Miter Saw Reviews

Hitachi C10FSH Review by Jack Henderson

If you’re interested in seeing where to buy the Hitachi C10FSH for the cheapest price, check out Amazon by Clicking Here.

Ask anyone which miter saw is one of the best, and many will tell you it’s the Hitachi C10FSH. This 10-inch sliding compound miter saw with laser marker promises accuracy no matter what material you are working with. In order to be sure your cuts are precise and reliable, the laser marker, dual-bevel cutting action, soft start function, electric brake feature, and electronic speed control are highly engineered for perfection.

This saw has a 12 amp motor, which is much more powerful than several other popular miter saws. The Hitachi C10FSH packs an extreme 3,800 RPM so that you can make crosscuts and miters in almost any material. The speed control is electronic, so you don’t have to worry about controlling your cuts. Also, the Poly-V-Belt transmission means that the saw has a unique soft start, which means smooth operation and no recoils during startup.

The Hitachi C10FSH 10 inch sliding compound miter saw with laser was designed with extreme versatility in mind, which is exactly what it offers. There are 4 thumb-actuated positive miter stops to both the left and right side at 15, 22.5, 31.6, and 45 degrees. The tool has a left bevel of 45-degrees and a right of 57-degrees, which makes it extremely flexible for working with larger cuts. You can even flip the saw blade quickly and easily so that you do not have to move your material.

The Hitachi C10FSH is ideal for cutting things over 12 inches deep due to the 10-inch TCT saw blade, linear ball-bearing slide system, and adjustable pivot fence. However, your cuts do still need to be perfect, which is where the laser marker technology comes in. This can be activated before the blade starts running so that you can ensure exact alignment and predict where the blade will go. The marker is adjustable to suit whatever your desires are. All you have to do is line up the laser with your mark on the material, and you’re set.

Even if you’re not a professional, the Hitachi C10FSH will be extremely easy to use. There’s a splinter guard behind the fence that increases the safety level and reduce tear-out so that your cuts are clean and finished. There’s a chip deflector that is fully adjustable that also helps with this, while aligning the cutting line and providing zero-clearance support.

The table on the Hitachi C10FSH is extremely large, which makes for a stable guide and sturdy support, and the clamping system that is built-in keeps your material in place so that you do not have to worry about dropping anything. There’s even a comfortable vertical handle with vibration-reducing elastomers in the grip so that you have total control, as well as an electric brake that stops the blade quickly.

Perfect for:

1) Trim carpenters

2) Framers

3) Woodworkers

Great features:

• 12-amp motor
• 3,800 RPM
• Electronic speed control
• Poly-V-Belt transmission
• Thumb-actuated positive miter stops
• Miter scale
• 10-inch TCT saw blade
• Linear ball-bearing slide system
• Adjustable pivot fence
• Laser marker
• Splinter guard/chip deflector
• Large table
• Clamping system
• Vertical handle

I’ve found the cheapest price for this Hitachi miter saw to be on Amazon and they also offer Free Shipping. Click Here to check it out.

Pros:

• Highly accurate due to laser marker
• Extreme durability
• No recoil
• Great dust collection

Cons:

• Safety switch sometimes difficult to use

By far a highly recommended saw by many craftsman, the Hitachi C10FSH 10 inch sliding compound miter saw with laser is a great investment for anyone who needs an extremely accurate yet powerful saw. The laser marker means that you know exactly where you are cutting so that there are no errors, while the 12 amp 3,800 RPM motor means you can get the job done quickly and efficiently.

With amazing safety features such as the splinter guard and chip deflector, you can feel confident that you are able to use the saw no matter what your level of expertise is. With a soft start, electric brake, and linear ball-bearing slide system, this saw is highly controlled and the perfect choice for anyone looking for an amazing compound miter saw.

One person who loves his Hitachi C10FSH is carpenter Chris Rodgers, who after 20 years of using different types of saws, still swears that this is the best. If he can feel confident using this saw building extremely expensive homes, you can too. Check out his review:

“I have been a carpenter for twenty years building high end homes on Marthas Vineyard. I have used Hitachi compund saws on all of them. If you are into quality, this is your saw. In my opinion there is no other manufacturer of slide compounds that can compare. They never develop slop (like the Makita) in the positive stops .I can set it to a 1/8th of a degree and not fall into a positive stop (like the Dewalt). So Every time I pull this saw out whether its a 22 million dollar house or a 200.000 dollar house this saw with its razor thin laser will show me what accuracy really is. Buy it. It will last for years and years. I give it 10 stars”

Click Here to read more Hitachi C10FSH reviews.

DeWalt DW712 Review by Jack Henderson

Click Here if you’re interested in seeing where to get the DeWalt DW712 for the lowest price.

A really great miter saw that you can find today is the DeWalt DW712. This 8-1/2 inch single bevel sliding compound miter saw combines extreme power with accuracy and durability. The 15 amp motor runs at 5,400 RPM, and there are five bevel stops at -2, 0, 33.9, 45, and 48 degrees for extremely easy use.

The stainless steel detent plate is adjustable and has 11 positive stops, so you know that each cut will be as accurate as the last. The DeWalt DW712 can cut 3-1/2 inch crown nested vertically and 3-1/4 inch base vertically, which is a much larger vertical cutting capacity than several other similar saws.

Weighing only 43 pounds, the DeWalt DW712 is very easy to carry, and even easier to use. The left miter has a 50-degree capacity, and the right miter has a 60-degree, which increases the versatility of this saw so that you can cut several different types of things. Also included with this saw is a cam lock system and a horizontal main handle, which ensures you’ll be comfortable. The tall sliding fence allows for increased cutting capacity, and the arbor size is a perfect 5/8 inches. With a carbide blade and a blade wrench, the DeWalt DW712 is the perfect compound miter saw for anyone.

Perfect for:

1) Crown molding

2) Cabinet building

3) Deck building

4) Furniture making

Great features:

• 15 amp motor
• 5,400 RPM
• 5 bevel stops
• 11 positive stops on detent plate
• Miter cam lock system
• Horizontal handle
• Tall sliding fence
• 5/8 inch arbor

Click Here to get the DeWalt DW712 on Amazon where it’s currently on sale. They are also offering Free Shipping.

Pros:

• Portable
• Great fence system
• Easy to cut angles
• Unique handle ensures no wrist fatique

Cons:

• Not good at cutting 4×4’s

All things considered, the DeWalt DW712 is the right choice for practically any woodworker or DIY-er. No matter what the project is you’re working on, you need a saw that you can depend on and feel safe using, which is exactly what this saw has to offer. The 15 amp motor promises tons of power, while the 5 bevel stops, 11 stops on the detent plate, tall fence, and horizontal handle promises both accuracy and comfort. If you do choose to go with this saw, you won’t regret it.

Mark Logan is someone who has worked with several different saws, and uses the DeWalt DW712 for a variety of tasks. When trying to pick out a new saw, he chose to go with this one, and stands by his decision. Here is his review:

“Picked up this saw this past summer, our local bigbox had it on clearance. I have nothing bad to say about this saw. I was debating between a 12″ slider (either the Rigid or Dewalt) and this 8 1/2″. What made up my mind was, a friend of mine bought the 12″ Rigid Slider. Although it’s a good saw, its a monster to lug around. One of the features I wanted in a saw was portability. This Dewalt is very easy to transport around and set up, it’s lightweight but seems very durable.

It has a very nice fence system, it moves between angles very smoothly, some sliders I looked at just felt very “cheesy” when you moved the mechanism between angles, this one does not. It was accurate right out of the box, both on the 90 & 45. I had to rebuild my cedar deck this past summer and replaced all boards with 2x treated wood. This saw handled all the cutting tasks (both 2×4 thru x10’s) with ease.

The only thing this saw won’t handle that the 12″ will is cutting 4×4’s. But to me that’s a small price to pay for the added portability, I don’t find myself needing to cut 4×4’s very much anyways, but if you do this saw isn’t for you. The blade that comes with a saw never plays a part in my decision to buy a certain saw or not, I expect cheap blades anyways. But the blade that comes with this saw is better than average. I cut alot of 2x stock and haven’t changed the blade yet. Bottom line, if you do trim work from site to site, don’t have a need to cut 4×4’s, I highly recommend this 8 1/2″ saw.”

Click Here to read more DeWalt DW712 reviews on Amazon.

Makita LS1016L Review by Jack Henderson

Looking for the best price on this Makita compound miter saw? Click Here to check it out on Amazon.

When you find yourself looking for a new miter saw, don’t forget about the Makita LS1013. This dual sliding compound saw has a unique horizontal double-rail system that allows for increased stability. These rails are self-cleaning and slide on linear ball bearings. The saw also has an extremely wide range of cutting area with bevels that turn 45 degrees in each direction.

The Makita LS1013 has a vertical grip design, unlike some saws with a horizontal, and has a thumb-activated safety switch and paddle trigger. Although not always as comfortable as a horizontal handle, the vertical design allows for use of both the left and right hand, and the paddle grip makes it easy for you to squeeze the trigger whenever.

One of the unique features of the Makita LS1013 is that is has a large depth capacity, which makes it able to cut four-by-four material with ease. It can also crosscut a two-by-twelve at 90 degrees, which is something that many people desire. There is a large amount of workspace so that you can make extremely wide crosscuts due to the saw’s large table. With nine positive stops, it’s simple to lock in common miters. Although the miter lock has a screw handle instead of a cam-lock design, it ensures complete safety.

Due to all of it’s unique features, this saw is extremely user-friendly to anyone, whether you’re an experienced woodworker or a first timer. There’s a pivot fence that can support large stock or flip back for bevel cuts. However, it’s important that you are safe at all times when sawing. The Makita LS1013 has a work clamp that lets you make precision cuts on a small piece without risking your finger getting chopped off. The depth-stop mechanism allows you to make quick cuts while working on the job, and the release safety button to lock the saw off is ideal for when you’re working at home.

Perfect for:

1) Deckbuilding

2) Woodworking

3) Carpentry

Great features:

• Positive locks
• Dual steel rails
• 45 degree bevels in each direction
• Vertical paddle grip
• Safety switch
• Depth-stop mechanism
• Screw handle on miter lock

Click Here to check out the Makita LS1013 compound miter saw on Amazon where it’s currently on sale.

Pros:

• Extremely precise blade
• Angles are set perfectly
• Blade brake stops the blade very quickly
• Large table

Cons:

• Fence is not as long as some others

No matter whether this is your first miter saw purchase or a new one to replace your old, the Makita LS1013 miter saw is perfect for anyone at any time. If you need a saw with accuracy, precision, safety, and power, you’ve found it. The double-rail system and exclusive depth capacity allow for a wide variety of jobs to be done, and the nine positive stops promise an accurate cut. This saw is easily one of the best available, and with all of the great features, it’s not difficult to see why.

A professional woodworker who has been working with saws for the past 25 years, Mike Schmidt understands that a good saw is one that is able to do difficult jobs while still being safe, which is exactly what he claims the Makita LS1013 does. Here is his review:

“I have been woodworking for the past 25 years and have a substantial investment in tools. I’ve used an 8.5″ SCMS for 10 years and spent the past year shopping all the new larger sliders on the market. My purchase of the Makita LS1013 was based on precision, quality, ergonomics and value. Of the 30+ top brand power tools in my shop, the 1013 has it all!

The one word that comes to mind is “SMOOTH”! The glide of the sliding rails, the ease of the miter table swing and bevel adjustment, the solidity of the saw head and blade guard in the cut and the smooth but powerful and quiet motor all give the feeling of a machine with precision and finesse. Don’t get me wrong. This tool is solid and very well built. I know it will last for many years to come. The miter and bevel settings were square right out of the box and the blade run out was a negligible .001″.

I was ready to purchase a Forrest Chopmaster blade but found the stock 64-tooth carbide blade gave a “glass-like” finished edge with no tear-out on several types of wood. The supplied accessories and the add on accessories are great and give the saw the features to perform all the task I’ll ever need. Overall, the saw “feels” right. A lot of thought must have gone into the design and final production of this unit and in my opinion, there’s not really any competition out there in the SCMS market!! Although I haven’t yet performed any crown molding projects with it, I’m confident that it will be up to the task. Makita has a real winner here. It’ll be hard to better it in the future!”

If you would like to read some more Makita LS1013 reviews, Click Here.

DeWalt DW718 Review by Jack Henderson

For the best price on this DeWalt miter saw, check out Amazon by Clicking Here.

If you’re looking for a new compound miter saw, look no further than the DeWalt DW718. This 15 amp 12-inch dual bevel sliding compound miter saw is one of the best in its class, and it is able to tackle any job you throw at it with a motor that packs 3,600 RPM.

With a unique, precise miter system that consists of bevels at 0 to 48 degrees for a larger cutting capacity, and a machined base fence support to be sure that your cuts are accurate, you will soon realize what you’ve been missing out on by not owning this amazing saw. It even has an adjustable stainless steel detent plate with 10 positive stops so that you are promised accuracy and durability.

Another great thing about the DeWalt DW718 is that it has four bevel stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, and 45 degrees in each direction, which makes it possible for you to flip the saw but not the material. It can go 60 degrees to the left and 50 degrees to the right for an extremely wide range of cutting area. As for vertical cutting capacity, this drill can cut 3-1/2 inch crown and 3-1/4 inch base.

Besides being accurate, a saw has to be comfortable and easy to use. The DeWalt DW718 is no exception. It has a special horizontal main handle that is extremely comfortable to grip. There’s a tall sliding fence to support crown moldings up to 6-5/8 inches nested and base molding up to 6-1/2 inches vertically against the fence, yet it is able to be easily slid out of the way when you need to do bevel cuts.

The arbor size of this saw is 5/8 inches, and there’s an extremely unique back fence design. It allows you to cut 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees, or 2×12 at 45 degrees. All of these unique features do not add to the overall weight of the saw, however. It has a weight of only 53 pounds, and even comes with a built-in carrying handle, a carbide blade, vertical material clamp, dust bag, and blade wrench.

Perfect for:

1) Cutting large pieces of wood

2) Cabinetmakers

3) Crown molding

4) Shelving

5) Woodworking

Great features:

• 3,600 RPM
• 4 bevel stops
• 15 amp motor
• Back fence design
• Carrying handle
• Horizontal steel rails

Click Here to check out this DeWalt compound miter saw on Amazon where it’s currently on sale. Amazon also offers Free Shipping on this saw.

Pros:

• Is able to cut 16”
• Can cut at 45 degrees
• Not too bulky or heavy
• Extremely accurate

Cons:

• Not as good at collecting saw dust as some other miter saws
• No laser is included

All things considered, the DeWalt DW718 is truly one the best saws out there today. It is both compact and powerful, which are the two things that everyone looks for. Its 15 amp motor capable of 3,600 RPM and 4 bevel stops in each direction allow for extreme power and precision, and the fact that it can cut large pieces of wood with accuracy is something that sets this saw apart from the rest. If you need an amazing saw with great features, be sure to check out the DeWalt DW718.

As a shopowner who needs a top quality saw everyday, Gerald Heitman knows what he’s looking for in a saw and knows what a good one is. Here is his DeWalt DW718 review:

“I’ve owned this saw for about a year and I continue to be impressed with it’s quality, ease of use and accuracy. I own a small cabinet shop and bench-mounted this saw to cut everything from face frames to intricate crowns. The indents were absolutely accurate right out of the box, and I especially appreciate the ease of locking in any angle. My shop space is limited and being able to mount the saw only 17-1/2″ from the fence to the back wall is a real bonus. Because of it’s size and weight I’d think twice about using it as a portable saw, but as a bench mounted unit it can’t be beat.”

Click Here to read some more DeWalt DW718 reviews on Amazon.

When you’re considering buying a new miter saw, it’s important that you research a variety of different models and check out some of the consumer miter saw reviews so that you know you’re making a good choice. Below are a few of the things you want to look for when reading reviews:

Blade Diameter: Most common miter saw blades range 7-1/2 inches to around 12 inches. There are of course other sizes, but the 10-12 inch range is suitable for most jobs. If you work on larger projects and often cut bigger pieces of wood, then you’ll need a bigger blade. If you do smaller jobs like cabinet making, a smaller blade diameter will suit you just fine. No need to go overboard with the blade size if you don’t need it.

Motor Amps: This will directly effect the power and RPM of your miter saw. The 12-15 amp range is usually sufficient for most jobs and what you will see on most miter saws.

Indexes that are Easy to Read: The gauge indexes should be easily readable to you while you’re cutting so that you can get your work done quicker and not have to worry if you’re at the right index or not.

Electric Brakes: Using an electric brake gives you more control and is much safer so you don’t have to wait for the blade to come to a stop on it’s own. It will also help you get done faster.

Dust Bags: This is one of the most important features of a miter saw. Breathing in all that dust can be very harmful to your health and the health of anyone around you. Not only that, but it leaves your workspace looking like a mess. If the miter saw you’re looking at doesn’t have a dust bag, make sure you can hook it up to your shop-vac

Built-in Laser Guide: This is more of an extra feature and not necessary, but it does come in handy and helps you make more precise cuts. Make sure if you’re choosing a miter saw with a laser that it’s adjustable; Some of them are not.

Sliding Fences: Using sliding fences will give you better support for taller stock on all your cuts.

As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when purchasing a new miter saw. If you’re a professional you probably already know exactly what you need, but for those that are new to buying miter saws, it’s important to know the difference between certain models and have done your research so you buy the correct saw. Reading through good miter saw reviews will help you with just that.

I’ll be adding a good amount of miter saw reviews over the next couple weeks for all different brands and models so keep checking back for them.

Thanks for reading.