My husband and I are home-improving our 1881 Cape on a budget, and we purchased this saw and a portable table saw as Christmas presents for one another. This saw will make that work a LOT easier.
br /
br /We read reviews here on Amazon, in various shop magazines, websites and solicited advice from experienced carpenters home improvement cronies. Having done our homework, we ended up with the Delta 36-585 when the weekend before Christmas 2003, Home Depot had a sale on power tools -- 20% off.
br /
br /We have used it pretty much daily since. It was basically set to go right out of the box. We checked the blade alignment and miters for accuracy and it was smack dab on, no need to adjust ANYTHING! We were amazed.
br /
br /The dual bevel feature with the front lock is great. Miter and bevel angles are easy to set. Unlike other saws even beyond this price range, this saw included a clamp and extension wings. The included blade is fine for most work, and sharp enough to make very clean 45 degree miter cuts. We've used it to frame in oak, a set-in section of granite tile on our countertop, and it made the cuts perfectly.
br /
br /Although the saw included a dust bag, don't be fooled. MAYBE 20% of the sawdust generated is captured. We plan to connect the saw to our Shop-Vac but of course, have to find the appropriate connector widget to do so. If all shop tools had standardized dust collection fittings, the world would be a cleaner place. Even so, this saw still rates 5 stars in my opinion, as few other saws do any better with dust collection.
br /
br /We think this saw is an excellent value for the price, and with care it should last for years.
br /
br /*****November 2005 Update*****
br /We are so pleased with this saw we decided to update our review. We underestimated just how incredibly useful a compound miter saw is, and this one seems exceptionally good. Since purchasing it nearly 2 years ago, we have made many old-house repairs, built birdhouses and feeders, cut plastic gutter parts, replaced the siding on our barn cutting wooden clapboard and all the fussy trim, and this summer, used it (and the original blade, now in need or sharpening) to build a 14x20 deck from pressure treated lumber. WOW, we couldn't live without it.

This is my first Delta product. Apparently, it's a new model. I looked at most of the other miter saws out there and pretty much made up my mind to just grab the DeWalt 703, which seemed to be the best made for the price. I base a lot of my judgement on feel and the DeWalt seemed to be the beefiest. Then I stumbled on the Delta 36-585 at Home Depot. It seemed just as sturdy as the DeWalt, maybe just a tiny bit less so (I mean TINY) but it had way more features and capability, for the same price. I think they were running a special or introductory offer, because it was $199. I haven't seen it for less than $260 anywhere else, including the Internet. The saw is complete quality. Everything feels rock solid and tight. The cuts, miter, bevel, and 90 degree, are dead-on accurate too. A great thing about it is the dual bevel capability, which is only available on much more expensive saws, at least the ones that I've seen. Also included are steel extension wings and a clamp, which I think are optional in the DeWalt. Another really great feature is the fact that the locking mechanisms for both the miter and bevel are right up front. No reaching behind to loosen the bevel clamp. Easy and fast! This saw is high quality and light, and a breeze to use. I'd recommend it to anyone, even if you can't find it at the lower price.

Several months ago I purchased the 10" dual bevel compound (industrial)miter saw. I have several Delta tools and have always considered it a professional tool. This saw had several features I liked and planed on using it when I did not need the 12" slider. After using it for a while I became discouraged with the very inadequate dust bag system. Most of the dust (90%) comes out the front of the blade guard and is all around the work table. Sawdust gets packed between the pinch guard and the spring to the point that the blade will not raise fully. In fact I have to remove the pinch guard and clean the sawdust from around the spring in order to raise the blade high enough to remove the screw on the blade guard to change the blade. I now leave the pinch guard off the machine. The next time I use the saw I will hook up my shop vac to try and get more sawdust away from the from of the machine and off the worktable.
br /Over all I like the saw and will work around the sawdust problem.
br /
br /Dave

Bought the Delta 36-585 at H.D. at a great price. The saw is as good as they come. Great quality,ease of operation,decent blade,there may be better out there but not at this price. If you need a excellent 10" Dual Bevel, front Bevel Lock, Compound Miter Saw this saw is the ticket

I was looking for a smaller portable powered saw that could be easily moved around to project locations. I have owned a lot of tools including a uni-saw which was not my favorite in terms of portability. I now have a portable 10" Bosch table saw (with the gravity-rise wheeled stand). I wanted the saw to be 10" so I could use my existing inventory of saw blades. A compound sliding saw was just too big for my purposes (I also have a radial arm saw). The dual bevel feature was a plus and the up front bevel and miter control lock was also a plus. The pull out side wings work well and when pushed in act as lifting handles when moving the saw. It cuts well and I appreciate the fact that the trigger does not have a safety lock so it is extremely easy use. It cuts 2x6 and 4x4 easily, and nearly cuts a 4x4 @ 45 deg. with only 1/4" left at one corner. So far it cuts are accurate and straight. Since I use the saw outside mostly, dust is not an issue so I do not use the dust bag. I am just begining to use the saw and find that for my ocasional projects it is the perfect compliment to my table saw and skill saw for being portable.

I placed order for this item and could not find it on Delta's site. After enquiring about it, I was told that it has been discontinued couple of years ago. I was very much impressed by price and it's features. I am not sure how Amazon is selling it as 'New'. So instead of this saw, I purchased DW715 from Dewalt.