Skil Portable Miter Saw Stand

Why I chose this stand

I needed a miter saw stand that could live in two worlds: the shop, where stability and repeatability matter, and a jobsite or driveway, where quick setup and mobility save time. After putting the Skil stand through several weeks of framing, trim, and small-deck work, I’m impressed by how well it balances sturdiness, portability, and useful features without unnecessary frills.

Setup and first impressions

Assembly was straightforward. The parts are well labeled, and the hardware is sensible. I had the frame, folding legs, and quick-release brackets together in under half an hour with a nut driver and an adjustable wrench. The fit and finish are better than I expect at this price point—clean welds, consistent powder coat, and hardware that tightens without feeling soft.

The first thing I check on any stand is how it behaves when you push on it from the side. With the legs locked, the frame sits flat and doesn’t shimmy. The 35.4-inch working height lands right in my comfort zone for both crosscutting and trim work. Taller users might wish for an extra inch or two, but for me (5'10"), it’s a neutral, shoulders-down position.

Mounting and compatibility

The quick-release mounting brackets are the standout convenience feature. They attach to the saw’s base and then snap onto the rails without tools. I mounted a 10-inch sliding saw in minutes. The brackets adjust to different hole patterns, and the rails are wide enough to accept most saw footprints. The stand is designed with SKIL models in mind (including the MS6316), but the brackets handled the other saws I tried without drama. Once latched, there’s no discernible rattle.

One thing to note: if your saw’s base has deep ribs or odd hole spacing, you may need to get creative with washer stacks or switch to through-bolts. That’s typical with “universal” stands, and the bracket slots give you enough leeway to make it work.

Portability and storage

At 40.48 lbs without a saw, the stand is not featherweight, but the mass translates to stability. The folding legs collapse quickly, and the support arms slide into the body for a compact profile. With an 8-inch wheelset, rolling the loaded stand across smooth concrete or decking is easy. On gravel or pitted jobsite terrain, the wheels still get the job done, but they’re not off-road tires—you’ll feel every rut. The handle position is balanced; I can tilt and roll with one hand while guiding the saw head with the other.

Folded, the stand fits against a wall or behind a shop door. The relatively short 47-inch table length keeps the footprint manageable, and the locks don’t bind when you open it again—something I’ve had to fight on cheaper stands.

Support for long stock and repeat cuts

The extendable support arms reach out to 80 inches, which covers most casing, baseboard, and common decking material without needing a separate stand. Each arm carries a steel roller that’s height-adjustable relative to the saw deck. Once leveled, the rollers feed smoothly without grabbing. The dual-roller setup is especially helpful when working solo with long stock: the material glides instead of teetering.

The length stop is simple and effective. It locks down quickly and holds position for repeatable cuts. On my unit, there was minimal flex at full extension, and accuracy held within a saw blade’s kerf over a series of 10 to 12 cuts on 1x4. If you’re batching cabinet face frames or trim returns, it’s a major time saver. As always, a test cut to dial in your stop is worth the minute it takes.

Stability under load

Rated at 400 lbs, the stand easily handles a heavy sliding saw plus a stack of 2x12 without flinching. I intentionally leaned into some crosscuts to see if I could induce a wobble. The legs stayed planted, and the rails didn’t twist. The roller assemblies lock down tightly; once set, they don’t sag. This is the stability I look for when cutting heavier framing stock or longer decking boards.

Day-to-day workflow

• Quick setup: From unloaded to cutting took me under two minutes after a couple of practice runs. The quick-release brackets do most of the work.
• Adjustments: Raising/lowering the rollers and setting the stop are simple, tool-free operations. I appreciated that the adjusters don’t drift over a day’s work.
• Transport: With the saw attached, I can roll from truck to cut station in one trip. If stairs are involved, I pop the saw off and carry the pieces separately—still fast.
• Storage: The legs and arms tuck in cleanly, and the stand doesn’t sprawl when leaned against a wall.

Build quality and durability

The steel frame inspires confidence. Locks and latches are positive without requiring gorilla strength. The powder coat has held up to some scraping against a trailer gate with only minor scuffs. The wheel hubs are solid; no wobble after several miles of rolling across jobsites and garages. I didn’t notice any play develop in the leg joints or arm sliders after repeated setup/teardown cycles.

Ergonomics and accuracy

The 35.4-inch height is a good compromise: low enough for control on wide crosscuts, high enough to reduce back strain during repetitive trim work. Because the rails are rigid, the saw stays true relative to the support rollers. Once I leveled the rollers to the saw deck, miters on long casing stayed consistent without needing a helping hand to keep stock from dipping.

The length stop is readable at a glance, and although it’s not micro-adjustable, small tweaks are easy by nudging the stop or shimming against it for fine work. For cabinet-grade precision, I still rely on a story stick, but the built-in stop is more than accurate enough for most carpentry.

What I’d improve

No stand is perfect, and a few small details could make this one even better:
- Wheel size: The 8-inch wheels are decent; 10-inch would be nicer on rough ground.
- Accessory storage: There’s no dedicated spot for pencils, a tape, or hold-down clamps. A small caddy would be handy.
- Stop flag design: It’s solid, but a micro-adjust feature would help dial in exact lengths faster for fine finish work.
- Carry balance: With some saws, the center of gravity sits slightly forward when rolling. It’s manageable, but a second grab point would make slopes easier.

These are minor quibbles; none were deal breakers in daily use.

Practical tips for setup

• Mount the brackets to your saw on a bench, not on the stand—faster and safer.
• Level the rollers to the saw deck with a straightedge before your first cuts.
• Mark common stop positions with painter’s tape on the arm for quick repeats.
• Add threadlocker to the bracket bolts after you’ve dialed in the fit, especially if you travel frequently.

Who it’s for

If you’re a DIYer or pro who wants a stable, portable cutting station that can handle everything from trim to framing lumber, this stand hits the sweet spot. It’s especially well-suited if you move between rooms or jobsites and need to roll rather than lug your saw. The universal brackets make it a safe pick if you’re likely to change saws down the line.

Final recommendation

I recommend the Skil stand. It delivers real jobsite stability, quick setup with tool-free brackets, and thoughtful support for long stock, all in a package that stores compactly and rolls easily. The 400-lb capacity and 80-inch support span cover a broad range of work, and the 35.4-inch height is comfortable for full-day use. I’d welcome larger wheels and a micro-adjust stop, but those are nice-to-haves rather than must-haves. If you want a dependable, no-nonsense miter saw stand that improves your workflow without getting in the way, this one is a smart choice.