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Irwin Miter Saw Laser Guide -- works well so far

Review by mgradwohl posted 131 days ago 454 views 0 times favorited 11 comments Add to Favorites
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mgradwohl

110 posts in 294 days


Irwin Miter Saw Laser Guide -- works well so far Irwin Miter Saw Laser Guide -- works well so far No-picture-s Click the pictures to enlarge them
This weekend I bought and installed the Irwin Miter Saw Laser Guide onto my DeWalt Miter Saw. I’m very happy with it so far.
  • It was easy to install
  • It projects a crisp clean line to the left of the blade (unless your blade retaining nut is on the right of the blade)
  • It is very helpful with complex cuts or cutting complex material
  • It is less helpful with straight cuts on square material (it’s easier for you to know where the blade will be cutting in this regard)
  • It was cheap

I bought mine at Lowe’s, but you can find it (and more reviews) at Amazon here

-Matt in Redmond, WA


11 comments so far

View bobdurnell's profile

bobdurnell

160 posts in 378 days


posted 131 days ago

I have one of these, very similar but I got it at Rockler a while back. I can’t see the line very well when outdoors but I really like that it tells you ecactly where NOT to put your hand when making a bevel cut.

-- bobdurnell, Santa Ana California.

View teenagewoodworker's profile

teenagewoodworker

2024 posts in 249 days


posted 131 days ago

that looks cool. i always though about getting one but i like to use the blade to see where it will cut.

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

8487 posts in 469 days


posted 131 days ago

Hmmm. I wonder how it would work on a table saw? What size arbor does a miter saw have?

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Scott Bryan's profile

Scott Bryan

9024 posts in 303 days


posted 131 days ago

Thanks for the review. I have one of these as well. It works fine inside but, as Bob said, outside it is impossible to see in the sunlight. Since it projects slightly left of the cut line it does take some getting used to but it is a nice addition to a miter saw.

-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.

View out2sea71's profile

out2sea71

7 posts in 159 days


posted 130 days ago

I have also used this item but I have 2 installed on the miter saw; one on either side of the blade. The batteries have lasted almost 2 years without fail. My shop is in the basement so any additional light i can generate is welcome.

-- kein Schaden ohne Nutzen

View jockmike2's profile

jockmike2

4129 posts in 727 days


posted 130 days ago

I have a Rigid 12” in saw and I can’t find one that’ll work on it. I sure wish I could find one to. I’ve used them before and they are a great addition to a miter saw. I see the new Rigids have them but the new lasers don’t fit the older saws. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

View gator9t9's profile

gator9t9

282 posts in 185 days


posted 130 days ago

I have an INFINITER laser BEAM on my Dewalt Miter Saw ….And to answer Gary K question of how does it work on a table saw ..AS you know, the laser beam tool is about the size of a silver dollar maybe just a bit larger in diameter…It is mounted on the arbor and the speed of turning blade/laser lite projects laser beam down and below the blade of a miter saw .
...so on a table saw …the cut, which is above the blade …..the laser beam would be projected up …..so the laser would be below the stock being cut ….and so I dont think you would be able to see the beam …
I think ..

-- Mike in Bonney Lake " If you are real real real good your whole life, You 'll be buried in a curly maple coffin when you die."

View Brad_Nailor's profile

Brad_Nailor

725 posts in 438 days


posted 130 days ago

Good review. I have been suggesting this to a friend.
Gary, the only thing this would do in a table saw is maybe project a cut line across your face, or down into the saw base! Not too effective!

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

View mgradwohl's profile

mgradwohl

110 posts in 294 days


posted 130 days ago

Some follow up:
  • On my saw there really is no perceivable gap between the laser and the cut
  • Trying to use this on a table saw wouldn’t make sense to me
  • It seems to be very similar to the Infiniter (the Irwin might just be the same thing)
  • I don’t know if my saw would let me put two lasers on it

- Matt in Redmond, WA

View GaryK's profile

GaryK

8487 posts in 469 days


posted 130 days ago

In reference to using one on the table saw.

I know how it functions. It would work the same on a miter saw as a table saw.

Sometimes I nibble away to get to just the right spot where I want to cut. I have to bend over the workpiece to check it out anyway. If the laser were consistant I could use it for my starting cut.

As long as I didn’t have a zero clerance insert installed I see no reason why it wouldn’t work.

-- Gary, East TX -- The longest journey begins with a single step.

View Brad_Nailor's profile

Brad_Nailor

725 posts in 438 days


posted 129 days ago

I guess your right Gary, it would project a line up onto the front edge of the board, that you would be able to see if you bent over the table. That would take the guesswork out of where your starting cut would be. I have done that leaning over the saw thing a few times to look at the starting kerf…I never got a really great feeling doing it, so I try not to!

-- Women love me.....trees fear me

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