Craftsman 10 Inch Miter Saw


The Craftsman 21236 - 10" Compound Miter Saw Review
	Craftsman 10" Saw Review Highlights Really lightweight Great reviews on ease of use Simple saw, easy to change blade Basic functionality, less to setup Cuts a dimensional 2x6 in one pass Low price point Standard dust collection Only single bevel
For the Professional Contractor	5 out of 5
For the Do-It-Yourselfer & Weekend Warrior	5 out of 5
For the Hobbyist and Beginner Woodworker	4 out of 5
For the Serious Woodworker	3 out of 5
	Tool Specifications 10" blade, 5/8" arbor 120 vac standard plugin 15 amp motor Bevels 0° to 45° to the left MIters 0° to 45° to the left MIters 0° to 45° to the right Saw weight of 28 pounds Blade speed is 4,800 rpm Crosscut capacity @ 90° is 5-1/2"

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Craftsman 10 Inch Miter Saw Review Summary

The Craftsman 10 inch miter saw is a very common and basic saw. It’s designed as easy to use saw with basic functionality and great performance.

The capacities of this saw are pretty good for being of the non-sliding class of miter saws. It’s also really easy to maintain, and blade change is simple and very quick on this model.

It’s not the lightest saw available, but because it lacks some bells and whistles, it’s still considered pretty lightweight.

The ease of use, basic core functions, and low total weight, make this saw a great tool for DIYers and professionals alike.

Plus with the built-in laser guide, the setup for lining up your cut is very quick.

It’s priced fairly low, although it’s not the cheapest in its class. However, if you’re looking for a saw that’s built to last, and uses a time-test, well-proven design, then this Craftsman may be worth spending the few extra bucks for.

This craftsman miter saw comes with a blade, hold-down vice, dust bag, blade-change wrench, and the rear extension stay.

Related articles:
Learn how to use a miter saw properly

Craftsman 10 Inch Miter Saw – What’s to like?

Cutting capabilities are slightly better than average

Being a standard compound miter saw, you can’t expect to cut through really wide boards. However, you will be able to cut right through dimensional lumber like 2x4s and 2x6s with a single pass.

The miter adjustment goes up to 45°, both left and right. It can be fine-tuned to the exact angle you need, however, there are also positive stop detents at common miter angles. This includes 0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45°. These detents make for faster setup and better repeatability with your cuts.

The saw also bevels to the left, up to 45°. There are positive stops set at 0° and at 45° for the bevel, making quick bevel setup, and quick to move back to center.

I would prefer the miter adjustments to be able to extend beyond 45° for more specialty cuts, like on the Dewalt 10″ miter saw. However industry standard is 45°, which is what this saw offers, and that will handle 90% of the miter cuts you make.

The exception to this is for trim carpenters. You may find that the lack of increased miter angles above 45° can be a problem for some jobs, on some cuts.

Dust collection performance is industry standard – could be better

The dust port in the back is lined up decently well, so some of the dust will be thrown into the dust bag.

But don’t be surprised when much more of the dust ends up in the air on all over the tool, and the table it sets on.

To improve the dust collection, you’ll need to attach a shop vac hose on the back of the saw, in lieu of the dust bag. This will help suck up more dust and reduce what makes it into your lungs

Versatility – what this saw is made for

This craftsman miter saw is built for the basics – framing, deck building, trim molding, renovations, and DIY projects. Because it has the ability to make miter cuts, you can use it for making door casings and picture frames etc.

But with the ability to also make bevel and compound cuts, you can also use it for crown molding and baseboard work.

And the better-than-standard cross-cutting allows for framing in a new room (or a house for that matter), building a deck, or installing hardwood floors.

Plus with the relatively low weight, you’ll be able to easily move it around for different projects, and easily store when not needed.

Overall this makes for a very handy saw that’s perfect for DIYers and professionals. I would also suggest it for hobbyist or beginner woodworkers who need a decent saw on a budget.

Opinions Based On Real User Experiences

Positive Reviews

Users are impressed by its low tool weight and ease of changing out the blade
Professionals like its basic functionality, low weight, and how easy it is to maintain the saw
User finds it works very well for small or quick projects

Negative Reviews

One user noted they had issues with the laser

Review Summary

People generally really like their decision with purchasing this saw. It’s got few reviews, but they are all good. People tend to buy this saw for it’s ease of use, low cost, and overall light weight.

Is This Basic Low-cost Compound Miter Saw Worthy?

This saw is built for standard use, but within that limitation it can handle about any job you throw at it very well.
It’s for proffessionals, DIYers, and hobbyists on a budget.

I like craftsman tools, even though they may not be what they used to be. One cool thing about them is you can always find someone who can get you repair parts or customer service in most cities.

The MFR warranty is decent – 1 year.

While this saw isn’t exactly a pioneer of new design, I see that as a good thing. They’ve taken a miter saw design that has done them well for many years, and overall kept it the same.

One difference is nowadays they use lighter material, so it’s not quite the beefy heavy tool your grandpa had.

I would not strongly suggest this for anyone need to do large crown molding and large baseboard projects. Also if you’re a serious woodworker, I would suggest something with better dust collection and more cutting capacity, like the Ryobi 10″ Sliding miter saw.

If you want a basic tool that is lightweight and can handle most home projects, this saw is definitely worth looking into.