no comments

Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews

If you’re serious about your woodworking game, you know the only tool to help you achieve perfect 90° crosscuts and angle cuts is a sliding compound miter saw. Choosing the right one may be confusing, but our best sliding compound miter saw reviews might help you identify the right one.

This article comes to help all newbies who are unsure of what to look for in a tool.

Here's a list of Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw

 I remember how confused I was when I picked my first miter saw.

And with the sliding compound model being the most expensive, it only makes sense to learn how to choose the best one. Typically accommodating 12-inch workpieces, the sliding compound miter saws are hard to transport and ideal to use in a fixed workshop location. Here are a few things you should know before buying.

How to Choose a Sliding Compound Miter Saw

The most important features to consider when choosing a miter saw are the power, cutting speed, and cutting precision.

1. Power

Sliding compound miter saws have either 10 or 15-Amp motors able to spin the blade at a lower or higher rate. A small range of tools designed for home use come with 12-Amp motors, but this category is quite rare.

The real power of the miter saw, however, is expressed in watts. What you have to determine is the watts output of the tool you want, as they determine the actual driving force of the machine.

Most manufacturers don’t disclose this value, but it is actually effortless to calculate by multiplying the amperage of the machine with its voltage. For instance, a 15-Amp miter saw running on 110V has an output of 1,650 watts.

2. Cutting Speed

The next most important value to check before buying is the cutting speed. Most compound miter saws have variable cutting speeds ranging from 3,500 to 5,000 revolutions per minute, although some commercial-grade miter saws exceed this range.

The cutting speeds above will allow you to cut through a variety of materials including soft and hardwood, plastic, plywood, soft metals, and more.

Investing in a machine with a wide speed range is essential because various materials require different cutting speeds. For instance, softer materials like softwood and plastics need higher speeds between 3,800 and 5,000 revolutions per minute.

Harder materials including plywood, aluminum, and soft metals, require a lower cutting speed in the 3,500 revolutions per minute range.

If you also want to use your sliding miter saw to cut tiles or masonry, you might need a machine that runs at even lower speeds. However, I wouldn’t recommend using a miter saw for these purposes as the process could be very hazardous.

3. Cutting Precision

The cutting precision ultimately depends on the quality of the blades, but the machine can also contribute to increasing it. Two important features can make or break the deal when it comes to deciding the cutting precision of a miter saw, the angle stops and the laser guide.

The angle stops, often called detents, are devices set at regular intervals and designed to help you add or detract an angle from the cut. These stops lock the machine in position, a significant advantage when performing repeatable cuts. Bevel and miter stops have the same function, and these accessories typically equip all sliding compound miter saws.

The laser guide helps you cut straight lines by indicating the exact path of the blade. This increases accuracy, and even the experienced woodworkers praise its functionality.

Top 5 Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Reviews


1. DEWALT DW715

DEWALT DW715

Highlights

  • Steel bevel stops
  • Tall sliding fences
  • 2x8-inch crosscut capacity
  • 11 positive stops
  • Cam lock

Ideal for Crown Molding

The DEWALT DW715 is one of the most popular compound miter saws on the market and is perfect for crown molding and other precision woodworking. The tool comes with a tilting bevel up to 48° to the left and 3° to the right, with positive stops at 33.9 and 45° for precise cutting.

Cutting Capacity

Able to handle longer workpieces in a breeze, this sliding compound miter saw comes with a 12-inch blade and has a crosscut capacity up to 2x8-inch lumber. This is more than enough for most professionals and ideal for the amateur woodworker.

Overall Assessment

Ideal for most woodworking projects and perfect for amateurs and professionals alike, this 15-Amp miter saw comes with a 12-inch carbide blade and is ready to rip through softwood, hardwood, and metals in a breeze. It can even handle plastics and is ideal for precision woodworking. No doubt, all you could wish from a best-in-class pick.

Dewalt DW715 Video Review


2. DEWALT DWS779

DEWALT DWS779

Highlights

  • 3,800 RPM max speed
  • Powerful 15-Amp motor
  • Exclusive back fence design
  • Dust collection system
  • 3-year limited warranty

Exclusive Back Fence Design

The DEWALT DWS779 is built with efficiency in mind and comes with a unique back fence design which allows for generous crosscuts at 90° up to 2x16 inches dimensional lumber and up to 2x12 inches for 45° bevel cuts.

Cutting Speed

Ideal for woodworking, this sliding compound miter saw boasts a maximum speed of 3,800 revolutions per minute. Thanks to the lower speed range, the machine adapts well to cut through harder materials including hardwood and metals.

Overall Assessment

The DEWALT DWS779 brings an excellent value for the money and is backed up by Dewalt’s 3-year limited warranty. Robust and reliable, this is one of the best machines on the market to add to your woodworking arsenal. And to enhance its efficiency, the tool also boasts a super-effective dust collection port which can handle up to 75% of the generated dust.

Weller WLC 100 Video Review


3. Hitachi C12RSH2

Hitachi C12RSH2

Highlights

  • Large sliding fence
  • Left and right tilting
  • Zero clearance
  • Maser marker system
  • Powerful motor

Accurate Cuts

Hitachi tools are renowned for their reliability, and the C12RSH2 sliding compound miter saw doesn’t disappoint. This woodworking tool is designed for precise cuts and comes with large sliding fence and laser marker system which increases the accuracy for single or repeatable jobs.

Left to Right Tilting

Cutting crown molding has never been this easy thanks to the dual-side tilting capacity of this miter saw. The blade produces perfect 45° cuts on both sides, allowing you to achieve more accurate results easier.

Overall Assessment

The Hitachi C12RSH2 is built with reliability and ease of use in mind. Making 90° crosscuts or bevel cuts is a breeze, while the generous cutting capacity makes this tool an excellent choice in most circumstances. The price is also decent considering the tool’s quality, while the vertical handle and soft vibration boost comfort and control.

Hitachi C12RSH2 Video Review


4. Bosch GCM12SD

Bosch GCM12SD

Highlights

  • Ambidextrous design
  • Compact machine
  • High horizontal capacity
  • High-precision fence
  • Dust collection chute

Cutting Capacity

The Bosch GCM12SD is designed for high-volume professional use and comes with an impressive cutting capacity of 6.5x14 inches dimensional lumber and a 6.5 inches crown capacity when using the 45° spring. This makes the miter saw perfect for a wide variety of cuts; undoubtedly, this machine is essential in any workshop.

Compact

Occupying only 26.5 inches on your work bench, this sliding compound miter saw can be easily installed on the worktop and is compatible with a range of miter saw stands. Featuring a patented axial-glide system, the machine is built with durability and precision in mind. Furthermore, this miter saw is fully adjustable and comes with an easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless steel miter scales.

Overall Assessment

Defining this miter saw with just one word would mean convenience. The machine comes with a form-fitting ambidextrous trigger handle which provided day-to-day use comfort to all users. A dust collection chute helps maintain your work space clean while the large capacity, cutting precision, and adjustments give a professional touch to the design.

Bosch GCM12SD Video Review


5. WEN 70716

WEN 70716

Highlights

  • Affordable
  • 5,500 RPM max speed
  • 15-Amp motor
  • Spacious worktable
  • Lightweight

Performance

Ideal for amateurs and beginners, but also for the pro who don’t want to break the bank, the WEN 70716 comes at an attractive price point but boasts best-in-class qualities. The machine is powered by a reliable 15-Amp motor and boasts a maximum speed of 5,500 revolutions per minute. Beveling up to 45° to the left and able to miter up to 52° in both directions, this miter saw brings exceptional value for money.

Warranty

Built for performance, the WEN 70716 is backed up by a convenient 2-year manufacturer’s warranty for manufacturing and material defects. Weighing only 30 pounds and compatible with most miter saw stands; this product is also easy to transport along a job site.

Overall Assessment

If you’re looking for an affordable yet reliable miter saw, the WEN 70716 could be the one you were looking for. Coming at a great price and boasting exceptional qualities, this woodworking tool is ideal for most workshops.

WEN 70716 Video Review


Conclusion

Finding the best sliding compound miter saw is not always easy, but the tips above can help you pick the right one. Moreover, you now also know which are some of your best options. All you have to decide is what you need the tool for, to be able to choose the right features.


Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.