Over a year ago I asked my favorite forums for input on sliding compound miter saws… this gave us Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita: Making the Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Decision. Then, Woodnetters mostly recommended the Hitachi, as did the guys over at FamilyWoodworking.
A thread started recently at Woodnet though and it appears the Hitachi tide has shifted… (If you were going to buy a new sliding compound miter saw – WoodNet) I added in a thread from ContractorTalk for good measure.
One note – Woodnetters reported very low prices from Amazon on SMCS from Makita and Hitachi. The Bosch didn’t drop as low as often. You have to really watch them though as prices only stay low for a few hours at a time.
Here are the results of my tally:
Makita: 13 Votes
Makita LS1214FL 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Bosch: 9 Votes
Bosch 5412L 12-Inch Dual Bevel Slide Miter Saw
Hitachi: 8 Votes
Hitachi C12RSH 15 Amp 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw
Festool Kapex: 4 Votes
Not out in the US yet… See more here:
Festool’s Kapex: A Different Miter Saw
Festool Kapex Miter Saw Is Nearly On-Shore Of The North American Continent
DeWalt: 4 Votes
DEWALT DW718 Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Forums included in this blog post:
Hitachi sliding compound miter saw (contractor talk forum)
If you were going to buy a new sliding compound miter saw – WoodNet
Other Sliding Compound Miter Saw Resources:
Sliding Compound Miter Saw Safety (by the WoodWhisperer)
See the video on Marc’s site – where there are tons of great comments: Episode 53 – Miter Saw Safety
Makita Compound sliding miter saw (problem with laser alignment)
Hitachi vs. Bosch vs. Makita: Making the Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Decision
ToolCrib’s Essential Miter Saw Buying Guide
Best Compound Miter Saw for Laminate Flooring?
That promotional video for the Festool Kapex is annoying. I like my instructional videos with people who move and behave normally; not like a robot.