Milwaukee Cordless Miter saws

[cgv69]

So here's the deal... I need a new miter saw. I used to have an Hitachi C10FS SCMS but gave that to my son. I have dual purpose for the saw.

1. Standard homeowner/remodeling stuff
2. Woodworking/furniture making.

I was going to get the Bosch GCM12SD with the T4B base but that combo weighs a ton and for the time being I need it mobile and transportable. That and for the shop, I'm think I may spend the money for the Festool for the superior dust collection?

So that got me thinking that maybe the festool for the shop and a basic 12 CMS on a mobile base for the garage, inside projects and away from home jobs. Right now the woodshop isn't a priority but I have some home projects that I need a saw for now

The only companies making a decent CMS anymore is Dewalt and Makita. Both are fine options but then I started looking at the Milwaukee cordless saws which are in the same weight range but offer SCMS over a standard CMS

I already have a bunch of M12 and M18 stuff, even have one the 9.0 M18 batteries so why not go light and cordless? I have a 20% off coupon for Zoro right now so all the better.

But I can't decide between the 7 1/4 vs the 10" model? The 7 1/4 would probably suffice for 90+% of what I would use it for and the weight and compactness of it would be really nice. On the other hand Zoro only has the 10" model and with discount, the 10" model would only be about $30-$40 more then the smaller unit.

So my questions are.

1. Stick with the tried and true corded CMS from with Makita or Dewalt or Go cordless with Milwaukee?

2. If I go cordless, do I get the 7.25 saw for the size and portability or get the 10" model so I don't ever wish I had more saw?

 

[Trey T]

I've only seen videos of the Makita cordless 10" ( XSL06) but I believe that's gotta be the best one on the market right now. There's nothing on the market like it right now that competes directly against it. The unique design features fixed sliding rails. Dewalt and Milwaukee (10" US model) still have the movable sliding rails; and Festool pioneered the fixed rails but still stuck on cord.

 

[ishiboo]

So here's the deal... I need a new miter saw. I used to have an Hitachi C10FS SCMS but gave that to my son. I have dual purpose for the saw.

1. Standard homeowner/remodeling stuff
2. Woodworking/furniture making.

I was going to get the Bosch GCM12SD with the T4B base but that combo weighs a ton and for the time being I need it mobile and transportable. That and for the shop, I'm think I may spend the money for the Festool for the superior dust collection?

So that got me thinking that maybe the festool for the shop and a basic 12 CMS on a mobile base for the shop and away from home jobs. Right now the shop isn't a priority but I have some home projects that I need a saw for now

The only companies making a decent CMS anymore is Dewalt and Makita. Both are fine options but then I started looking at the Milwaukee cordless saws which are in the same weight range but offer SCMS over a standard CMS

I already have a bunch of M12 and M18 stuff, even have one the 9.0 M18 batteries so why not go light and cordless? I have a 20% off coupon for Zoro right now so all the better.

But I can't decide between the 7 1/4 vs the 10" model? The 7 1/4 would probably suffice for 90+% of what I would use it for the the weight and compactness of it would be really nice. One the other hand Zoro only has the 10" model and with discount, the 10" model would only be about $30-$40 more then the smaller unit.

So my questions are.

1. Stick with the tried and true corded CMS from with Makita or Dewalt or Go cordless with Milwaukee?

2. If I go cordless, do I get the 7.25 saw for the size and portability or get the 10" model so I don't ever wish I had more saw?

My woodworking saw was always the Bosch 5412L. When I was finishing my upstairs, which was a TON of cutting oak trim and 3/4" hickory flooring, I purchased the Milwaukee 10" cordless about halfway through and thought I'd give it a shot, but keep the 5412L for precision/woodworking most of the time.

I put the Milwaukee on the T4B and it hasn't left. I ended up buying the GCM12SD at Home Depot on one of the $350 clearance prices, and sold the 5412L for $325. I assumed I'd need it for the 12" blade and woodworking precision.

I have yet to take the GCM12SD out of the box. The Milwaukee 10" gets all my use. It powered through the 3/4" hickory and 3/4" oak with an ultra fine finish blade with as good or better accuracy of the 5412, and I never thought it needed more power.

My DB Glide is literally still in the box. I've never even opened it. I've used my friends a ton and I love that saw as well though... I just have no reason to use it. I've finished quite a few projects including a 22x28' deck last month with the Milwaukee and I absolutely love it.

There are better prices than Zoro though. Some Home Depots still have the Milwaukee combo with two 9.0 batteries, and they are throwing in a free tool. So for $600 you get the saw, two 9.0s, and a tool - the 7-1/4" Fuel circular saw being the most expensive. I think that's a better deal than buying from Zoro. The 7-1/4" Fuel I've used a ton for cutting studs and sheet goods, but as I finished my upstairs project I did put a fine finish blade in it and used it to cut down all of the solid oak doors to account for the carpeting. It did not lack any power cutting the 1-5/8" solid oak doors.

 

[ishiboo]

Oh, and I haven't tried the 7-1/4" saw. I would look carefully at the capabilities... I'm sure it's in the same performance league as the 10". I doubt it would disappoint. Pretty much all my finish blades are in 10" so I can put them in the table saw, and I cut a lot of wide stock, taller stock standing up, etc... so I think the 10" is definitely for me.

 

[jhelrey]

I love my Milwaukee Cordless Miter Saw. My Bro has a small Ridgid one for just easy quick cuts for baseboard. Both have their places. His is nice because it's so small and light but mine rocks for crown, etc. and not needing to move around as much.

I'll never go back to a corded miter saw.

PS: So nice to toss on tailgate of truck and start banging out cuts.

 

[ThatSickRip]

In my opinion, the 20% off coupon isnt that great of a deal (Zoro is alway overpriced). HD has a deal on the 10" kit where you get a 9ah battery and a free tool (circular saw, sawsall, 1/2" impact-all of them Fuel; or a Rocket light). The real deal here would be to find one of the leftover 10" kits with the 2 9ah batteries. My store has a few, but I cant bring myself to buy it since I already have a miter saw and dont need another.

 

[cgv69]

I've only seen videos of the Makita cordless 10" ( XSL06) but I believe that's gotta be the best one on the market right now. There's nothing on the market like it right now that competes directly against it. The unique design features fixed sliding rails. Dewalt and Milwaukee (10" US model) still have the movable sliding rails; and Festool pioneered the fixed rails but still stuck on cord.

That all may be true but I have no desire to get into another battery line. The main reason I'm interested in the Milwaukee is because I'm already invested in their M12/M18 line

I put the Milwaukee on the T4B and it hasn't left. I ended up buying the GCM12SD at Home Depot on one of the $350 clearance prices, and sold the 5412L for $325. I assumed I'd need it for the 12" blade and woodworking precision.

I have yet to take the GCM12SD out of the box. The Milwaukee 10" gets all my use. It powered through the 3/4" hickory and 3/4" oak with an ultra fine finish blade with as good or better accuracy of the 5412, and I never thought it needed more power.

My DB Glide is literally still in the box. I've never even opened it. I've used my friends a ton and I love that saw as well though... I just have no reason to use it. I've finished quite a few projects including a 22x28' deck last month with the Milwaukee and I absolutely love it.

I already have a T4B NIB but I've been having second thoughts about it due to the weight. I'm kind of OCD too so I'm not crazy about the idea of a Milwaukee saw on a Bosch stand. If I get the Milwaukee saw, I'll probably get their light weight folding stand for it

I would have bought the Bosch for $350 too. Matter of fact I'm PO'd that I somehow missed that deal as I've been looking at the saw for 2 years now. You want to sell yours? lol

There are better prices than Zoro though. Some Home Depots still have the Milwaukee combo with two 9.0 batteries, and they are throwing in a free tool. So for $600 you get the saw, two 9.0s, and a tool - the 7-1/4" Fuel circular saw being the most expensive. I think that's a better deal than buying from Zoro. The 7-1/4" Fuel I've used a ton for cutting studs and sheet goods, but as I finished my upstairs project I did put a fine finish blade in it and used it to cut down all of the solid oak doors to account for the carpeting. It did not lack any power cutting the 1-5/8" solid oak doors.

Thanks for the heads up on the HD/Milwaukee deal. Didn't know about that one either. I was looking at the Zoro deal because I was just going to get the bare tool version but you are right, this is a much better deal

I have been wanting one of Milwaukee's 1/2 impacts anyway. I was leaning towards the high torque model but I think the mid-torque one will work fine for my needs? So if I go with that set, it's like spending the normal price for the 9.0 battery ($140) and Impact ($190) and getting the saw for $270. Can't beat that one I guess

 

[cgv69]

I love my Milwaukee Cordless Miter Saw. My Bro has a small Ridgid one for just easy quick cuts for baseboard. Both have their places. His is nice because it's so small and light but mine rocks for crown, etc. and not needing to move around as much.

I'll never go back to a corded miter saw.

PS: So nice to toss on tailgate of truck and start banging out cuts.

That was/is my debate. I know the 10" will allow me to do just about anything I'd likely ever do with a miter saw but it's not as compact or light as the smaller one and the smaller one will cover at least 90% of my needs.

If the smaller one was actually an 8 1/2" blade, that's the one I would buy but it looks like I'll end up going with the 10" because I'm afraid the 7 1/4" may be a touch too small and because of the HD/free tool promotion on the 10" model

 

[Voi]

I've only seen videos of the Makita cordless 10" ( XSL06) but I believe that's gotta be the best one on the market right now. There's nothing on the market like it right now that competes directly against it. The unique design features fixed sliding rails. Dewalt and Milwaukee (10" US model) still have the movable sliding rails; and Festool pioneered the fixed rails but still stuck on cord.

That all may be true but I have no desire to get into another battery line. The main reason I'm interested in the Milwaukee is because I'm already invested in their M12/M18 line.

I believe Makita also has a corded version of that saw as well. I'd at least consider the corded version if you do decide to go with a dedicated woodworking saw.

 

[cgv69]

Pretty much all my finish blades are in 10" so I can put them in the table saw, and I cut a lot of wide stock, taller stock standing up, etc... so I think the 10" is definitely for me.

That's not really a good plan. Tablesaw blades have a positive hook angle. SCMS's blade should have a negative hook angle. I'm sure you could use either type blade on either type tool but I would use the right blade for the tool and job at hand.

I believe Makita also has a corded version of that saw as well. I'd at least consider the corded version if you do decide to go with a dedicated woodworking saw.

Will do, thanks

 

[ishiboo]

That's not really a good plan. Tablesaw blades have a positive hook angle. SCMS's blade should have a negative hook angle. I'm sure you could use either type blade on either type tool but I would use the right blade for the tool and job at hand.

Will do, thanks

In theory, that's true. In practice, many of the blades I have are designed for both purposes... however I've never had an issue swapping any of them so I quit paying attention.