Mitre saw review

Chop saws / Compound Mitre Saws

Saws with fixed pivoted cutting heads that cut with a plunging action only

Kinzo

Model 8E329

Cheap & crappy
Plastic base bends as you put force on the workpiece to keep it still
No locks anywhere, all settings tend to drift over time
- this can waste wood
No workpiece clamp
Standard clamps won't work with it due to base moulding shape
Blade tends to push workpiece sideways during cutting
Blade tends to burn the cut edge
Weak fence exploded violently during careful use
210mm blade
Good enough for work that wont be seen, sheds etc. With quite a bit of care it can give ok results for work on show, but its too easy to get cuts that are misaligned in every way.

Rexon

M2150AE

216mm 8.5" blade
Cast ali base
Turntable locks to prevent drift
Integral workpiece clamp
Very clean cuts from the TCG blade
Cuts plastic & soft metals well too
Laser makes getting the timber in the right place quick and easy
Mains powered laser, no batteries needed
2 speed motor
Dust extraction port fairly useless, it clogs quickly
Low cost

Sliding Compound Mitre Saws

Saws mounted on slide rails, that can cut with a plunging action and a sliding action.

Makita

LS1214

The largest of the Makita offerings with 12" blade giving over 4" depth of cut and over 12" cross cut capability. A High end tool with a price to match.

Cast ali construction - very substantial and heavy (23kg+)
Turntable can be locked at any angle, and has preset positions for commonly used angles
Angled motor to maximise tilt in both directions
Both axis marked with accurate scales
Trench cutting capability
Built in dust extraction bag that catches perhaps half of the dust
Cuts all timbers, composites, and soft alloys with standard TCT blade (60 tooth blade supplied)
Smooth and accurate mechanism
Soft start motor with electronic breaking
Some versions available with laser
Tool is large and requires a fair amount of space to setup and operate.

LS1013

The slightly smaller version of above with 10" blade giving over 3" depth of cut and over 12" cross cut capability. This is the ideal cabinet makers saw with very high levels of refinement and accuracy, without being quite a s large as the 1214