Festool KAPEX Miter Saw
Top Brand, Quality and Precision
TOP PICK: FESTOOL KAPEX
IN THIS GUIDE:
› BEST OVERALL: FESTOOL KAPEX
› BEST VALUE: MAKITA LS1019L
› BUDGET SLIDING: MAKITA LSO815F
› CORDLESS OPTION: DEWALT DCS361B
After over a decade with my Makita miter saw, I upgraded. While the decision mainly concerned needing a miter saw that would fit on my bench without needing 12 inches of travel behind the fence, I also wanted advanced features like a laser guide and improved accuracy.
So, after hours of searching, comparing prices, and browsing at the tool stores, my choice was easy: the Festool Kapex was hands down the best miter saw on the market.
When looking at a miter saw, here are the key features:
- Sliding rails for improved cutting capacity
- Compound and dual bevels for angle cutting
- Blade size is standard at 10″, but 12″ is best for large cuts (e.g., 6×6 lumber)
- Safety features like hold-down clamps
- Laser guides for improving cut accuracy
- Dust collection to keep the workshop clean
Page Contents
Types of Miter Saws
Like any tool, it’s best to understand a saw’s possible features first.
While not all features are required, knowing which are available will let you grow into or maximize the use of the saw.
So, when it comes to miter saws, here are the top features to consider:
- Blade size
- Single vs. dual bevel
- Fixed vs. sliding blade
- Positive stops
- Fixed vs. sliding fences
- Maximum cut capacity
- Bevel and angle cut range (over 45 degrees)
- Weight of the machine
- Integrated workpiece clamps
- Laser markers and other features
As you know, the best models will pack all of the features we just looked at into one saw. But the tricky part is separating what you need for your projects versus what you won’t.
With that in mind, and to help you pick the right saw, let’s take a look at the different types of miter saws:
1. Basic Single Bevel
If your search is for an entry-level saw that will cut 2×4’s by the hundreds, then a single bevel saw is a great place to start.
This type of saw typically features:
- A standard 10″ blade
- Dust bag
- Positive stops to hold the saw at joint angles such as 22.5 or 45 degrees
- Ability to cut from 0-47 degrees
However, this type has a significant limitation if you plan to do any trim work: it won’t cut crown molding without a trim jig.
2. Fixed Dual Bevel Miter Saw
While similar in all features to a basic saw, the dual bevel allows for both left and right compound cuts. Which, if you plan on crown molding installation of any kind, will be a needed feature.
But, this saw is less prevalent.
Why? With a fixed blade, a dual angle is excellent for its compactness (less weight, no slides in the way). But, at around $100 more than a standard single bevel, its price point nears the entry point of sliding compound miter saws.
Which are up next and offer up a deeper cut for larger projects.
3. Sliding Compound
A sliding compound saw is arguably the most popular saw on the market.
And for good reason.
With blades ranging from 8 to 12″, substantial cutting capacities, and all of the imaginable features packed into one saw, there isn’t a more feature-rich model.
This type of saw typically features:
- Cutting capacity of at least 12″
- Dual bevels
- Numerous positive stops for locking in angles
- Ball bearing slides
- Adjustable fences with workpiece clamps
And, the top of the line units will feature sliding fences, laser markers, and enhanced dust control.
4. Cordless
While surprising to some, most saws are now available cordless. And that includes cordless table saws that can power thru dozens of sheets of plywood.
With the most popular saws featuring dual bevels and mounted to a slide, you’ll find a good selection of smaller-bladed cordless saws that feature all of the capabilities of a larger corded version. But with two key features: the ability to work off the power grid and often weighing up to 25 pounds less than their corded equivalent.
So what’s the tradeoff? Consistent power for large jobs and a smaller blade size.
5. Zero Rear Clearance Saw
As you’ve probably experienced or can guess, a sliding miter saw has a huge disadvantage: it takes up a lot of space.
Because the slides on most saws are 6-10″, they require room behind the fence. In a small shop, this creates a space dilemma as you need the cutting capacity but don’t need a 24″+ deep miter saw jutting into your walkway.
- Bosch solves this with a unique articulating head that unfolds versus slides
- Meanwhile, Makita uses a slide-over-fence design that allows for a deep cut but limits the space required behind the saw
The bottom line? If you have the budget and need a compact saw, this miter saw is worth considering.
6. Mini Miter Saw
For making cuts on small pieces of wood, a miter saw solves one of the biggest problems with miter saws: the blade is large and dangerous, and it is almost impossible to cut small pieces without ripping and tearing.
The mini miter saw is a unique addition to almost any woodworking shop. For builders of small projects and hobbyists, it is an inexpensive solution and alternative to the full-size miter saw.
Miter Saw vs. Chop Saw
While a chop saw and a miter saw share the same form, these saws differ significantly in use:
- Chop saws specialize in cutting metal, while miter saws are usually for wood (but can cut metal with a special blade)
- Miter saws can cut angles, while chop saws are for straight cuts
- Chop saws use abrasive blades, while miter saws use metal blades with steel or carbide teeth
So, for this article, we’ll stick to the use of miter saw terminology and review.
Choosing the Right Saw for Your Shop
Budgets are essential, and when it comes to woodworking tools, there are potentially tens of thousands of dollars in tools to consider.
This makes matching your projects to your tools essential to make sure you can invest in suitable dust collectors, pocket hole jigs, and other tools that make up a typical workshop.
So, let’s look at the best miter saw for your shop and budget.
1. Best overall: Festool KS 120 REB
See on Amazon: Festool KAPEX
Overview
When looking at Festool tools, consider the adage “buy once, cry once.” While premium priced, the Kapex hasn’t disappointed in hands-on use:
- The laser guides are a bonus for some, but they make cutting easier.
- The top thumb trigger keeps your hand in a more natural position
- Hold-down clamping is a breeze with an easy-to-interact design that improves safety
- Dust collection is very good, but as with all saws, it is imperfect.
- Noise is average, but the blade brake minimizes extra “spin down” time
After a few months of use, my only complaints are the button to turn the laser on is hard to access and the dust collection is a bit less than hoped for, even with a Festool dust extractor attached.
2. Best Value: Makita LS1019L
See on Amazon: Makita LS1019L
Overview
This Makita fits your bench and budget in the $500-700 range. Featuring a 10-inch blade (a 12-inch configuration is available), zero clearance, a tall fence, and easy-to-use angle adjustment, there’s little to not like about this model.
Key features:
- Laser guides
- 12-inch crosscut capability
- 15 amp motor
- Soft start
- Dust collection port
- See-thru blade guard
3. Most Capacity: Makita LS1219L
See on Amazon: Makita LS1219L
Overview
If you’ve used up the life span of your current miter saw or need an upgrade, then choosing the next saw will undoubtedly require a bit of research.
And, for upgrades, features are essential and include:
- Laser-aided cutting
- Larger cutting capacity
- Potentially a 12-inch blade vs. 10-inch
- Less weight for job site saws
- Space-saving design without sacrificing capacity
- Powerful motors
- And, of course, accuracy for perfect cuts
Upgrade Picks
Unless your passion is fine furniture and Festool is your upgrade tool of choice, then the MAKITA LS1219L SLIDING is a great place to start. First, it has all the upgrade components you’d consider, from a large 12″ blade to 15-inch crosscuts at 90 degrees, laser-aided cutting, and dual dust ports for maximum dust extraction.
4. Budget Pick: Metabo Compound Miter Saw
See on Amazon: Metabo HP10
Overview
While serious woodworkers use their saw a few weekends a month (at minimum), if your search for a saw is focused on cost, then a smaller saw with less capability is justified.
Which, as you may know, requires trimming back on features and looking for:
- Single bevel
- Non-sliding
- 10″ blade
- But, still a BRAND name
Yes, there are imports to choose from. And, of course, they offer a $50 or more discount. But you’re trading manufacturing durability that’s brand-managed for an import gamble.
Best Budget Miter Saws
As you’ve seen a few times, Metabo covers a solid spectrum of miter saw price points and has a single bevel saw with the METABO C10FCH2S that has all the essential features at a budget price point.
Miter Saw Accessories
Even with top-of-the-line miter saws, you’ll need accessories that will make your saw more usable safer, and enhance portability.
So, when deciding on a saw, could you consider the following miter saw accessories that will enhance your purchase?
1. Miter Saw Dust Collection Hoods
See on Amazon: Rousseau Dust Hood
As you can see above, a dust collection hood simply fits around the back of your saw like a hood. Since you likely know your miter saw dust can NEVER be caught by the (ineffective) dust collection bag, these hoods work to capture all of the dust.
And, when paired with your dust collection system (there’s a hookup at the bottom back of the bag) you’ll be able to capture a high volume of that dust.
- Rousseau 5000 Series Dust Hoods is a popular hood that connects to dust collectors or vacuums, folds for on-job use and transport, and is Made in USA.
- Rousseau 5000-L Lighted Hood to help with visibility.
2. FastCap 10 Million Dollar Stick
If you’re not familiar with FastCap, they produce innovative tools that make woodworking BETTER. From fast setting glue, cabinet screws, cabinet jacks and more their main focus is safety and making your day in the workshop more efficient.
So, as you might have guessed by the name, the 10 Million Dollar Stick is a miter saw safety tool that keeps your million dollar (all 10 of them) away from the saw blade.
3. Kreg KMS8000 Miter Saw Fence
For well over a decade I used my Makita miter saw without a miter saw fence system.
But after upgrading my saw to a portable workstation and installing a fence I’ll never (ever) NOT having a miter saw fence because they:
- Allow for quick left and right stops using the t-track
- Use an integrated ruler for 1/32″ precision
- Speed up multiple cuts
- Improve accuracy
While these systems require a bit of setup and build (it’s woodworking, though, right?) you’ll never regret the decision to install a fence later.
4. Dewalt DWX726 Miter Saw Stand
After unboxing most miter saws you’ll find that they aren’t small.
In fact, most miter saws take up a good 24″ x 24″ of benchtop space and need 8-10′ of free space to either the left or right of the blade. And, for portability to job sites, you’ll face the 30-50 pounds (on average) weight of this unwieldly tool to be a bit much.
So, a lot of woodworkers choose to mount their miter saw to a stand that’s on wheels. And by doing so can fold up their saw (by bolting it to the stand, of course) for both storage and transport.
Best Mitre Saw for First Time Buyers
Overview
Tools should be purchased to last a decade.
Or, at least that’s my principle as the one constant with tools is you’ll always need another one.
Which for most woodworkers is a constant budget and trade-off issue.
So what should you look for in a first-time miter saw? Well, consider these as the basics:
- 10″ blades are a must, but 12″ is too big unless you plan to cut off 6×6’s
- Sliding is required for cutting plywood
- Single bevel is fine, but with most sliding saws you’ll also get dual bevel
You might be asking if this excludes buying a fixed single bevel miter saw? It does, unless your budget is so tight you can’t afford the extra $100 or so for an entry level sliding miter saw.
Never buy a tool and then upgrade it a few years later. You’ll lose out on using that lost capital for other tools.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size miter saw blade is best?
A 10″ blade is more than sufficient for most woodworkers in a miter saw. However, suppose your jobs include cutting 6×6 lumber. If you need that extra bit of reach for crosscuts, or you want the biggest miter saw on the market, consider a 12″. Generally, anything smaller than 10″ is not recommended unless it’s a portable miter saw.
How much does a miter saw cost?
Miter saws generally cost between $150 for an entry-level unit and $1700 for a high-quality, precision unit for professionals.
How do I control dust on my miter saw?
The best way to control the dust a miter saw generates is to use a dust hood connected to your dust collection system. By doing so, the dust that is usually exhausted into the air is caught and pulled into the dust hood and chute.
Is a sliding miter saw really worth it?
For most woodworkers, the need to crosscut plywood or larger boards is a mainstay of your miter saw job. For that reason, you’ll want a sliding miter saw that can make more significant cuts than a fixed version.
Summary
While choosing the best miter saw for your workshop requires a bit of research it will pay off in the end when you’re setup and the saw has the features and capacity for all of your jobs.
- About the Author
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Eric has been a professional woodworker for over thirty years and has worked in small cabinet shops making everything from kitchen cabinets to hand-made furniture. Now working from a home woodworking shop Eric is sharing his passion for woodworking, tool advice and how-to knowledge from his Minnesota-based woodshop.
