Craftsman Miter Saw Review: Cordless Sliding Miter Saw

Craftsman Miter Saw Review

Since their re-launch back in 2018, Craftsman continues to introduce a lot of tools into the market. Many of us have found their products quite impressive not only in terms of their great offers but also their performance. With customer satisfaction being their ultimate goal, there is more to love about the features of their tools.

Designed for ultra-portability and ease of use, two of such solid versions of their tools include the CRAFTSMAN V20 7-1/4 inch Sliding Miter Saw and Craftsman 10” Compact sliding compound miter saw. Let’s take a closer look at these two with our craftsman miter saw review:

CRAFTSMAN V20 7-1/4 inch Sliding Miter Saw

CRAFTSMAN 7-1/4-Inch Sliding Miter Saw

Specification

  • Model                    : CMCS714M1
  • Power Source       : Battery
  • Weight                   : 21.8 lbs
  • Bevel                      : Single
  • Miter Cut              : 47 deg. (both)
  • Vertical Cut         : 3.5 Inch
  • Crosscut -90 deg: 8 Inch
  • Crosscut -45 deg : 5-1/2 Inch
  • Blade Spin            : 3800 RPM
  • Battery                   : 4.0 Ah
  • Arbor Size             : 0.625 Inch
  • Warranty               : 3 Years

    Powered by one powerful engine, the Craftsman V20 sliding miter saw is designed for cutting and trimming hardwoods, lumber, and baseboard. The 3,800 RPM-powered motor has a single bevel blade that allows for easy cutting of accurate 2x dimensional angles. This miter saw machine comes with a maximum weight of 21.8lbs and measures 12 by 23 Inc.

    Expert Opinion

    Stephen, a 20 -year –old carpenter from the United States, says this saw produces incredible results. Its portable cuts smoothly and is safe to work with. Recommends many enthusiasts to buy it.

    Powerful Motor

    Like I said earlier, the saw runs on a very powerful motor making it easier to accurately cut through 2x hardwoods. This saw is also designed with an electric brake that allows the 7-1/4 in. saw blade to stop at once.

    To switch it on, you only require to press the power button easily positioned directly above the saw handle. The strategic location of this button is for the prevention of accidental activation upon the battery installation. A switch trigger located below the handle allows for easier activation when handling the machine.

    Portability

    This unique miter saw perfectly suits many users. Since it weighs 31.3 pounds, the saw is easier to carry around when using it. Additionally, the saw is packed with side carry handles making it easier to move around. Unlike other full-sized saws, the sliding v20 version allows you to cut more lumber with less energy. Heavy-sized miter saws tend to wear out users thus low cutting capacity.

    Additional Accessories

    The saw comes with the following:

    1. A carbide tipped blade
    2. A dust bag,
    3.  A blade wrench,
    4.  CMCB104 V20 20V MAX* Lithium Ion Fast Charger,
    5. A material clamp.

    Sliding Capability

    The saw is also designed with a great sliding mechanism. The mechanism uses two rails for the sliding of the powerful motor. When cutting vertically, the saw features a 3.5-inch baseboard capacity and a 3-5/8 nested crown. When set at 45 degrees, the blade allows for crosscuts of 5.5 inches.

    In addition, the blade can also be used for cross cuts up to 8 inches at 90 degrees.  For safety precautions and ease of traveling, the machine comes with its own lock. The sliding capability works best for those who prefer a smooth rail system.

    Sturdy Battery

    The manufacturers integrate a CMCB204 V20 MAX* 4.0AH Lithium Ion Battery into the system. This battery is solid and has an impressively long life.  Miter saws usually consume a lot of power and this explains why cordless systems are challenging to produce. This system can however manage more than 600 cuts once fully charged with its Lithium Ion Fast Charger thereby making it a convenient tool to use.

    What makes this Saw Special?

    The battery built into the machine works for a long time. It can last up to 2 hours without recharging and if you need to recharge, it can take an hour or less. It is best suited to work in places without power.

    Pros

    • It’s portable
    • Provides accurate results
    • It’s safe to work with
    • Battery is good

    Cons

    • It’s a poor dust collection system
    • The machine comes with a single battery

    2. The Craftsman 10″ Compact Sliding Miter Saw

    Specification

    • Model               : SM2509RC
    • Power Source  : Electric
    • Weight              : 17.9 pounds
    • Bevel                 : Single
    • Miter Cut         : 50 deg. (both sides)
    • Crosscut           : 12.5 Inch
    • Blade Spin       : 4800 RPM
    • Motor                : 15 AMP
    • Arbor Size        : 5/8 Inch
    • Warranty          : 1 Year

    Here comes another advanced design of a miter Saw with a revolutionary and extraordinary cutting space. With its small footprint, the Saw is packed to offer both performance and ease of use. The saw is powered by a powerful motor that allows for both speed and torque on wood. Unlike other standard Saws, the Craftsman 10” uses less space enabling the user to work from any point whether in tight areas or even against cramped walls.

    Expert Opinion

    Evans from the United States says this saw is compact and quick. It can cut through various materials and performs various tasks in the yard.

    What makes this Saw Special?

    With its incredible features such as built-in retractable and telescoping aluminum extension wings with an adjustable stop plate, users can make rapid repetitive cuts. These features also provide better support and efficiency.

    Compact

    I have made it a norm to test drive a number of miter saws every now and then whenever I get the opportunity. This has allowed me to have a taste of something different on most of my DIY projects.  From the experience, this Miter saw is not only powerful but also compact.

    It’s designed in a way that the support rails are mounted forward in order to significantly lower the Saw’s footprint. As a result, the bench is a bit tighter as compared to standard saws. This explains why the footprint is 39% lesser than standard Saw designs.

    Powerful

    Despite its compactness, the saw has a powerful 15 Amp engine that runs at 4,800 rpm. Well, this allows users to trim various types of materials like soft and hardwoods. Having tested the power of this Saw on engineered lumber, I can tell with certainty the motor is quite impressive.  The Saw has favorably competed with other large-sized saws despite its size.

    Adjustability

    With bevel cuts of up to 45 degrees and miter cuts of up to 50 degrees, precise angled cuts can be made in the shortest possible time. This feature also allows users to adjust the five most common left and right angle stops.

    Quick and Simple to Operate

    This Miter Saw can be easily adjusted using a lock right next to the front grip. It also has a grip positioned on its right side for easier holding. For users who are right-handed, the Craftsman 10” Compact Sliding Miter Saw really comes in handy. The horizontal grip is so comfortable making it easier to use at any position. However, this may not be good news for left-handed users who prefer vertically located grips.

    Versatility

    The Saw can comfortably handle a wide range of woodworking including customized woods, tables, and doors among many others. The saw is equally noiseless when working on wood, unlike other traditional Saws. A unique feature in this saw also includes the sliding adjustment that makes it easy to re-measure cuts.

    Additional Accessories

    Among the items included inside the package include:

    1. A dust bag
    2. TCT saw Blade
    3. Operators Manual
    4. Hex. bar
    5. Holder
    6. Blade wrench

    Pros

    • Affordable
    • Powerful motor running on 4,800 RPM
    • Durable
    • It has a laser trac.

    Cons

    • Small and loosely attached dust bag
    • Poorly constructed

    Final Thoughts

    This Craftsman miter saw review gives you the best two saws on the market. They are unique options for users looking for excellent tools for cutting and trimming. With their incredible features and great sliding capacity, users are assured of value for every single cent spent on this saw.

    Leave a Comment