If you want a durable miter saw that will work for years, Craftsman miter saws are great. They are easy to use and will help you cut through materials with precision.
However, Craftsman was sold to a new company in 2017 where they came out with new miter saws and products.
In this article, we will help you navigate their products and determine the best Craftsman miter saw.
Quick Summary
In this post, we will go over:
- Who makes Craftsman miter saws?
- Best Craftsman miter saws
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Who Makes Craftsman Miter Saws?
The Craftsman miter saws are manufactured by a company called Chang Type. It is a Taiwanese OEM/ODM company.
It was launched in 1989 and quickly became the leading manufacturer of power tools. They also excel in technology and research and development.
However, you might already be familiar with them as they’re also the same producers that make Ryobi and DeWalt from Black and Decker. They sell their products through different retailers such as Home Depot, Lowes, and Sears.
What is OEM/ODM?
If you’re an amateur, you might be wondering what is OEM/ODM? Well, OEM stands for an original equipment manufacturer. This means the manufacturer deals with products based on the buyer’s specifications.
However, we wouldn’t call them finished goods but rather components. Whereas, ODM stands for original design products. They are finalized products that are sold under the brand name of a purchasing company.
Best Craftsman Miter Saws
10-inch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Although this is a great saw, it’s from the old Craftsman line. Therefore, you won’t be able to find it on their website. But if you think this is the saw you want, you can purchase it through other online retailers.
What we love about this sliding miter saw is that it’s suitable for almost everyone.
Another thing we particularly liked about the craftsman 10-inch saw is that is quieter than other saws we have worked with. Moreover, it has a reasonable price point so anyone who wants a sliding compound miter saw can afford it.
On the contrary, we were not a big fan of its plastic carrying handle. It felt cheap as if it could break any minute. Furthermore, the laser location on the sliding miter made it impossible to see the line in the sunlight. This was extremely inconvenient as we couldn’t tell where to cut.
DOIT 15-Amp 10-Inch Single-Bevel Compound Miter Saw with Laser Guide
This is one of the newer models Craftsman has come out with. You can easily purchase it on their site, at local hardware, or at big box stores.
As opposed to the last miter saw, we would recommend you use it for DIY projects to frame, mold, and construct furniture.
What are the features of this miter saw?
It’s also very lightweight, compact, and small. This is great if you live in a flat or have small storage. In addition, Craftsman claims that this model results in a footprint that is 39% smaller than traditional designs.
Although this single bevel saw is smaller in size, it’s just as powerful. We used it to cross-cut big pieces of LVL-engineered lumber. Much to our surprise, the 150-amp motor was easily able to cut through the wood. We were impressed by its power considering its extremely cheap price.
Does this miter saw work for left-handed people?
If you’re left-handed, its horizontal positioned grip might be a bit awkward for you. We think vertically positioned grips work better for you left-handed individuals.
In terms of safety, the tool has a clear plastic blade guard with good visibility. However, the plastic base could use some improvements.
What are the drawbacks of this saw?
As we tested the saw, we found it to have poor dust collection like most miter saws. We also didn’t like that the angle gauges were stickers instead of metal plates. There is a huge potential that the stickers might rub off with prolonged use of the power tool.
Another thing to keep in mind is that because of the small footprint the saw can tip over if you use it for extreme bevel cuts. Therefore, we suggest you bolt the saw to your worktable to eliminate this threat.
7 ¼-inch Single Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw
This is the last miter saw we will review in this article. Although it comes with a smaller blade size, it packs a punch for its size.
We recommend this saw if you are a hobbyist or if you work on smaller projects. We think it’s a great option due to its lightweight, power, accuracy, and easy storage. Similar to the other saws, we love how affordable it is.
How will this saw benefit you?
While testing its features, we had no problem cutting hardwood flooring, baseboards, trim, and two-dimensional lumber. We were also impressed by its capacity and performance as compared to its competitors.
Furthermore, it’s a battery-operated saw. This means you can use it cordless in a powerless location. The battery recharges in 60 minutes and it can work for 2 hours.
Similar to the 15-Amp 10-Inch single-bevel compound miter saw, it also has poor dust collection. We also didn’t like that it only comes with one battery.
Things You Should Know About Craftsman Miter Saws Stands
Once you decide what type of miter saw you want, you’ll need a place to set it on. Without an ample amount of space on a table, it can be difficult to efficiently use a miter saw.
That is why we suggest you get a miter saw stand. They pair great with miter saws for safe and easy use. However, we also recommend you keep your miter saw stand or your workstation clean while you operate a miter saw. Messy workstations can invite accidents.
Another safety tip is to read the Craftsman miter saw manual once you purchase a new saw. These manuals have all the information to help you use the miter saw properly. For your ease, they have plenty of clean descriptions and photos.
If you don’t have a user manual, you can search the model and company of your miter saw and we’re sure you’ll find a manual there.
Who Makes Craftsman Miter Saws - Conclusion
This brings us to the end of our guide. To wrap it up, very few woodworking saws match the versatility of a Craftsman miter saw.
We suggest that you read this guide to vary out the pros and cons before you make your final choice.
You can check out our page for more miter saws.
Don’t forget to wear safety gear such as gloves and safety goggles while you operate the machine.