Despite their small size, 12-inch miter saws are powerful and versatile tools. They can make precise cross cuts in wood and cut boards at a variety of angles. The best 12-inch miter saws can also make compound cuts, meaning they can make angled or beveled cuts. The saw’s fence system is also important. A good fence system will help you make clean, precise cuts. Because they are lightweight, 12-inch miter saws are easy to transport and maneuver. This is ideal if you want to make a lot of cuts in a small space. Their size makes them suitable for storage in your workshop or garage.
Our Top Pick
The Hitachi/Metabo miter saw comes with a laser marker that makes it accurate in cuts. The Laser marker shows you where the blade cuts. The miter saw package has a dust collection bag and a 32 tooth blade. The 15 Amp motor accommodates wood materials such as plywood, decorative panels, and soft fibreboard.
Our Winner!
The aluminum fence is tall and supports wide material. It is 5-1/8inch tall. The material can stay secure due to the saw head that bevels to the left and right sides. The coated handle gives you comfort due to reduced vibrations. The chances of hands slipping off the miter saw are low.
The miter saw comes with a large base for balance and support. The carbon brushes are for easy maintenance. That increases the life of the saw machine. The miter angles are adjustable using Hitachi’s thumb positive stops. It produces 4,000 rotations per minute.
Round-Up of the Best 12-inch Miter saws
Bosch GCM12SD 12inch Dual-bevel Glide Miter Saw
The Bosch GCM12SD is a durable, precise, and consistent miter saw with a patented axial-glide system. The Axial-glide system is a smooth, innovative and professional system that allows the saw to be closer to the wall.
The Bosch GCM12SD is easy to use, and the upfront bevel controls give you easy access to the miter saw. That keeps it balanced and saves the workspace. The trigger handle has a soft grip that makes the experience comfortable. The square lock fence aligns 90 degrees to the table, and no adjustments are required.
The dust collection system collects up to 90 per cent of the produced sawdust. The cutting capacity is 14inch with a 6-1/2inch vertical total against the fence. The metal bevel lock gives you quick and easy bevel settings. The miter scales are easy to read. It is under 700.
Pros
- Accurate
- Ergonomic design
- Compact-sized
- Patented Axial-Glide system
- Smooth cuts
- Durable design
Cons
- No adjustments.
- No laser line.
Dewalt DWS780 12inch Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The Dewalt DWS780 is the best 12 inch sliding compound miter saw. It has a 15Amp motor that produces 3,800 rotations per minute. The XPS crosscut positioning system makes it unique. It allows the saw to run through thick materials with ease.
The handle has an ergonomic design that makes it comfortable to handle. The dust collection system collects up to 75 per cent of the dust saw. The carbide blade is fast and sharp. The saw is lightweight. The bevel angle adjustments are easy and accurate.
The miter plate has ten positive stops that allow you to make accurate cuts. The dual horizontal steel rails are innovative. They have a clamping system that supports the material. The package includes a miter saw, carbide blade, blade wrench, dust bag, and a clamp. It is under 600.
Pros
- Durable
- Innovative
- Accurate
- Adjustable
- Increased capacity
- An efficient dust collection system
Cons
- A bit heavy
- No laser.
Milwaukee 2739-20 M18 12INCH Miter Saw
The 15 Amp saw is for professional carpenters and contractors. It has a one-key feature. It produces 330 cuts per charge. There is no cord in the package. The Shadow Cut Line Led increases visibility when running the saw machine.
The detent plate is of stainless steel, and it is adjustable. The cam locking miter system allows you to mark and lock the table into position. That makes the cuts easy and precise. The side handles allow you to carry the saw around.
The Redlink Plus intelligence feature ensures high performance and prevents the tool saw from being damaged. It is under 700, and the battery lasts for days.
Pros
- One-key feature
- Lightweight
- Adjustable
- Easy to use
- Precise
- High performance.
Cons
- Battery and charger not included
- It is cordless.
Makita LS1221 12 inch Compound Miter Saw
The Makita 12inch Compound saw carbide-tipped blade makes cutting quick and precise. The 12inch saw has a 32 tooth carbide blade. The 4-1/2inch fence accommodates wide material and allows cutting up to 5-1/2inch.
The positive stops have nine settings that rotate from 15 to 45 degrees to the right or left. The powerful motor makes 4,000 rotations per minute. The handle has a soft grip for easy and comfortable operation. It comes with a dust bag that collects dust saw produced.
It weighs up to 36.4lbs, and it is under 400. It has an electric brake system that ensures maximum productivity. It is ideal for professional carpenters and woodworkers. Repeatable cuts are made easy and quick. You are allowed to connect a vacuum for an efficient dust collection system.
Pros
- Precise
- Large cutting capacity
- Powerful motor
- Supports large stock
- Versatile
- Brake system
Cons
- It makes a loud kick at startup.
- One-year warranty.
Dewalt DWS716XPS 12 inch Compound Miter Saw
The Dewalt 12-inch compound miter saw has a powerful 15Amp motor that produces 3,000 rotations per minute. The durable saw comes with a cutline with an LED light system that increases visibility. The saw machine is adjustable. And that makes it accurate.
The tall sliding fence supports large stock that is up to 6-1/2inch tall. The stainless miter detent plate has 14 positive stops and a cam miter lock system that allows you to run repeatable cuts. The efficient dust extraction system collects dust produced during the operation.
It is lightweight, and the built-in handle allows you a comfortable experience in carrying the saw. The dual-bevel design makes the saw bevel from 0 to 48 degrees to the left and right sides. The positive stops range from 0 to 50 degrees. It is under 700.
Pros
- It has a cutline
- Quick and accurate
- Supports large stock
- Durable
- Visibility
- Efficient dust system
Cons
- No laser
- Fewer teeth on the carbide blade
Dewalt DWS779 12 inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
The Dewalt DWS779 saw is innovative and comes with horizontal steel rails for a clamping system. The linear ball bearings deliver a smooth and accurate miter saw. The tall sliding fence ensures precise cuts on large material.
The ten positive stops allow you to have a versatile saw machine. The miter saw is durable, and the 15Amp motor delivers 3,800 rotations per minute. The back fence cuts to 2 x 16 lumber at 90 degrees and 2 x 12 at 45 degrees.
The base is wide enough to support the miter saw. The bevel scale makes adjustments quick and accurate. It has an innovative gearbox, and the belt-drive design increases the cutting capacity.
Pros
- Impressive clamping system
- Accurate
- Durable
- Powerful
- Wide base
- Innovative
Cons
- A bit heavy
- No laser
Buyer’s Guide for the best 12 inch miter saw
Should I get a 10 or 12 inch miter saw?
This is one of the most frequently asked questions regarding 12 inch miter saws. The answer will depend on your particular needs. There are some critical differences between the 10 inch and 12-inch models that will be helpful to know when you’re determining which size is best for you.
Generally, a 10-inch blade length results in a narrower cut width than a 12-inch blade length, making it helpful in trimming joists or other narrow pieces of wood. The larger blade selection also provides a wider range of materials that can be cut. Lumber up to 4-inches thick, aluminum and PVC pipe are all possible with the 10-inch tools. However, if you are looking to quickly and precisely cut 1/2 or 3/4 inch plywood sheets and the inevitable 1-1/2 inch sheets for projects like bookcases or bulletin boards, a 12-inch saw is a way to go.
What can a 12 inch miter saw cut?
The larger blade of a 12-inch miter saw can cut through materials ranging from 1/2 inch thick to 5 inches thick. It can handle some tougher cuts because the blade length ranges from 10 to 15 inches. While these are not the most compact 12 inch miter saws, they are still relatively easy to use, and their capabilities are worth a bit of extra space.
Will a 12 miter saw cut a 6×6?
A 12 inch miter saw can cut a piece of 6-by-6 wood. The length of the blade allows for the effective cutting of a much larger piece of lumber than would be possible through a 10 inch miter saw. But, this will also result in an increased amount of power deficiency. It may cause problems while trying to cut through the 6×6, especially if you intend to do many cuts. It is recommended that you take note of this and any precautions you need to take before attempting this cut.
Can a 12 inch miter saw cut a 4×6?
A 12 inch miter saw can easily cut a 4×6 piece of wood. Yet, it would help if you took note of the thickness of the lumber before attempting to cut. If it is any thicker than an inch, it may be difficult to complete without increased power output.
How thick can a 12 inch miter saw cut?
The blade length of a 12 inch miter saw can cut through far thicker lumber than a 10-inch saw. At the same time, the greatest thickness that the blade is capable of cutting is 5 inches. That may cause some problems while trying to cut through the 4×6 lumber. You should take note that this will also result in an increased amount of power deficiency.
Do I need a 12 inch miter saw?
Yes! It’s better for cutting with a miter saw. The saw is stronger and easier to use than other ones. If you want a new miter saw, make sure it can handle the weight of the blade you want first.
Conclusion
Have you got your eye on one of the best 12 inch miter saw? We have tested them in detail. If in doubt, it’s best to opt for our top pick. The Hitachi/Metabo HPT C12FDHM 12INCH miter saw is a sturdy miter saw. It has important features like a high fence and reduced vibration. Let us know if you have any questions.
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