By Mark Clement
I haven't used a fixed-head 10-inch miter saw for about six years. The reason: after my last one wore out, I got a 10-inch slide compound miter saw, which has since faithfully served as the center of both my wood shop and remodeling activities.
However, sometimes all that great cut capacity is overkill. So I took a look at the new Worx WT480 10-inch fixed-head chop box, which quickly proved a useful exercise. I used the WT480 where it doesn't make much sense to haul out the big cross-cutting guns: I installed strip flooring and small base, case and chair rail. I also made lots of one-off cuts like 2-by blocking and even whacked through PVC pipe.
On the Move
The first thing I noticed—and immediately liked—about the Worx saw was that at 44-pounds it was smaller, lighter and easier to carry than the slider. My back thanked me even before I got the saw on site because just throwing it in the truck was a breeze. It also has a nice over-molded carrying handle and fits through doorways easily.
Floors
The first project I threw at the unit was cutting strip flooring, and it proved perfect. It cut the material without a hiccup. And since the unit is easily mobile, I can take it with me as I move across a floor—saving lots of walking back and forth to saw. The unit's rubber feet are great, so I can use it without worry when I'm installing a pre-finished floor or working in a finished home.
Trim
For trim, the first thing to check is accuracy. The Worx was perfectly tuned. Next I check for how cleanly the blade cuts. The 40-tooth blade that ships with this saw left extremely clean cuts in small casings, chair and crown with very little tear-out. Larger trims are still the domain of 12-inch saws or slide compound units. The Worx does bevel 45-degrees to the left for making larger bevel cuts, but it's a slower operation than just using a larger saw.
Lines of sight from either side of the blade were clean. I want to see my pencil mark so I can dial in cuts accurately. That's no problem here. Angle and bevel adjustments were also sweet on this tool. Knobs turn easily, dentents are rock solid and adjustments are true.
One-Off Work
The Worx WT480 was also great plowing through framing. Again, its sharp, durable blade made quick work of 2-by blocking. For sizing PVC plumbing, forget about hacking at it with a recip saw—the Worx sailed through it.
Cool Extras
The dust shroud on this saw is smart. While you can attach a vac hose if you like, the dust port is an elbow that directs dust away from the user if you don't have a hose. It also accepts both size hoses—a nice detail.
The D-handle is terrific. Its flared shape, horizontal orientation and soft-grip rubber work for me. For long days of cutting (like running flooring), it was a treat to use.
A 10-inch fixed-head chop saw can in no way replace my faithful slide compound miter saw, but for certain jobs, it's the ideal tool—and a welcome addition to my shop and jobsites.
Worx Power Tools, WT480, $229
Mark Clement is a remodeler and author of The Carpenter's Notebook and The Kid's Carpenter's Workbook, Fun Family Projects! Learn more at TheCarpentersNotebook.com.
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