Laser On Wrong Side! Kobalt 10" Sliding Compound Miter Saw Laser Adjustment - Wasn't In My Manual!
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- Опубликовано: 5 сен 2024
- New versions of the saw appear to have fixed this issued and have much easier adjustment dials.
I was never able to adjust the laser guide of my Kobalt 10" Sliding Compound Miter Saw. The instructions in the manual helped me move the laser, but I could never adjust it to the left / correct side of the blade. I couldn't even adjust it to the edge of the cut on the default right hand / incorrect side of the blade. It would just disappear right before it reached the point I needed it to reach.
For usefulness and safety, I want that laser marker on the left side of the saw blade. If I'm using that guide on the right side, I have to stand more to the right. That brings a safety issue. When I am using my left hand to hold and press work against the fence, as the saw comes down, I can lose sight of my left hand. Not seeing your hands near spinning blades is... a safety violation.
If I am standing in a comfortable operating position, I can also lose sight of the right side laser and the work piece as the saw comes down and cuts. I like to see the good side of the work piece through the whole cut. I don't like to adjust my operating position to maintain that view. It becomes a little awkward and can compromise accuracy and amplify that safety issue I mentioned a little while ago.
Here is what I did to finally adjust it to where I wanted it after I figured out the secret adjustment my manual didn't tell me about. I believe my saw is an older version by at least one generation so this may not work on a newer version. As always, what I do in the video is for entertainment purposes only. Working with or around any tools can be dangerous. Any adjustments made, especially on delicate parts like lasers, may damage the parts and void warranties. Any adjustments, modifications, work done to or with any tool is done at your own risk.
One extra thought. This adjustment may not work for everyone. I have found an interesting product. I haven't tried it yet, but I just ordered one. It is a battery powered guide that replaces the outer flange washer on the saw. It contains the laser which activates when the saw blade begins to spin. I'm getting one for my saw to see if it is any better or will work for anyone who saw won't make the adjustment I show in this video. I will have a review soon. And with any luck, it will fit on my $5.00 circular saw as well.
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Exactly what I was looking for! I've been using the saw only occasionally and my cuts haven't really required that much precision, but today I could take it no more, it was time to square it up and make that laser somewhat useful! After learning to square the fence to blade properly, next was the laser and this was the missing piece of information I was looking for. Mine was so far out of adjustment that I did need to access that "hidden" screw you highlighted and make a large adjustment to the left first, then I could dial it in with the other two adjustments. Thanks for taking the time to make this video :-)
Thank you for that update and compliment! I'm glad it was helpful! Was driving me crazy that I couldn't use the laser. I still measure and scribe a line, but the laser definitely helps me line it up faster. Thanks for watching and subscribing!
I literally got out of bed, headed straight to the garage, and made the adjustment, lol.
Thanks for sharing!
Awesome! Your comment gave me a good chuckle! Glad it was helpful!
THANK YOU! This was the biggest flaw I had with the saw... the position of the laser being on the right of the blade.
Thank you! I was right there with you. I figured the worst thing I could do was break the useless laser.
Thank you! Bought one of these from a gentleman on Facebook and was confounded as to how to adjust this - perfect instructions!
Thank you as well, the lazer was also to the right of cut line . I expect adjustment to be easy after your explanation. Thank you for the knowledge.
This is the older model… same as mine. I am so excited to find your video. I had chalked that laser off. Now I can use it. My saw and yours too is about 5 plus years old. Your right the manual wasn’t really that clear. Thanks again for your information.
Yeah, I just reached the point where I no longer cared about the laser. If I broke it, it was useless anyway. So, may as well go for it. I just got lucky that it worked. The new versions have corrected this. Anyway, thanks for watching and glad I could help!
I have had one for years and the laser was never right. It frustrated me so much! Lol. I have it out again getting ready to do some interior work. The laser is aggravating me again. It’s been a sore spot! Thank you for this video. I was frustrated as well with the manual. Thank you very much.
Your video got me looking at my 12 inch Miter saw laser that never worked (bought from garage sale). Turned out that when I opened it up, saw dust was inside. I cleaned it and the lens, and then I adjusted the laser to be straight.
Awesome, easy for even me! Called Lowes Kobalt help line and they gave a complicated instruction that did not work. SO easy. Thanks!!
This is HUGE. Found this and a video about these units being out of square! So frustrating but now I'm off to the garage to fix both issues. Thanks for video!
Let me know how it works out for you! And I’m with you on the fence. I went through that adjustment when I first got the saw.
@@TheProjectCave Yeah, couldn't get the laser lined up. No worries there. I just wish the damn saw would cut angles straight! The blade and fence are square but when I cut a 45 the cut is never straight. I'm really fed up with this saw.
@@DarrenRussinger I'm bummed you couldn't get it lined up. I'm with you on the no worries about that part. I'm so used to not having the laser guide to begin with, that I only use it as a starting point. The angle cuts make me a little crazy as well. I think on many of these sliding saws there is just a little too much flex in those rails. And I couldn't afford the extra $400.00 for my dream saw. Hope your holidays are great!
Thanks for the tip, now I can fix my saw.
SO PERFECT! Simple and clear instructions, thank you!
Thank you for your awesome comment! I hope it helped you! Let me know how the adjustment went!
Just what I needed! Thanks
That's a awesome saw. Hoping one day I'll have a big garage and I'll build a area just for woodworking. Great video Kevin!
Thank you! Your garage is filled with all those quads! That’s what I want someday!
Great find sir
Thank you I have the same saw with the same thing laser on the right pissed me off so it's been sitting on my shelf and I went back t on my dewalt. Time to bring it out of the dust
Good luck! Let me know if you get it working on the useful side!
@@TheProjectCave yep you nailed it. Laser on the left side of the blade. Awesome thank you.
Fantastic! Glad you got it!
Thank you so much Kevin!
I bought this Kobalt saw used and was dismayed when I noticed the
laser was on the right (and hidden from view by the motor unless you
lower your eyes to just about blade level). What the heck were they thinking?
Terrific. Thank you.
You’re welcome! Happy I could get mine to work. Extra happy that it might help some other people!
Huge thanks bud! I stopped using mine, but after seeing this I will now stop looking for a replacement.
But, does it stay true after the adjustment?
I'll be heading out soon to do this adjustment
Took about 30 minutes, although mine would not adjust until I removed the laser housing and "helped " it over a bit. Worked great except I cut my first board 3 times and it was still too short!
I had to help mine a little, too. It looked like there was a bit of blue thread locker in there. I’m still getting used to having the laser on the proper side. But it is definitely more useful than it was.
Great tip,thank you 👏 👍
Thanks much Kevin, this helped a lot...
I thought I was just screwing up my measurements every time! I’m going out to the garage now haha.
Let me know how it goes!
you gotta make a video on the spring guard
Man did that help
I have a 12" Kobalt miter saw with the same laser guide and the light works but it does not show line on wood piece
Thank you..
But shouldn't the laser be on the right of the blade? Mine came to the left of the blade but everything I cut is shorter by the thickness of the blade.
Thanks for the instructions for getting my laser to the left side of the blade. By chance does anyone know where I can buy replacement parts for this saw? Thanks appreciate it
My laser won’t make a crisp line. I get a red beam about an inch wide. How would I focus the laser?
thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
Thank you
You’re welcome! Hope the adjustment works for you!
Man, the spring on a safeguard came off. How do I fix it?
My saw had the same problem I adjusted it cut a pice of wood and then the laser moved again, what can I do?
Hey, my dust bag never worked. even with a shop vac attached, what's up with kobalt saws?? Plus my laser doesn't aim straight anymore either. Mines not a compound tho just regular power mitre box. Any thoughts?
I've always found those dust bags to be hit or miss with any tool. Mostly miss. As for not working with the shop vac attached, I don't know what to tell you. I don't have a dust collection set up, even with a shop vac. I have to roll my saw out into the driveway when it is time to cut. I need to try a shop vac collection since it is starting to get cold. I don't think I'm going to have much success with a shop vac either. There is so much space around the blade and guards that too much air can get into the collection system and make the suction weak. Just my thought.
I think the laser is something both you and I will have to periodically adjust. It is still adjusted by the screws so the vibrations from the saw can eventually cause them to turn and throw off the calibration.
I never used a laser guide before I figured out this adjustment. Never had one before and I'm still getting used to it.
How do you like this saw ? I ask because I see that the current one looks a little different and I might get the model you have for a great price
It works ok for me. It's an entry level saw. In hindsight, I wish I had a 12" version, but once you make an aux fence for it, the cuts are reasonably clean with the stock combo blade. Used it to help build my daughter's bed. The laser on the newer version can be adjusted without tools.
I spent 25 minutes today with my 12 inch kobalt miter. I finally got it on the edge of the blade on the right side though. I just cant seem to get it on the left side. Unscrew or tighten that 3rd one?
Please remember, I considered my laser useless. If the laser broke in the course of my adjustment, I still had the exact same saw I had before I tried to fix it, a saw with a useless laser. My laser housing had a little bit of blue thread locker in there and so it took a little effort to get it to turn. I don't have the 12 inch saw, I have the 10 inch saw so I can't say for sure how to adjust your laser. The way the laser was set, if I remember correctly, I had to "unscrew" to move the laser to the left side of the blade. It did take a bit of fine tuning and a little frustration.
I never understood why they put the laser on that side. It makes no sense, at least to me.
I have an older model Kobalt radial arm saw, the laser light is located on the bottom of the slide assembly (not on top like the one in the video). Any ideas on how to adjust the laser light? Or find a manual?
Without seeing the saw, I’m not sure. But if you can find the model number on the saw, there are a few sites you can check for a manual. www.manualslib.com or needanownersmanual.com. I believe manualslib.com is free, but you have to scroll through one page at a time. Otherwise, if you can find the model number, google search that with “Kobalt”, a few other words describing it (the blade size, compound miter, etc), and “manual”.
Good luck in your search. Let me know how it turns out!
@@TheProjectCave Thanks!
My new kobalt 10" mitter saw laser doesn't turn on at all once I press the switch on ON pos.
Well that could have saved me an hour if looked this up sooner.
I’m glad this video has helped a lot of people and I wasn’t the only one who this annoyed the heck out of.
Thank you for the video. I have a 12" sliding compound , Model 0358936 My laser light suddenly stopped working. Any ideas where to buy parts for these saws? Naturally, my 3 year warranty has expired
I actually saw one on Amazon that replaces the nut that holds the blade on. Looks interesting. I checked to see about other replacement parts. Didn’t really see anything.
How can I order parts for 12 inch miter saw
Hit up the search engines. What parts are you looking for? A quick search lead me to Amazon and this site: parts.mitersaw.biz/kobalt-miter-saw-parts.html. Didn't check any other places but you should be able to find some stuff. Good luck!
Found it thanks