I Think I Need a Miter Saw

You may recall that I bought a stand for my Makita chop saw last May, only to discover that the Makita was so old, it couldn't be bolted to a modern stand. Also, the power cord is crumbling. Other than that, it's working fine, except that it doesn't have a laser. A laser would be so cool.

I'm starting to think I can make do without a table saw. Table saws do crosscuts poorly compared to a miter saw, but they are great for ripping. If you want to make a 1x4 3" wide instead of 3 1/2" you want a table saw. And while that might come up with the woodworking I anticipate for the living/dining room, it is less likely for the other projects. If a miter saw can cut 2x8s, we can build the deck and the ceiling 1x4 "beams."

Miter saws come in 7-1/4", 10" and 12" blade sizes. DeWalt is fairly expensive, and they cut back on the bells and whistles to make you buy even fancier models. Festool is 3x DeWalt, and brands like Bosch, Milwaukee and Makita fall between DeWalt and Festool, it seems. Ryobi and Kobalt are sold by Home Depot and Lowes, respectively, and they are cheaper and aimed at the home market. Oh, and Metabo HPT (formerly Hitachi) is in there somewhere, too.

DeWalt DWS715

Peggy has a DeWalt DW715 12" Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw. It has been replaced by the DWS715 @$200 (Amazon). It doesn't slide, but they claim it can crosscut a 2x8 at 90-degrees. No laser.

The 7-1/4" models are generally lighter and therefore more portable, but they tend to be cordless, and I need more power. The Evolution R185SMS is $173 (Amazon) is a small saw that might work. The Kobalt SM1816LW  7-1/4", 10A, model is $159 (Lowes) and can do 2x8 at 90-degrees because it slides.

I'm leaning toward a 10" or 12" blade, sliding compound saw. I don't think I need (or know how to use) the compound part, but sliding miter saws that are not also compound (like the Evolution, above) are odd ducks.

Kobalt SM1816LW. It looks like a chicken.

I like this guy. He suggests 10" since 7" is too small, and 12" blades are more expensive. He doesn't think DIYers need sliding.

Model	Price	Notes
Metabo C10FSHCTM	$249 Lowes
Metabo C10FSHCT	$249 Amazon	Dual bevel, sliding, laser
Metabo C10FSHCM	$249 Lowes	Dual bevel, sliding
Metabo C10FCGM	$149 Lowes	Single bevel
Kobalt SM2517LW	$249 Lowes	Dual bevel, sliding
Craftsman CMXEMAX69434501	$219 Lowes	Single bevel, sliding
Evolution R255SMSDB+	$349 HD
Evolution R255SMSL	$189 Lowes, $194 HD
Evolution R255SMS+	$230 Lowes, HD	Sliding, laser
DeWalt DW713	$219 Lowes, HD	Single bevel
DeWalt DWS713	$219 Lowes, HD, Amazon	Single bevel
DeWalt DW717	$499 HD	Double bevel, sliding
Bosch CM10GD	$480 Lowes, HD	Dual bevel, sliding
Delta S26-260L	$122 Lowes	Single bevel
Delta S26-261L	$179 Lowes	Single bevel, sliding
Delta S26-262L	$137 Lowes, $120 HD, $122 Amazon	Compound
Delta S26-263L	$199 Lowes, Amazon, $150 HD	Compound, sliding
Delta 26-2241	$400 HD	Dual bevel, sliding
Ryobi TSS103	$219 HD	Compound, sliding
Ryobi TS1346	$134 HD
Ridgid R4113	$219 HD	Dual bevel. LED cut line indicator
Ridgid R4210	$384 HD	Dual bevel, sliding
Makita LS1019L	$599 HD, Amazon	Dual bevel, sliding, laser
Makita LS1018	$433 HD	Sliding
Makita LS1040	$219 HD, $225 Amazon	Single bevel. Looks like mine.
WEN MM1011	$197 HD, $194 Amazon	Single bevel, sliding
WEN 70730	$213 HD	Single bevel, sliding
Professional Woodworker 8633	$137 HD	Compound, laser
General Intl MS3005	$128 HD	Sliding, laser
Genesis GMSDR1015LC	$160 HD	Sliding

The Hitachi or Kobalt $249 models (dual bevel, sliding, laser) would be okay. The Bosch is attractive for its low-clearance design, not its $480 price. I like Makita as an upscale brand, but I don't like their old-fashioned handle. The leaves DeWalt, like the DWS713 for $219. If a DIYer doesn't need sliding, and DeWalt is the quality benchmark, maybe that's the model for me.

DeWalt DWS713, $219 everywhere. No laser.

The other possibility is the Kobalt SM2517LW. For $30 more, you get dual bevel, sliding, and a laser. I'll also compare the Hitachi (Metabo C10FSHCTM). The Hitachi has a unique rail design that requires less space for rails in the back.

Hitachi C10FSHCTM

Specifications:

Maximum crosscut: 2x12 (Kobalt), 2x6 (DeWalt), 12.5" (Hitachi)
Max 45-degree crosscut: 2x8 (Kobalt), 2x4 (DeWalt), 8.75" (Hitachi)
Max vertical (baseboard): 4-1/2" (Kobalt), 3-1/2" (DeWalt) [Amazon says 4-1/4"]
Miter left: 55 degrees (Kobalt, Hitachi)
Miter right: 60 degrees (Kobalt, Hitachi)
Bevel left: 48 degrees (both)
Bevel right: 48 degrees (Kobalt), 3 degrees (DeWalt)
Bevel lock: front (Kobalt, Hitachi)
Laser: red, tool-free adjustable (Kobalt, Hitachi), No (DeWalt)
Amps: 15 (all)
RPM: 4450 (Kobalt), 5000 (DeWalt), 3200 (Hitachi)
Electric brake: Yes (Kobalt, Hitachi), No (DeWalt)
Weight: 43.2# (Kobalt), 31.4# (DeWalt) [Amazon says 38.1#], 40.7# (Hitachi) [Lowes says 45.6#]
Cord: 6'
Warranty: 3-year (DeWalt)

Kobalt SM2517LW