In A Rush? Here's our winner after 42 hours of research!
Makita LS1219L
Top Reasons to Buy
- 2-Steel Rail Sliding System
- In-front bevel lock
- Laser Guidance System
Feature list
- Dimensions: 23.1" x 36" x 81.6"
- 81.6 Pounds
- Warranty: 1-Year
When choosing some tools for use at work or in your home workshop, you often need to consider the size above all else. A 12-inch miter saw is far better than a 10-inch model for some uses because it gives you a larger space for working and cutting. Many companies like DEWALT and SKIL make suitable products, but we picked the Makita Dual Slide (Check Price on Amazon.com) as the best.
This model comes with a 15-amp motor that requires less maintenance than other motors do, and this motor can produce up to 3,200 RPMs. It lets you make nested cuts when working with crown molding, but you can also do vertical and cross cuts. This model comes with a fence system that is both taller and longer than those that come with other products.
42 HOURS OF RESEARCHING
38 MODELS CONSIDERED
1 WINNER
Our Favorite 12-Inch Miter Saws on the Market
5 Best 12-Inch Miter Saws - Reviews
1. Makita LS1219L
A solid option for those willing to spend money on a quality product is this one from Makita, which produces up to 3,200 revolutions and comes with a 15-amp motor. Designed for making cross and vertical cuts, it can also make nested cuts when working with crown molding and similar boards. Though it has a compact design, this model comes with a rail system that extends your work area.
Ball bearings make it easier to adjust the measurements on this one and get the accurate cuts that you need. It also comes with a laser guidance system that you can set up before turning the blade on and use as the blade runs.
One minor issue that you may need to deal with is that this one comes with a motor that is a little on the more powerful side. As the motor comes on automatically and as soon as you turn it on, it can pull boards right out of your hands or knock wood away from you. It doesn’t take as long to warm up as other tools do.
Pros
Cons
2. DEWALT DW716XPS
One of the top features of this DEWALT model is the integrated XPS system, which stands for the company’s Cross Cut Positioning System. This system makes it easier to lay the wood on top or move it across the top when making cross cuts, which extends the space you have to work with on top. It also comes with an LED light that acts like a laser guidance system, though you may find that this light isn’t bright enough for using in all conditions.
Suitable for making crown cuts when working with crown molding and making vertical cuts when using other boards, it has a capacity of 6-5/8 inches when using crown molding and a maximum capacity of 6.5 inches when making vertical cuts. The cam lock built inside acts like an override setting to skip using any of the positive stops too.
We also like the 15-amp motor that comes with this model because that motor produces an RPM rating of more than 3,000. It also comes with a bevel scale that has brighter and larger markings that more easily help you set up a bevel cut like those used when making picture frames or trim pieces.
Pros
Cons
3. DEWALT DWS709
Whether you need to create molding pieces for your home or trim pieces for a client’s home, this DEWALT tool is a good choice because it’s lightweight and compact enough for using as a portable model and taking to work. It comes with a 15-amp motor capable of producing up to 3,800 revolutions in a minute and is compatible with blades and stands from the manufacturer. The base features an oversize bevel scale with larger markings that are easier to see and use.
As it does not come set up and ready direct from the factory, you’ll need to take some time to set it up yourself. Though it does not have any depth stops, it does have 13 positive stops that let you make more consistent cuts and use the same measurements for multiple pieces of wood without any additional adjustments.
The detent plate uses aluminum that can stand up to life on the construction site, but this aluminum also helps bring down the tool’s total weight. DEWALT also added an ergonomic handle on the top that keeps your hand away from the blade as it spins and cushions your hand to prevent injuries.
Pros
Cons
4. Makita LS1221
Makita has a great reputation among hobbyists and professionals because of products like this kit, which is perfect for cutting trim boards and molding. It has a 15-amp motor with a maximum 5,000 RPM rating that can cut through wood faster than you might believe, and the included blade has carbide tips that will last through hundreds of cuts. The included fence pivots in place and measures more than four-inches, which makes this tool suitable for working with crown molding of more than five-inches in size.
A lever on the front lets you make adjustments, and a bag on the back collects the dust that comes off your wood. You can easily remove that bag to clean and dump it before or after working. It also comes with nine positive bevel stops, though you’ll find that you can only use this one on the left side of the blade.
This product also comes with a D-shaped handle that has an ergonomic design that reduces pressure. It features an electric brake system too that helps the blade come to a complete stop faster to protect users.
Pros
Cons
5. SKIL 3821-01
Compatible with stands made by SKIL, this model comes with a Quick Mount System for more easily connecting to the stand for using it in your workshop. It also comes with a laser guide that follows the path of the blade by extends that path to help you see exactly where to move your board based on the cuts you want to make. You’ll also have an easier time using this one because it comes with extension rails.
Those rails, which you can use on the right or the left side of the blade, extend the path leading up to and away from the blade to help you cut larger and longer pieces with this product. Its 15-amp motor produces more than 4,000 revolutions to cut down on the time you spend cutting too.
You’ll also like that this one has nine built-in and clearly marked positive stops that let you cut at a zero-degree angle or a higher angle. It features all the classic positive angles found on other models and comes with a dust collection bag that attaches to the back.
Pros
Cons
Final Verdict
Makita LS1219L
A 15-amp motor that requires little in the way of maintenance is just one reason why this Makita model is our top choice. We also like that it produces more than 3,200 revolutions per minute and that it comes with a fence and rail system that shores up your boards to ensure that the cuts you make are level. This system is both taller and longer than other products come with too.
Also included with this model is a laser guidance system that you can turn on and off whether you use the blade. This lets you line up cuts and actually make those cuts. You can also make accurate cuts at up to a 90-degree angle.