Best 12 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
In this comprehensive review of the best 12 ” sliding compound miter saw we will list four particular models that we like the most. For any professional tradesman, and even home DIYer, a miter saw is a vital piece of kit that can perform a range of different cutting jobs to the highest quality.
With there being so many different makes and models of sliding compound miter miter saw currently available on the market it van be difficult for an individual to know which one is the right one for them to purchase.
That is why we are here to help by looking at the various functions and features of each of these, and list the pros and cons that they have. Using this information, we will state which of the miter saws is our favorite.
In addition to this, we will also answer some of the most frequently asked questions about this type of power tool so that you have all of the information that you need to be able to make a sound and fully informed purchasing decision.
The Best 12 Inch Sliding Miter Saws: Our Top Picks
Table of Contents
#1 Dewalt DW716R Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Up to 3,600 RPM
- Completely adjustable detent
- Fully certified
Coming with a 15 amp motor that can generate speeds of up to 3,600 revolutions per minute (RPM), the Dewalt DW716R Factory Reconditioned 12 In. Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw is both highly durable and highly powerful, meaning that it is ideal for use for large scale construction type jobs. It comes with a completely adjustable detent plate that is made out of stainless steel and has 11 stops that are all positive. Thanks to the saw’s tall fence that is sliding, it can cut crown molding at more than 6 inches in length.
Similarly, the power tool can cut through base molding vertically at 6.5 inches in length and can even slide out of the way when making bevel cuts. Thanks to it featuring a uniquely designed back fence, the saw is able to 2 x 10 inch piece of wood lumber at a 90 degree angle.
The Dewalt miter saws saws is also able to cut a piece of 2 x 8 inch lumber at an angle of 45 degrees. Cutting accurate miter angles is quick and easy thanks to the fact that the cam lock miter handle has detest overrides on it.
With the Dewalt DW716R Factory Reconditioned 12 In. Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw having a unique gearbox and a belt driven design, the vertical cutting capacity of the power tool is increased. You are able to make bevel cuts cuts at 48 degrees both to the left and the right thanks to the miter saws Dewalt double bevel design.
Having been certified independently to meet all of the applicable standards, you can rest assured that this is a high quality product that will last a long time.
Although a laser cutting guide does not come built in with the saw, there is a system that has been specially developed to be compatible with it called the Dewalt DW7187. This helps to show you the exact line of where you will be cutting but needs to be purchased additionally at an extra cost.
The Dewalt miter saws comes with a 1 year free service contract warranty that keeps the saw protected should you ever have any sort of issue with it and how it works.
PROS
- Up to 3,600 RPM
- Completely adjustable detent
- Fully certified
CONS
- Not easy to transport
#2 Delta 26 2251 12” Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Has a built in SHADOWLINE LED system
- Can make crosscuts up to 18 inches in length
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
Made using aluminum that is of military grade quality, the Delta 26 2251 12” Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw is highly robust and has the ability to cut to a high level of accuracy. As well as being accurate, the cuts cuts that it produces are clean and smooth and so it can be used for commercial purposes by professional tradesmen. Thanks to the fact that the fence is wide and has the ability to slide, you can vertically cut crown molding with it that is 7.5 inches and base molding that is 6.5 inches.
The saw has a built in SHADOWLINE LED system that works to display the cutting line of the blade. This means that you do not need to readjust the power tool in order to get it exactly where you need it to be. It has positive stops at common angles to both the left and the right at 50 degrees and 60 degrees respectively. For even greater accuracy, the saw has a support bracket for the load arm that is again made from military grade aluminum, so is super strong whilst also being really lightweight.
The Delta 26 2251 12” Dual Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw has a massive 18 inch crosscutting capacity thanks to the 12 inch cutting blade that has a versatile flip down fence design. So that you have a clear view of exactly where you are cutting, the power tool has a retractable cutting blade that is completely transparent. Because you are able to adjust the depth at which the saw cuts cuts, you can get the exact finish that you require for the job that you are working on.
Boasting a powerful 15 amp motor, you are able to cut through most materials with this particular model of saw. For your safety whilst using it, it has a built in cutting blade brake that will keep you from harm should the worst happen.
Thanks to the long 7 foot power cord that the product has, you do not necessarily have to be right next to a mains power source when using it. This frees you up to use it exactly where you need it. Coming with a 5 year warranty, the power tool is fully protected against damage should anything ever happen.
PROS
- Has a built in SHADOWLINE LED system
- Can make crosscuts up to 18 inches in length
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
CONS
- Not the best quality
#3 Metabo HPT C12FDHSM 12 in Dual Compound Miter Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Built in laser guide
- Features a micro bevel adjustment knob
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
Having a double bevel feature, the Metabo HPT C12FDHSM 12 in Dual Compound Miter Saw can be used for a variety of different jobs. Thanks to the built in laser guide that it has, you are able to perform accurate cuts cuts exactly where you need them to be made.
With the head of the saw being able to bevel to both the left and the right, it negates the need to move the material that you are cutting and instead it can be kept securely in place at all times. It can be used to cut through a variety of different materials.
These include all types of wood, such as plywood, hardboard, soft fiberboard, as well as decorative panels, crown molding, and aluminum sashes. The saw goes through all of these materials with absolute ease thanks to the highly powerful motor that is 15 amp motor and has an output of 1,950 Watts.
With the aluminum fence that is over 5 inches tall and can be pivoted, you are able to cut through crown molding vertically, as well as horizontally, for even greater convenience.
Once you have secured the required bevel angle into place, you can use the micro bevel adjustment knob that is on the Metabo HPT C12FDHSM 12 in Dual Compound Miter Saw to get the exact angle that you require. Doing it this way prevents the heavy saw head from having a negative effect on the accuracy of the cut.
The saw weighs slightly over 46 pounds and so is more than light enough to move around either a workshop or s construction site. The warranty that covers the power tool last for 5 years and covers all aspects.
PROS
- Built in laser guide
- Features a micro bevel adjustment knob
- Comes with a 5 year warranty
CONS
- Dust collection capabilities are lacking
#4 Festool 561287 KS120 EB Kapex Miter Saw
NOTABLE FEATURES
- Spins at 3,400 RPM
- Has three pre set bevel stops
- Can cut at a depth of over 4 inches
Perfect for performing jobs both on construction sites and around the home, the Festool 561287 KS120 EB Kapex Miter Saw is able to cut right through pretty much most materials. This is thanks to the 13 amp motor that it has, which is capable of generating a speed of as much as 3,400 revolutions per minute (RPM).
Having an ergonomically designed built in handle means that it is easy to carry the power tool around with you should you need to move it from one side of your workshop or a construction site to another.
This is made even easier given the fact that it only weighs 47 pounds. Because there is a spring on the bevel, it automatically stays in place even if it is not locked down into place. The bevel has stops at 45 degrees, 0 degrees, and -45 degrees, enabling you to set it at some of the most common angles required without the need of having to stop to measure them.
Coming with a built in extraction port for any dust collection and debris that is produced, you can ensure that your workspace remains clean and tidy at all times.
It is compatible with hoses that are 27 mm and 36 mm in width. The Festool 561287 KS120 EB Kapex Miter Saw can cut in a unique position that allows you to cut cut at a depth of over 4 inches. Thanks to the company’s Fast Fix system, you are able to switch out the cutting blade blade easily and replace it with a new one.
This is particularly helpful in those situations where you are constantly changing between the materials that you are cutting through, e.g. going between wood and metal or vice versa.
As well as allowing for a great level of productivity, with the saw you are able to produce a better quality cut. This is thanks to the clean and smooth surface that the 60 tooth cutting blade blade leaves. For an even great level of cutting accuracy, the power tool has two separate lasers that act as guides.
Because the saw is manufactured in Germany (the home of quality engineering) it is a high quality and high effective product that it like to ever break on you. If it ever does however, you are covered with a 3 year warranty.
Similarly, should you experience any issues with the Festool 561287 KS120 EB Kapex Miter Saw or simply not enjoy using it then you are covered by a 30 day guarantee where you can get all of the cash back for the power tool.
PROS
- Spins at 3,400 RPM
- Has three pre set bevel stops
- Can cut at a depth of over 4 inches
CONS
- New / replacement parts are expensive
FAQS – A Buyer’s Guide
If by this stage of the review you are still unsure as to which of the above 12 inch sliding compound miter saws you should purchase, if it all, then do not worry as we are here to help further. Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about this type of power tool on the Internet.
For each one, we will provide a full and frank response, detailing all of the necessary and required information, whilst remaining honest and impartial at all times.
So in order to ensure that we do the best best possible job here with answering these important questions, we have enlisted the help of a number of industry experts and experienced users of sliding compound miter saws.
After this, we will then provide our final recommendation as to which of the above power tools is our favorite and thus the one that you should commit to purchase and spend your hard earned money on. Now let us take a look at the below questions in more detail…
What is the best 12 inch miter saw?
There are a number of different 12 inch miter saws that are currently available on the market for purchase that are pretty good. Some of these include the Makita LS1219L Miter Saw, the Dewalt DWS780-QS 1675W Telescopic Miter Saw, the DEWALT DW715 15 Amp 12-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw, the Metabo HPT C12FDHS 12 Inch Dual Bevel Miter Saw, the TACKLIFE Sliding Miter Saw, the SKIL 3821-01 12-Inch Quick Mount Miter Saws Compound Miter Saw, and the Bosch Power Tools GCM12SD – 15 Amp Motor 12 Inch Corded Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Glide Miter Saw.
Our favorite from all of these models is the DEWALT DW715 15-Amp 12-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw. This is because it has a powerful 15 amp motor that is capable of spinning the cutting blade blade at a speed of up to 4,000 RPM. With this amount of power, you can produce clean cuts cuts with a smooth finish.
The miter detent plate and sliding fence make the power tool highly useful for a variety of construction type jobs. The dust collection bag that it comes with works to keep your workspace clean, tidy, and most importantly, safe.
What is the best Mitre saw for home use?
Before deciding which miter saw is the best best for home use, you need to determine which type of one you need as there are a number of different types.
These include compound miter saws where the cutting blade is in a fixed position and can only slide in one direction; dual bevel miter saws that are highly moveable and able to slide in either direction, and sliding miter saws that are able to move backward and forwards through most materials in order to produce straight cuts cuts.
Some of the best best models of these types of miter saw that are currently available on the market include the Hitachi C10FCG 15-Amp 10″ Single Bevel Compound Miter Saw, the Dewalt Compound Miter Saw, the Bosch 12 Inch Sliding Miter Saw, the Makita LS1018 10 ” Compound Miter Saw, the Genesis 10 ” Compound Miter Saw, the Craftsman 10″ Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, the Makita Compound Miter Saw, the Metabo HPT Compound Miter Saw, and the SKIL 3821-01 12 Inch Quick Mount Compound Miter Saw.
However, our favorite miter saw for home use is the Rockwell Shop Series RK7136.1 14-Amp 10″ Miter Saw. This is because it has a compact design that makes it really easy to move around your home or for storing away when it is not in use.
It also has lots of different functions and features that make using it really easy and delivers good quality results. Featuring a handy dust collection port, you are able to keep your home clean and tidy whilst using it.
Do I need a 10 or 12 inch miter saw?
Typically 12 inch miter saws come with much more power and a larger cutting capacity than a 10 inch one. However, 10 inch miter saws do have more cutting blades to choose from, and can make faster cuts cuts, which result in smoother, cleaner finishes.
Another difference is that a 12 inch miter saw is much more expensive than a 10 inch one and is also more expensive to maintain in terms of replacement parts etc. This are all important things to consider when deciding which one of these power tools you need.
If you are planning on performing larger more commercial type jobs with the miter saw then you will need a 12 inch one, as previously stated they have more power and a larger cutting capacity. Also, with a 12 inch miter saw you have the option of using a 10 ” cutting blade blade as well.
You do not have the best same option of using a 12 inch cutting blade with a 10 inch miter saw. If you are going to be using the power tool for smaller jobs for around the house or as a hobby, then a 10 inch miter saw is probably what you need.
The Best 12 Inch Miter Saw Of Them All
Dewalt DW716R Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw
So there you have it, we have looked at each of the above sliding compound miter miter saws in detail and then answered some of the most frequently asked questions about them. This means that we are now in a position to be able to make a recommendation as to which of these particular models is our favorite and the best best 12 inch miter saw of them all.
However, before we do that, we must state that all of the ones above are good quality and will do a job for you to a high level of quality.
That being said, our favorite and the best best 12 ” miter saw is the Dewalt DW716R Factory Reconditioned 12 In. Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw because it can run at a speed of up to 3,600 revolution per minute, it has a completely adjustable detent, and is a fully certified product.
The only negative aspect that we found was that it is not the easiest product to transport, which is, of course, not ideal for those professional tradesmen who travel from job to job and need to be able to take their saw with them.