Woodworker's Journal 2008-32-3, страница 59

10"

Bosch Craftsman Hitachi

Makita

Metabo

Festool

Sliding Compound Miter Saws

By Sandor Nagyszalanczy

Our author evaluates nine performance qualities to determine which machine is the Woodworker's Journal "Best Bet."

Ever notice how there are certain sizes of items that fit their uses just right? For example, 22" wheels on Escalades and 42" plasma screens for watching sports. That's how I feel about sliding compound miter saws with 10" blades. They have enough power and cutting capacity to handle the lion's share of crosscuts done in a woodshop or on a construction job site, and they tackle compound angle cuts with aplomb. These sliders are easy to set and use, compact and portable. No wonder that they've become the crosscutting saw of choice for the great majority of woodworkers and carpenters.

For this article, I examined six 10" sliding compound miter saws: the Bosch 4410L, the Sears Craftsman Model 921201, Festool's new Kapex KS 120, the Hitachi C10FSH, a Makita LS1013FL and Metabo's KGS 303.

(In cases where there were two or more versions of the same basic saw, I chose the model with the most features). Each is a dual-bevel saw — it tilts either way, for convenient left- or right-hand bevel and compound-angle cuts.

To give these complex machines a thorough going-over, I spent a good

deal of time exploring the features and performance of each saw. Instead of evaluating them individually, I decided to pit them against one another, head-to-head, in nine different areas of comparison, scoring them 1-5 (5 is best). First, I evaluated each machine's cutting accuracy, cutting power, operating smoothness, ease of angle setting, handle and trigger comfort, portability and dust collection. I also judged the qualities of each saw's fence, table and laser guide. I then awarded one to five points to each saw in these nine areas of comparison. At the end of the article, I'll total the points, make a few purchase recommendations and award "Best Bet" honors for this test.

Cutting Accuracy and Quality

Bosch............3

Craftsman.........3

Hitachi...........5

Makita...........4

Metabo...........4

Festool...........5

Even the best power saw is useless if it doesn't cut accurately and cleanly. Although sliding compound miter saws

Tool Review continues on page 60...