We take the pain out of choosing the best sliding compound miter saw for your small space woodworking shop. Whether you're thinking of setting up a wood shop in a basement or a garage or indeed already have and are ready to install a sliding compound miter saw in your shop we've got you covered.
Whether you're using your miter saw for simple chop cutting or you are cutting complex compound miters this is one of the most important woodworking power tool purchases you will make
We have reviewed what we consider to be the 5 best sliding compound miter saw available in the market taking into account user reviews, feedback and customer ratings. We've rated what we believe to be the best overall buy, the best professional grade saw , the best budget miter saw, the best miter saw under $300 and the best compact miter saw.
Recommended: Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Overall
1. DEWALT DWS779 12″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw
4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
Features
The DEWALT DWS779 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw features at number one on our best sliding compound miter saw list because it's the number one best seller, and it's in the spot for a very good reason. The combination of features, build quality and DEWALT's legendary service and guarantee. This model the DEWALT DWS779 is the exact equivalent of the DEWALT DWS780 which sels for $200 more on their site. This model just deson't feature the XPS guide light. You'll find that light can be added for $70 or less if you're prepared to do some searching on YouTube and fit it yourself
Assembly
Whenever you get a new item, unboxing and assembling it is the most time-consuming task. The DEWALT DWS779 miter saw doesn’t require any assembling. Right after taking it out of the box, you have to pull down the lock pin, plug in the saw, and be ready to use it.
Accuracy
One of the main reasons your probably looking at buying the best sliding compound miter saw you can afford is for the degree of accuracy you'll get with a good saw, which is precisely what DEWALT DWS779 saw offers. You can cut quick chops or compound miters with maximal accuracy.
Build Quality
The build quality is as good as you'll get with any of the top brands of woodworking power tools. This just feels like a solid well made miter saw yet at 56lbs its not going to break your back moving it around. The DEWALT DWS779 durable, well made and will be your woodworking shop partner for many years to come.
DEWALT DWS779 Specifications
Cutting Thickness to a Depth of 6 3/4 inches
8,000 RPM 15 AMP Motor on a 5/8ths or 1″ arbor
Back fence designed to allow cutting of 2 ‘ x 14″at 90 degrees or 2″ x 12″ at 45 degrees
Excellent dust extraction removes over 75% of dust particles
Who is the DEWALT DWS779 for?
As this saw is extremely easy to use, it can be used by beginner woodworking hobbyists, DIY'ers who may be undertaking a large number of woodworking projects and additional features that come with this sliding compound miter saw make it good choice for professional users.
DEWALT DWS779 Pros
Precise cuts
Captures 75% of the dust generated
Smart features including fence and clamping system
Easy to use
Adjustable
DEWALT DWS779 Cons
Vacuum port not the best
Slider fills with dust
Recommended: Best Sliding Professional Grade Compound Miter Saw
2. Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD
5.0 out of 5.0 stars5.0
Features
Make no mistake the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Sliding Glide Miter Saw is a superb woodworking power tool worth every cent and as some reviewers say it's comparable to miter saws priced at $1400. If you're looking for the very best sliding compound miter saw then the GCM12SD is it. At the price it's unbeatable. Just take the time to set it up correctly.
Arms Instead of Rails
Everyone wants a smooth-gliding saw for cutting perfection. The Bosch miter saw comes with two vertical and horizontal arms, which enable a smooth glide. The rails of a miter saw are space-consuming, so with them replaced with arms, almost 12 inches of workbench space is saved so not much room is required to use the Bosch GCM12SD miter saw due to the absence of rails at the back.
Ambidextrous D-shaped Handle
Another plus point of this saw is that it has an ambidextrous handle, which means that it can be used by right-handed and left-handed people alike. Most saws are only for right-handed people, but with this feature, this Bosch saw gains approval of the lefties, making it one of the best miter saws available.
Tension Adjustment
If you're are accustomed to using a miter saw with rails you might find the glide system of this saw unusually smooth at first. If that happens to you then Bosch has included a tension adjustment feature, so that the glide can be tightened until you get used to it.
Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Specifications
The GCM12SD miter saw has a 120V 15 amps motor with 3800 rpm.
A cross-cut capacity of maximum 4 x 14 inches and vertical cut capacity of 6 ½ inches.
The Bosch GCM12SD miter saw can cut at 48 degrees bevel angle and 52 – 60 degrees miter angle.
Who Is The Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD For?
The Bosch GCM12SD is a professional grade compound sliding miter saw for the serious woodworker and cabinet maker. If you're looking for the best sliding compound miter saw then the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD 12 Inch Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw is it
Bosch GCM12SD Pros
Incredibly accurate once it's set up. Take time to go through the detailed manual
Axial Glide System For Wider Crosscuts
Superb Miter Scales With Accurate marked Detents
Metal bevel lock lever and range selector located at front avoids reaching behind the saw
Very well built
Bosch GCM12SD Cons
It's not cheap, but then its the best saw at 1/2 the price of $1400 models.
It's quite big
Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw Video
The TACKLIFE Sliding Compound Miter Saw 12-Inch PMS03A is a remarkable saw for the money with many features not found on a budget miter saw. Double bevel, extended side platform for wider lumber, dust extraction and an accurate laser. And a a pretty good 2 year warranty. It's not a professional grade miter saw but if you're a hobby woodworker the TACKLIFE Miter Saw is well worth considering if you're staring out and don't want to lay out $400 to $600 on one of the top brands like DEWALT or BOSCH.
TACKLIFE 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw Features
Laser Guide
The Tacklife miter saw has a built-in laser, which is activated when the saw is powered on. It is controlled with a single on/off switch, making it very convenient to use. The purpose of the laser is to help you make perfectly straight cuts.
Dust Collection
With woodwork comes heaps of dust, which makes the workspace messy. This miter saw has a large dust bag that collects more than 70% of the dust generated from all the sawing. In addition to the dust bag, there's a 30 mm port to which a vacuum cleaner's cable can be connected to clean away the remaining dust. As a result, you get a neat and tidy working space.
Miter Scale
When you're cutting a miter the measurements need to be precise to get the desired outcome. The TACKLIFE Sliding Compound PMS03A has a fully adjustable miter scale which allows you to quickly adjust the saw to the most common miter angles for square cuts, bevel and compound cuts.
Vibration Absorbing Mechanism
The last thing you need when cutting a compound miter is vibration. The TACKLIFE miter saw has an elastomer casing on the handle, which reduces the vibrations while you are operating the saw which helps you to work comfortably while having complete control over the cut.
The Tacklife Sliding Compound Miter Saw is offers a lot of features for the price. Just like most miter saws, it also has a 15 amp motor with 3800 rpm. It has a 12-inch blade that can be beveled at 45 degrees; the same goes for the miter cut.
It has a cutting capacity of 4 x 13 inches.
The Tacklife miter saw comes with 2 blades – a 40T blade that is used to cut soft materials like wood and plastic and an 80T blade for hard material like metals.
Who is the TACKLIFE 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw for?
This is not the best sliding compound miter saw for a heavy user. The TACKLIFE 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw is best suited to the weekend woodworking hobby shop but having said that, set it up correctly, look after it and it will last you years. Upgrade later and it will become a great second saw in your workshop
TACKLIFE PMS03A Pros
Accurate cutting with a professional finish
5 bevel stops
Comes with 2 sets of blades
Dust collecting bag included
Vibration absorbing elastomeric grip
13 feet cord makes it easier to move around
TACKLIFE PMS03A Cons
Not built for everyday heavy usage.
Saw guard tends to stick after use.
TACKLIFE Sliding Compound Miter Saw 12-Inch PMS03A Video
Recommended: Best Sliding Miter Saw Under $200
4. Hitachi C10FCH2 Compound Miter Saw
Features
4.5 out of 5.0 stars4.5
Hitachi have changed the name of their power tools range to Metabo so this saw is now known as the Metabo HPT 10″ Compound Miter Woodworking Power Tools Top 10 Must Have List – Buying GuideSaw Single Bevel C10FCH2. This a great compound Miter saw for the small shop winning our recommendation in this list for Best Sliding Miter Saw Under $200.
The Hitachi (or Metabo) C10FCH2 is a lightweight miter saw weighing in at only 25 1/2 lbs and 26.77 x 21.85 x 18.90 inches its great for small space workshops and moving around a job site.
A great 10″ miter saw with pivoting flip fence, dust bag, a vice assembly and an accurate laser.
Accuracy
Precision while cutting material for building something is of utmost importance. The Hitachi miter saw has a large rotating flip fence that can go 4 inches higher than the other miter saws, making accurate cuts.
Portability
One thing that makes the Hitachi C10FCH2 saw stand out and rate an appearance on our best sliding compound miter saw list is the portability and compactness. It is lightweight and can easily be moved from one place to another without much effort. It can also be stored away when you're not using it, which is not the case with the larger miter saws as they require either fixing to a bench or are bulky and heavy to move. This saw with its zero rear clearance slide system can be placed anywhere and is ideal for a small space woodworking shop..
Thumb-activated Miter Stops
Another outstanding feature of this miter saw is the Thumb-activated miter stops. It makes the saw easier to use.
Hitachi C10FCH2 Compound Miter Saw Specifications
The Hitachi miter saw comes with a 10-inch 24T blade and a 15 amp, 5000 rpm powerful motor. The miter angle range is maximum 52 degrees while the bevel angle range is a maximum of 42 degrees.
It can be used to cut wood, plywood, decorative PVC panels, hardboard and fibreboard.
Who is the Hitachi – Metabo C10FCH2 orC10FCH2S For?
The lightweight and compact dimensions make the Hitachi C10FCH2 or Metabo C10FCH2S ideal for light job site work. This miter saw would also be a ‘good fit' so to speak in a small space woodworking shop.
Hitachi C10FCH2 Compound Miter Saw Pros
Lightweight and portable
Vibration absorbing elastomeric handle
Built-in laser for accurate straight cuts
Thumb actuated positive stops
Hitachi C10FCH2 Compound Miter Saw Cons
The dust collection feature is disappointing
Cannot be used for heavy-duty site work
The blade guard lock is too tight and creates difficulty in removing it
Recommended: Best Compact Miter Saw Overall
5. Makita 10″ LS1040 Compound Miter Saw
Features
4.6 out of 5.0 stars4.6
An extremely well built 10″ Compound Miter Saw that delivers power with portability. At only 27.3 lbs this great little saw actually beats the Hitachi C10FSHC on features and build quality it's just a way lot more expensive. Superb well engineered compound miter saw for the pro working on a job site, the woodworking hobbyist who wants a compact miter saw for a small woodworking shop or if you're a remodeller with a big project then this is the compound miter saw to go for. This is a saw thats built to last.
Rails
Most miter saws have rails situated at the back, which causes a problem when you're working in small spaces. To overcome this issue, the Makita miter saw has a dual post compound pivoting arm system.
Fluorescent Light
This compound miter saw has several comfort features, including a fluorescent light which helps illuminate the work surface.
Soft Start Motor
15 AMP Direct Drive motor with soft start feature for smoother start ups
The Makita miter saw has a 10-inch blade and a 15 amp motor with 3200 rpm. The bevel cut can be pushed to a maximum of 48 degrees, and the miter cut to a maximum capacity of 60 degrees. The vertical crown molding capacity is 6 ⅝ inches, and the baseboard cutting capacity is 5 ¼ inches.
The Makita LS1040 is suited to various types of woodworking, cabinetry, framing, deck building and remodelling.
Who is the Makita LS1040 For?
The Makita 10″ Compound Miter Saw is a well engineered quality compound miter saw for all professional contractors, DIYers, beginners and serious woodworkers. Got a big job in a small shop or need portability? Then the Makita LS1040 10″ Compound Miter Saw is for you.
Makita LS1040 Pros
Accurate and smooth cutting
Lightweight
Can handle a wide range of projects
Impressive cross-cutting ranges
Soft start motor
Makita LS1040 Cons
No laser included
Dust collection is not as good as it could be.
It's not cheap compared to other 10″ saws
Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Comparison Chart
Product Name
Blade Size
Blade Teeth
Built-in Laser
Weight
Saw Type
Style
DEWALT DWS779
12 inches
80T
No
56 lbs
Slide
Compound (Vertical, cross-cut, bevel and miter)
Bosch GCM12SD
12 inches
44T
No
65 lbs
Glide
Dual Compound (Vertical, cross-cut, bevel and miter)
TACKLIFE PMS03A
12 inches
40T
Yes
46 lbs
Slide
Dual Compound (Vertical, cross-cut, double bevel and miter)
Hitachi-C10FCH2
10 inches
24T
Yes
26.5 lbs
Slide
Compound (Vertical, cross-cut, bevel and miter)
Makita-LS1040
10 inches
40T
No
27.3 lbs
Slide
Compound (Vertical, cross-cut, bevel and miter)
If you like our best detail sander reviews then checkout our complete coverage (constantly updated) of the essential woodworking power tools for your shop with links to reviews for each category.
Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw Buying Guide
A miter saw is used to perform intricate work in a precise and safe manner. If you’re thinking of buying best sliding compound miter saw for your woodworking shop size, budget and type of work you do, the following points should be kept in mind:
Saw Type
The first thing to look for in a miter saw is the saw type. There are 3 types: Stationary compound, sliding compound, and dual bevel (sliding dual compound).
A stationary compound miter saw can make miter cuts on the right and left but bevel cuts in only one direction. Meanwhile, a sliding compound saw can move up and down on the rails, which is apparent from the name.
On the other hand, a dual bevel can do all the things mentioned above, in addition to making bevel cuts on both sides. So based on what you are looking for personally you can select the saw type accordingly. But as always buy the very best sliding compound miter saw you can possibly afford to future proof your purchase.
Motor
Miter saws have motors of different amp ratings (10, 12, or 15 amps). If your work requires you to make a lot of cross-cuts and use hardwood, then you should go for a powerful motor. But if you have to make thin trims of soft or composite material, then a less powerful motor will be a good choice.
Tooth Count
The blades that come with the miter saws are of various sizes and have a different tooth count. A bigger blade makes longer cuts, while if you want a clean and fine finish, go for a blade with higher TPI (teeth per inch). Also, keep in mind that blades with a higher tooth count cost more than those with a lower tooth count.
Built-in Laser
Most of the best sliding compound miter saw come with a built-in laser guide. It helps in accurately guiding your cuts. So before buying a miter saw, consider the one with a laser to get a professional result.
Dust Extraction
Nobody wants a messy workstation, so most of the miter saws come with a dust bag. In some cases, the dust bag doesn’t work as efficiently as it should. Therefore, you should opt for a miter saw with a dust collection bag and a port for attaching a vacuum cable, to ensure 100% removal of dust and small particles.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What should I look for in a miter saw?
When you go to buy a miter saw, you always want the best one for your type of woodworking and of course the size of your shop. Keeping certain things in mind will aid you in this regard. The size of the blade, the weight of the saw, portability, and the type of saw are the things you should look for to get the best sliding compound miter saw for your money.
Are miter saws dangerous?
Miter saws are only dangerous if you don’t take all the security measures before using them. Make sure to wear protective glasses and check if the blade guard is intact. The kick-offs from the sawing can hit you and cause injury, but using all the protective gear can keep you safe.
What is the difference between a miter saw and a circular saw?
There are a couple of differences between a miter saw and a circular saw. A miter saw can only make cross-cuts while a circular saw can make cross-cuts and rip as well. A miter saw can be set at an angle when cutting, while a circular saw is a handheld. Therefore, the precision of a miter saw is more defined as compared to a circular saw.
So your looking for the best sliding compound miter saw?
With so many different variations of saws available on the market at different price ranges it is not an easy decision and we appreciate the decision needs care
Our Advice To You
Whether you're a contractor or a construction worker or just work with wood as a hobby, finding the best sliding compound miter saw to suit your particular needsshould be your first priority. Buying the right saw for your circumstance now doesn't mean relegating your purchase in them future as your skills improve and working in a small space becomes less of a necessity. Buy what is good for you now and upgrade later. Alternatively, if your budget allows, go the whole hog now and future proof your purchase by buying the very best sliding compound miter saw you can afford.
Use our detailed best sliding compound miter saw review and buying guide to know exactly what you’re looking for when you go out there to make your purchase. And then let's make saw dust!
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