A sliding compound mitre saw comprising: a base assembly (102, 104) connected to a mounting portion; a motor unit pivotally connected to a motor support which is mounted on the mounting portion to allow the motor unit to pivot towards or away from the base assembly (2, 4) to perform chop cuts, wherein the motor support is mounted to two guide rods (112, 116) which are slideably mounted onto the mounting portion to enable the motor support to move relative to the mounting portion to enable the saw to perform sliding cuts, the motor unit having an output drive spindle upon which a circular saw blade can be rigidly mounted to be rotationally driven by the motor unit; characterised in that there is further provided at least one rearward pivotal guard pivotally mounted on the motor unit with its axis of pivot located rearward of an axis of rotation of the saw blade the at least one rearward pivotal guard comprising a slot formed centrally along the length of the guard, the at least one rearward pivotal guard being able to pivot from a first enclosed position, where it surrounds at least a rear portion of the lower edge of the saw blade when mounted on the spindle, to a second retracted position where the portion of the lower edge of the saw blade is exposed by passing through the slot; and wherein there is further provided a pivotal guard actuating mechanism which moves the at least one rearward pivotal guard from its first enclosed position to its second retracted position when the motor unit is pivoted towards the base assembly (102, 104); wherein there is further provided a table mounted on top of the motor unit to enable the saw to act as a table saw. a base assembly (102, 104) connected to a mounting portion; a motor unit pivotally connected to a motor support which is mounted on the mounting portion to allow the motor unit to pivot towards or away from the base assembly (2, 4) to perform chop cuts, wherein the motor support is mounted to two guide rods (112, 116) which are slideably mounted onto the mounting portion to enable the motor support to move relative to the mounting portion to enable the saw to perform sliding cuts, the motor unit having an output drive spindle upon which a circular saw blade can be rigidly mounted to be rotationally driven by the motor unit; characterised in that there is further provided at least one rearward pivotal guard pivotally mounted on the motor unit with its axis of pivot located rearward of an axis of rotation of the saw blade the at least one rearward pivotal guard comprising a slot formed centrally along the length of the guard, the at least one rearward pivotal guard being able to pivot from a first enclosed position, where it surrounds at least a rear portion of the lower edge of the saw blade when mounted on the spindle, to a second retracted position where the portion of the lower edge of the saw blade is exposed by passing through the slot; and wherein there is further provided a pivotal guard actuating mechanism which moves the at least one rearward pivotal guard from its first enclosed position to its second retracted position when the motor unit is pivoted towards the base assembly (102, 104); wherein there is further provided a table mounted on top of the motor unit to enable the saw to act as a table saw.