Sliding miter saws are an important tool for any workshop out there because they help make smooth, fast, and accurate crosscuts. The best sliding compound miter saw can make a mitered and beveled cut at the same time.
With a regular compound miter saw, you can make miter cuts at any angle and tilt to the left to make beveled cuts. On the other hand, a dual compound miter saw or a dual-bevel compound miter saw is more versatile as it can tilt both to the left and right, which allows cutting bevels from both sides without the need to flip the material.
Whether you're an experienced woodworker or a DIYer looking to add a compound miter saw to your collection, we are here to help. We have curated reviews of the five best sliding compound miter saws, their pros, and cons, as well as the factors you need to consider before getting a miter saw.
5 Best Sliding Compound Miter Saws
1. DEWALT Sliding Compound Miter Saw 12-Inch (DWS779)
- Stainless steel miter detent plate of the 12-inch miter saw blade...
- The mitre saw has a precise miter system and machined base fence...
- Precise miter system and machined base fence support Cam-lock...
- Tall sliding fences support 6-3/4-inch base vertically
- Bevels 0 degree - 48degree left and right
The Dewalt Compound Miter Saw is a well-built and highly durable tool that features 12-inch blades that slide smoothly on the track. It has ten positive stops that allow you to make quick and precise cuts. The sliding fence can support a board of up to 6.75 inches.
It features a see-through blade guard that provides a clearer view. You can make miter, bevel, crosscuts, and compound cuts. The sliding fences are textured to ensure that the piece of wood won't slip while working. It also comes with a precise meter system and cam-lock miter handle to deliver an accurate miter angle.
Although this saw doesn't include a laser attachment, it is the best sliding compound miter saw especially when it comes to affordability. If you're looking for a quality miter saw with a tight budget, then the Dewalt Sliding Miter Saw will come in handy. It also comes with a limited three-year warranty.
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2. BOSCH GCM12SD Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw
- AXIAL GLIDE SYSTEM: patented glide system allows wider cross cuts...
- CAPACITY: expanded cutting capacity, 14 inch horizontal capacity...
- ADJUSTABLE: provides easy adjustments with a large, easy-to-read...
- PRECISION: square lock quick release fences lock fence 90 degree...
- EASE OF USE: upfront bevel controls all metal bevel lock lever...
The Bosch GCM12SD Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Glide Miter Saw is one of the best sliding miter saws that feature an axial glide system instead of rails. It is a perfect tool for compact workspaces, and you can easily reach the edge of a wider piece. Moreover, the arm's back and forth movements are smooth to give accurate cuts.
Unlike other sliding miter saws, this one comes with a dual bevel system that allows you to tilt the saw both left and right. The bevel angles can swing up to a maximum of 47 degrees on both sides. It comes with a 12-inch carbide-tipped blade and a wrench that ensures an easy blade change.
Although this is a corded miter saw, Bosch also provides a cordless miter saw with almost similar functionality. This model also comes with a dust bag, a shop vac adapter, and a vertical work clamp to make work even easier. However, this miter saw remains one of the most powerful miter saws in the market today.
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3. Delta 12 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw
- Shadow guide cutting line projects a consistent and accurate...
- Product dimensions – 30” D x 25.5” W x 21.5” H | Weight...
- One-hand front miter Controls with push button miter detent...
- Molded handle and full size trigger is comfortable for right or...
- Dual bevel 47° left/47° right with front bevel release and 7...
The Delta 12 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw offers a great mix of power and durability. It comes with a 15-amp motor that delivers up to 4,000 RPMs and an adjustable miter detent plate that is made from a stainless steel material for extra durability. The 14 positive stops mean that you can adjust it to the settings you prefer.
It has a crosscut capacity of about two by eight inches and can bevel both to the right and left up to 47 degrees. Although it is bulky, this tool is well built with exceptional features like a highly responsive trigger and molded handle. It also comes with a vertical clamp, a carbide blade, a blade wrench, a dust bag, and side handles along the base.
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4. Evolution R255SMS+ 10" Multi-Material Compound Sliding Miter Saw Plus
- Designed to cut a wide range of materials without changing blades
- Impressive hi-torque motor, 15 amp saw with adjustable depth and...
- Includes 10 inch blade, dust bag, 10 ft rubber power cord, laser...
- Cut to within +/- 0.5˚ with 0° - 45° bevel tilt and 50˚ -...
- Manufacturer's 3 year limited warranty
Although the Evolution R255SMS+ 10" Multi-Material Compound Sliding Miter Saw might not be one of the most popular options available, it delivers a reliable and excellent performance. This machine can give bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees, miter angles of -50 degrees to 50 degrees, compound cuts, and crosscuts.
It comes with a 10-inch blade that easily penetrates steel, laminates, and hardwoods. Moreover, you can also buy the 10-inch diamond blade if you're hoping to cut tiles, bricks, and other similar materials. It is also one of the most affordable miter saws and offers great value for money.
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5. Makita LS1019L 10" Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw
- Powerful 15 AMP direct drive motor for improved performance;...
- Dual post compound pivoting arm
- Miter cuts 0-45 left and 0-52 right
- Positive miter stops at 9 settings: 15, 22.5, 30, 45, right or...
- Bevel cuts up to 45° to the left
Makita saws are widely known for their great quality and accuracy. The Makita LS1019L 10" Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw features amazing features that are most suited for new users instead of professionals. It features a unique rail system that can easily fit in small spaces, with the rails being along rather than behind it.
The laser sight is a great feature, especially when it comes to making quick and accurate cuts. Its tall fence system and dust collector ports are removable, and the ports of the dust collector can fit any shop vac or a dust extraction system. The motor is also well set at an angle that won't get in your way when cutting.
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Factors to Consider Before Buying the Best Sliding Compound Miter Saw
1. Power
For a sliding miter saw, you want to get a miter saw that is powerful enough to cut through easily and faster. This simply means that you need one with great power and a high-quality motor. However, when choosing the right power, it is important to keep in mind the estimation of the amount of power your projects will take.
A weak motor will most likely not give the desired results, especially if you're planning to use it professionally. For this reason, you want to find a motor with a minimum of 15 amps and a rotation of at least 3,500 RPM. However, if you will only be using it for your home projects, you will probably not need too much power, and owning a powerful one might not be necessary.
2. Cutting Ability
As much as you need a powerful motor and good blades, it would help if you also had the ability to have accurate angles. Here are some features you should look out for when it comes to the cutting ability for sliding miter saws.
a). Reliable Lock
A reliable lock will help you ensure the saw remains in the same position throughout the cutting process. You don't want to be in the process of making a cut, only for the saw to move. Locking it in place ensures that your cuts are accurate and is also a great safety feature.
b). Bevel
If you're hoping to make quality miter cuts, finding a saw that gives maximum leverage will have the most value. Most sliding compound miter saws are dual bevel, which means you can bevel right and left. The bevel angle will help you tilt and allows the saw to rotate the base to change the angle you will saw. This makes it easy to rotate the saw's head as opposed to flipping the whole workpiece. However, a single bevel compound miter can be a great choice, depending on your projects.
c). Predetermined Positions or Positive Stops
These are common cutting angles that allow you to alter the cut to achieve specific cuts. Look out for these positions while shopping for a miter. Moreover, the best sliding compound miter saw may come with switches that are one touch to help you move to another cut quickly.
3. Blade
It is important to keep an eye on the blade size because the larger the blade, the larger the cuts will be. Most people will only require a 10 or 12-inch blade, but luckily, you can also get smaller ones. To determine the blade size to get, you need to consider the projects you want to do with them.
This is because if you get a 10 inch saw, you won't be able to interchange them when you think you need something smaller or larger. Furthermore, it would be best if you considered the tooth count. Larger blades will have more teeth while smaller blades fewer teeth. Ideally, for most miter saws, the higher the number of teeth, the smoother the finish. However, if you plan on cutting thick material, then you should consider a lower tooth count.
4. Dust Collection
You want to ensure you reduce the amount of dust being expelled into the air. While many saws come with a dust collecting system, some don't. The dust collection system collects the dust deposits while cutting until you're done, then you can clean up.
Some saws will also come with hoses that blow air to clean the area but can make a mess at the beginning. However, there's no perfect collection system, and you should assume that the system will suck up all the fine dust. You simply need to get the best one you can find to help reduce the cleaning work afterward.
5. Safety Features
Using sliding miter saws can be a risky process, and this is why manufacturers include safety features to make it less risky. One of the safety features is the saw guard that helps prevent unfortunate accidents. You also need to consider the base where you'll be operating from. A dedicated saw stand will provide a stable base while cutting and also help one achieve better cuts.
Another great feature is the electric blades that will help you stop the blade from moving in a short time. It comes in handy if you have an accident and you need to shut down the saw immediately.
6. Additional Features
Some miter saws may include other additional features like;
- Laser Attachment- This feature allows you to see where the blade will land to ensure perfect and accurate cuts.
- Clear cutting guards- With this feature, you can see through ensuring precise cutting and great finishes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Sliding Compound Miter Saws
1. Do I need a sliding miter saw?
The best sliding compound miter saw will provide you with sliding versatility compared to the non-sliding counterparts. These saws allow you to work on larger boards and will also come in handy to help with projects that might be difficult to pull off using a non-sliding miter saw.
2. Can a miter saw make straight cuts?
Miter cuts are angled cuts right across the board's width. A 90-degree angle cut is considered a straight cut. Miter saws can also make bevel cuts, which are made by cutting across the thickness. You can use circular saws to do miter and bevel cuts, but it isn’t recommended.
