade 12-inch
- RPM 3800
- Weight 56 lbs.
- Max Cuts Angle 0-50 L, 0-60 R
- Max Bevel Cuts 0-49 L/R
- Vertical Capacity 6-3/4″
- Crosscut Capacity 16″
- Light Cut Line
- Battery Voltage: 60 Volt
- Battery Capacity: 2
Makita XSL08PT
- Blade 12-inch
- RPM 4400
- Weight 69.1 lbs.
- Max Cuts Angle 0-60 L/R
- Max Bevel Cuts 0-48 L/R
- Vertical Capacity 6-3/4″
- Crosscut Capacity 15″
- Light Cut Line
- Battery Voltage: 36 Volt
- Battery Capacity: 2
Milwaukee 2739-21HD
- Blade 12-inch
- RPM 3500
- Weight 47.6 lbs.
- Max Cuts Angle 0-50 L / 0-60 R
- Max Bevel Cuts 0-48 L/R
- Vertical Capacity 6-3/4″
- Crosscut Capacity 15″
- Light Cut Line
- Battery Voltage: 18 Volt
- Battery Capacity: 1
12″ Miter Saw Precision and Accuracy
To be consistent all three saws were equipped with a Makita 80-tooth. 12-inch blade. The only exception was the Bosch saw due to the fact that this was a prototype from Germany and the arbor size was 30 mm. The Tool Box Buzz crew was excited to be the FIRST to see this NEW Bosch saw.
Miter saws NEVER come from the factory perfectly tuned, but many users pull them out of the box and go to work with them. Not to mention a Pro saw gets dragged in and out of a truck or van which is a much harsher environment than a workshop saw.
For a finish carpenter, or woodworker a miter saws’ ability to make an accurate cut must be routinely checked and maintained because a little misalignment can cause compounding errors on a project.
We checked the calibration of the saws out of the box, recorded our findings, and then calibrated the saws, noting the level of difficulty to get them tuned up. Miter saw calibration is a critical step because a difference as small as 1° over a 1-in. span will result in a 1/64-in. the gap in a finished miter joint. Similarly, 3° over 5-in. span gives you a 9/32-in. gap.
The TBB crew wanted to give our readers an idea of how well the saws scored on accuracy right out of the box. We looked at the following areas:
- Table flatness
- Fence flatness
- Bevel accuracy when set to 0 degrees
- Miter accuracy when set to 45 degrees.
- Crosscut accuracy when set to 90 degrees
Table Flatness – For table flatness, we used a Bridge City Tool Works 24 inch stainless steel flat edge. We placed the flat edge onto the table and first looked for any light that could shine between the table surface and the stainless flat edge. Where the light shone through, we took a set of machinist feeler gauges and determined the size of the gap under the flat edge. We recorded the data and proceeded to check the fence accuracy. We turned the Bridge City flat edge and held it up to the lower part of each saws’ fence. Some of the saws have a single piece lower fence and others have a two-part lower fence. We measured any gap between the fence and the flat edge and noted the maximum reading from the feeler gauges.
0-Degree Bevel – For 90-degree bevel accuracy, we adjusted the saws to contact the factory setting for a 90-degree vertical cut. Then we used a Wixey digital gauge to measure the degrees between the table of the saw and the body of the blade. The Wixey gauge can be set to zero out any inclination in the saw. This enables the user to read the accurate relative difference in inclination between the table and the blade. We zeroed out the gauge each time we took a reading.
45-Degree Miter – Cutting 45-degree miters is a critical function of these types of miter saws. We measured the factory 45-degree cuts by setting the saw to its 45-degree setting. We made a cut into 2×4 lumber and read the actual cut with a digital T-Bevel gauge. For each cut, we zeroed the gauge. Then we took the reading and recorded the data. This type of gauge is accurate to one-tenth of a degree.
90-Degree Cross Cut – For this test, we set the saw to the factory 90-degree setting for a cross-cut. We crosscut a piece of plywood that had one edge squared with a track saw. We took the ‘cut-off’ piece and flipped it 180 degrees along the long axis. We lined up the two pieces against a straight edge and noted if there were a gap between the two halves along the cut edge. If we saw a gap, we measured this gap with feeler gauges. By flipping one of the pieces 180 degrees, this meant that any deviation from a 90-degree cut would show twice the error than just measuring one side by itself.
12-Inch Miter Saw Accuracy Results – Winner Makita
| Cross- Cut | 45 Deg Miter | Bevel | Table and Fence | Totals | Rank |
| 2 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 3 |
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 4 |
Makita and DeWALT had excellent accuracy and were neck and neck here with 8 and 9 points respectively. Bosch followed in third place followed by Milwaukee in fourth. All of these saws were easy to tune-up if needed.
Best 12 Inch Cordless Miter Saw – Performance
For the performance section, we tested the run-time and speed of cut with the battery sold with the saw in the kitted form.
The Power Test is a good indication of what saw and blade configuration can cut. We made five timed cuts in 7-1/4″ LVL lumber and recorded the average time.
Finally, we conducted a speed test to quantify the power each saw displayed on a challenging piece of engineered lumber. This is a simple test with some uncontrolled variables, but our methods were fair.
We had the same operator conduct each cut, with the instruction to let the saw do the cutting, apply as much pressure as the saw and blade would allow. We waited for the blade to come to a complete stop, indexed the material, and then started a fresh cut. Time was started from the time the blade hit the wood till it exited out the back of the LVL and completed the cut. We timed 5 cuts per saw and took the average time.
Performance Winner – Makita
| Seconds (Average) | Rank |
| 1.4 | 1 |
| 2.2 | 2 |
| 2.5 | 3 |
| 2.7 | 4 |
The Makita miter saw was the fastest cutting saw at an average of 1.4 seconds. The Milwaukee was 2.2 seconds and DeWALT was 2.5 seconds.
Run-time Test – Winner Bosch
For the run-time test, we made repetitive cuts in KD lumber until the battery was exhausted or thermal overload prevented further cutting. Operators were instructed to start the saw and bring it up to speed. Bring the saw forward, make the cut, wait for the blade to stop, reset, and repeat.
For this test the data is being presented in two ways; first with the total raw number of cuts, and secondly with the number of cuts normalized by using total battery pack energy (watt-hours), to give a more apples-to-apples comparison that acknowledges the different voltages and amp-hour pack sizes. The Milwaukee and Bosch saws run at 18-volts, the DeWALT used a 60-volt (54-volt working voltage) FlexVolt battery, Makita uses two 18-volt batteries running at 36 volts.
| # Cuts | Rank |
| 191 | 1 |
| 146 | 2 |
| 134 | 3 |
| 105 | 4 |
For the total raw number of cuts, DeWALT led the way with 191 total cuts. Bosch followed with 146 cuts in second, Makita with 134 cuts in third, and Milwaukee ended with only 105 cuts in fourth. It should be noted that Milwaukee experienced quite a few thermal protective shut-downs. After the second one (at 105 cuts) we deemed it was finished. However, we kept cutting (each time it shutdown we reset the saw) for a total of 296 cuts before the battery pack was depleted.
Clearly, Milwaukee is being very conservative on protecting the tool from heat (that’s great to protect your investment, we think maybe a little too conservative as it really kills production if you have to grab another battery even though the pack still has a ton of energy left in it.
Run-time Normalization by Watt-Hours
Each of these saws came with a different sized “energy power plant” or battery configuration. As you can imagine, the saw with the greatest watt-hours battery theoretically has a leg up on its competition for run-time cuts. Whenever we do a cordless tool comparison, we level the playing field by taking the results and dividing the results by the number of watt-hours for the particular saws’ battery. In this way, the reader can see which saw has the most effective combination of battery technology, stamina, and motor power on a per watt-hour basis.
In this H2H, two saws require two batteries [DeWALT and Makita] and two saws operate on one battery [Bosch and Milwaukee]. These batteries varied both in voltage and amp-hrs. We derive the watt-hrs by multiplying the load voltage by the amp-hours. The following table shows the results of the run-time test when normalized.
| # Cuts | Watt-Hrs | Cuts/Watt-hr | Rank |
| 146 | 144 | 1.0 | 1 |
| 191 | 216 | 0.9 | 2 |
| 134 | 180 | 0.7 | 3 |
| 105 | 216 | 0.5 | 4 |
As you can see from the results of both the raw data and normalized there was very little change. With the normalized data, Bosch just edged out DeWALT for the top slot but only slightly.
Note On Milwaukee Saw Thermal Behavior
We thought you would be interested in what we experienced with the Milwaukee saw.
On cut 83 we experienced what would be best described as the electric brake engaging [blade spin delay] when the saw trigger was pulled. The battery LEDs never flashed, so we recycled the trigger to reset the saw and continued cutting. Why? Because that’s what we’d do in real life.
We experienced this multiple times on cuts 83, 105, 118, 120, 124, 138, 143, 149, 160, and 166. Having the saw act like this got in the way of the impressive amount of cuts it made.
We reached out to Milwaukee and were advised that the repeated ‘start-and-stop’ usage common in our head-to-head test is uncommon on job sites. Milwaukee replied that we experienced was a designed-in thermal protection process kicking in. On this miter saw, our test procedure created a very large drain due to the amount of energy needed to continuously start and stop the large 12” blade over and over again. These protections are built into the Milwaukee tool to protect the user’s assets and increase the overall life of the tool. If the tool reaches a thermal shutdown, the tool will stop operating for a brief period of time and flash the LED lights as a signal to the user. Milwaukee designed these protections based on their assessment of real-life usage patterns.
Miter Saw Features – Winner – Makita
| Makita | Milwaukee | DeWALT | Bosch |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 1 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 15 | 17 | 21 | 23 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Comparing tools from multiple brands is never easy but the devil can live in the details, so a comparison is certainly warranted.
The Makita saw came in at 15-points and won the features section with their maximum angle/bevel cuts, a double dust port, wireless vacuum activation, excellent outriggers, and its forward rail design. Overall, the Makita is a solid design, a high-quality build, and features for real-world trim carpentry use.
Second place went to Milwaukee with 17-points and DeWALT scored 21-points and Bosch finishing in 4th with 23 points. Below are some notable features:
Laser vs. LED Shadow Light
The Makita miter saw has had a built-in laser that indicates one side of the blade and can be adjusted to display “left-of-blade” or “right-of-blade.” This laser also has a separate on/off switch. The laser displays the line-of-cut with the tool turned off and the blade not spinning, which we liked for lining up precise cuts.
In general, the TBBCrew are not fans of lasers and prefer the blade shadow light option similar to the DeWALT and Milwaukee saw. This shadow light marks the blade in almost any lighting situation, and, unlike a laser, never has to be calibrated since it casts a shadow of the blade [any thickness] mounted to the saw onto the workpiece.
AC / DC Option
The DeWALT is the only miter saw in this group with the capability to run on battery or corded power. They accomplish this with a power pack inverter that plugs into the two battery ports. This feature is attractive to many contractors, giving complete job site power and flexibility.
Axial Glide and Forward Rail Design
We found the Bosch Axial Glide and the Makita forward sliding rail system to operate incredibly smoothly. Both saws show off quality construction and have no head slop. The forward rail / Axial Glide also takes up significantly less space behind the saw. This takes up less room in the shop or on the job site. If you have a small shop or work in cramped spaces regularly this feature can open up a lot of floor space. The Makita bevel and angle mechanisms were excellent, and the miter head locking pin and slide pin is the nicest design we’ve seen on a saw.
Auto-Start Wireless System
The Makita offers an auto-Start Wireless System (AWS that enables wireless power-on/power-off with an AWS-equipped dust extractor.
With AWS, the vacuum/dust extractor runs only when the trigger on the tool is pulled; when it’s released, the vacuum stops. This reduces noise on the job site, allows for longer run time for a cordless vacuum, and eliminates over-reaching to hit START and STOP.
The AWS-equipped tool is enabled with a small wireless transmitter inserted into a port on the tool. The transmitter can communicate with a Makita dust extractor also equipped with an AWS-transmitter.
The AWS-equipped tool can also communicate with ANY corded dust extractor with an on-board AC outlet and the optional Makita AWS Universal Adaptor. The adaptor has an AWS wireless transmitter, and plugs-into the dust extractor’s on-board AC outlet. The transmitter and adapter are optional and do cost more money but the convenience, long-term time savings, and efficiency make it an investment worth considering.
Bosch User Interface: Variable Speed With Eco-Mode
Bosch has a super sweet user interface which allows the user to change the tool speed with the push of a button and the interface changes color depending on the status of the tool: green for operational; yellow identifies an issue like higher motor temperatures; red means the saw is offline, and blue means the saw is connected to a mobile device.
An ECO Mode function places the saw into the economy mode and provides 20% more runtime, by reducing tool RPM. A user might use this feature at the end of a day, or while charging a second battery, to “eek-out” a few final cuts.
It also has Bluetooth connectivity, with an optional Bosch Connected Tool Module. This allows it to connect to the Bosch Toolbox app on a mobile device, for speed selection and individual mode setting.
Upfront Controls
The Bosch is set up just like it’s corded saws and has upfront controls for Bevel locking and detent over-ride. This feature allows the Bosch to be tucked up tight to a wall because you don’t even need to get your hand back there to make adjustments. Making the Bosch the most compact saw during use in the test.
Ergonomics – Winner – Milwaukee
| Milwaukee | Makita | DeWALT | Bosch |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 2 | 1 | 3 | 4 |
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 2 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 1 | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| 11 | 13 | 14 | 20 |
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
The ergonomics evaluation in this section is purely subjective and based on the opinions of the testing crew. After a full day of running performance tests, the team spent several hours in the shop testing and ranking the saws in seven [6] categories including:
- Switch
- Grip
- Miter Adjustment
- Bevel Adjustments
- Fence Adjustment
- Transport / Balance
- Lefty Friendly Usage
We weighed each saw, and carried the saws upstairs, through doorways, transported one-handed to open doors or gates, and loaded/unloaded the saw into a work vehicle.
| Lbs. |
| 47.6 |
| 56.0 |
| 59.3 |
| 69.1 |
Depending on the primary application of your miter saw needs, transportation is a major part of the day to day considerations you’ll want to take into account before committing to a new saw.
Lefty Friendly
Two saws, the Makita and the Milwaukee have switches easier to use for a left-handed user. The Bosch trigger has a pinch point between the trigger and the housing that may pinch a user’s finger if it gets into that void space.
Milwaukee took the ergonomics section with a score of 11 points. Makita came in at 13-points and DeWALT was 14-points. Milwaukee was atop almost every category except the switch and grip. It has tried and true miter saw features making it easy to operate. It was also the lightest saw and easiest to transport, weighing only 47.6 lbs.
The Makita is easy to use, it scored top in the ambidextrous switch, bevel adjustment, and grip. The DeWALT saw did well with fence operation and scored tops with its solid miter angle adjustment. It consistently scored 3rd in every other category giving it a solid third-place finish.
The Bosch is tremendously compact during use due to its upfront controls and Axial Glide. The team felt that the Axle Glide system is an innovative and superior system to most rail saws. The team also really liked the bevel angle adjustment, fence system, and outriggers/material support on this saw. While it is heavy its compact size front-to-back makes it a great saw for a crowded job site or a smaller shop.
Dust Collection – Winner –Bosch and Milwaukee
| Oz. | Rank |
| 8.7 | 1 |
| 8.7 | 1 |
| 7.8 | 2 |
| 6.5 | 3 |
First, we conducted a dust collection test. From carpenters working in finished spaces, to shop workers who want to reduce the amount of airborne dust in their environment, knowing how well a saw will integrate with a vacuum is an important measure of performance for any user.
We made 25 cuts on a 2×6 piece of KD lumber and measured the volume of wood dust that was collected by the vacuum. Additionally, we assessed the buildup of dust that didn’t make it into the vacuum but accumulated on the table and fence of the tool. The result of the dust collection test are depicted in the table below:
Bosch and Milwaukee easily took first place by capturing 8.7-ounces of sawdust compared to the second-place Makita at 7.8-ounce. One note on the Bosch, when the saw head is positioned in the left bevel setting, the sawdust exhaust tubing hits the fence.
The DeWALT saw came in last due to the fact that it performed poorly on dust collection. The reason for this was that the dust chutes rubber flaps [behind the saw blade] collapsed when the dust extractor was turned on. Additionally, when not connected to a vacuum, the long plastic sawdust chute frequently clogged and required a long metal rod [we used an SDS drill bit] to clear it.
Decibels – Winner Makita
| dB | Rank |
| 88.2 | 1 |
| 88.7 | 2 |
| 96.7 | 3 |
| 98.7 | 4 |
OSHA allows 8 hours of exposure for up to 90 dB, for exposures 95dB and greater, the exposure limits drop dramatically. So clearly these saws all need hearing protection. Note that we tested these saws in a no-load capacity, under load the saws are louder.
The quietest saw was the Makita at 88.2 decibels followed by the DeWALT at 88.7 decibels and the Bosch at 96.7 and Milwaukee at 98.7.
Pricing – DeWALT
Below we’ve included the current pricing (at the time of publishing this article). Pricing includes kit prices. The best-priced miter saw was DeWALT at 799 followed by Milwaukee at 849 and Bosch at 899 (this is a suggested retail price as it’s not available yet), and 1,059 for Makita.
| Rank | |
| 799 | 1 |
| 849 | 2 |
| 899 | 3 |
| 1,059 | 4 |
