Skil 10 Amp 7-1/4 In. Single Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

Why I reached for this compact slider

I’ve used plenty of big, 10- and 12-inch miter saws that live on a stand and never leave the shop. Lately, though, I’ve needed something lighter for punch-list work, trim installs, and quick crosscuts where dragging out a full-size setup just slows the day down. That’s where this Skil 7-1/4-in sliding miter saw has earned a spot in my rotation. It’s small, it’s accurate, and it’s surprisingly capable for its size.

Setup, build, and first cuts

Out of the box, the saw required minimal assembly—blade, dust bag, clamp, and the usual Allen wrench are included. The compact fixed-rail design keeps the footprint shallow, which let me park it on a bench tight to a wall without the slide arms crashing into studs or pegboard. That single design choice matters if you’re working in a garage shop or on a cramped jobsite.

On my sample, the fence and miter scale were dead on at 0° and the bevel was within a hair; a quick tweak dialed it in. The quick miter lock engages positively, and the detents—0°, 15°, 22.5°, 31.6°, and 45° left and right—are crisp with minimal slop. The bevel is single-sided (0°–45° left) with stops at 0° and 45°, which will be familiar to anyone who’s worked on entry-level and mid-range trim saws.

The LED shadow line is better than any laser guide I’ve used on a miter saw. Because it projects the blade’s actual kerf as a shadow, it stays true regardless of blade thickness and doesn’t drift out of calibration. For trim and casing work, that confidence speeds up layout and reduces test cuts.

Capacity and performance

A 7-1/4-in blade won’t turn a compact saw into a framing beast, but with the sliding action and 4,800 RPM no-load speed, it punches above its weight. Real-world capacities on the Skil are legitimate:

• 2x10 at 0° miter / 0° bevel
• 2x6 at 45° miter
• Crown nested up to 3-1/2 in
• Baseboard against the fence a bit over 3 in (spec’d at roughly 3-1/5 in)

In practice, I crosscut SPF 2x10 cleanly, and the motor didn’t bog as long as I kept a steady feed rate. For trim, I switched to a higher-tooth-count blade (the included 24T carbide is fine for construction lumber but leaves fuzz on paint-grade stock). With an 80T blade, the saw produced crisp miters on 3-1/4-in base and 3-1/2-in crown nested—exactly the kind of work this tool is built for.

The slide motion is smooth, with just enough resistance to feel controlled. I didn’t notice appreciable play at full extension, but as with any compact slider, a consistent pull-through and firm hold against the fence help maintain accuracy on wider boards.

Accuracy and repeatability

For me, a small miter saw lives or dies by predictable accuracy. The Skil gets a lot right:

• The shadow line lands precisely on the teeth, edge-to-edge, with no need to fuss over laser alignment.
• The miter detents are square and repeatable; returning to 0° from any angle gave me glue-ready joints.
• The fence is straight and tall enough for typical casing and base.

On bevel cuts, the single-sided design means cutting mirrored profiles requires flipping the workpiece or changing your approach. That’s slower than a dual-bevel workflow when you’re running production crown, but it’s an expected tradeoff at this size and price.

Portability and ergonomics

Under 25 lb is the headline here. I can carry the saw one-handed, clamp and all, up a flight of stairs without feeling like I’m moving in. The top handle is well placed, and the saw balances comfortably when folded down. If you do service calls, installs, or DIY projects room-to-room, the weight savings are real.

Control surfaces are intuitive: a large miter knob and lever, a front bevel release, and a quick-release clamp that actually helps with small stock. The trigger and guard feel solid, and visibility into the cut is excellent thanks to the LED and a relatively open guard design.

A note on power: the 10 A motor isn’t a torque monster, but paired with the smaller blade diameter it spins quickly and cuts cleanly. I never popped a breaker on a household circuit. For dense hardwoods, take a patient feed and let the RPM do the work.

Dust collection

The integrated 1-1/4-in port and included bag are adequate for light trim cuts. The bag catches a fair amount of fine dust, but as with most compact miter saws, chips will escape around the blade guard. Hooked up to a small vac with a 1-1/4-in hose, collection improves significantly. If dust control is critical, plan on connecting it to extraction rather than relying on the bag.

Footprint and stability

That compact fixed-rail system is the unsung hero of this saw. It keeps the head traveling without long tubes projecting out the back, so you can place the saw on a shallow shelf, a utility cart, or a narrow bench and still get full slide travel. The base has modest extension supports; they’re useful for short trim pieces, but for long base or casing you’ll still want a stand or auxiliary supports.

Vibration is well-controlled for a saw in this class. With a quality blade installed and the saw on a stable surface, the cut feel is composed, not chattery.

Where it shines, where it doesn’t

What I like
- Lightweight, go-anywhere form factor without giving up slide capacity
- Accurate LED shadow line that never needs calibration
- Honest crosscut capacity (2x10 at 90°) for a 7-1/4-in saw
- Crisp miter detents and easy-to-use quick lock
- Compact rail system lets you park the saw flush to walls
- Includes the essentials to get cutting immediately

What I’d change
- Single bevel slows mirrored compound work; dual bevel would speed trim runs
- Stock 24T blade is coarse for finish work; budget for a higher-tooth blade
- Dust bag is average; plan on a vac for cleaner operation
- The 6-ft cord feels short on larger jobsites

Who it’s for

• DIYers upgrading from a handsaw or circular saw who need accurate, repeatable miters and a small footprint.
• Remodelers and punch-list pros who value portability and quick setup in finished spaces.
• Trim carpenters tackling standard casing, baseboard, and smaller crown who don’t need a dual-bevel monster every day.

If you routinely cut 5-1/4-in and larger crown nested, wide baseboard standing up, or heavy structural lumber, a 10- or 12-in dual-bevel saw is still the better tool. The Skil can do a lot, but blade diameter and single-bevel design are real limits in those scenarios.

The bottom line

After a steady run of baseboard, casing, and general jobsite odds and ends, this compact Skil has proven to be a reliable, accurate, and easy-to-carry slider. The 10 A motor and 4,800 RPM keep cuts clean, the shadow line is genuinely helpful, and the fixed-rail design makes it far easier to place in tight spots than traditional sliders. I’d immediately swap the included 24T blade for a fine-finish blade if trim is your focus, and I do wish it were dual-bevel—but those aren’t dealbreakers at this size.

Recommendation: I recommend this saw to anyone who needs a lightweight, accurate miter saw for trim, small carpentry tasks, and mobile work. It offers a strong mix of portability and real-world capacity (including 2x10 at 90°), thoughtful features like the LED shadow line and quick miter lock, and a compact footprint that plays nicely in small shops and finished rooms. If your work leans heavily on large crown, tall base, or mirrored compound cuts all day, step up in size and features; otherwise, this is a smart, capable choice that earns its keep.