Kobalt 7 1/4-in 10 Amp Single-Bevel Sliding Compound Mitre Saw with Laser Marker (SM1815LW) for $99.00

I have this saw, at this price. It's not very square. The detent at 90 degrees has enough play that it's frequently wrong and I have to give it some muscle to get it where it needs to be. I wouldn't recommend it.

EDIT: There are some good things though. It's tiny and fits on a 16 inch shelf perfectly. It can cut a 2x6 since it slides. The sliding mechanism seems decent.

The safety does not prevent a child from using it, all they have to do is grip a little harder and push their hand around and they'll get it.

Thanks OP.

Was looking for a cheap saw to help with building some simple elevated garden boxes.

Some universal mitre saw stands also on sale at Canadian tire And Rona.

Contemplating this saw and stand for $175-$200

Or spending a bit more and getting the rigid saw with free stand for $328.

I have this saw and the previous model... the previous model is better in every way. The safety trigger is better as it's on the top and not with the trigger. The old one is very square... this new one the "wings" and the middle are slightly off (i'm talking the base which is difficult to fix). I'm fine with it as i just to for rough lumber cutting and I've customized the old one for precise cuts.

Dust collection is pretty bad on these even with a vacuum hooked up... but most are besides festool i guess.

It's a very handy saw as it's slides and is very compact, also the included blade is pretty good although the kerf is kinda fat.

I paid $65 for each but that was awhile ago.

Rigid combo blows this out of the water... BUT if you'll be doing mostly outdoor work and moving it around a lot, then you'll appreciate the compact size of this saw... and the money savings I guess. Another plus is the blade changes will cost you less for the smaller 7-1/4 blade of the Kobalt saw.

250strong wrote: ↑ Thanks OP.

Was looking for a cheap saw to help with building some simple elevated garden boxes.

Some universal mitre saw stands also on sale at Canadian tire And Rona.

Contemplating this saw and stand for $175-$200

Or spending a bit more and getting the rigid saw with free stand for $328.

All depends on your needs I have the previous model and love it. It is good enough for 90% of my needs. Why lug around a 19 dual bevel miter when this will do the job, 2x4,2x6 hardy plank, PVC and and pipe etc. If you are cabinet making then I would probably spend more cash

sleepyguy wrote: ↑ Rigid combo blows this out of the water... BUT if you'll be doing mostly outdoor work and moving it around a lot, then you'll appreciate the compact size of this saw... and the money savings I guess. Another plus is the blade changes will cost you less for the smaller 7-1/4 blade of the Kobalt saw.

Thanks for your opinion. It makes me lean towards the rigid. The only thing that concerned me was the multiple reviews on Home Depot that mentioned the rigid cuts or blade was wobbly.

I agree with it being not terribly square. Too much play.

But I live with it because the size is so much nicer to deal with. Not just portability but also storage. I hated storing my Ryobi 10" slider with stand.

I like that blades are cheap and it does 99% of the work I need it to. If there were another option at 7 1/4" I would consider it. But at this price I would buy it again.

Our shop has these as portable service saws and they're great.

If you're doing a build-out, you can leave a 12 inch slider at the site.

A better saw is the evolution 7 1/4 inch sliding mitre, but it's more expensive.

Good for crown moulding? Or too much play on the blade?

Can anyone suggest a good blade for this? For wood cross cuts, at least how many teeth should a 7 1/4 inch blade typically have?

I have a brand new blade this size lying around which says "circular saw only", hence asking.

Because 7-1/4 blade size is so small you can get away with very little teeth and get extremely CLEAN cuts. For example a 24 teeth on a 10 or 12 inch blade won't cut clean as say a 24 teeth on a 7-1/4 blade. I have a diablo 7-1/4 ripping blade 24tooth on one of my kobalts for most general cuts and such... does a great job with some tearout. My other kobalt (older model, and much more square) I have a 7-1/4 diablo blade with 40teeth and it cuts with almost zero tear out, which i use for trim and such.

Remember if your saw isn't cutting great you can general "listen" to the tone of the blade cutting... it should be quite effortless. Don't go buying a new blade yet. If you have been cutting very "green" wood, your blade is probably gummed up. Take it off... clean it with some detergent and a light scour pad... dry it up... put it back on. Will cut super clean again.

piperdaddy wrote: ↑ Can anyone suggest a good blade for this? For wood cross cuts, at least how many teeth should a 7 1/4 inch blade typically have?

I have a brand new blade this size lying around which says "circular saw only", hence asking.

Go with the rigid... it has dual bevel which you'll be fall in love with when doing crown molding. The Kobalt is single bevel which can be confusing... also breaks the golden rule of "good side down" when cutting molding and such on a mitre saw.

NRFDRFDR wrote: ↑ Good for crown moulding? Or too much play on the blade?

I've had this saw for over a year and can't complain for the price (cost me 87$ after coupons). I've cut baseboard and door trims for the whole basement, as well as several small projects inside and outside the house.

Not the best of course, but for a 100 bucks or so it's a great buy.

I have this and just did baseboards with it. For the price its not bad. But I found that I wanted some more angle out of it (only 0-45 degrees) when doing baseboards, especially when the walls are not square.

good to know.

Been waiting for this to come on sale again, thanks OP!

Ordered one to use mostly for cutting metal, and to double as a portable miter so I can leave my 10" bolted to the bench.

Do I need a bench for this saw?

forevergone wrote: ↑ Do I need a bench for this saw?

That depends on how averse you are to using a saw while kneeling. Mine sits on the garage floor or driveway when I'm using it.

forevergone wrote: ↑ Do I need a bench for this saw?

Not at all... this is light and portable (aside from having the cord) and great for going to where the cut needs to be, as opposed to bringing the lumber to the saw (applicable for outside work, such as building a deck or parts of a fence.