Kobalt 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review
A miter saw is really a bread-and-butter tool for any professional or DIYer. It’s has a wide set of applications for many home improvement projects. So, it’s important that you choose a miter saw that is versatile, precise, and can handle any project you undertake.
Lowes produces its own line of tools called Kobalt. Kobalt brand features everything from tool storage and impact wrenches to ratchets and compressors. They were kind enough to let us try our hand with their 10″ sliding compound miter saw. Read on to learn about all the great features.
Where to Buy the Kobalt Sliding Miter Saw
If you’re looking to purchase your first miter saw or even upgrade from a non-sliding version, the Kobalt Sliding Miter Saw is an excellent choice. This saw includes all the important features but with a very attractive price tag. This sliding miter saw costs $199 while competitors charge more than double.
Kobalt brand tools are available from Lowes.
- Lowes site >> Kobalt 10″ Sliding Miter Saw
Kobalt Miter Saw Review
These are the features I really liked about this saw.
Laser Guide
Lots of miter saws are including a laser guide to help users line up their cuts. The first thing I like about the Kobalt laser is it’s location. Some competitors place the laser guide on the end of the handle. These lasers are easily obstructed and more apt to being bumped and misaligned. Kobalt places its laser on the cutting head support, out of the way. Secondly, the laser doesn’t require batteries. Replacing batteries is cumbersome. Kobalt was smart to integrate the laser power supply with the saw. Click on the picture for a close-up view.
Cutting
This miter saw is very precise for both miter and bevel cuts. The saw blade cuts immediately to the right of the laser guide so you know exactly where to place your stock. The laser was accurate even when sliding the blade forward. Plus, this sliding miter saw is equipped with a 10″ blade. That means it can handle very large stock (3-5/8″ x 12″ @ 90° and 3-5/8″ x 8″ @ 45°).
Hold-Down Clamp and Extensions
I’ve seen both of these features on other miter saws, but never really tried them out. These are small bells and whistles that really help your work flow. The Hold-Down Clamp quickly locks your material in place and has four different locations. The extensions easily slide out for additional support.
Price
I know I’ve already mentioned the price, but it’s worth mentioning again. At $199, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better 10″, sliding miter saw. Most sliding miter saws are about double this price tag.
Additional Features
Here are some additional features and specifications.
- 15 amp motor
- 10″ blade, 4800RPM
- Telescoping supports on left and right sides
- 45° max bevel and 50° max miter
- Electric blade brake
- Positive miter and bevel stops at common angles
- Sliding rear fence
- Horizontal switch handle
- Bevel detent and cutting depth preset
- Sliding rear fence
Possible Improvements
There are two improvements Kobalt could address. First, the dust collector doesn’t work as well as I’d like. I setup outside and brushed off a fair amount of sawdust after I was finished. In the future, I’ll connect my shop-vac in place of the dust bag. My second complaint is the location of the bevel locking handle. It’s mounted on the backside of the cutting head support, making it difficult to reach. But, these are small concerns with the price tag so much lower than competitors.
Father’s Day Reminder
Father’s Day is coming up soon (June 21). This saw is a great way to show dad how much you appreciate him. At $199, it’s a good deal and dad will think you spent a whole lot more.
What do you think? What’s your experience with this saw?
Comments & Conversation on this Article...
7 Responses to Kobalt 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review
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June 12th, 2009 2:12 pm
The laser would be a nice feature to have.
January 3rd, 2010 4:10 pm
I bought it. It worked fairly well for some rough woodworking but i could never get a straight cut out of it, I finally noticed that the fence was bent, That could have been my fault with rough handling, (though something “contractor grade” should be ready for rough handling) but when I tried to buy a new fence I discovered that they do not sell parts for any of the Kobalt tools. Today it was cold outside (-10 F) and I went to move the saw into the garage to figure out how to make a new fence or repair the bent one. When I picked it up by the carrying handle on top of the unit it shattered, the carying handle and the trigger handle broke into several pieces. It was manufactured with a plastic with a low glass transition temperature, when the plastic gets below that temp it becomes brittle. I could fix it with some hot melt glue, but at this point I think I’m going to just pull the blade off of it and look to see what Costco has on sale.
January 12th, 2010 1:17 pm
I Just Bought This Laser Sliding Compound Miter Saw And It Throws Saw Dust All Over The Saw And Shop Floor. I Removed Its Dust Bag And Nothing Comes Out Of The Hole While Using It. Is Their Anything I Can Do Beside Taking It Back.
February 6th, 2010 2:27 pm
First, you get what you pay for. I bought this unit for cutting laminate flooring and siding. The blade was the first thing to go. After checking square out of the box,
it was no way even close. But with all the plastic parts, there was no way to keep the unit cutting square.
The lazer works great, if you are in a low light room. In the sunlight , you can’t see the line from the lazer.
The side extension arms are not strong enough to hold up to any weight, the bars are to small,should be stronger, larger metal.
If you need a saw that will cut a 2×12 in a single pass,if you don’t need the saw to cut square this saw will do the job,a little under power but with a good blade,
and its light easy to carry.
I did not expect much out of this saw and I was right. You get what you pay for
June 28th, 2010 3:14 pm
I bought this laser sliding compound miter saw (Kobalt) and I will state also that that the dust bag system does not work, the sliding mechanism does not roll well and there doesn’t seem to be any way to lubricate it. My problem now is that the laser got out of line while I was cleaning it and I can’t get it back in line that gives me a nice line for cutting. The laser is located in a bad place because it gets all the blow-back from the saw and this dirties it so there is no light, a better location would help. Is there anyone out there that knows the secret to lining up the laser??
July 15th, 2010 2:48 pm
I bought the Kobalt 10″ sliding miter saw and returned it a week later. I used it one day and screwed up several crown molding cuts until I dummied up and checked for square. The saw was incapable of cutting a good and accurate miter cut. The bag did not work, as it let sawdust out all over the room and picked up very little sawdust in return. The fence was crooked and loose.
Lowes told me that I could not get parts for the saw.
I cut the crown moldings with my 15 year old (Made in USA) Craftsman miter saw without a hitch. It doesn’t have a laser, clamps, extender rests, doesn’t slide, etc; but GUESS WHAT? It makes miter cuts accurately. If you just want a low budget, cheaply made (made in Communist Red China) saw that does large rough cuts; be my guest. If you need accurate miter cuts, fagettabout this crumby saw.
Jim White
August 7th, 2010 1:02 pm
I have the saw and I have made very accurate cuts with it. The dust bag does not work so you can eliminate that. My laser has gone bad too and I called kobalt on a number that the clerk in the store gave me, they were very helpful and they sent me out a new laser assembly. The problem I have now is to install it, some of the screws to hold the laser bracket are in back and hard to get at, secondly I may have to disassemble the saw motor body to thread the wire up to the switch. I’m trying to get a manual that will show me how to install this laser. Has anyone done this?
Chuck