Sliding or not, single or dual bevel, 10 or 12 inch: reading miter saw specs

What is a compound miter saw?

DEWALT describes its miter saws as delivering angled cuts for trim, molding and framing.

Metabo HPT's 10" C10FCGS compound miter saw lists a miter cutting range of L/R 0-52 degrees and a bevel cutting range of Left 0-45 degrees.

The sections below compare the other three choices on a miter saw spec sheet: bevel direction, sliding or fixed, and blade size. Taikra doesn't rank or test tools; every figure here is from the maker's own page, linked.

Single bevel or dual bevel?

Bosch explains that a single-bevel miter saw tilts in one direction for bevel cuts, while a dual-bevel saw tilts in both directions, so angled cuts can be made without flipping the workpiece. (Bosch Power Tools)

DEWALT's single-bevel DWS715 bevels 0° - 48° to the left and 0°- 3° to the right.

DEWALT's double-bevel DWS779 bevels 0° - 48° left and right.

Bosch's dual-bevel GCM12SD lists 47° left and 47° right of bevel and a miter range of 52° Left, 60° Right.

Metabo HPT's dual-bevel C12RSH3 lists bevel of 0° - 45° each way and a miter range of Left: 0° - 45°; Right: 0° - 57°.

Sliding vs non-sliding: what changes in the specs?

On DEWALT's non-sliding 12 in. DWS715, the listed crosscut capacity is 2-in X 8-in dimensional lumber at 90° and 2-in X 6-in at 45°.

On DEWALT's sliding 12 in. DWS779, the listed crosscut capacity is 2-in X 14-in dimensional lumber at 90° and 2-in X 10-in at 45°.

Makita describes the LS1019L's slide as a 2-steel rail sliding system with a reduced footprint that operates flush against a wall. (Makita U.S.A.)

Delta's 10 in. sliding Cruzer 26-2241 lists a maximum crosscut of 1.5 in. x 15.25 in. (2 x 16 lumber). (Delta Machinery)

Weights in the catalogue differ widely: Metabo HPT's non-sliding 10" C10FCGS lists 24.2 lbs, while Bosch's 10 in. CM10GD glide saw lists 64 lb.

10 or 12 inch miter saw?

Makita's 10" LS1019L lists a maximum cutting capacity of 2-13/16" x 12" at a 90° miter and 2-13/16" x 8-1/2" at 45°, with a 5/8" arbor and 57.9 lbs. net weight. (Makita U.S.A.)

Makita's 12" LS1219L lists 3-5/8" x 15" at a 90° miter and 3-5/8" x 10-1/2" at 45°, with a 1" arbor and 65 lbs. net weight. (Makita U.S.A.)

Bosch's 10" CM10GD lists a maximum cut of 3-1/8" x 12" at 0° miter and 0° bevel and 5,000 no-load RPM.

Bosch's 12" GCM12SD lists 3-1/2" x 13-1/2" at 0° miter and 0° bevel and 4,000 no-load RPM.

The figures above sit side by side so the capacity at the angle you cut most can be compared directly.