My Favorite Combination Miter Saw Is Now 43% Off at Home Depot
If you plan to do any woodworking, especially trimming, a miter saw is an essential tool. For larger projects, you may want to upgrade from a miter box to a power saw for greater speed and the ability to cut larger materials. Either way, a quality saw will make it easier to make precise cuts, but if you’re considering upgrading, keep in mind that miter saws can be expensive.
But they can be cheaper, too. Right now , DeWalt’s best 12-inch reversible miter saw is on sale at Home Depot for $499. That’s 43 percent off the regular price, and it comes with a stand.
Why I love this saw
The mitre and miter saw allows you to make both angled and straight 90-degree cuts, while the dual bevel allows you to make intricate angled cuts, such as for crown molding. This saw can cut boards up to 14 inches (36 cm) wide, and it can make dual bevel crown molding cuts up to 7 ½ inches (19 cm). You can also use this saw to make straight cuts, such as for 2×4 framing boards, or to make precision cuts for trim.
If you’ve ever tried to install decorative trim, you know that in many cases, elements that should be straight (like room corners) may actually be 91 or 89 degrees instead of a true 90 degrees. In these cases, a miter saw is invaluable because it can cut at multiple angles in different directions at the same time.
I’ve been using a DeWalt double-sided chop saw for over a decade, and it’s proven to be reliable and durable. The miter cut adjustment is easy to use and locks securely into place to ensure the angle is set. I use it frequently for framing, but I also occasionally use it for precision cutting when making furniture or installing trim; its versatility allows me to use just one tool for both jobs.
However, for trimming or furniture making, I would recommend choosing a blade with a higher tooth count, as a finer toothed blade will strip less material and produce smoother, more even cuts. For easy precision cutting, I usually choose an 80-tooth combination blade , which allows for both crosscuts and rip cuts.
What’s included in the kit
The DeWalt 12-inch (30.5 cm) miter saw comes with the saw, a 12-inch, 32-tooth blade, a blade wrench, a stock clamp, and a dust bag. The included multi-purpose blade is great for framing, but a higher tooth count will be more effective for projects where the margin for error is minimal, such as trimming edges. The stock clamp can be useful if you need to set up a brace or keep the material from shifting while cutting.
The kit also includes a folding saw stand with adjustable material outlet supports. This stand is quite sturdy and allows you to carry the saw as it is folding.
Why I Recommend DeWalt Tools
The DeWalt Combination Miter Saw with Cut-Off Wheel is a favorite among woodworkers for its reliable, easy-to-use miter adjustment system. The line of tools has a reputation that dates back more than a century, beginning with the invention of the first radial arm saw in 1920. The radial arm saw and adjustable radial arm saw were the first of their kind, manufactured by the DeWalt Tool Company beginning in 1924. Since then, DeWalt has expanded its line to include many more portable models, but has remained a trusted name for woodworkers.