Ryobi TSS101L Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
Tool: Ryobi TSS101L 13 Amp 10 in. Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser
What’s unbelievable to an experienced contractor? A sub-$200 full featured sliding compound miter saw with a laser guide, that’s what! Despite it’s incredibly low-cost I wasn’t too excited to be buying another compound miter saw since I own three of this type of, my most important, saw. An away-from-home project in a remote area on the eastern front of the Rocky Mountains called for some new tools and I couldn’t be more impressed with features-for-the-price of this Ryobi TSS101L Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser.
Rating: 
Description:
- Heavy-duty 13 Amp motor for demanding applications
- 10 in. carbide-tipped blade provides a smooth, clean cut
- Easy-to-read scales on mitre table, mitre fence, and bevel for added convenience
- 9 positive mitre stops with ball and detent action for precision cuts
- Electric brake stops the blade in seconds for enhanced safety
- Right and left table extensions provide extra support when working with longer pieces
- Spindle lock for easy single-wrench blade changes
- Dust bag helps keep work area clean
- Exactline laser guide gives you a cut reference line
- 6 ft. cord provides Amp le reach
- Ergonomic handle with overmold for added user comfort
- MFG Brand Name : Ryobi
- MFG Model # : TSS100L
- MFG Part # : TSS101L
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Experience:
I’m currently using the Makita LS1013LS as my primary compound miter saw, with my old Bosch 3915 as a backup in my shop. The Bosch has been a solid performer and long lasting with the Makita ranking high among my favorite, smoothest, precision tools in my collection. The Makita has broken in quite a few places whereas the Bosch was built with an inherit issue. Neither one is perfect but I do love that Makita smoothness but decidedly dislike the miter gauge location and function.
Moving on… I needed a saw to cut siding with and I didn’t have time or money to waste. With no budget for a new saw, I was forced to purchase something capable of making 8 1/4″ length cuts before nightfall.
It’s hard to imagine there’s a sliding compound miter saw for less than $200. [BTW: I hate when people say something is less than $200 when it's $199, but where I was working there is no sales tax and this saw actually cost less than $200, by $1, so I'm going with the catchy and truthful expression 'sub-$200'] Hard to imagine such a feature set for $200, I think so… but this is what I found at the nearby [96 miles round-trip] Home Depot. There really wasn’t another option within a hundred bucks that could make long cuts. I dragged this new Ryobi to my truck without the slightest enthusiasm, threw it on the trailer, and headed back to the job to put it to immediate use.
Scary start! This isn’t the refined slow-start motor on my Makita. The Ryobi starts at a loud and scary full-RPM. It really seems to have high RPM and sounded rough, dangerous and slightly intimidating… but after several hundred cuts the intimidating sound faded away to the fact I was almost done with my work, thanks to this 10″ sliding miter saw.
Comments:
The Ryobi TSS101L doesn’t have a slow-start motor, it bevels in one direction like my saws of old, and I couldn’t possibly discern the ‘laser’ in daylight. The motor is loud and the mechanics aren’t what you’ll find on a $500 sliding compound miter saw but all-in-all this is one item where you are getting much more than you pay for.
Getting more than you pay for? You betcha. I set out to side a house by myself. Why.. because I couldn’t afford to hire someone to do it.. and I really couldn’t even afford to hire someone to help me. With a new sliding miter saw, new compressor and new nail gun, I’d spent my whole wad on tools and materials… but these three tool saved me thousands in time and labor.
My new Ryobi came with the blade already mounted. Basically, I pulled it out of the box, plugged it in and started cutting siding! Ordinarily I might spend some time adjusting the factory settings, making certain my saw is dead-on. I never checked it once… or rather my method for checking it’s 90-degree cut was to butt-join two 8 1/4″ cuts and continue right on.
After hundreds of cuts not a single ounce of dust was collected in the dust bag. I’m did take it off to see if there was some packing material in there but I guess it just doesn’t work at all. Who cares.
Summary:
The Ryobi TSS101L Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser is a solid purchase that reminded me of my start in the construction business. Back in the day when I was a teenager affording my first set of machinery, Ryobi came in the affordable box and several of those tools lasted nearly 20 years. Replaced but never forgotten, I owe a great deal to Ryobi for their entry-priced quality machines. Without exception this miter saw performed dutifully and respectfully. Over the course of the week, as the siding courses rose higher, I found myself wondering why I pay 3X as much for tools today. If I needed a table saw (darn it, I ripped all the window cuts and top and bottom pieces with a worm drive model 77.) I would without a question head right back to the depot for the $199 Ryobi table saw I noticed. There was a $119 model but for $199… I have no doubt when it comes time to trim out the interior of my little house out west, I’ll be budgeting for that professional 10″ Ryobi table saw next.
If you are wondering if this saw is good enough and you really are pinched for extra pennies – I give it a 5-star rating for performance for the price. Hell, at $199 you can afford three of them for the price of my duty saws. A great deal indeed. Homeowners, budget shoppers and youngsters starting out in the carpentry world should look no further than the Ryobi TSS101L Sliding Compound Miter Saw with Laser.
Links:
Factory-Reconditioned Ryobi ZRTSS100L 13 Amp 10-in Sliding Miter Saw with Laser
The Ryobi TSS101L at Home Depot – This is the one I bought.
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Filed under: Miter Saws | Tagged: Miter Saw, Ryobi, Sliding Compound