SHOCKING!!! A Perfect Miter Saw!!!

The first thing to do when you purchase a miter saw is check the base for flatness. This is a crucial step in properly calibrating a miter saw. If the base is way out of wack, take it back and purchase another one. We use these saws for several years at a time, you don't want to start off with a saw that can't be properly calibrated because the base is defective.

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[AlAllerton]

I have the same saw. When I got it I planned to spend the whole day assembling and tuning it all up in every direction. Checked everything, every which way, did all the test cuts, nothing whatsoever needed adjustment. It was dead true right out of the box. Whoever is setting these things up at the factory is doing a darn good job! And nothing shifted while shipping. That's kinda impressive.

[judithrob]

Woodworking Beginner: New - Update.
This test is only if you want to saw with precision with a miter saw.(test is not intended for rough and hard work).

Tips and Test: Read this first before you buying a miter saw! It's better to know than not to know.
Important to know if you would like to saw with precision. (avoid torsion as much as possible)!
Always choose a Miter saw with a handle positioned in a VERTICAL line above the saw blade.
Everything must be aligned, slide rails, handle, and saw blade, it is much better this way the blade will not tilt.
Because there is some torsion in the aluminum housing .
And choose an engine with softstart on it to prevent wear of the gear and worm shaft.
It is very important that everything is aligned.
Here are some examples to show how the handle must be positioned above the blade.

First option: handle vertical positioned above the saw blade.
Bosch gcm 800 sj / Bosch gcm 8 sjl / Evolution rage 3 / FESTOOL KS 60 / Bosch GCM 8 SDE / FESTOOL KS 60 E KAPEX / Metabo KGSV 72 Xact/ Bosch PCM 8 SD / Hitachi C10FSH / Ridgid MS255SR 10-inch / Evolution Fury3-S / Evolution R255SMS / Metabo HPT C10FSBS / Hitachi C10FSB / Hitachi C10FS.

Second optie: handle horizontal positioned above the saw blade / Evolution R185SMS / Evolution F255SMS / Evolution RAGE3R255 SMS3 .

(This also is the case with the Miter saw without the slide rails).

(If you want). You can test it yourself at home if there is torsion in the aluminum housing.

Step-1. First you make a saw cut from +-5 mm deep in to a flat piece of wood about +- 20 mm thick to this with the normal handle positioned on the right side of the Miter saw (the wood it will remain in place until the test is completed).

Step-2. Then repeat this by pushing the saw blade down with your hand or finger on the aluminum protective cover were the saw blade is cased in. Just now only do this without the running engine.

Step-3. Now you can see if the saw blade will be positioned in or next to the saw cut. If the saw blade is (+- 0, 2 / 0, 5 mm) next to the saw cut then there is torsion in the aluminum housing.
(test is completed).

Conclusion: Therefor it is much better to choose a Miter saw with the handle positioned VERTICAL in line above the saw blade.
The second option is the handle positioned HORIZONTAL in line above the saw blade.

Remember this, the test is only about torsion and nothing else how further away the handle is from the saw blade how more chance of torsion in the aluminum housing, you better not go for that. (the choices are yours).

Also with a cheap slide miter saw it is still better the handgriff in line a above the saw blade than on the right side. Maybe they will make it someday then we have a winner...

P.S. When you measure the vertical 90 degrees angle square (Digital Level Box) of you're sawblade don't forget that there is always some torsion in the aluminum housing.

[fixedit]

I have an old Craftman solid cast iron / steel base. No sliding head and purchase back in 1984 or so. With a good top quality blade, it has served me well. Everything is flat and squared up. 45 degree is 45 degree. I’ll never part with it. I also have a Makita sliding one that is fairly accurate but not as accurate as the old Craftsman

[NKWoodworks]

Most of the saws ive owned have been perfect. The problem i usually find, especially with sliding saws is the head have side to side play.

[grannydeen]

I hava an ancient Hitachi slide saw. It's perfect also. I have used several of those Dewalt slide saws. They're awesome.

[MarlinSS]

I have dws 779 and 780. Both are perfect. I watched your festool miter saw box opening and was amazed how the base was not level.

[macgyverga]

They had a couple of those sliders at Lowes yesterday for $399. I thought about buying a new one. My bearings are toast in my ~08-09ish Dw718 but I think I’m just gonna swap the bearings because otherwise it’s a solid saw.

[rowlandgregory]

I’d be shocked too, dewalt and perfect 🧐

[TheCelticHitman]

And check the fence. I have one I have to repeatedly calibrate because it tends to bow and offset my cuts by a couple degrees.

[JasonHouse-rhmm]

If the base is not flat what can you do to fix it?

[OURICO]

Like to see 45 degrees bevel cut on 12” board . I would like to know how accurate your saw is.
My saw it’s always off.

[JoePelayo]

I never even thought about it... I have a DeWalt 12" miter saw as well. Is the base adjustable?

[billdodson]

Good tip. Did it come with those yellow mounting rails/feet?
I expect what it sits on has to be flat, too... right?

[brettkowalski]

Check the fence as well. Had one that was warped and didn't notice until I tried to make a picture frame. Fence was warped +/- 1 1/2 degrees

[jamesalexander]

Been thinking about purchasing a straight edge for about two weeks now…this is the 5th video I saw today talking about them. Coincidence??? Or algorithms? But my mind has been made up now

[izandevainmyheart]

I bought one from Harbor freight that looked legit when I was first starting out years ago. It was exactly not level and really affected my cuts. I couldn’t even resell it. It was such a bad saw.

[dougsaunders]

Buy Festool take it out of the box good to go. What’s your time worth?

[JohnDoe-kpsw]

In the end it would probably be easier to get a machinist to fix it

[JohnnyTheMonkey]

All tools get banged up over their service life, especially in the field. A more useful tutorial would be showing how to straighten a mitre saw table using a few clamps and a lever.

[mikes]

Now if you could only buy materials that were absolutely straight