Delta Cruzer Miter Saw Reviews: And ShopMaster, Too

Photo by Lance Fisher, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cutting corners and beautiful end products are two phrases that shouldn’t appear in the same sentence unless one is negating the other.

This statement is perhaps the most impactful when it comes to power tools, such as miter saws. When you realize that you need a miter saw for your project, it’s easy to go for the most cost-friendly saw that you could get. After all, they all do the same job, right?

Not quite. Accuracy, capacity, and build quality vary a lot, and the maker’s track record is a good starting point.

Delta Machinery has made woodworking machines for more than a century. Here is what its miter saw lines offer.

In this article, you’ll find reviews of two Delta Cruzer and two ShopMaster miter saws.

Note: the Cruzer models below (26-2250 and 26-2240) no longer appear in Delta’s current miter saw lineup, which now lists the 12-inch 26-2312 and 10-inch 26-2310 Cruzer saws. Expect limited stock of the older models.

OUR TOP PICK

The Delta 26-2250 Cruzer is an extremely powerful dual-bevel 12″ miter saw that takes up little space. It can serve both hobbyists and professionals looking for high accuracy and precision.

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The Top Delta Miter Saws Are:

Product	Details
1. Delta 26-2250 12 Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw	1. Delta 26-2250 12 Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw Top Pick	- 12-inch blade - Adjustable crown fence - 50° left miter/60° right miter capacity with 10 miter detents and positive stops - Blade brake for safety - Powerful 15 amp motor - 5-year warranty	Check Current Price
2. Delta 26-2240 10 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw	2. Delta 26-2240 10 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw	- 10-inch blade - Dual bevel with front bevel release - 7 positive bevel stops at the most common angles - 50° left/60° right miter capacity - 10 miter detents and positive stops - Powerful 15 amp motor	Check Current Price
3. Delta S26-271L ShopMaster 12 Inch Sliding Miter Saw	3. Delta S26-271L ShopMaster 12 Inch Sliding Miter Saw	- 12-inch blade - Up to 13.5 inches cross-cut capacity at 90 degrees - Miter stops at most common crown molding angles - 0° to 45° left and 0° to 50° right miter angle capacities	Check Current Price
4. DeltaS26-262L Shopmaster 10-in. Miter Saw with Laser	4. DeltaS26-262L Shopmaster 10-in. Miter Saw with Laser	- 10-inch blade - 15 amp motor - Electric brake - Dust collection bag	Check Current Price

1. Delta 26-2250 12 Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw

The 26-2250 is a 12-inch dual-bevel sliding saw with a wide crosscut capacity and seven positive bevel stops.

It is powered by a 15-amp motor.

Instead of long rails, the Cruzer uses an articulating arm that Delta calls a ‘robot’ arm. It lets the saw sit closer to a wall than a rail-type slider.

Specs

• 12-inch blade
• Adjustable crown fence
• 50° left miter/60° right miter capacity with 10 miter detents and positive stops
• Blade brake for safety
• Powerful 15 amp motor
• 5-year warranty

Pros

• Has a right-angle cut of up to 60 degrees
• Extremely accurate
• Durable
• Saves on space

Cons

• Inefficient dust bag

The Delta Miter Saw 26-2250 is designed as a powerful performer that allows you to make precise cuts on any type of material. Its ease of use also ensures that almost anyone can handle it. We recommend this tool for those looking for extreme precision.

Overall Rating – 4.8 out of 5 stars

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2. Delta 26-2240 10 In. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw

The 26-2240 uses the same robot-arm design in a 10-inch saw. Its sliding fence supports tall crown molding nested against the fence and baseboard standing vertically.

Additionally, the 26-2240 allows you 50 degree left and 60 degree right miter capabilities with positive miter stops at the most common miter positions. It also features heavy-duty bearings to enhance smoothness. It even allows you to adjust the travel to the desired tension.

Specs

• 10-inch blade
• Dual angle 45 degrees left and 45 degrees right with front bevel release
• 7 positive bevel stops at the most common angles
• 10 miter detents and positive stops
• Powerful 15 amp motor
• 5-year warranty

Pros

• One of the best cross-cutting capacities
• Nifty drop-down fence
• Accurate
• Durable

Cons

• Lacks a blade guide

The Delta 26-2240 combines power and accuracy to become one of the best performing miter saws on the market. It is a hardy tool that will have no problem going through even hardwood. It is a reliable product for any professional woodworker.

Overall Rating – 4.8 out of 5 stars

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3. Delta S26-271L ShopMaster 12 Inch Sliding Miter Saw

The ShopMaster is a miter saw with premium specifications. At 13 inches, it features one of the biggest cross-cutting capacities of miter saws in its category. It comes with an easy-to-use front lock system with ten positive stops, in addition to a laser cut-line indicator.

It is a solid value saw for hobbyists, with a 15-amp motor. ShopMaster saws carry a 3-year warranty, compared with 5 years on Delta-branded machines.

Specs

• 12-inch blade
• Up to 13.5 inches cross-cut capacity at 90 degrees
• Miter stops at most common crown molding angles
• 0° to 45° left and 0° to 50° right miter angle capacities

Pros

• Increased levels of accuracy
• Easy to use
• Huge cross-cut capacity

Cons

• Is challenging to set up

The ShopMaster is aimed at hobbyists. It is less refined than the Cruzer saws above, but it costs less. We recommend this saw for people looking to do an excellent job without investing in a high-end miter saw.

Overall Rating – 4.6 out of 5 stars

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4. Delta S26-262L Shopmaster 10-in. Miter Saw with Laser: Budget Pick

If you’re on a budget, the S26-262L is a miter saw that can prove to be almost as good as its pricey counterparts. This saw features a 10-inch blade and comes with laser technology to ensure that the quality of your work is not compromised.

Delta lists a 15-amp, 5,500 RPM motor and an electric brake. The saw weighs 29-1/2 pounds and cuts a nominal 4x4 or 2x6 at 90 degrees.

It miters to 45 degrees left and right with stops at 0, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 degrees, and bevels left from 0 to 47 degrees.

Specs

• 10-inch blade
• 15 amp motor
• Electric brake
• Dust collection bag

Pros

• Great design
• Lightweight
• Respectable accuracy
• Laser technology
• Spindle lock

Cons

• Not too durable

The Delta S26-262L ShopMaster is a lightweight miter saw of average performance. However, in the hands of a pro, it can be just as good as any other miter saw on the market. We recommend this saw for hobbyists or DIY enthusiasts as it allows them a useful tool at a low price.

Overall Rating – 4.5 out of 5 Stars

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About Delta Machinery

Delta Machinery’s tools have a long reputation with woodworkers for accuracy and reliability.

While Delta Machinery is renowned for its saws, the company also designs and manufactures a variety of high-quality woodworking machinery, as well. For example, they also make grinders, jointers, lathes, and planers.

Delta traces its roots to 1919, so it has more than 100 years in the business.

Delta’s published warranty gives new Delta-branded machines a 5-year warranty. ShopMaster and Homecraft tools get 3 years, accessories 2 years, service parts 180 days, and factory-refurbished products 90 days.

For questions about a tool, contact Delta’s technical support team or customer service.

Delta also sells service parts and lists service centers on its site.

When you buy a miter saw from Delta Machinery, they typically recommend that you also get a miter saw stand. A stand will make it easy for you to move the saw around the workshop.

Look for one with locking wheels and a solid handle to spare you the effort of carrying a cumbersome, heavy saw. A table will also provide you with a stable area on which to work.

Final Thoughts

Delta offers miter saws at several price points, from budget ShopMaster models to the Cruzer line.

We believe, however, that the best miter saw Delta Machinery has to offer is the Delta 26-2250 12 Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw because of its ease of use while maintaining high-performance standards. Anybody can use this tool. Professional woodworkers will especially love it.

Sources

• Warranty, Delta Machinery
• S26-262L 10 in. Compound Miter Saw, Delta Machinery
• 26-2312 12 in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Cruzer Miter Saw, Delta Machinery