Miter saws are as popular among construction workers, as well as DIY enthusiasts. The circular saw are versatile, precise and relatively easy to use. They are excellent if your projects involve angled cuts for finished carpentry work.
A sliding miter saw, sometimes known as a sliding compound miter saw add a slide to a miter saw in order to enable it to cut wider pieces. It has all the other functions of a miter saw.
Top 5 Sliding Miter Saws
Dewalt DWS779
A very popular but by no means cheap sliding compound miter saw is the Dewalt 12-Inch DWS779. This unit will cut up to 2×14 at 90 degrees and up to a 2×10 at 45 degrees, thanks to a full-sized, dual-rail slide.
Since everyone asks, the difference between this machine and DWS780 is that the more affordable doesn’t have Dewalt’s XPS crosscut positioning system, known as the “Cutline Blade Positioning System” which is useful for improved accuracy and visibility into your cuts. The motor and other features of the two saws are otherwise the same. The visual cutting system will normally cost you about an extra $100.
Features
- Powerful 15 amp 3800 RPM motor
- Collects up to 75 percent of sawdust
Bosch GCM12SD Miter Saw
The Bosch GCM12SD is another 12″ dual-bevel miter, but this is a compact machine. It features the patented Axial Glide System that helps improve the precision of your cuts.
Features
- Works on a 15 amp, 3800 RPM motor.
- The pre-aligned fence helps maintain accuracy.
- It allows for much more cutting capacity and easy-to-read markings to help make precise cuts.
- Boasts two quick-release square lock fences.
Metabo HPT C12RSH2S 12″ Saw
Metabo HPT became the brand name for Koki Holdings America in 2018, which was part of the Hitachi Group. They have been building power tools for over 70 years in North America and Canada. The HPT C12RSH2S is an efficient miter saw for people on a budget, with a price that is more than $100 cheaper than most of the competition.
Features
- 12″ saw blade
- 15 amp motor
- 0-57 degree miter angle
- 0-45 degree right/left bezel angle
Makita LS1019L With Laser
Makita is a Japanese company which has been in the power tools business for over a hundred years. They build excellent products, and their motors are known for their ruggedness and being able to take a beating. The LS1019L is a 10-inch sliding miter, which reduces the size and price of the power tool, but will limit the cutting abilities. Any savings here are offset by the high-tech laser guide system.
While the 10-inch blade might seem like a limitation, this model can chop a full-on 4×4 with no issues, which is an impressive feat under and circumstances.
The tool can handle miters of 0-60° left and right as well as bevels of 0-48° left and right.
Features
- 10″ blade
- 15 Ampere/4600 RPM motor.
- Up to 6-5/8” capacity
Craftsman V20 Cordless Sliding Miter Saw
We normally recommend overbuying on tools, and getting something more powerful than you need so that you’ll be buying it for life, but sometimes you don’t need a major tool. If you are doing small cuts on small pieces, when the Craftsman V20 is a small, affordable saw. It has only a 7.25″ blade, which makes it the smallest saw here by a long shot — 10″ and 12″ models are much more common — but this keeps the price under $250.
This is a cordless tool which comes with some strengths and weaknesses of course.
Cut sizes with this model are limited to 5 1/2 inches for 90-degree cross cuts and 3-5/8 inches for 45-degree cuts.
Features
- 800 RPM motor
- Weights only 21.8 lbs so ideal for on-site use
- Side carry handles
- 3-year Limited Warranty
FAQs
What's the difference between the Dewalt DWS779 and the Dewalt DWS780 miter saws?
Dewalt DWS779 differs from the DWS780 in that the more affordable DWS779 doesn’t have the guide light included. There is a simple process to add one if needed. It can help make precise cuts. This system is known as the XPS crosscut positioning system.