A compound miter saw is a very technical and extremely functional equipment.
The best compound miter saw is widely used in the woodworking industry by carpenters and other workers for several tasks.
Most woodworkers work through this saw as it enables them to create clean and precise cuts under any circumstances.
It also helps the carpenter attain the exact specifications in his cuts according to the need and desire.
Several types of compound miter saws are specially made available in the market for people working with different types of jobs.
Each of its types has various additional and specific features that make them slightly different from the other one.
This usually helps the person to decide exactly what type of power tool he requires. A lot of other saws are also available such as circular saws, table saw.
They cannot fully replace a compound miter saw. This particularly has so many reasons which we are going to discuss later in this article.
It is one of the best tools that can be used in workshops as well as home-based tasks.
If you plan to buy a new compound miter saw and even think to replace the old one, make sure to read this article until the end will provide you with the information about compound miter saw which is essential to know before you get your hands on it.
Overall Top 10 Best Compound Miter Saw Review In 2021
Hopefully, by now, you have understood what a compound miter saw actually is. Now it is the time to look at the top 10 best compound miter saw 2021 that are available in the market for your use.
Whether you are a beginner, intermediate, or professional, you can still benefit from these top 10 best compound miter saw 2021.
1. Dewalt DWS780
The Dewalt DWS780 double bevel sliding compound miter saw is well known for its accuracy while cutting across the board.
This machine is certainly a great choice for users, whether professionals or beginners, with their DIY projects.
This power tool is capable of providing accurate and refined cuts at any length of the wood.
The double bevel sliding compound miter saw has a 3800 rpm strong motor for delivering high-speed cuts through any material of any particular thickness.
This versatile tool also has a built-in laser guide illuminating a light on the cutting line for further precision.
Along with all the advanced cuts, this power tool has the ability to cut both horizontally and vertically at the same time.
A newly launched design has moved the power cord away and out of arm space so that the operator gets much space and convenience while completing the tasks.
However, the machine does not have a dust collection system, which usually creates a mess. Also, the machine is complicated to store as it takes a lot of space and is heavier to carry.
2. Bosch GCM12SD
The high functional Bosch GCM12SD is a 12-inch corded dual bevel sliding glide miter saw.
It has multiple user-friendly features that a compact design for various work sites. This saw is easier to use than any other saw having one-touch bevel locks and a one-touch fence positioning system.
It can deliberately cut up to 16 and a half inches horizontally. With its high-powered 15 amp motor, it is designed to make 3800 rotations per minute.
This enables the saw to cut through even the thickest material without any blade deviations. The miter saw uses a powerful blade of 60 tooth count for high end and smooth cuts.
The blade is sharp and strong enough to cut through stainless steel, aluminum, and plastic sheets with a deep cutting capacity.
It has a comfortable grip for adding ultimate convenience to the cutting process. It also has a stable base and lock controls that provide you with great cutting abilities and controls.
However, the machine is far from being portable due to its heavyweight. You cannot carry it to various job sites, and it also does not include a laser guide along with it.
3. DEWALT DWS715
The DeWalt compound miter saws are best known for their durability and versatility. They allow you to make easy adjustments and contain a full blade guard to protect you from any sort of mishap.
This saw is highly rated and recommended by the professional woodworkers due to its high efficiency and unbeatable abilities.
This single bevel compound miter saw is also better known as a chop saw, which is lightweight and so portable that it can be carried anywhere.
In other words, it is such a compact machine to work with. This machine delivers accurate and rapid cuts through its high power motor of 4000rpm.
The machine is great for small and large projects, including crown moldings or baseboards.
This tool has an incredibly heavy motor to provide ultimate resistance and strength to the spinning blade.
It also has a steel miter, which is adjustable and includes 11 positive stops to ensure the cutting’s accuracy and productivity.
The miter saw easily provides a fence that can support a 5.25″ base and 6.5″ moldings. It also has various bevel stops.
However, the dust collecting technology present in this machine is quite poor and has no proper guide system to align the cutting location.
Also, the standard blade included with this saw is not the same as that of the other saws.
4. Makita LS1040Â
The Makita Ls1040 10-inch compound miter saw is made up of quality material.
Despite having a low price, this machine is not out of place to doubt the saw’s durability and quality.
This is why once you receive the saw, you will observe that it is strongly built to last clearly.
It has the obvious power to cut with extreme precision and make your cutting less frustrating. The saw is very lightweight, and its portability is highly appreciated.
It is perfect for carrying. This saw provides you with the power, accuracy, and convenience for your multiple woodworking projects.
The tool comes with a 15 amp direct-drive motor and 4,600rmp that keeps the work going without any hassle.
The electronic speed control present in this saw regulates and maintains consistent speed even under a high workload.
Furthermore, the Makita LS1040 comes with a dual compound pivot arm with bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees towards the direction of left.
This machine’s miter adjustments range from 0 to 45 degrees left and 0 to 52 degrees right. It also has about 9 positive miter stops.
Its aluminum base makes sure you attain accurate cuts. The appealing feature of this saw is that it has a fluorescent light that illuminates your working surface.
Many professional woodworkers that typically work with finish carpenters, case and base installers, decking, siding installation, flooring applications, etc., rate and recommend the functionalities delivered by this 10-inch compound miter saw.
However, the machine lacks adjustment instructions.
5. Hitachi C10FCE2
The Hitachi C10FCE2 10 inch compound miter saw can offer you smooth cutting experience and accurate cross cuts in the wooden project.
It weighs around 26.3 pounds which makes it quite lightweight and compact as well as portable enough to carry to any remote area or work location.
The special dust collector keeps the place clean by reducing the saw dust while working with large wood pieces.
Hitachi miter saw comes with a large table that provides stable and sturdy support by keeping the wooden piece in place firmly.
As far as the cutting capacity is concerned the miter saw provides a thumb-actuated accurate cuts and miter stops which ultimately enables the operator to make miter adjustments between 0-52 degrees.
By the help of this feature, the operator can change the angle of the blade for making miter in crown molding and other trim work.
It also has bevel angle ranging from 0–45 degree to make most beveled cuts. You can also create cuts on large wood pieces up to 2-5/16-inches high and 5-21/32-inches deep.
This is possible by the help of the large extended fence because it provides support to the material. It has a 15amp motor that allows you to perform strong cuts.
However, the machine does not come with any sort of table extensions so you cannot manage heavy work. It also is a very difficult machine to set up.
6. Dewalt DW716XPS
The DeWalt Dw716XPS is a 12 inch compound miter saw that has an integrated XPS cross cutting positioning system with no load speed of 3800 rpm.
It has an LED light feature installed along with it to provide better and accurate cuts. The powerful 15amp motor delivers high speed for extended durability and power.
The machine is capable of tackling multiple tasks along with certain complex cuts. It has a high visibility bevel scale that usually makes the bevel adjustments clear, rapid and easy.
It has a miter cut capacity of 0-50 degrees left and right. It includes miter capacity just to increase the versatility of the saw.
Moreover, the saw has the largest vertical capacity of 6-1/2″ and largest crown molding capacity of 6-5/8″. This is why this machine is included in one of the most famous machines.
It would be not at all wrong if we say that this machine is an all rounder providing greater cutting capacity and functionalities. Â It also has a Cam-lock with miter detent override
7. Metabo Hpt C10fch2s
The Metabo HPT 10″ Compound Miter saw provides the ultimate functions when it comes to complex and complicated cutting.
It has an aggressive design that proves that this miter saw is designed for the professional.
The C10FCH2S miter saw has a powerful 15 amp motor that makes the work effortless and less time consuming by strong cutting actions.
The vibration reducing horizontal handle makes you control the saw easily and as per your requirements.
The laser marker system illuminates light on the line that has to be cut and results in better cutting due the high visibility of the exact cutting line.
The miter saw weighs around 26.5 lbs making it very portable for your job site.
It has a miter angle range from 0-52 Degree to the right and left for increased flexibility and a bevel range from 0-45 degree to the left with adjustable bevel stops for accurate cuts.
8. Tacklife EMS01A
Tack-life EMS01A is a multi functional compound sliding miter saw. The miter saw contains a 15amp and 2000 watt motor that delivers rapid cutting performance without any interruptions.
The saw is capable of cutting through several types of material that includes wood, chipboard, plywood, blackboard, and much more.
It comes with a 10-inch blade with variable speed setting. The lower speed 3200RPM setting works amazing for light metals or plastics but the higher 4500RPM works fine when cutting wood.
The machine also includes 3 10 inch TCT blades for various types of cutting material.
It has easy miter adjustments and 0-45 degree bevel capacity and the saw comes with positive stops at 15-degree, 22.5 degrees, 30-degree, and 45 degrees at the most used bevel angles.
It also contains a red laser light for making the cutting line more visible. It is equipped with extension table to carry heavy and large wood pieces while you are still cutting.
This ensures you have large cutting capacity. The machine also has an iron blade guard to protect the operator from accidents.
9. Genesis GMS1015LC
Genesis GMS1015LC 10-inch compound miter saw is a heavy duty miter saw which is typically used to wind up heavy loads of work.
It is a machine that is capable of creating several repeated wood cuts.
It is a very affordable machine with all the basic features that are required and can be easily used by a beginner or a professional wood cutter.
The machine is powered by a 15-amp motor, which runs the blade at a high speed of 4600 RPM. This usually results in quick cutting.
The blade has a size of 10-inch with 60 carbide-tipped teeth, which ultimately creates very smooth cuts and has a crosscutting capacity of 4.75” horizontal and 3” vertically. At a 45° miter cut, the horizontal capacity decreases to 3.3 inches automatically.
The tool has a bevel capacity up to 45° to the left.
However, at this position the vertical cutting capacity decreases to 1.38 inches but at a compound miter 45° and bevel angle, you can cut a maximum of 1.38 x 3.3 inches vertically and horizontally.
The laser light guide allows quicker set up and accuracy of the cuts while the spindle lock makes the changing of blade easier.
The machine additionally includes nine position stops at commonly used angles and a die-cast aluminum base for portability.
Moreover, it has an electric brake that stops the blade in seconds typically a 60T carbide blade. The machine has a hold down clamp, dust bag, two extension wings, blade wrench and two AAA batteries for laser.
10. Skil 3821-01
The SKIL 382101 12 inch compound miter saw has a simple design but it does deliberately offer some extraordinary features that are helpful for the beginners and DIYers and can make them take a good use out of it.
The amazing features include a laser guide that is proven to improve cutting accuracy and efficiency. It also has powerful motor that easily tackles almost all sort of tough cuts and wooden projects.
The table extension present along with it has right and left extension rails.
The compact design of the machine and rapid mounting action makes the machine high functional and very portable.
The machine has a cross cut capacity of 45 degree to left: 4×4” or 2×6” dimensional lumber. Another cross cut capacity of 90 degree to right- 4×6” or 2×8” dimensional.
The maximum miter cut capacity is 45 degree. Additionally, the machine includes a wrench, blade guard, stop block, a 40 tooth carbide blade and a vertical clamp.
This machine is a great buy.
What Is A Compound Miter Saw
Several different names are associated with a compound miter saw, such as a chop saw, drop saw, or simply the miter saw.
These compound miter saws are widely used to make accurate crosscuts for the wooden projects. This tool can efficiently create many cuts at various angles.
This power tool can also perform several repeated cuts of the same size and length. The carpenters used three types of miter saws in almost every workshop, such as standard miter saws, compound miter saw, and the sliding compound miter saw.
Therefore, it is necessary to choose your particular saw wisely.
However, these three variations in a miter saw differ somehow and hold a significant place in the woodcutting industry.
They perform different functions or sometimes combined functions to reduce the workload.
Types Of Compound Miter Saw
Compound miter saws are highly used and popular power tools that typically create crosscuts and cuts of various angles.
Before we further get into the types, note that a miter saw is usually two types; standard miter and compound miter saw.
They are then further divided into many types to precise the function they perform. So typically, there are 4 types of compound miter saw:
Sliding Compound Miter Saw
A sliding compound miter saw is highly recommended for those who usually deal with large wooden pieces and create large crosscuts across it.
You can easily slide the saw back and forth on the entire length of the wood piece.
You can tilt and bevel the head of a sliding compound miter saw 45 degrees to the right and 45 degrees to the left.
This allows the operator to tilt the saw head in both directions without lifting or flipping over the wooden piece to perform cuts.
While you can cut the entire length of a large wood piece with a sliding compound miter saw, it has a drawback as well.
The machine comparatively has a large footprint, and this is because of the sliding rails present at the back of the saw. These sliding rails help the saw to perform large cuts.
Non-Sliding Compound Miter Saw
As visible by the name, this miter saw is completely different from a sliding compound miter saw.
The head of this non-sliding miter saw cannot tilt back and forth across the length of the wood. This mechanically makes the saw with less cutting capacity.
However, these saws are great for small wooden projects such as 2x4s and 2x6s.
This machine’s main advantage is that it is compact, light and has a small foot print. This makes it consume less space.
Double Bevel Compound Miter Saw
A double bevel compound miter saw is also a prevalent type of miter saw, designed to bevel or tilt the saw’s head to 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right.
This miter saw is essential for such woodworkers that usually work with cutting baseboards and crown moldings.
This also enables the operator to cut complicated angles without really flipping over or lifting the board.
Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw
A single bevel compound miter is the one that cannot be tilted towards both the direction at a time.
The saw head can bevel up to 45 degrees in one direction, usually towards the left. Such miter saws are great for simple crosscuts and other simple compound cuts.
This tool is also good for performing frame cutting and DIY projects.
A single bevel compound miter saw is ideal for small workshops because the machine is compact and has a small footprint.
Benefits Of Compound Miter Saw
As now you have thoroughly understood the types of compound miter saws available to use, you can easily figure out which one is typically made for you.
This tool can be used for several reasons depending on the nature of work. Below we are providing you with the benefits that are associated with the compound miter saw:
Easy To Use
A compound miter saw is designed in such a way that it provides ultimate ease and convenience to the user.
It is effortless to use and makes the work less complicated. Since all miter saws come with instructions, you do not have to learn the operating mechanism for this machine, especially.
Simply read the instructions, and you are good to go. You don’t have to be a professional to use a compound miter saw.
Time-Saving
Compound miter saws are handy when it comes to working efficiently and quickly.
These miter saws manage the work without any hassle and consume less time. It will allow you to make rapid cuts using the shortest time.
Quality Of Cuts
With the help of a compound miter saw, you will be able to cut more accurate, precise and clear cuts.
Compound miter saws are highly appreciated and regarded for their smoother cuts as compared to any other saw.
Make Different Types Of Angles:
The merit of owning a compound miter saw is that you can create several different types of angled cuts in no time.
This particular feature is highly regarded and unlike any other saw because they make you use a woodcutter when making necessarily required angles.
Precision And Accuracy
A compound miter saw is a higher quality miter saw, which is famous for its precise and accurate cuts. You will ultimately get better and smoother cuts with the help of this saw.
What To Keep In Mind When Picking A Miter Saw
Picking a miter saw within your budget and fulfilling all the demand is already a hard and complicated task.
You need to stay more focused and stick to what you really need rather than getting attracted to over-priced and appealing models.
Under the circumstances of confusion and quick decisions, we have collected a few points that are needed to be kept in mind when picking a miter saw.
This will deliberately make your vision clear and steady. The few points are:
Saw Safety
Whenever you select a saw or any other power tool, always ensure that it includes all the prescribed and recommended safety features.
The few things that a miter saw should always contain as safety functions are: a trigger switch, a fence to place your material against, and a top and bottom blade guard.
What Is Being Cut
Before getting yourself, a miter saw always know your purpose and what you intend to cut through it.
This will help you choose one specific item from various saw sizes, table sizes, fence heights, and other applications.
Cutting Angles
A miter saw is such an amazing tool for cutting different cross cuts and simple cuts at various angles, most importantly at 45 degrees.
But sometimes there are such machines that do not offer the feature of rotating till 45 degrees left or right. Hence, it is necessary to check before you buy the machine.
Where Will It Be Used?
The most important aspect of owning a miter saw is to know for what purpose you will use it. The good thing is that a miter saw weighs around 50 lbs.
This typically makes them portable and compact. They can be moved and carried easily.
But if you are not someone who would work at different job sites outsides, prefer getting a cheaper but slightly heavy miter saw.
Compound Miter Saw Vs Sliding Miter Saw
A compound miter saw and a sliding miter saw both are the types of the miter saw. They fall under the same category.
However, they do hold some obvious differences that make them significant from each other. Each of the miter saw has its own sole purpose, which makes it better than the other.
Compound miter saws are also more commonly known as bench saws. They have a lot of abilities, including cutting simple miter cuts.
They are also typically known as the compound miter saws because they can cut two different angles, such as bevel cut and miter cut at the same instant.
The machine consists of a pivoting arm that helps to tip the blade to perform a bevel cut.
A compound miter saw is great for cutting thick material as it does not have any rails, which means no material can get in the way of cutting.
The lade head of the saw can still tilt to an angle other than 90 degrees. But a standard compound miter saw can only tilt in either of the one direction at a time; left or right.
However, a sliding miter saw is almost the same as the compound miter saw apart from sliding rails. This machine can also easily create bevel and miter cuts.
The fascinating part about this power tool is the great width of the material it can easily tackle.
The rails allow you to move the blade backward and forward to cut across the entire width of the length of a miter saw.
This means that due to sliding rails, the machine’s cutting capacity increases drastically and enables you to cut larger and thicker pieces of wood.
The machine can cut all the way across the material without repositions, so you do not have to flip over the material for longer and thicker cuts.
Dual Bevel Vs Single Bevel Miter Saw
Compound sliding miter saws can create many types of cuts, whether miter cuts, cross cuts, or bevel cuts. Both a dual bevel compound miter saw, and a single bevel compound miter saw have pretty much similar features, and you can have both or any one of them, except the fact that a dual bevel miter saw can tilt its head to left and right direction while a single bevel miter saw can only tilt its head at one particular direction left or right but mainly left.
A dual bevel miter saw can make cuts on both sides of the material without turning over the material upside down.
The saw can easily switch and swing to create complicated cuts on both sides of the material at a single time.
This machine is less time-consuming and takes comparatively fewer efforts as you do not have to do the extra work of flipping over the material and then cutting all over again.
You can simply clamp the material firmly against and make several cuts, including angled cuts. This machine is the best-recommended saw because it can perform several repeated cuts with accuracy and precision.
However, a single bevel miter saw can move backward and forward. The blade and the arms present on the sliding system enables them to move.
It can easily create two angled cuts at a single time due to its beveled ability. It is best to tackle complicated cutting jobs.
The pivoting arm is used to make angled cuts to left or right. You can also cut two-plain material easily for frame-making and DIYs.
A single bevel miter saw is a kind of one-directional miter saw that can tilt to one direction at a time, whether left or right.
However, it can be adjusted on both axes and can perform several beveled cuts simultaneously. The drawback of this power tool is that it does require some extra efforts while working through it.
It becomes quite frustrating at times, as the user has to turn over the material to another direction whenever he intends to cut. Otherwise, the machine is good to go.
Sliding Vs Non-Sliding Compound Miter Saw
A sliding and a non-sliding compound miter saws are the types of miter saws that have some really unique features.
The main difference between these two types of saws is that a sliding miter saw can move forward and backward while a non-sliding miter saw cannot.
Many considerations should be made before one actually decides to buy any one of them. However, the most important thing to check should be the storage space offered by the saw.
If you work with wider and broader pieces of wood or any other material, then a sliding compound miter saw is the best option for you.
Not only a sliding miter saw allows you to cut through the large wooden piece, but it also decreases the efforts and is deliberately less time-consuming.
This is duly because it has sliding rails that allow the blade to move backward and forward.
Due to this backward and forward motion, either in the left or right direction enables the operator to cut through the material’s entire length.
Usually, this machine is used for complicated and large wooden projects. These machines typically have a 15amp strong motor that delivers smooth cuts in less time.
However, this power tool is quite bulky and expensive, so ensure you have enough space to keep it to work hassle-free.
These types of saws also come with a built-in dust bag so that you can collect all the sawdust while you are still working so that your visibility is not affected.
A sliding miter saw is the most convenient of all. On the other hand, a non-sliding compound miter saw is comparatively compact and requires less storage space.
This means you can place it anywhere you want. It also has the great cutting ability as you can adjust angles to make bevel cuts.
This power tool is very lightweight which makes it easy to handle and carry along.
A non-sliding compound miter saw usually includes the carbide coated blades that offer various sizes and are best for smoother and effortless cutting.
Most non-sliding compound miter saws also have a 15amp strong motor that lets the operator easily cut through the material.
The miter scale on this type of saw ranges from 0-52 degrees from left to right. It also includes several bevel stops that boost the precision by ensuring that the machine does not jump into the detente.
This machine’s advantage is that it is quite affordable and compact, and very lightweight, which makes it easy to maintain.
What You Need To Know More Before You Buy
As you enter the shop to buy a miter saw or even if you are home panning to buy a miter saw, never forget to make thoughtful considerations before you really implement your planning.
This is because you might not have complete knowledge regarding the saw you want or simply because the selection process is quite confusing as it seems.
Usually, a common mistake made by the beginners or even some professionals is selecting the most complicated looking machine, thinking of it as the most efficient and high functional tool.
This is why there are a few factors you need to know more about before you buy the tool.
The factors include the motor’s power, whether it is strong enough to complete your usual and desired projects.
The second is to determine the blade quality, material, and size. You should also look for the additional features that the machine is offering to make the most use out of your machine.
10 Inch Or 12 inch Miter Saw, Which one Is Best For Accuracy?
Just because of the difference in size, we cannot really say that one is better than the other. Both the variants are equally important and useful.
It depends on the frequent use and types of projects of the user. However, we still recommend you to go for a 12-inch miter saw.
The reason behind this is we suppose that your wooden work requires strong cutting of thick and wider wooden pieces.
A 12-inch slider might be expensive than a 10-inch slider but delivers a lot of other functions.
It has more power to perform complicated cuts, and it is more durable because it was specially created for heavy-duty jobs.
However, you can still add a 10-inch blade into your 12-inch slider to make the tool work with the power of a 12-inch slider and blade of 10 inches.
A 12-inch slider will typically allow you to wide up the work with smooth finishes and accuracy. This is great for those who work with huge projects and have certain deadlines to finish the work.
Let’s also have a look at a 10-inch slider so that you can differ between these two types.
A 10-inch slider challenges a 12-inch slider when it comes to the cost because a 10-inch slider is comparatively cheaper and can be afforded by any mediocre worker or beginner.
It is also effortless to find and is available with a wider range of choices.
Miter Saw Set up For Accurate Cuts
It is unnecessary that whenever your miter saw does not work properly, you think you bought the wrong item. The low functionality can also be due to the poor set up of the miter saw.
The poor set up will ultimately result in less working ability. However, setting up the miter saw is pretty much easy.
To start the process, get yourself a test piece. The test piece usually is a wooden board. Ensure that the edges of the board are straight.
After you are done with that, now adjust the fence that is provided with the saw. You might need to push the fence inwards or outwards, depending on the material.
Usually, next, a five-cut method is applied. In this method, a board with four corners is required.
Now you can label the edges from 1-4. The edge, which is labeled as 1, must be cut two times. This is how it becomes number five at the same time.
Finally, after that, you can repeat the process of measuring and label again to make précised and accurate cuts.
Buying Guide For The Best Compound Miter Saw
Miter saw is the type of power tool that was made especially to cut materials at various angles.
The tool contains a blade that is attached to the arm and the arm can easily rotate from the left to the right at several angles and right to left.
This not only helps the machine to create several angled cuts at a time but also consumes less time.
The miter saw is usually used for certain type of work such as crown moldings, picture frames, door frames and window castings.
As you can see this basically covers a huge part of work.
In this buying guide we would provide you some essential tips and information about the best compound miter saw but first let us elaborate what a compound miter saw is:
Compound Miter Saw
A compound miter saw is the type of miter saw that has the ability to rotate from left to right to create various angled cuts. It can also be tilted to another side to perform beveled tasks.
You can readjust the tool at its two axes. If you are someone who frequently works with two-planes cutting, then this tool is the right option for you.
In just one swing you can create compound cuts. In order to make the best use of this tool and prevent you from the harms and injuries follow the instructions and safety guide provided along with the tool.
Let’s begin the buyer’s guide: Here are some features that are included in the compound miter saw which you should always check and consider before buying the tool:
Common Features Of A Compound Miter Saw
The already present and common features of a compound miter saw are:
Scale Marks
If you want accurate cuts, make sure that the machine you are about to buy has a visible and evident scale with proper marks.
This will help you take exact measurements of every angle and cuts. A scale that is digital has more accurate and visible marks.
Preset Angle Measurements
A compound miter saw will easily enable you to adjust the angle measurements. The custom settings included in it can easily save the measurements you frequently perform.
High Quality Fence
High quality fence ensures you attain the most précised cut. The fence is a kind of wall or barrier on which the material is placed firmly so that it does not move out of place while cutting.
A high quality fence can be easily adjusted according to you and can provide your material a firm support while performing heavy duty jobs or even small tasks. The fence of an ideal height is about 4 inches tall.
Smooth Gliding Movement
The handrails of the machine should be firm and must glide smoothly as soon as the operator feeds the board. The handrails of the machine should be controllable.
When rails are of good quality and durable, there is a very less chance of the blade deviating in the midst of working.
Safe Blade Guard
A blade guard is provided with the miter saw to make sure you are safe while using the miter saw or simply when cleaning and replacing the blade.
It is responsible to protect the operator when the blade is spinning at a high speed.
Laser Guide
Laser guide is usually installed in the miter saw to increase the working accuracy. The LED light present illuminates on the cutting line and makes it easier for the operator to figure out where he has to cut.
The laser installed should be adjustable so that you can set it accordingly with the direction of the blade.
Safet Lockout Trigger
You will be 100% secure if there is a safety control fixed and located at the handle present on the miter saw.
This feature is available with a very few machines but it is great to prevent the operator from any accidents just in case the machine starts unexpectedly.
Other Features To Consider
Some other features that should be considered as well as:
Quality Of Blade
In order to attain excellent quality cut, you should always know about the blade you are using. One should always have a high quality blade with higher tooth count.
The blade should be sharp enough to cut smoothly without any chip-outs. However, the speed of the blade might reduce with higher tooth count.
Never buy a cheap blade made out of steel. It is advisable to use carbide tipped blades with 40 to 80 TPI.
Using A Stand
You will be able to produce refined and high quality cuts if you use a miter stand with your machine.
A miter saw is already portable so in order to enhance the the accuracy make sure to use a stand.
Safety Gear
Using all the safety equipment’s is crucial while operating a miter saw. The noise of the tool can be extremely high and your ears might not be prone to such high noise.
This is why make sure to wear a earmuffs, safety goggles and other safety gears to prevent yourself from indulging in any sort of accidents.
Corded Or Cordless
Whether corded or cordless, both types of power tools have the same working efficiency and the abilities. A cordless power tool is no less than a corded power tool and includes all the functions.
Although, a cordless miter saw is portable and versatile we still recommend you the corded miter saw.
The reason behind this is your work will not be interrupted when the battery runs out. Another reason is that, a cordless miter saw is expensive than a corded miter saw and specially designed for those who have to work at different job sites in remote areas.
Amps
Higher amps used in the motors of the miter saws make the work faster and efficient because it enables the blade to cut through the thick wooden piece in a single swing.
However, we recommend you to use a saw that consumes a very less rate of amps so that you do not get high electricity bills.
Conclusion
A compound miter saw is the most widely used power tool due to its various types and flexibilities.
In this article, we have made sure that you get the full information about the best compound miter saws and the reviews on their top 10 best models.
We also have deliberately added a buyer’s guide so that you don’t need to worry when you are going to buy a compound miter saw.
These tools are very durable and versatile and have the tendency of cutting accurate and précised cuts when used properly with an accurate setup
FAQs
Q1. Can I Use A Sliding Compound Miter Saw To Cut Stainless Steel?
Ans. Yes, you can cut stainless steel with a miter saw along with plastic and aluminum but make sure you have the correct designed blade for this task.
Q2. How Many Teeth Are There On A Standard Sliding Compound Miter Saw Blade?
Ans. Â The teeth of the blade depend and vary on the type of blade you are using. The blade with high tooth count is ideal for finer and finished cuts.
Q3. Does My Miter Saw Come With An Electric Blade?
Ans.  Electric blades are commonly referred to blade brake. A lot of recent and modern miter saw models include electric blade. This feature is crucial to have as it prevents a lot of accidents by halting the spinning blade within seconds.
Q4. Are There Extension Arms On All Sliding Compound Miter Saws?
Ans. This also depends on the type of model you buy. Some of the models that come with long extension arms will ultimately make your work easier while working with longer pieces of material.
Q5. Will The Sliding Miter Saw Come With A Dead Stop For Making Dado Cuts?
Ans. Â When it comes to dado cuts, a dead stop is a very crucial feature. A lot of models do have the dead stop feature.
Q6. What Is The Most Accurate Compound Miter Saw?
Ans. Miter saws that have a 0-45 degree bevel range to the left deliver the most accurate and refined cuts. Hence, they are the most accurate compound miter saw.
Q7. What Is A Compound Miter Saw Used For?
Ans. A compound miter saw is used for winding up various tasks such as crown moldings, picture frames, door frames, window castings and all the other types of work that need angled cuts in two planes.
Q8. What Is The Difference Between A Miter Saw And A Compound Miter Saw?
Ans.  Miter saws are such powerful tools that are designed to create several angled cuts. The blade of this tool swings left to right in order to attain perfect angled cuts.
While, a compound miter saw is a powerful tool that pivots the blade to swing left or right to crate cuts along with tilting its head for beveled cuts in a particular direction.
Q9. Do I Need A Compound Miter Saw?
Ans. If you are someone who mostly works with picture frames, crown moldings, or cutting baseboards to size, then a compound miter saw is the right choice for you.
Q10. What Is The Best 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw?
Ans. Â The best 12inch compound miter saws are:
DEWALT 12-Inch Dual Compound Sliding Miter Saw.
Metabo 12-Inch Dual Compound Miter Saw with Laser.
Hitachi 10-Inch Single Compound Miter Saw with Laser.
DEWALT FLEXVOLT Double Bevel Compound Miter Saw