When it comes to the world of woodworking, there are a lot of power tools that become essential. Miter saws are one of those tools. That’s why in today’s article, we’re going to be delving into the world of sliding miter saws, and help you find the best 7 1/4 sliding miter saw. Throughout this article, we will help you find exactly what you need, and know how we’ve differentiated all of these miter saws!
Best 7 1/4 Sliding Miter Saw Comparison Chart
Product Picture | Product Name | Features | Rating | Price |
  | DEWALT 20V MAX 7-1/4-Inch Miter Saw, Tool Only (DCS361B) | Cordless | 4.8/5 | |
  | DEWALT 20V MAX 7-1/4-Inch Miter Saw, Cordless (DCS361M1) | Cordless | 4.7/5 | |
  | Kobalt 7-1/4-in Sliding Compound Miter Saw | Not Cordless | 4.6/5 | |
  | CRAFTSMAN V20 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw Kit (CMCS714M1) | Cordless | 4.4/5 | |
  | Evolution Power Tools R185SMS+ 7-1/4" Multi-Material Compound Sliding Miter Saw Plus | Not cordless | 4.4/5 |
Now that you know our top 5 choices, let’s talk about what put them there, and what our top choice for you is!
5 Best 7 1/4 Sliding Miter Saws Review
Dewalt DCS361B, Best 7 1/4 Sliding Miter Saw
Our first product on show today is the best 7 1/4 sliding miter saw in our opinion, and it is the Dewalt DCS361B. This miter saw has a lot of great properties that allow it to be at the top of this list, and it will undoubtedly be the best performing one.
The Dewalt DCS361B is a very lightweight miter saw, which is key because of how easy it is to transport. It is a single bevel (left) saw, and the blade can be beveled from 0 to 48 degrees. You can make great, accurate cuts with this miter saw thanks to the help from the XPS LED laser guide. You’ll easily be able to place your blade on the wood, and make the cuts with utmost precision and accuracy. With the help of the sliding mechanism, you can get a great cutting capacity for this miter saw. What helps you even more when using the DCS316B is its 10 positive stops with the help of the movable stainless steel detent plate.
A very important thing for these miter saws are their durability. The Dewalt DCS361B is a very durable miter saw that has a strong steel base to allow it to be sturdy and stable. The oversized bevel scale of this miter saw also helps you in making accurate measurements and avoid any mistakes. One drawback of this miter saw is that while trying to maximize lightweight features and portability, the ergonomic features of this miter saw are an issue. However, for most projects you won’t feel this issue, and this is definitely the best 7 1/4 miter saw for you!
Dewalt DCS361M1, 7 1/4 Inch Sliding Miter Saw
Our second choice is also a Dewalt product, known as the Dewalt DCS361M1. Much like the DCS361B, they are both great choices as a sliding miter saw. However, this saw does falter with a couple of features. It does not contain an XPS LED laser guide system, which makes it lose the edge on the DCS361B. However, this saw is still definitely accurate, and provides precise cuts. It also loses out on being much heavier, making it harder to carry around.
This miter saw definitely has its positives too. The positive stops on the miter gauge are just one of those features. All miter saws have these stops, so what’s the big deal? Well, even though it is a very minute detail, the miter gauge and its positive stops are very easy to use, and the measurements are perfect to the smallest detail, so you’ll always place your blade at the right angle. It does manage to beat the DCS361B in one point however. When you buy the Dewalt DCS361M1, you get the charger and battery for it, along with the saw.
The Dewalt DCS361M1 is definitely one of the best rated sliding miter saw, and for good reason. It will perform great. In some cases, when you’re pushing the saw for too long, it might start vibrating due to the pressure. However, in normal cases of usage, this is definitely a reliable miter saw.
Kobalt SM1850LW, 7 1/4 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw
Our third product is the Kobalt SM1850LW sliding compound miter saw. This miter saw, unlike the Dewalt DCS361M1, is built with aluminum and is very lightweight. You can easily carry it around to and from your workplace. It also has a laser guide which helps you make sure your alignments and measurements are all correct, before you make any cut.
The Kobalt SM1850LW is also a single bevel to the left, and it miters at angles of 45 degrees towards the left and right side, making it easy to guide your blade with increased versatility. This Kobalt 7 1/4 miter saw is great for providing you beautiful crosscuts, bevel cuts, miter cuts and compound cuts. Of course, all these miter saws are primarily built to support these cuts, along with crown molding; but it’s good to always keep the primary factors in mind.
To help keep your angles precise even further, the two side rails will keep you in line to make the most precise cuts. It also helps knowing this miter saw is very sturdy and durable, so you won’t worry about the tall fence or rails being loose any time soon. This miter saw does have an accompanying aluminium stand, however one drawback for the Kobalt SM1850LW is that it is sold separately.
Craftsman CMCS714M1, 7 1/4 Inch Sliding Miter Saw with Kit
Our fourth product miter saw for show today is the Craftsman CMCS714M1. From first glance, you can see the aesthetics of this sliding miter saw is much better than most of them. However, that isn’t really what we’ll be basing our judgements on. It comes with a powerful motor at 800 RPM, and can use its blade to cut most types of wood with ease.
With an angle of 90 degrees on your blade, you can easily make a cross cut up till 8 inches, and with a 45 degree angle on the blade, you’ll get a cross cut of 5.5 inches. You won’t have to worry about the measurements with the Craftsman CMCS714M1, as it comes with a laser guide that will easily diminish any shadows, and allow you to make the perfect cuts with accurate placement of your blade.
It also helps to know that this is also a cordless sliding miter saw, and another positive is that you’ll receive two batteries when you purchase this saw, along with the usuals of the blade and clamps. When you work with this miter saw, you’ll also realize that this is a very lightweight and portable saw. Not to mention, it is built to reduce noise, and make it comfortable to work with.
Evolution Power Tools R185SMS, 7 1/4 Multi Material Compound Sliding Miter Saw
Our last product on for show today, is one of the best cheap sliding miter saw that you will find. It is the Evolution Power Tools R185SMS, and it features a glorious 10 amp motor, that will allow you to easily cut through your materials. And yes, it won’t just cut through wood. You’ll even be able to cut through steel, aluminium and even plastic (among other things). Without having to go through the laborious task of changing your blade, you’ll be able to use the same blade to manage all of your cuts.
This compound miter saw also bevels to one side from 0 to 45 degrees, and miters on both sides up till 50 degree angles. You’ll definitely get great versatility out of this miter saw, not to mention achieve all the cuts you’ll need. The Evolution Power Tools R185SMS miter saw comes with a dual rail slide system, which will give you a great confidence in making sure your cuts will be precise and accurate, along with the fact that the R185SMS is also very compact.
Unfortunately this isn’t a cordless miter saw, and the cord itself is a little too long. However, that definitely won’t be a game changer. It should also be noted that this doesn’t come with a laser guide either. However, the fence system has an accurate measurement system that will ensure you get the perfect cuts you need with your blade.
7 1/4 Sliding Miter Saw: Buyer’s Guide
Sliding Miter Saw VS Compound Miter Saw
You’ve seen throughout this article that some are just sliding miter saws, while others are also sliding compound miter saws. What exactly does the compound add to miter saws?
The compound aspect of a miter saw introduces the factor of being able to bevel your blade to either one side or both sides of your saw. An introduction of a bevel allows for you to work with a lot more versatility on your saw. In small or compact work spaces, you can easily tilt your blade to a side and get the preferred cut on your piece of wood. However, to fully know about compound miter saws, you’ll need to go further into the details to find out the different types that are present!
Sliding compound miter saws, or just sliding miter saws, are miter saws that have the feature of being able to slide the blade forward. When you’re working with small miter saws (such as 7 1/4 inch ones), you’ll likely need an extra few inches in some cuts to be able to get through some pieces with one movement. That’s where the sliding component comes in and helps you easily guide your blade to get clean and more efficient cuts.
Finding your Perfect 7 1/4 Sliding Compound Miter Saw
When it comes to any power tool, you’ll obviously have the very expensive ones that can fulfil almost every need you have. However, it’s not necessary that you’ll need all of them (especially if you’re a DIYer or do minor jobs), and for that you’ll need to know what’s right for you! There’s a lot of different factors that come into play in these instances, and you’ll need to be familiar with all of them to know what they do!
Motor
A motor is a key part of any power tool, especially when it comes to sliding miter saws. You’ll need to make sure that the motor of the tool can easily operate under the workforce you’ll have. If you’re making cuts on small pieces and don’t require a powerful tool, then maybe you’ll manage with a weaker version. However, we always suggest going for a miter saw with at least a 10 amp motor, to ensure they’ll always be up to the task.
If you do larger jobs that require a higher motor power, then you’ll have to be ready to splash some more cash to make sure you get the right one!
Portability
One of the most important things when it comes to 7 1/4 inch miter saws. With these miter saws, you’ll most likely be needing to move it around for the jobs it needs to carry out. However, there will be trade offs made with other factors when you want to achieve the best portability. You’ll need to ensure your miter saw can be moved easily, to reduce the chances of fatigue.
This is most important for people whose work site requires them to move around from place to place.
Durability
This is where the trade off occurs in accordance to our last factor. A lot of companies will sometimes make their miter saw very durable, in order to ensure that it lasts for a long time and can withstand heavy work. However, this can make the miter saw very heavy, due to its build, and not allow for it to be very portable.
You should always make sure to get a durable miter saw, however, it’s also important to make sure that your miter saw can be easily transported. If you don’t require moving your miter saw for work, then you can definitely look towards a heavier one, with maximum durability features.
Ability and Features for Cutting
When you’re looking for the perfect miter saw for you, you’ll need to know if it has the correct features to provide you the best cuts. Not to mention, if there are added features on the saw to help it out further. A laser guide is one such feature. It isn’t a necessity, however, with this addition you’ll be sure that your miter saw will help you out in making the perfect cuts with your measurements. Another such feature is the bevel on your miter saw. If the bevel scale on your miter saw is oversized, it will be easier to guide yourself when making measurements.
The bevel itself is also important, along with the miter gauge. Most miter saws will have positive stops, and any without positive stops shouldn’t even be considered. They provide you pre-determined popular angles to stop at, and will allow you to do your work faster. There are such intricate details in miter saws nowadays, that you’ll have to look into all the features yourself to ensure the right features are there for you! From the blade to the bevel, all of the features you need, should definitely be the priority.
Dust Cleaning System
Most miter saws nowadays come with their own dust management system, and it basically helps you keep your tool clean during work. It won’t stop a buildup of sawdust completely, but it will definitely minimize it. There are numerous ways these systems work, however, it’s best to know if the system is up to par before you acquire one. If not, you can still manage other ways! Let’s not forget, all that sawdust you collect also has its uses!
FAQ
- What can a 7 1/4 inch miter saw cut?
This mostly depends on the build of your miter saw since the 7 1/4 inch is basically the size of your blade. If your miter saw is from a good brand and has good quality behind its build, it can cut through most materials with ease. - How deep can a 7 1/4 inch miter saw cut?
Most times people buy 10 ow 12 inch miter saws, and the cutting depth for 7 1/4 inch saws can’t be compared to them. However, with sliding miter saws, you’ll still be able to get a decent cutting depth even if they’re 7 1/4 inch. - Can I use a 7 1/4 inch blade on a 10 inch blade?
Yes, you definitely can! The only differences you’ll feel are the maximum cutting depth of the saw, and the fact that smaller blades are usually thinner. They also tend to have a smaller kerf. However, you’ll still get the same RPMs on the blade as you would with a 10 inch blade.
The Takeaway
Finding the perfect miter saw can be tough, but we hope we’ve helped you in this task for the perfect 7 1/4 inch miter saw. In our opinion, the best 7 1/4 sliding miter saw is the Dewalt DCS361B, as we believe it has the best to offer you. It is a very lightweight miter saw that allows you to carry it around easily, but it doesn’t forsake the durability. This way, you can have this miter saw for a long time and not have trouble carrying it around! It also has a bevel and miter gauge that can be easily calibrated, and give you great angles with positive stops and detent plates. It is also cordless, which makes it so much easier to use. You’ll easily make great measurements and clean cuts with this miter saw, so we had no other choice but to put this at the top! We hope you can find your choice too!
Hey there, my name’s Braden Smith and all my lifeI’ve been passionate about woodworking. As such, I spent more time learning about and experimenting with power tools. Over time, I learned to help spread my knowledge by articulating my words thanks to my academic knowledge in the English Language as well.