Freud TR215 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw

by Freud

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Freud's 8-1/2-inch sliding compound miter saw is a reliable and reasonably priced saw that smoothly cuts wide stock. That said, people accustomed to other miter saws might find some of Freud's design characteristics to be less than user-friendly. This saw has a two-piece blade guard more like those found on radial-arm saws, and the two-button thumb switch is difficult to operate and a little annoying when trying to make repeated cuts. Making miter adjustments requires flipping a lever over to get out of the detent and then loosening a butterfly-type screw to release the table--another unique setup that could use improvement. But, despite these less-than-ideal features, this saw does make clean and accurate cuts and comes with an excellent Freud blade. It is solidly constructed, has a powerful motor, and should last a long time. For homeowners and do-it-yourselfers wanting the horizontal cutting capacity of a sliding compound miter saw, this is the most affordable way to go. Professionals may want to consider other models to avoid the extra labor resulting from this saw's design. --Brian Trinen

From the Manufacturer

Size does matter. One of the first things you'll notice about this miter saw is the size of its cast-aluminum base: it's twice as wide as other saws. The base gives you excellent stability while remaining compact enough for easy transport. The powerful 9.7 amp universal motor, in combination with the blade diameter and kerf width, provides a maximum amount of torque at the cutting edge. It is also equipped with an electronic brake to bring the blade to a quick stop once the trigger is released. Setting an angle close to a positive stop is easy--simply disengage the positive stop with the twist of a lever. Positive stops are located at 0, 15, 22-1/2, 30, and 45 degrees. Careful attention has also been paid to the size and design of the miter locking lever: it will remain out of the way and not interfere with the operator.

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 32 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0000223OG
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: TR215
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #802,950 in Home Improvement (See Top 100 in Home Improvement)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A useful saw that's light on price and weight, November 12, 2000

By 

Timothy S. Rumbinas "canuman" (Sutton, VT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Freud TR215 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

I've used this saw for several months. I purchased it after my sometime building partner was called out of state, taking his superb (and costly) Milwaukee slide-compound saw with him. In all honesty, I bought the Freud elsewhere for less money than advertised here.

You probably will not like this saw if you are a fanatic for fine fit and finish. It's not as aesthetically pleasing as some of it's higher priced competition. The blade guard is cheesy, and the saw doesn't scream quality overall. It's obviously a price-point item. The exception to this is the blade, which is all one expects from Freud.

However, it is a good, functional tool. The cast-aluminum table is top-notch. The miter indexing is good, although the bevel indexing is only fair. I've cut materials ranging from 2-by pt and rough-cut to 5/4 to moulding, and always found the power sufficient. The only mechanical flaw I've found is the electric brake failing to function in extremely cold and damp weather. This is not unique, however, as a I worked with a friend's DeWalt under the same conditions and experienced a similar problem.

If you're looking for an heirloom quality tool, this probably isn't it. If you want something that does a surprisingly good job in rough-and tumble jobsite conditions, or for other reasons cannot justify spending additional money it's worth a long look. For the difference between the Freud and it's competition, I purchased a decent workstand, which truly increases production, safety and ease of use.

42 of 43 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars WORK HORSE, December 28, 1999

By 

"[e-mail]" (Pistol River, Oregon U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freud TR215 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

26 years in production carpentry, I know my saws. My Freud saw preformed for 8 years of daily on the job use. Northwest rain, blowing sand or apprentices could not stop it. I never even replace a trigger. I do custom finish work and have ordered a second Freud this week. I have used Delta and Makita, this saw gave me better cuts and longer service. Light weigh but stable, I recomend this saw.

38 of 40 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You get what you pay for., December 13, 1999

By 

Steven Gibson (Fremont, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Freud TR215 8-1/2-Inch Sliding Compound Miter saw (Tools & Home Improvement)

Right out of the box this saw looks cheap, (actually it is compared to most sliding compound miter saws) a quick assessment of it's functionality confirms the initial impression. Plastic and cast aluminum parts look cheap, locking pin nearly impossible to use, blade quality is OK, miter turret moves a little hard, blade guard is a strange contraption, no guard to prevent tear-out, and being an 8 1/2" saw it's cutting capacity is seriously limited. There are a couple of nice features however -- the base gives the saw excellent stability while remaining compact. It's relatively lite and It's equipped with an electronic brake. In the end you'll be much better off stepping up to a Hatachi or Makita, They're wroth the extra money.