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When we decided to remodel our 100 year old home, we needed the right tools for the job. Since it was a stone home with full cut lumber, we knew that the smaller saws would not be adequate for the job. We decided to purchase a compound miter saw for the job that had a 12-inch blade. We also needed a saw that that would not break the budget for our project.
Visiting the local tool store was good for making comparisons on features and costs. We found saws that had four rails, adjustable lasers, abilities to handle larger stock than we would be using, and many more features that would appeal to general contractors. We needed an entry level, homeowner designed, easy to adjust saw,
After discussing our needs with several salesmen, one suggested we look into the Craftsman 15 Amp 12'' Sliding Compound Miter Saw. He obviously worked on a salary and not on commission as he confessed he had bought the Craftsman for his own projects.
We found the saw as a step up from the bottom of the Craftsman line a very good price of $250. We took it home and put together, a very easy task, and set off to work. We had been told that capacity to cut, the size of board the saw will handle, is important for the one time you need it. Our saw will handle a 2x12 with ease.
The laser sight, which for some reason seems to be a big deal to so many purchasers, is helpful but for experienced do it yourselfers is not necessary. I believe this is more of a Star Trek feature but it seems to be on most saws today. It works fine, however, if you have too much ambient light around the saw, it disappears and is useless. The old pencil and experience in blade placement is still the best way to ensure an accurate cut.
The dust bag is somewhat of a joke, as are most dust bags on tools, but if you hook up your shop vac to the port the dust goes away.
One feature that I noticed when comparing saws was that the Craftsman's extension arms were constructed of steel rods wile the others used thinner steel, to hold up longer work. This saw is everything I expected and needed. I will be using the saw for years to come and expect it to be a workhorse in my shop.
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