12 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw

[Trey T]

Correct. Festool calls it "rail foward design" and others like Dewalt uses (i guess) "rail foward and backward (bidirectional) design". Bosch has the same basic design but they use the "arm design" instead.

Two different designs of miter saws sliding mechanism:

1. Forward design: Festool and Bosch
2. Bidirectional design: Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Hitachi, etc...

I like the Festool design simply because the rail is laid upright for strength (higher moment of inertia) and the rail with linear bearing is a proven design for durability and precision. If I do woodwork for living, I would get the Festool. However, my Dewalt DW717 10" double bevel sliding works well for me now.

The Festool still uses a rail with linear bearings. It's just that the head glides on the rail (like a radial arm saw), instead of the rails sliding in the base (like most sliding miter saws). I believe it is still deeper than the Bosch.

The Bosch glide saw is simply amazing, and completely unique in the market.

 

[bcradio]

He means that there's no rails that extend beyond the back of the saw. It takes up a lot less room that way and makes it easier to store.

This is my Bosch 12" glide saw in a Gladiator cab.

Where did you get that bad boy and how much was it?

 

[Trey T]

The shadow line is awesome and it works in the bright sunny day. I think it's better than the laser.

...

Dewalt. Xps shadow line is always dead on and doubles as a work light
Bosch. Front bevel controls on their saws are handy
Milwaukee. Digital readout can make cutting odd angles easier
Makita. Dunno?

 

[CTyankee]

Gotta throw my 2 cents in the monthly compound miter thread..

I like the Dewalt's, but I've used most of the other major brands and any will probably be fine for HO use. Don't bother with a 12 inch...unless you're going to be cutting a lot of BIG crown molding. A 10" will do whatever you need it too. Never saw one that can't handle a 3 1/2 tall cut.

I don't understand all the talk about cutting 4x4 and 4x6 anyway. What are you people making out of them? If I've got to cut any, they are gonna be cut with a skill saw wherever I stack them. I'm not gonna wrestle a 8 or 10 ft post around just to cut it on a miter saw..

 

[skippy24]

I have one in my wish list. I was in Home Depot this weekend and it seems around here they have dropped the price of the Ridgid 12" sliding saw by $100 so it is now $399, which is the same price as the 10" model.

 

[jim2664258]

Ah yes, the "I don't have any reason to have a 12" saw so you don't either" argument. It is not always about height of cut, it can be simply width of cut.

What are people making out of 4x4 and 4x6? Really? As I recall there was no wrestling involved with cutting these, they aren't that heavy (certainly not 4x4). I think you would do a lot more wrestling with a circular saw cutting all the way around it. Whatever.

 

[rice rocket]

Where did you get that bad boy and how much was it?

The saw has been on and off for $649 at HD, normally it's $799. They'll match a 10% coupon from Lowes, putting it at $584 before tax.

The cabinet is from Sears, it's the 36x72x24" Gladiator Premier Gearbox, saw is 22" deep when all tucked away. It was $300 I think, matched to HD's price (only because I had a whole buncha SYWR points to burn).

 

[Kilgore Trout]

I've got the 12" dual bevel DeWalt. I love it. I've used it to make new oak shelves and supports for most of the closets in my house. Also used it to build a garden fence (a bunch of 4x4 posts), a stand for my TV, and a cover for my kid's sandbox. No problems with it. In fact the DeWalt blade that came with it has done well. Cut through a bunch of oak, nice and clean. Also the angles were dead on out of the box.

 

[kngelv]

I have the DeWalt DW 780. Love it.

James

 

[CTyankee]

Ah yes, the "I don't have any reason to have a 12" saw so you don't either" argument. It is not always about height of cut, it can be simply width of cut.

What are people making out of 4x4 and 4x6? Really? As I recall there was no wrestling involved with cutting these, they aren't that heavy (certainly not 4x4). I think you would do a lot more wrestling with a circular saw cutting all the way around it. Whatever.

Actually I have both... and I can't remember any time that the 10" wasn't enough saw for the job. My 10" will cut crosscut any regular stocked dimensional lumber. That's why most have the crosscut capacity they do. In the RARE case where a crosscut over the approx. 12" is needed, I'll find another way.

As to 4X material....again yes, what are you people making with these? Posts for railings, fencing, supports? Unless one is going to be mass producing cut 4x material I wouldn't recommend a HO use that feature as a reason to pick a SCM. Use a skill saw, mark it, cut it flip it(yeah only once), cut it again. Done. Did you carry yours over to your saw yet? I don't use my slider for rough framing cuts. I guess being a carpenter, I forget some folks don't have the ability to make accurate cuts with just a skill saw. But not many post cuts need to be precision ones.

All that said... again, I'll repeat it, if for no other reason than to annoy you.. For the average HO, no, they don't need a 12" SCM... a 10" will do. The advantages of a lower price, cheaper blades, blade deflection, and weight of the saw.. IMO, are far more important than if it can cut a 4x4 or a board over 12".

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I have the Ridgid 12" slider with the MSUV, and am very happy with it. It's a large saw, so the rolling stand makes it much easier to move around the garage and driveway, in addition to supporting the saw and work piece.. The cuts are very accurate and repeatable.

 

[gml1998]

I own the Bosch axial glide. What an awesome saw. It pretty much stays in the shop.I have an almost new craftsman 10 inch I keep in the work truck for trim jobs. I bought it at a garage sale for 50.00. Guy bought it ,trimmed his house then sold it to me.

Anyway the 12 inch Bosch can do almost as much as my radial arm saw. About the only thing I use the radial arm saw for is dadoes and rabbets.

 

[deter]

i have an older 10" craftsman slider. Got it as a gift. been a good saw, I've used the **** out of it. I've broken it, repaired it, rebuilt it. Its not as accurate as I'd like, and its tough to dial in a specific cut because of the design. I used a dewalt 12 slider for awhile, and I wasn't impressed with it

If I were to buy a new one, I would definitely go for a Kapex. they are spendy, and well worth it

 

[oldtimehockey]

Yes I would love to try the 12 inch DeWalt slider. Your offer for a test drive is very generous. What is your opinion of the smoothness of the DeWalt slider? Does the blade wobble much?

 

[oldtimehockey]

Hi neighbor. I've used them all and keep coming back to Dewalt. I currently have a 10" compound, 12" compound, and 12" slide compound. Let me know if you'd like to try them before purchasing.

Hi Neighbor...I'd really like to take you up on your generous offer to try the !2 inch Sliding DeWalt at your convenience. How should I contact you?

 

[Cruzomatic]

I also have the dewalt 12" slider with stand. I like it a lot. Why 12" ? Well, I figured because it'll probably be the last slider I'll ever need to buy. Go for it.

 

[countryss]

Just bought the 12" makita sliding miter. Awesome machine quiet and well built.

 

[oldtimehockey]

I also have the dewalt 12" slider with stand. I like it a lot. Why 12" ? Well, I figured because it'll probably be the last slider I'll ever need to buy. Go for it.

Hi Cruzomatic...How do you like the sliding rails on your DeWalt? Does the saw slide smoothly? Does the blade deflect much? Thanks.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

Hi Cruzomatic...How do you like the sliding rails on your DeWalt? Does the saw slide smoothly? Does the blade deflect much? Thanks.

I'm not him, but I have one. It slides smooth as silk and the blade doesn't deflect a detectable amount. They are commonly used for trim work and that requires great precision.

 

[oldtimehockey]

I'm not him, but I have one. It slides smooth as silk and the blade doesn't deflect a detectable amount. They are commonly used for trim work and that requires great precision.

Thank you Beekeeper...I saw a video of a carpenter reviewing the DeWalt 780 and he trashed the quality of the slides...Now I am guessing he didn't take care of his tools.

Keep on keeping those bees...they are vital...!!!

 

[oldtimehockey]

I met Toolfool this afternoon and I am grateful for having him take time out of his very busy day and allow me the opportunity to "test drive" his miter saws. After much soul searching, professional advice from Toolfool and my father in law, and coming to grips with my own inexperience, I will go with the DeWalt 10 inch compound...My immediate task is to put down 3/4 inch thick hardwood flooring with only 3-1/2 inch or so wide planks. I don't have any larger finish carpentry tasks in my life right now. Currently I have no need for more saw than the Dewalt DW713 10-inch compound. As I gain more experience and confidence, I'll upgrade as needed... Thanks Toolfool...!!!

 

[Toolfool]

It was my pleasure, especially since I did all the talking (sorry about that, I've been homebound a lot lately). It was great to meet a fellow GJ'er. Good luck with the project. Don't be a stranger.