10" Compound Mitersaws

You'll find four styles of power mitersaws on the market today: Straight mitersaws have a motor/ blade head that rotates side-to-side to miter-cut stock laid flat or bevel-cut stock standing on edge; compound mitersaws also tilt one direction to miter and bevel simultaneously; dual-bevel mitersaws rotate and tilt both directions; and sliding compound mitersaws miter, bevel, and feature a sliding head that increases cutting capacity to about 12". For this article, we focused on 10" compound miter saws because they strike the best balance between cost and capabilities for the home woodworker.

Readers' Top Five
We asked woodworkers on www.woodonline.com what qualities matter in a compound mitersaw. Here's what they told us:

1. Miter-cutting accuracy
2. Bevel-cutting accuracy
3. Quality of cut
4. Fence quality
5. Dust control

We think that list is right on the money, and to it we'll add power and handle comfort. We'll take a close look at each area in this report.

Testing for power and accuracy
Before we began our shop trials, we assem bled all of the saws and installed identical 80-tooth, carbide-tipped crosscut blades (CMT #219). After adjusting the saws according to the process described in the "Maximize Your Mitersaw" article on page 96 of the September issue of WOOD magazine, we tested each machine's power by slicing slabs off the end of a pressure-treated 4x4 post. We then examined those cuts for signs of blade flutter and tear-out.

To check the accuracy and repeatability of the miter stops, we made 4- and 8-sided MDF frames using the saw's 45° and 22.5° stops. Next, we repeated this test using the saw's 45° bevel stop instead. Finally, we measured each tool's width-cutting capacity in 3/4" material at 0° and 45° miter settings.

You can learn the results of our testing of the Black & Decker BT1500, Craftsman 24315, Delta 36-225, DeWalt DW703, Hitachi C10FCB, Makita LS1040, Milwaukee 6494-6, Pro- Tech 7208, Ridgid MS1060, Ryobi TS1350DX, and Bosch 3924. Just pick up the September 2002 issue of WOOD magazine and turn to page 90. Or, you can download the complete review, including charts and photos, for only $4.95.