Mitre Saw Zone

Best UK Miter Saw Reviews & Top Chop Saws Buyers Guides 2019

TC-SM 2131

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The Einhell TC-SM 2131 Review

Today we are going to look at one of the more popular mitre saws among the DIY enthusiasts out there. The Einhell TC-SM 2131 is built to offer a very flexible range of cutting features for a fantastic price. The German manufacturer have built this model to be robust and this is backed up by many great customer reviews.

When you look at the price of this model it is great compared to many other models but when you compare the feature list it gets even better. If you are a regular DIY user tackling different types of wood working tasks from building a shed to an extension this mitre saw will be very helpful. Read on for more detail!

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The Main Features

One of the big plus points about the TC-SM 2131 is the number of features it offers which are usually found on a professional level saw. Below we will have a look at them in more detail.

Cutting Capacity

The cross cut sliding mechanism allows very wide cuts of up to 310mm (at 90 degrees by 90 degrees) which is great for cutting panels or wider pieces of flooring. This width decreases as you start altering the angles. Cutting planks using the saw will give an accurate finish and make it fast and easy.

The double bevel action is fantastic for this money. It allows you to tilt the saw to 45 degrees on both the left and the right. Great for things like coving where you will need to cut angles on both side very quickly.

The robust table allows fast, easy and accurate setting of the mitre angle of up to 45 degrees on the left and right.

This truly is a versatile saws when it comes to cutting capacity.

1800 Watt Motor

The 1800 watt motor provide plenty of power for the cutting capacity of this model. Perfect for the home user. If you are looking for a saw that is going to have heavy use every day for long periods of time there are more expensive models that offer higher power motors. For anyone using this for DIY use and light building work this not going to be an issue. One thing to bare in mind if you are regularly cutting big pieces of hard wood it would be worth checking is this is enough power.

The 240 volt power supply means it can be plugged in anywhere at home but will not be able to be used on some building sites that require 110 volt tools.

Laser Accuracy

A laser guide come with this model that allows you to line up cuts easily. This is especially useful if you are using the saw in dark light or dusty conditions.

The Blade

The blade that is supplied with this model is a 210mm 48 tooth blade that can cut wood and plastics with ease. It is not designed to cut metal so you may need to bare factor in a second blade to the cost if you are thinking of cutting a lot of metal.

Portability

There are more portable models available but this is not the bulkiest of mitre saws. It’s not too heavy at around 13 kilograms. Not something that you would want to carry around all day but easy enough to move from job to job.

In terms of dimensions it would be easy enough to store on a shelf in the garage at 73cm wide by 46.2 cm deep and 39.6cm high. There are much smaller models on the market but they will often not have the sliding or angle functions this has. Some of the Dewalts have a smaller sliding mechanism but they are much more expensive.

Safety

In terms of safety features the TC-SM 2131 offers a pretty standard range. As with all mitre saws we recommend that you look at purchasing a specific mitre saw stand to making operation a lot easier and safer.

Dust and Chip Collection

There is a small dust bag supplied with the saw to keep the environment dust free. This will work to a point but you will need a hoover or dust remover for heavy use.

Blade Cover

The blade cover will give protection while the blade is spinning but not cutting.

The handle is really easy to use and keeps your hands away form the cutting area while operating the saw.

Extendable Cutting Deck

The extendable cutting deck allows for longer materials to be held in place while cutting safely without having to have another pair of hands to hold them.

Clamp

An easy to use clamp is supplied with to secure material in place ready for cutting.

The Customer View

The brilliant price is backed up with great customer reviews on many sites. People not only raving about the value but also the build quality and versatility. Below we will have a look at some of the more common themes that come through on the customer reviews.

Great Value For Money

We’ve already talked about this a lot. Coming in at under two hundred pounds for this feature set will be difficult to ignore when comparing to some of the more renowned brands like Metabo and Bosch.

Millimetre perfect cuts

Some are very impressed by the accuracy of the cuts and just how accurate you can get measurement of the cuts.

Easy Set Up

For many this is the first time they have owned a power mitre saw and have been impressed with how easy it is to set up and adjust the Einhell TC-SM 2131.

Our Final Thoughts

Well we have to say this is a great saw and we would definitely recommend it to the DIY users out there. It has a vast array of features for very little money. As you go up through the models on the market there are better features available like more powerful motors or lighter saws. However, there are not many models that can offer this many feature sin one bundle.

Storage at home may be an issue for some if you are limited on shed space but i’m sure most of us could find space for a saw that has so many uses.

For builders and carpenters we would recommend looking at other models as well for heavy use including the Evolution range.

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KGS305M

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The Metabo KGS 305 M Review

For this review we are taking a big step up in the Metabo mitre saw range to look at the KGS305M. This is a big saw! It is capable of some massive cuts with plenty of power to back them up. It’s a large bit of kit and is a match for any of the other mitre saws out there.

Many of the saws that we review have smaller capacities than this model and have a few differing features but largely do the same job. This one stands out from the crowd and we will go into why!

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The Main Features

The KGS 305M has some serious features to talk about, this not a standard mitre saw. Below are some of the key things you need to know.

Cutting Capacity

If you are looking for a saw that is totally versatile and up for any job then look no further. The cutting capacity is huge. The maximum cut depth is 106mm (4.1 inches) and maximum cut width is 340mm (13.3 inches).

If you are cutting some large roof timbers or working on landscaping areas that require some serious size timbers then this is a great saw. For roofers it is going to be a heavy bit of kit to get up to the roof but worth it once you are working as it will sail through the biggest cuts.

You are paying a lot of money for the extra capacity so check you need it before you buy.

2000 Watt Motor

The 2000 watt motor is needed on a saw of this size. Cutting through large pieces of hard wood is going to require some serious power and this motor will deliver that. Not only will it deliver the one off power but will be able to make cut after cut.

The motor is powered by a 240 volt mains cable and it is also available as in a 110 volt version to take onto sites for more commercial work.

Cutting Angles

As well as cutting big things the angles are very flexible. The cutting table angles will go to 47 degrees on the left and right side and the blade angle will go to 47 degrees on the left hand side. You will be able to get some precise angles even on all size cuts. Be aware that the angles do reduce the maximum cut size.

Portability

We have to say this is not the most portable saw. It weighs 23 kilograms which is double the weight of some of the smaller models. It’s not really a downside, a saw that is built for this sort of work needs to be robust with a big blade and large footprint to cope with the stresses and strains of big jobs.

Ideally you would use something of this size on a stand with a good bit of working space around it to manage the large pieces of material you are working with.

Not really one to chuck in the boot if you’re going from job to job cutting things like skirting boards!

Safety

A saw that is this capable needs to be safe, below we run through some of the safety features.

Dust and Chip Collection

Supplied with the KGS305M is a detachable dust and chip bag to gather any mess as you work. It is not going to gather a lot of dust so Metabo have designed the saw to be directly attached to a dust collection unit to keep the work area dust free at all times. Really important if you have a bit of kit like this set up in a workshop.

LED Work Light

Situated above the blade, the LED work light shines over the working area to give much better visibility. Great in dark corners of the workshop or low light areas.

Extendable Cutting Deck

This is important on this model as the large materials with be heavier to hold in place and line up for cutting.

Clamp

An easy to use screw down clamp is attached to the deck to hold the materials in place while you cut. This reduces the need to hold the material while you cut it and you can concentrate on getting an accurate cut.

Blade Cover

The blade cover only exposes the spinning blade as it passes over the cutting surface, a standard but important safety feature.

The Customer View

Customers have left some great feedback on various items giving it an overall rating of 9 out of 10 on Reevoo.

Great Value For Money

The common theme running through the reviews is how much you get for your money. Coming in at half of the cost of the Dewalt and Bosch models. No matter what your brand preference you can’t ignore a saving of over two hundred pounds.

Laser Not Great

A couple of comments relating to the laser not being brilliant. This is a downside when comparing it to the Dewalt shadow line system as well.

Heavy But Still Portable

Some people are finding that it is a heavy bit of kit but the ergonomic carry handle on the top of the body makes it easy to pick up and makes up for the weight. I don’t think you can really find a light saw that has this cutting capacity.

Our Final Thoughts

This is a brilliant mitre saw but it’s not for everyone. It costs a lot of money and can cut a lot of large materials. In reality most of us don’t need this so we would urge you to think very carefully before you buy it.

It’s not a cross cut saw that you can tuck away on a small shelf – it takes up a lot of space.

However, this will do any job you throw at it, many brands that offer a saw of this capacity will charge well over five hundred pounds. The quality and scope of the Metabo KGS305M cross cut mitre saw is brilliant.

We think this is one for the seasoned wood worker or tradesmen out there that understand their tools, not one for those buying their first saw.

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KGS254M

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The Metabo KGS 254 M Review

Taking a small step up from the very popular KGS216M is the KGS 254 M. Another fantastic model from Metabo that has a little bit of extra power and cutting capacity to give it the edge when it comes to some heavier use and larger cuts.

With a larger footprint, the 254 is a bigger model that looks a little less compact than some of the smaller models. The design is simple and effective without any gimmicks. Like all Metabo saws it looks well built and robust which matches their reputation.

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The Main Features

This model has plenty of great features to shout about, so below we are going to run through them to help you work out if this the model for you.

Cutting Capacity

The cutting capacity of this model is good for the money. The sliding function gives a good maximum width of 305mm (12 inches) at 90 degrees and 205mm (8 inches) at 45 degrees.

The maximum cut depth is 65mm (2.5 inches) at 90 degrees and 36mm (1.4 inches) at 45 degrees.

This saw is going to be great for smaller inside wood work, some structural work and flooring with the ability to cut some wide planks but is not going to cut some of the large 4 by 4 fence posts. Metabo have a wide range of saws with different capacities so bare thins in mind.

Most of us only really cut up to 2 x 4’s and the Metabo KGS254M is well up to that job.

The 1800 Watt Motor

For the money this a great amount of power, taking a step up from some of the cheaper models that have around 1500 watts. 1800 watts will give you plenty of power for tough materials and persistent use. That’s really important if you are looking for a durable mitre saw.

The motor is powered by a 240 volt power source that you can use in any standard UK plug socket.

Portability

The 254 M weighs in at 13.5kg which is not heavy for a saw of this capability (but is equally not the lightest). To help out with moving this around there is a one handed grab handle situated on top of the saw body which makes it easy to pick up and walk around with. Simply lock the blade in place, unplug the saw and pick it up.

Sliding Function

The sliding bars give the extra cutting width capacity over the standard chop saws. It would be good to see the sliding bars hidden as some of the Dewalt’s have on the newer models but this is a tried and tested way of building a sliding mitre saw.

Laser Guide

To line up the cuts perfectly there is a laser guide. This will assist you in lining up very accurate cuts. This system may need setting up out of the box but once it is working will really help.

Extendible Table

For longer lengths like flooring the extendable table will help hold the material in place making it a lot easier to line up the perfect cut.

Fixed Stop Points

To move the cutting deck there is an easy to use handle to quickly move between the desired angles. The most used angles have lock points to make sure you are 100% accurate with the cut.

Safety

Below are some of the all important safety features.

Dust Bag

A pretty standard small dust collection bag on this one. Okay for the occasional user, but won’t make a great deal of difference if the saw is being used regularly indoors. A dust remover may well be needed for heavy indoor work.

Blade Cover

The 2 part blade cover moves as the blade passes through the wood giving you protection from the spinning blade as you make the cut.

LED Light

Brilliant little feature that lights up the cutting area. Great if you are working in low light or have to bend down to line up the cut. Powered by the mains supply to the saw it is a very easy to use and handy feature.

The Customer View

In this section, we’ll take a look at what some of the customers who have bought this saw in the past have to say about the Metabo KGS254M model.

Nice Step Up From An Evolution

Some comments around customers upgrading from an Evolution or similar level saw to this Metabo. Generally very pleased with the accuracy and build quality of the 254.

Great Accuracy

Many tradesmen have commented on the great accuracy of the angles. Brilliant for finishing work and working at speed. Often cheaper saws are not always great when it comes to some of the finer angles needed for professional finishes.

Great Value For Money

A lot of the chat around this model is the quality of the build and accuracy which is great. But it all comes in for around the two hundred pounds mark. Even better!

Our Final Thoughts

We have to recommend this saw for the money. It will tackle most of the cuts the general wood worker will need and has a powerful motor to back it up. You can’t argue that the Metabo KGS 254 M price isn’t very competitive.

Metabo specialise in some great power tools and offer a wide range of well thought of mitre saws. This sliding mitre saw is a great all rounder and one of the more popular models and we can see why.

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SCMS305DB

The Lumberjack SCMS305DB Review

There is a lot to talk about on the Lumberjack SCMS305DB sliding mitre saw. It is not often that we come across a mitre saw that is capable of such large cuts for this sort of money. It also has some professional features that you wouldn’t expect to see at this price point.

Design wise it is pretty basic and is set up to do the job it was built for. It is not going to make your workshop look as good as a Bosch or Dewalt but this is not an issue for most of us.

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Features

Well kitted out with some serious features, below we go through some to consider.

Cutting Capacity

For just over £200 you are going to struggle to beat this model on cutting capacity. With the maximum cut size of 340mm (13.3 inches) by 104mm (4 inches) the SCMS305DB is going to sail through 8 x 4 beams with no problem. This makes this model capable of a lot more structural work than some of the smaller models that will cut 2 x 4 timbers for smaller jobs but would struggle with structural work.

2000W Motor

With such a large cutting capacity it is important that the motor is man enough to cope with these large materials. It also needs to be able to perform these cuts for many years. The 2000 watt motor is more than capable of handling these challenges. At this price point I would expect to see a motor of around 1500 watts so this is a real bonus on this model. The motor is powered by a 230 volt power supply. It would be nice to see it in 110 volts as well for the site carpenters out there.

Portability

Well this is not the sort of saw you want to be lugging around too much as it weighs in at 23kg. I don’t really see this a being designed to be particularly portable. Most of the saws that weigh around the 10 to 15 kilo mark are not capable of the cutting capacity that the Lumberjack SCMS305DB is.

Double Bevel

Again a feature seen on the more expensive models. The double bevel angle mean you can cut 45 degrees to the left and right with ease. Really handy for making lots of fast cuts that are different angles. Definitely one for the tradesmen to think about as it makes the saw much quicker to use for jobs such as coving and architraves.

Adjustable Cut Depth

If you need to cut trenches in your timber then the adjustable cut height is very handy. Easy to set for fast use, a standard feature but worth mentioning.

Twin Laser Guide

For good cutting accuracy the twin lasers allow you to line up the cuts very easily. Most saws at this cost will only have a single laser or no laser. This handy if you are cutting large timbers that are hard to handle and move. Getting them lined up accurately is very important.

The Blade

The Lumberjack SCMS305DB 230 volt comes with a 305mm 30 tooth blade to handle some big cuts. This is not going to give you the finest cut but it will be easy to get a fine cut blade with a bore size of 30mm. The 2000w motor spins the blade at 4,500rpm.

Safety

This saw comes with bar extensions to support the larger materials and a robust blade to cover for safety. This is important as the saws get harder to handle when cutting big 8 x 4’s. There is a dust bag included but to be honest for heavy use I don’t think it will help a great deal.

What The Customers Say

Lumberjack is a fairly new brand in the power tool market so it doesn’t have the reputation that some of the bigger brands have. They do have a number of very happy customers so we thought it would be good to pass on some of there views as well.

Many happy customers with the shear power and accuracy of the saw out of the box. Basically, it does what it says it will do which is a lot for the money!

Set up is not that quick as a few people have needed to calibrate the laser before they can use the saw. Unfortunately, this will need to be done with a lot of saws with lasers.

It is a bit noisy. This is down to the larger motor than some of the less powered models. The more powerful saws will make more noise.

Conclusion

Well, this is not the saw to buy if you want a small easy to store mitre saw for the odd house hold job. It is a big unit that is capable of some serious jobs.

However, if you are after something that will tackle most jobs around the house including building an extension then we highly recommend the Lumberjack SCMS305DB. This model leads the market in value for money with this sort of cutting capability. If you think you really will need to cut structural timber, large planks or big lengths of hard wood then look now further. Highly recommended.

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