I have a Ridgid 12" slider and an older 90's 10" Ryobi non-slider. With any slider, you get less accuracy than any non-slider, and 10" non-slider will be more accurate than 12" non-slider also, as the blade wobble is less with a 10 vs 12 and the side to side play in any slider is greater than a non-slider without those rails to deal with.
So my old 10" Ryobi is, yes, more precise a cut than the much more costly 12" Ridgid slider. So I still use it where it works out. But for capability, and really, a substitute for a radial arm saw, you would want a slider, either 10" or 12". 10" is much lower cost than 12" and can do almost as much, so would make sense for many. I got the 12" Rigid slider used for all of $225, so not too bad there for that. It is very nice, powerful, and capable, and one I would recommend for a 12" slider. It is huge and heavy though, and not really portable. For job site portability, you would probably want a different one. In fact, that is how I got mine used, from a contractor who got sick of lugging it around. Great for my basement workshop use. My old 10" non-slider is what goes places when I need a portable saw, and covers most of the needs that way. I think 10" sliders are underrated and would cover most peoples needs well if they only have one. Blades are cheaper also. Always wax your blades/teeth whatever you have to make cutting easier and last longer and get any sticky residue off the blades please. - Paul
