2Mar

Top Five 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009

Posted by: cslagle Categories: Tool Debates Tool Reviews

The sliding compound miter saw combines the utility of the compound miter saw with the reach of the radial arm saw. To help you make your decision we researched nearly 20 threads from the top woodworking forums, plus reviewed all the latest magazine reviews we could get our hands on.

Though there are significantly more than 5 10 inch SCMS out there, only 5 got repeat mentions from woodworking forums…

If you’re having trouble deciding between a 10″ or 12″ check out: Buying miter saw question 10″ vs. 12″ See the similar Sawmill Creek thread too: 10″ VS 12″ Compound Miter Saw.

In regards to sliders vs. non sliders for fine woodworking we defer to Mr. Lumber Yard in woodnet “…sliders have their place but I’ll take my Bosch 12″ Dual Bevel non-slider any day of the week for fine WW over any slider.”

If you’re looking to improve the accuracy of your SMCS after purchase we direct you to the sage words of WoodNet’s Mr. Bill_de: “I have a Bosh 12” which wasn’t too accurate until I put a Forest Chopmaster on it. The original blade was labeled “Construction” and that’s what it was good for. After awhile I realized while it was much better, it was still lacking something. For critical work I started using the hold down. Voilà!”

Without further ado, here are the top five 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009 (thus far…):

1) Makita LS1013FL

Ranking:
45 Forum Recommendations
Woodworker’s Journal “Close Second” Pick June 2008
Makita in Fine Woodworking – no special award in 2006
Editor’s Choice 2004 Popular Woodworking
Makita LS1013 Dual Slide Compound 10″ Miter Saw Problems
Price at time of publication: $452.46

2) Hitachi C10FSH

Ranking:
22 Forum Recommendations
Woodworker’s Journal Third Place, Bargain Pick June 2008
Hitachi Review in Fine Woodworking 2006 – no special mention
RokJok’s big Hitachi but on WoodNet: “* * * B U T * * * there is one thing that I hate on [my Hitachi]. Changing from partial-depth cuts (cutting a dado) to full-depth cuts (to cut off the one piece you forgot to cut with the rest of the batch ) or any other cut depth change is a huge P.I.T.A. !!!! That is due to the saw’s depth adjuster being a threaded rod with jam nuts (a wing-nut above and a couple hex-nuts below a threaded piece of casting) to lock the depth. That arrangement doesn’t allow for quick changes.”
Price at time of publication: $361.63

3) Bosch 4410

Ranking:
10 Forum Recommendations
Best Overall Workbench Magazine 2007
Best Overall + Reader’s Choice Fine Woodworking 2006
Editor’s Choice 2004 Popular Woodworking
Price at time of publication: $543.99

4) Festool’s Kapex KS 120

Ranking:
6 Forum Recommendations …Note – I did not include Festool Forums ;)
Woodworker’s Journal Top Pick June 2008
Gary Katz Tests the Kapex (Video + Pics)
Price at time of publication: $1300

5) Chicago Electric SCMS by Harbor Freight