Customer Reviews

Delta 36-040 8-1/4 Compound Miter saw

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this saw because I am a beginner woodworker, and I thought that it would be a good for just starting out. Honestly, I have not been disappointed with this saw. The motor is strong, and the blade does not vibrate. The cuts are accurate and the motor does not boggs down much when cutting 2" stock. But as I said, this is a good saw for beginners. The blade guard always moves properly, you can lock the blade in the down position when not in use, and it also has a safety button which has to be depressed before the motor turns on; perfect for beginners. I would refer this model to anyone looking for a miter saw for small jobs, reliable, good name brand, and good price.

I have had this miter saw for about 8 or so years, and use it frequently for home repairs, rough carpentry and most recently woodworking projects. As a beginner it was a decent saw, I used it to frame out my entire basement and for many other projects too that didn't require a lot of precision. It is a workhorse, I've never had a problem with the motor or blade.

But as I've gone on to more difficult and demanding work, this saw has not kept up. It was never very good at miter cuts, the detents that should click when the blade is at 45* or 90* were never accurate, and it is very difficult to make fine adjustments when swinging the saw for miter cuts, especially if near a detent (the saw will roll into the detent instead of staying where you put it). The lack of a handle in front to rotate the saw is a big disadvantage when trying to adjust the angle. You can't get any leverage on the tool to make fine adjustments.

To add to that, it's lighty constructed and the blade wavers from side to side as you move the handle up and down by about a 16th of an inch making straight, clean cuts very difficult. Added to that, the 8.25" blade is too small to cut a 2x4 on edge against the fence, which is extremely frustrating the first time (and every time) you need to do that.

I can't recommend to anyone to buy this saw when for only a very few more $$$ you can get a 10" CMS that will be sturdier and more than likely more accurate too. That said, if you need it for rough carpentry and never need to cut a 2x4 on edge, and don't care much if the cut edge is a little wavy and is probably off by a couple of degrees, then go ahead. Otherwise look for a different saw.

I give it two stars instead of one because it has always been a reliable performer, even if it isn't the most precise tool I've ever owned.

There's probably millions of guys out there who bought a good miter saw several years ago, put a really good blade on it, and are content as possible with the results... even though they drool every time they look at some of the new $600 sliding compound miter saws.

If this sounds like your situation, consider this. I just built an 8' credenza with two lateral file units, a full-length hutch, and a 9' wall unit, and the drawer stock for a desk for $600... and I only needed a compound miter saw once... for the crown molding on top of each of the five vertical columns in the wall unit. I used a radial arm saw to cut the 12" shelves for the hutch and wall unit... and all of the time that I was working on the shelves, I was thinking how easy it would be to cut these on a sliding compound miter saw. I wouldn't have to use masking tape for every cut (bottom chip-out even with a plywood blade). I also used the radial arm saw to cut the 16" plywood for the wall unit to length... all while I was thinking that no sliding compound miter saw has the capacity to crosscut more than 12". When it came time to cut the crown molding, I had an excuse to invest $600 for the saw that I wanted... but chose this little Delta miter saw instead... as it has the capacity to cut all of the crown molding or other molding that I use. I build contemporary pieces and don't use 6" crown molding, just the small stuff that's available at Home Depot or Lowes. I'm also a woodworker, not a carpenter who deals with compound cuts on 2x6s, 2x8s and 2x10s.

If you need occasional compound cuts and you do not need more capacity than this saw offers, you should consider adding this saw to your collection of tools... instead of parting with your #1 miter saw and blade to defray the costs of those $600 sliding saws. Another factor... it's nice to have a second miter saw... so you don't have to loose that angle that took six cuts to figure out just because you need to cut some stock at 90 degrees.

I do mean little, because of it's size you are greatly hindered on the maximum width you can cut. This saw is great for anything narrower the 5 inches and is perfect for molding, trim and 2X4. The saw has the power to cut through whatever you need it to (within its size). Bought mine as a trim saw and mild framing saw over 12 years ago and with only a replacement of its brushes (and many blades later) it is still going strong. For a while it had to fill in for full framing work after my 10" died. If capacity is an issue get a larger saw 10" or 12", if its capacity suits your needs...this saw will handle it.

I have had this saw for 3 years and have framed a portable building and many other small jobs and its great. If you want a saw which will handle trim, 2x4s, and other small widths this saw is great.