Miter saw question 10" or 12" for my projects?

[azcactus]

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[antinym]

Depends on the saw, but most likely a 10" will do you. A Sliding 10" will definatly do you. you can find specs on the manufacture's websites usually, kinda like this: http://www.dewalt.com/tools/machinery-miter-saws-dw717.aspx
I currently have a 12" and I wish I had bought 10" sliding. The 12 is large and heavy, and I can't swap the blades with my 10" tablesaw.

 

[woody 73]

My take (my two cents), years ago I needed a special tool that could handle small shapes on my wood lathe, but thankfully the owner told me to spend the extra dollars and buy the bigger size, in his words "if you ever had to work on larger wood projects you would not need to again spend your hard earned money on the bigger size,so buy it and forget about it".

So yes you could get away with the 10'' saw but spend those extra dollars upfront now and if you ever find yourself working on those larger pieces of molding you will have it.

Woody

 

[Trey T]

I recently purchased a Dewalt 10" sliding w/ double bevel miter saw and it seems like it can cut upward of 12" wide board. Probably overkilled for your project but I like the double bevel for cutting crown moldings.

I have borrowed my uncle 12" dewalt miter years ago to work on molding projects, exterior/interior trims and it was just as heavy as my Dewalt 10" sliding

 

[spongerich]

If you have room for one, you can pickup Craftsman 10" Radial arm saws on CL all day for $50. It'll cut crown and just about anything else you care to. I got one that had barely been used for $35. There's also an active recall on them, so you can get a new table, fence and guard for free.

 

[38Chevy454]

While you do not need it for what you are doing, a 12 inch is nice to cut through 4x4 or similar. I have an older Dewalt 12 inch chop saw, non-sliding and it does everything I need for the most part. I do not do much woodworking.

 

[jam022316]

If I had it to do over again I would def make sure I got a sliding saw and would get a 12" to do 4x4's. Right now I have a 10" non sliding and it limits me.

 

[fivespdcat]

I would definitely go 12" actually I did. However I would rather have a 12" slider, but alas they were not available when I bought mine. Plus the price is probable double what a standard 12" goes for. Either way I've used the 12" enough to justify it so no worries there. Anything the 12" won't do the circular saw can!

 

[azcactus]

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[Zeke]

I have used them all and I like a 10" sliding double compound. I don't have one, but that would be my purchase. Now, you have to figure out which one! Makita, Bosch, Dewalt and Milwaukee all look good. Select one that will allow you to lock the blade height anywhere. That way you can make simple dados and half lap joints.

 

[psychoclaw84]

I own a Delta 10 Single Tilt Miter Saw. It is a well made saw and will cut smaller moldings with ease, also 2x4's & 2X6 w/o any issues.

Cutting larger moldings and wood flooring planks it is limited.

My father needed a saw for a project and I gave him the saw, again he enjoy's the saw and is not cutting big trim or stock.

My next saw will be a 10 or 12 inch sliding dual bevel miter saw.

10 inch: Seems like Makita & Bosch make the best saws.

12 inch: Dewalt, Milwaukee, Bosch appear to be the best saws.

Costco has a 12 inch sliding Miter saw made by Hitachi. They are the first company to design a sliding miter saw and have the best price at $399 USD.

This is the saw I will be purchasing next year.

 

[theoldwizard1]

What ever you buy, you will likely need to also purchase a new blade for "finish" quality cuts. Stick with a brand name (like Freud) and get one with a very high tooth count, thin kerf and of course carbide tip.

This is a molding blade. Do NOT use this to cross cut 2x4s !

 

[burlybrute]

If you have room for one, you can pickup Craftsman 10" Radial arm saws on CL all day for $50. It'll cut crown and just about anything else you care to. I got one that had barely been used for $35. There's also an active recall on them, so you can get a new table, fence and guard for free.

I found the guard recall but nothing on the table or fence. where did you find the info on that?

 

[tarbellb]

MAKITA LS1016L 10" SLIDER- dont get a non slider.

this is all youll ever need. unless your doing 8x8" boards.

get the optional stand combo and your stoked!

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028Y4Q2O/?tag=atomicindus08-20

the sliding/cut action on this is SO buttery smooth.

 

[spongerich]

I found the guard recall but nothing on the table or fence. where did you find the info on that?

http://radialarmsawrecall.com/

The new guard is a little deeper, so they include a new particle board table and the fence with the kit. I still haven't installed mine but there's a couple of videos on youtube.. looks fairly involved and I'm happy with the old guard. The main reason they changed them was to improve safety when ripping, which I do on my table saw anyway.

 

[Sureshot]

I have a Rigid 10" slider,dual bevel and love it. Also got the "all terrain cart". Unless doing something with timbers I would spend the money on a better quality 10". I had a 10" B&D and it was impossible to do finishing work. I believe the Rigid will last me the rest of my life. Money well spent.

 

[54FordPanel]

12".
It's bigger, so it's better.

 

[BQuicksilver]

At what size of board does the 10" fail where the 12" doesn't? I hear 4x4 above, but it seems it would be 6x before the 12" was needed.

 

[RBailey]

Another bigger is better vote from me.

I bought a 10" non sliding few years ago to lay a floor. I find it quite limited, especially at an angle, wish I had spent the few extra and got a bigger.

 

[98TJ]

I picked up a DW717 and love it.

Also get the worklight: http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=118919

 

[slip knot]

I got one of each and my suggestion is> Price the blades> 10in are reasonable,12in are crazy$. My 12 in gets very little usage because of the cost to replace blades. I know blades should last forever if you take care of them but my wife thinks nothing of cutting and old rotten cedar post with " whatever saw I have out"

 

[evintho]

I'd recommend a 12". It's kinda like an air compressor, get the biggest one you can afford! When you need it, it's there! Check CL there're tons of them on there. Picked mine up off of CL for $100. I've built so many walls using it, I pretty much have a house!

 

[metal1313]

it all depends on what your doing, but for most stuff a 10in slider is perfect, other cuts that it cant handle you just need to use a circ saw or other tool.

that said i have a little tiny ryobi that takes a 7 1/4 blade, a 12in dual miter, and a 12in slider, both ridgid

 

[Larwyn]

I got myself a 12" DeWalt almost 20 years ago when I was building a large deck on my house. That old saw is still going strong and as accurate as ever and I have cut everything from 4x6 treated lumber to 1/2" quarter round with it. Much of what I use the saw for could be done with a smaller version but I have never regretted buying the 12" DeWalt. The only time I ever considered a smaller and lighter saw was while transporting the saw, once the work starts the size has never been a hindrance and often been a benefit. I have never used a sliding miter saw but as it has more moving (wear) points, I wonder if they hold their accuracy like my old DeWalt has over the years.

 

[Sureshot]

I don't think the bigger is better arguement always holds true. If you are doing trim and fine work go for quality. What truck would you buy a new 2500hd loaded to the gills or a cheap lowend "small" Freightliner. The Freightliner is probably cheaper but not as suited to the job at hand.

 

[jam022316]

At what size of board does the 10" fail where the 12" doesn't? I hear 4x4 above, but it seems it would be 6x before the 12" was needed.

4x4 is a biggie to me. Not that I cut them that often but when you do it's nice to be able to cut them safely. Also for wider boards I'd like to have one. Mainly cuz with a circular saw, I can't cut a straight line if my life depended on it.

 

[Squankum]

4x4 is a biggie to me. Not that I cut them that often but when you do it's nice to be able to cut them safely. Also for wider boards I'd like to have one.

I don't know much about it all, as I just picked up my first miter/circular saw two weeks ago.

Sears 10", non-slider, recent model.

The directions mine came with say you can do 4x4 if you have built a little wooden fence (3/4" wood, I think) to space the 4 x 4 off the back wall. I've only skimmed the directions, though, haven't tried it or read carefully for fine print on how that's done.

I've already used it for things I never would have thought of before I bought it. Man, is it nice to get fast, accurate cuts so conveniently!

 

[jam022316]

I don't know much about it all, as I just picked up my first miter/circular saw two weeks ago.

Sears 10", non-slider, recent model.

The directions mine came with say you can do 4x4 if you have built a little wooden fence (3/4" wood, I think) to space the 4 x 4 off the back wall. I've only skimmed the directions, though, haven't tried it or read carefully for fine print on how that's done.

I've already used it for things I never would have thought of before I bought it, man, is it nice to get fast, accurate cuts so conveniently!

I have the same thing 10" craftsman non slider. Maybe I'll actually read the directions next time I want to rip a 4x4 I love the saw. Just wish it was bigger.