Last Updated on June 15, 2023 by Georgie Smith
When the best of the best goes head-to-head, you can be sure of having a top-notch result. We did a comprehensive review and comparison of three miter saws from the best brand names in the power tool industry – Bosch, DeWalt, and Festool Kapex. We handpicked one of their miters saw models and reviewed them extensively.
Let us cut to the chase; a miter saw stands as a type of saw for cutting unique designs on wood such as crosscuts and miter cuts. When using a miter saw, you bring the saw down to the workpiece placed on a flat surface. The workpiece does not move, the saw’s fence holds it against itself to give a precise cutting angle.
See Also:
- 10-inch vs. 12-inch Miter Saw: Which One Should You Choose?
- Circular Saw Vs. Jigsaw Vs. Reciprocating Saw: Get The Right Tool For Your Job
- DeWalt DWX723 vs. DWX724 vs. DWX725b vs. DWX726: What Works?
We cannot overemphasize the miter saw’s usefulness because you can use it to cut at varying angles from 90 degrees to 45 degrees. It allows users to execute quick angled cuts always. Now, let us consider how the three brands of miter saw compare against each other in the review and comparison below:
| Make/Model: Bosch GCM12SD | Make/Model: DeWalt DWS780 | Make/Model: Festool 561287 |
|---|---|---|
| Unique Features: – Compact Axial-Glide System – Quick-Release-Square-lock fence – Up-front bevel controls and marked detents – Large cutting ability – Adjustable miter detent – Integrated-expanding-base extensions – Ergonomic ambidextrous trigger handle – 90 percent dust collection efficiency – Sizeable easy-to-read uniform bevel and stainless-steel miter scale | Unique Features: – High-capacity cutting – Stress-free operation – Ultimate Durability – Integrated cutline® Blade positioning system – 75 percent dust collection efficiency – Tall sliding fences support – Innovative gearbox and belt-drive design – Cam lock miter handle with detent override – Adjustable stainless-steel miter detent plate | Unique Features: – Variable speed motor – Fine bevel adjustment – Counterbalanced motorhead – Angled Transfer Device for the trickiest of inside or outside angels – Fast-fix blade change system for quick blade change – Dust extraction efficiency up to 91percent using a 36mm hose – Laser precision cutting capability into a small and lightweight footprint. |
| Specifications: – Motor: 120V, 15 amps – No load speed: 3,800 rpm – Blade Size: 12 inches – Bevel Capacity: 48º left and right – Weight: 65 pounds | Specifications: – Motor: 120V, 15 amps – No load speed: 3,800 rpm – Blade Size: 12 inches – Bevel Capacity: 45º – Weight: 65 pounds | Specifications: – Motor: 120V, 13 amps – No load speed: 1,400 – 3,400 rpm – Blade Size: 12 inches – Bevel Capacity: 47º – Weight: 47 pounds |
| Pros: – All the added features aid its usefulness – Its compactness makes it occupies less space and best fit for small workshops | Pros: – All its added features aid its usefulness – Perfect for high precision works with less effort | Pros: – Perfect for cutting various materials – It‘s extremely high dust extraction features help keep work area clean after work – Adjustment of power to either maximum or minimum comes easy – You can easy to move around because of its lightweight. |
| Cons: – It has low cut clearance – It lacks laser or LED lighting of that makes the Festool awesome | Cons: – It comes with an inferior quality bearing which leads to inefficient sliding | Cons: – It works at low performance when cutting thick woods and hard plastics |
| Warranty: – One-year limited warranty – 30 days money-back guarantee | Warranty: – Three-year limited warranty | Warranty: – Three-year limited warranty – 30 days money-back guarantee |
What Works?
Bosch GCM12SD Reviews:
If you love smooth cutting motion, accurate performance, look no further than the Bosch GCM12SD Glide Miter Saw. This bad boy will save you ample space with its design – the Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide System. For that perfect cut, the saw comes with a pre-aligned Square-lock fence. For the user’s comfort, it has a soft-grip ambidextrous handle, dust chute, and vacuum adapter.
It comes with a large cutting capacity, easy-to-read bevel, and miter scales.
Specifications:
- Power: 15 A
- Voltage: 120 V
- Arbor Size: 1 inch
- Bevel Angle Range: 48 degrees left and 48 degrees right
- Blade Diameter: 12 inches
- Maximum Speed: 3,800 rpm (No load)
- Net Tool Weight: 65 lbs
Unique Features:
- Compact: The Bosch-exclusive Axial-Glide System affords this miter saw the durability, precision and complete control. With a width of 26.5 inches, you have 12 inches of added workspace.
- Easy Adjustment: Adjustments comes easy with its easy-to-read bevel, stainless steel miter scales, and others.
- High-Precision Capability: This saw gives exceptionally accurate reading due to the high-precision square-lock quick-release for perfect alignment.
- The Convenience of Use: The ergonomic handle provides comfort for prolonged or short use.
- Expanded Capacity: This Bosch comes with a 14-inch expanded horizontal cutting capacity. With a 6-1/2-inch vertical capacity and 6-1/2-inch crown capacity (45° spring), this bad boy executes varieties of cut.
Order your own Bosch here on Amazon:
Buy from Amazon
DeWalt DWS780 Reviews:
The DeWalt Compound Miter Saw provides optimal accuracy – a must have for you homesteaders. It comes with a 15-amp motor running at 3,600 rpm and with an integrated XPS cross-cutting positioning system for adjustment-free accurate cut line indication. It comes with a design that affords it maximum portability and rugged durability.
As a professional, the DeWalt DSWS780 will work perfectly for you since it blends rugged durability with exceptional precision.
It executes perfectly delicate woodwork, heavy-duty framing and deck building needed by cabinetmakers, trim carpenters, framers, installers, and contractors. The DeWalt DWS780 answers accuracy, capacity, and portability.
Specifications:
- Power: 15 A
- Voltage: 120 V
- Arbor Size: 1 inch
- Bevel Angle Range: 48 degrees left and 48 degrees right
- Blade Diameter: 12 inches
- Maximum Speed: 3,600 rpm (No load)
- Net Tool Weight: 56 lbs
Unique Features:
- It comes with a handle designed for added portability.
- It comes equipped with integrated XPS cross cut positioning system that supplies adjustment-free cut line indication
- It comes with an exclusive Back Fence design that cuts up to 2 x 16-dimensional lumber at 90°, 2 x 12 at 45°
- For improved productivity and accuracy, the DeWalt DWS780 comes with an adjustable stainless steel miter detent plate with ten positive stops.
- It has an extremely efficient dust collection system that captures more than 75 percent generated dust
- The DWS780 operates hassle-free due to its dual bevel system.
Why not visit Amazon now to buy yourself a DeWalt DWS780 right here?
Buy from Amazon
Festool Kapex Reviews:
The Festool Kapex KS 120 Sliding Compound Miter comes in handy if you seek the finest details. This lightweight and compact tool execute incredibly precise cuts either on the job site or workshop. It comes with several features that make it the perfect professional tradesmen, e.g., dual laser guides, dust extraction, quick-release fences, easy-to-reference scales, and so on.
The Festool Kapex does the job well with a fleeting time. It makes working less stressful due to its fastfix blade change system and its ergonomic handle. With this saw in your hands, you will feel like a professional because it will deliver professional finishes.
Specifications:
- Power: 13 A
- Voltage: 120 V
- Bevel Angle Range: 47 degrees left and right
- Blade Diameter: 10 1/4 inches
- Variable Speed: 1,400 – 3,400 rpm (No load)
- Net Tool Weight: 47 lbs
Unique Features:
- Precise Miter scale, Miter Lock and Angle Transfer
- Smooth Bevel Adjustment and Secure Bevel Lock
- Dual Laser Design
- Keyed Claim and Compact Rail-Forward Design
- Versatile Blade and Unique Cutting positions
- Robust Construction
- Quick, Safe FastFix Blade change
- Compact and lightweight
- Integrated dust hood and dust extraction
Do you like everything about this saw? It can be yours if you go to Amazon to buy right now:
Buy from Amazon
Which Miter Saw Should I Get?
Selecting the best miter saw depends on various options one of which includes your need. From the detailed review and comparison above, you can easily weigh your options before you buy any one of the saws. You may prefer a particular brand, but if it does not meet your needs based on our review, do not buy. Our analysis and comparison will help you to make the best choice.
Considering the advantages and disadvantages of each of the saws will help you decide fast. For instance, if you prefer a compact machine because of your small workshop, then we recommend you get yourself a Bosch GCM12SD Miter saw.
Furthermore, if you are a professional carpenter or woodwork expert, your choice should differ. We recommend professionals, to choose the DeWalt DWS780 because high precision work still is a standard for clients.
Finally, if you are the “Inspector Gadget” kind of homesteader, then the Festool Kapex will give you all the features you want. Their miter saw comes with lots of gadgets coupled with the light weight of the saw for mobile workers.
Also, you might want to consider the warranty covering your choice of miter saw before buying. By far the Festool Kapex has the most elaborate warranty. With a 3-year limited warranty and a 30-day money-back guarantee, you will have peace of mind after your purchase.
Note, the final decision lies in your hand. Weigh your options carefully and devoid of emotions. [1]
Just a Few of The Benefits
The miter saw has some benefits that distinguished it from other kinds of saws. Considering the general benefits of the miter saw will not do justice to this work. However, exploring the benefits of the types of miter saws available will help a lot.
1. Basic Miter Saw: from the name comes with little features, e.g., it has no bevel option. You know bevel has to do with the slant or slopes connecting a horizontal plane to a vertical. The basic saw can execute crosscuts and miter cuts.
Benefits:
- It works faster
- It comes with ease of operation
- When simple tasks beckon, you can use the basic saw with comfort
- It comes with a pocket-friendly price.
2. Compound Miter Saw: This saw goes some steps ahead of the Basic Miter saw. It comes with more features, e.g., single, or dual bevel options. The saw handles crosscuts, bevel cuts, miter cuts and compound cuts, i.e., the combination of miter and bevel cuts.
Benefits:
- It allows the user more versatility since you can execute diverse cut options
- The single bevel options can tilt to only one side for bevel cuts, and some models can tilt to up to 50º
- The dual bevel options can cut both right and left with ease. Also, they can tilt up 50º right and left
3. Cordless Miter Saw: The cordless miter saw goes where you go. This saw comes in different models too. It makes various types of cuts.
Benefits:
- You can use it efficiently and carry it around with ease.
- It does not need electricity to work but a fully charged battery.
4. The Sliding Compound Miter Saw: It comes as either single or dual bevel options. It can execute all types of cuts. [2]
Benefits:
- It gives greater versatility of use
- It can execute right and left cut without moving the workpiece
- It affords you the ability to cut through wide workpiece
What Can You Do with a Miter Saw?
A miter saw comes handy in woodwork shops because it happens to be a specialty tool. It has a special purpose of making unique cuts perfectly compared to other saws. Let us explore the various types of cuts you can execute with the miter saw. [3]
Sawing boards in woodworking require tools specially designed for that task, e.g., an 8-foot long, 2 x 4-inch board or 1 x 6-inch board. The miter saw can execute many tasks seamlessly however for want of time and space; this post explores one three types of cut viz:
Crosscuts
Sawing a board into half needs a miter saw, though there are other options, the miter saw is still the best choice. You might want to know why the miter saw does crosscut better than any saw, find out why below:
- Power and Stability: The machine has the horsepower needed to rip through any board, this makes it stands out among others. The heavy and compact feature of the device makes it stable and stationary while working. Place it anywhere, and it would remain stable while delivering excellent cuts.
- Cutline set-up: With ease, you can line up the cutline. Once you set the board against the fence, move the handle down to see where the blade will cut the board. Some miter saws even have lasers for the accuracy of cuts.
- The Power of Slid: Cutting wide boards comes easy due to the sliding feature of the saw.
Angled Cuts
An angle cut also called a miter cut is an easy task by a miter saw. Use the bevel setting to your desired angle.
Woodwork and furniture projects many times require angled cut, e.g., picture frame. Many times, your cuts are right-angled, but when you need angled cuts, your miter saw comes handy.
Flooring and other woodworks. When doing a wood flooring project, you can get the job done with ease using a miter saw.
Bevel and Compound Angle Cuts
The cuts mentioned above can take place by moving the saw to the left or right as done in the earlier section, then angling the path of the saw cut. Bevel and Compound cut come in handy when dealing with complex angles.
For example, when working with a board spanning diagonally across two different planes, you will need these types of cuts. With a sliding miter saw you could quickly make a bevel cut into a wide board such as a 1 x 10.
Repeatable Cuts
When delivering many cuts of the same length the miter saw comes to play. You can achieve this by putting a stop on one end of the work surface and butting your workpiece against that stop. That way you will be able to make repeatable cuts of the same length.
Head-To-Head: Miter Saw vs. Circular Saw vs. Table Saw
When considering the miter saw, circular saw and table saw we shall look at their merits and demerits and the project each can execute. Any of these three saw types make use of a circular saw to deliver their jobs.
| Miter Saw | Circular Saw | Table Saw |
|---|---|---|
| Description: A miter saw rotates on a vertical pivot that allows the cutter head and the blade to tilt sideways or set for beveling (or both). The setting allows it to make accurate miter cuts as well as rotation of the table. The saw can take various angle setting, making it a versatile tool for bevel or angle cuts. | Description: A circular saw also called a “Skil Saw” is handy as a handheld tool or fitted to a purpose machine. It uses a toothed or abrasive disc or blade to cut divers materials with the aid of a rotary motion spinning around an arbor. | Description: A table saw also called a bench saw consists of a circular saw blade fitted underneath and driven by an electric motor. The blade projects upwards through the table surface. To cut with it, you push the wood manually across the edge of the blade. You can vary the depth of cut by moving the saw up or down through the slot. |
| Types of Cuts: – It can make straight cuts across the grain of a board – It can make bevel cuts which cut part-way into the thickness of the board. – It can make miter cuts angled across the width of a board. – It can make compound cuts (i.e., the combination of miter and bevel cuts) | Types of Cuts: – It makes crosscutting – It can rip plywood and plastics | Types of Cuts: – It makes long vertical rips boards – It executes short angled cuts (or crosscuts) |
| Blade Type: The blade used by the miter saw has a negative hook at the end. The hook holds the material against the fence while cutting which makes it stable. | Blade Type: The blade of the circular a saw comes with teeth that hooks and therefore continually pull the wood towards the blade. The design of the blades depends on the material intended to cut. Made from tungsten carbide tipped (TCT) for it to last long and cuts accurately. Apart from that blade type, high-speed steel (HSS) blade are also available. | Blade Type: Most table saws come with a 10-inch saw blade, but the expensive ones come with a 12-inch blade. You can get blades for ripping, blades for crosscutting, blades for ripping and crosscutting, dado blades, plywood or lamination and other material blades. |
| Strength: It works perfectly for all projects that require miters, e.g., in cabinet making or moldings. | Strength: – It comes lightweight and perfectly portable – It comes handy in ripping and basic miter cuts. | Strength: – It an incredibly versatile tool, therefore, it can handle many woodwork jobs. – It will execute lengthwise rip cuts, crosscuts, and miter cuts. |
| Weakness: – It comes off short on accuracy, ease of use and refinement – It does not rip materials easily | Weakness: – With extra skills of the user, it can rip and do miter cuts however it cannot execute it as perfect as a miter or table saw. | Weakness: – It does not execute miter cuts accurately. – It has a limited possibility on miter cuts. – It requires much handling when you are executing miter cuts for a project with it. – It comes short on being portable. |
Safety Tips
A miter saw stands as a potentially harmful tool to users; hence, its use needs proper safety measures to be in place. Here we have carefully researched tips to help you:
- Protect yourself with eye and ear protection items
- Avoid using a glove, loose clothing, jewelry, or any dangling objects when using the machine
- Ensure your hands and fingers stand at 6 inches at least
- from the blade
- Put all guards are in place and functioning
- Unplug the miter saw when making repairs or adjusting the blade or anytime you are working on it
- Regularly clean the lower guard to ensure visibility and movement
- Make a daily routine check and tighten the blade and its attachment mechanism. The relative washer and fastener of the blade must be in position and secured on the arbor of the saw
- While operating the saw, ensure you hold or clamp all material securely against the fence in a bid to avoid losing control or placing hands in the path of the blade
- Do not cut small pieces
- Support long materials at the same height as the saw table
- At all times let the blade come to a stop before reaching to the cutting area
- After cutting, release the switch then allow the blade to stop before raising it from the workpiece.
- Always let the blade be closest to you before using a miter saw. Plunge downwards then push the blade forward on its slider as you cut.
FAQs:
Q: I own a DeWalt miter saw and want to know if I should use an abrasive wheel or diamond blade on it.
A: The DeWalt miter saw can only use a carbide-toothed blade. An abrasive blade or diamond wheel produces dust that will hurt the motor if it gets into it. Install the right blade with your DeWalt, and it would cut wood, plastic, aluminum, or bronze.
Q: Why do I experience burning of material while ripping?
A: The reason for burning include:
- Improperly aligned saw against the fence
- Heeling of blade
- Your blade needs sharpening
- Shifting of stock off axis during cut
Address the problems above, and the burning will stop. Also, you can use a 50-tooth combination blade.
Q: Why does my blade cut very heavy?
A: Your blade may cut very heavy because of the following:
- You are cutting with too many teeth
- Your cutting speed may be set too low
- Your hook angle may be incorrect
- Your blade may be blunt
Solution: Address any or all of the above that might be wrong with your machine.
Wrapping Up
We hope you now understand saws a bit more and have gotten enough knowledge on miter saws. The three saws come with their uniqueness, advantages, and disadvantages. Expectedly, where one fails, the other should succeed, hence consider which you want against your preference. The choice is still yours to make. Therefore, we hope with this guide making the best decision for you is now simple.
We also hope you have decided to buy one of Bosch, DeWalt or Festool Kapex? Please make good use of the ‘Buy from Amazon’ link provided at the end of each product information. From all the information provided, we trust you can now easily get the best brand for your homesteading and DIY activities. Good luck!
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