And the winners are….
Point Totals (in order of score)
Festool: . . . . . . . . . 41
Makita: . . . . . . . . . . 37
Hitachi: . . . . . . . . . 34
Bosch: . . . . . . . . . . 31
Metabo . . . . . . . . . . 25**
Craftsman: . . . . . . . 25
** Total doesn’t include a laser guide score.
If you count up the point totals, the Festool Kapex edges out the competition, and it truly deserves high praise for its innovative design, precise German craftsmanship and extensive features too numerous to describe here (I have to at least mention the fantastic angle gauge that stores in the base). But there’s a caveat: The Kapex costs far more than the other saws: $1,300 to $1,400 (U.S. price not finalized at this writing). If you’re a true craftsman with a healthy wallet, I heartily recommend buying the Festool, especially if you often tackle complex joinery. But if your woodworking purchases are on a tight leash, my vote for “Best Bet” in a sliding compound miter saw is the Makita LS1013FL. While it lacks many of the Kapex’s cool features, it performs nearly as well, and it will serve the crosscutting needs of the majority of woodworkers. Not far behind in points, the sturdily built Hitachi C10FSH also deserves special mention. At less than a third the price of the Festool, it’s a real bargain.
