Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw's

[TonkaJoe]

Hey everyone, I know there are some very knowledgeable people on here so I'd really like to hear your suggestions!.

I'm in the market for a new double bevel sliding compound miter saw and would like to know what brand you guys think is the best bang for your buck followed by possibly some pros and cons from your own experiences..

I have done some of my own research but am still having mixed opinions. Mastercraft and Dewalt have come to mind already but the Mastercraft reviews are extremely up and down. This will be in my new shop doing trim work around the house as well as other odd projects. Nothing in the way of a carpentry business or doing heavy work on a daily basis
Thanks in advance!.
-Joe

 

[Aerogt01]

Ryobi and Kobalt both get great reviews by many online. Bought the Ryobi, it had a loose linear bearing. Took it back and they didn't have another so I went over to Lowe's.

The Kobalt has a slight wobble in the arbor and the blade is not perfectly square to the slides. Not enough to matter for trim, but enough to chip out laminate flooring when cutting treads.

If I had to do it over again, I might try the Ridgid 12", or go straight to the nicer Dewalt 10" and be done with it.

I really wanted to $200 saws to work for me, 'get what you pay for' rings true hard for these.

 

[LandofRath]

Dewalt 12" is what I ended up with and have zero regrets. Also nice being able to cut through 4x material in one hit. You will be surprised how often you find it handy in the shop.

 

[altersaddle]

If you're just doing trim, why get the sliding saw? I've got an older 10" Craftsman chop saw that can handle a 2x6 (barely). Without the slide, it's basically one less thing to go wrong.

I've also got a regular handheld 7 1/4" circular saw for jobs that won't work in the chop saw.

When reading online reviews, consider if the reviewer actually knew what they were buying. A lot of negative reviews seem that way.

 

[TonkaJoe]

Ryobi and Kobalt both get great reviews by many online. Bought the Ryobi, it had a loose linear bearing. Took it back and they didn't have another so I went over to Lowe's.

The Kobalt has a slight wobble in the arbor and the blade is not perfectly square to the slides. Not enough to matter for trim, but enough to chip out laminate flooring when cutting treads.

If I had to do it over again, I might try the Ridgid 12", or go straight to the nicer Dewalt 10" and be done with it.

I really wanted to $200 saws to work for me, 'get what you pay for' rings true hard for these.

I agree 100% with the whole
" you get what you pay for" deal, at least thats how the quality of many items seems to go these days.

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[TonkaJoe]

If you're just doing trim, why get the sliding saw? I've got an older 10" Craftsman chop saw that can handle a 2x6 (barely). Without the slide, it's basically one less thing to go wrong.

I've also got a regular handheld 7 1/4" circular saw for jobs that won't work in the chop saw.

When reading online reviews, consider if the reviewer actually knew what they were buying. A lot of negative reviews seem that way.

I do a mixed bag of work when it comes to using a saw, so the sliding feature will definitely be used. I know what you mean about the reviews which is why it's often hard to gauge different things that these people are finding so problematic. This is the main reason I'd rather be asking the men and women here who use them mostly with a purpose and on a close to daily basis.

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[Finky198]

+1 Dewalt. We just did a 1000 square ft addition with the dewalt 780 it also has probably the best blade marking system (xps) it cast a shadow exactly were the blade will cut

It's plenty accurate once the machine tightened up and if the user is a decent carpenter

It one of the best things I ever bought. Try getting the lowes 10% off coupon and wait until there doing the free stand offer then combine the 2 deals

I highly recommend the stand with legs not wheels.

 

[TonkaJoe]

+1 Dewalt. We just did a 1000 square ft addition with the dewalt 780 it also has probably the best blade marking system (xps) it cast a shadow exactly were the blade will cut

It's plenty accurate once the machine tightened up and if the user is a decent carpenter

It one of the best things I ever bought. Try getting the lowes 10% off coupon and wait until there doing the free stand offer then combine the 2 deals

I highly recommend the stand with legs not wheels.

That's one feature I really personally liked, you can't be much more accurate than that. Not that I'd ever solely rely on anything other than my measurement but that's hands down more accurate than any laser guided product on a saw etc that I've seen or used.

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[Finky198]

That's one feature I really personally liked, you can't be much more accurate than that. Not that I'd ever solely rely on anything other than my measurement but that's hands down more accurate than any laser guided product on a saw etc that I've seen

I really like the feature espically for trim work cause you can adjust for the seams and get super tight result but you can go right back to cutting 2x12"s with minimal Changes its a very well thought out saw and a total work horse that will last many many years

 

[scissorman]

I own a 12" double bevel Dewalt but it's not the sliding model. I've not had any issues with it and i've owned it for about 9 years now.

 

[larry4406]

I have the Ridgid 12" sliding compound meter saw with the optional mobile stand. Love it.

 

[shoot summ]

This one has been covered several times, here is a link to a search for "miter saw" on this site. FWIW I chose Bosch, on a Ridgid stand.

https://www.google.com/webhp?source...ie=UTF-8#q="miter+saw"+site:garagejournal.com

 

[Nor'Easter]

We use a Bosch CM12SD. The adjustment procedures are a little funky to get started but eventually you'll get it.

Our only gripe is how bulky it is. After a 10 hour day I always grab another guy to handle the other side.

The stand Bosch makes is ****, however.

 

[finn]

I picked up a used Makita.

Nice saw for what I paid, except that it eats brushes.

 

[dngrmse]

All the Home depots by me have stocked up on the 10" Ridgid sliding miter saw- it's going to be a black Friday Special this year. How do I know? They have tags on them that say "keep off the floor until Black Friday" Anyway, seems like a nice unit, but very heavy. I have an older non-sliding craftsman that gets the job done. Let us know which one you decide to go with.

 

[cgv69]

I have the Hitachi C10FS which was one of the best dual compound sliding miter saws on the market at the time I bought it but there are better choices now.

If I was buying today, it would probably be the Bosch GCM12SD

 

[Hpozzuoli]

I am a devoted DeWalt guy so I use their 12" slider. My neighbor just got the Bosch 12" with that new arm that doesn't slide, but rather extends. This translates to using the Bosch up against a wall in a tight spot with no slide coming out the back. He dropped $900 on the saw and stand set up. Whatever saw you choose get a stand. Either DeWalt or Bosch would be my choice.

 

[eddiemeddiem]

I have the 12" ridgid slider on the roller stand, and it's been a pleasure to use

 

[veltex]

+1 for the Dewalt 12s, we use them daily until they wear out, have both the sliding and non sliding with foldable stands, invest another $100 in a good blade for finish cuts and you are good to go. If you cut really small pieces (without beveling) make a homemade fence out of hardwood that stays closer to the blade, the beveling saws factory fence is quite a bit more open and will dangerously **** small pieces back and out.

 

[kneeman]

I have the Hitachi C10FS which was one of the best dual compound sliding miter saws on the market at the time I bought it but there are better choices now.

If I was buying today, it would probably be the Bosch GCM12SD

This is what I use.

Buddies that borrow it or compare it to their dewalt all said it is the best they have used.

I haven't looked since I bought this but all the hitachi stuff I have is great. I never thought it would be a preferred brand by me but it is.

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[speed bump]

I'm more of a DIYer now so my observations are more based on what convenience than something that has to work all day everyday:

Unless you have a need to for the 12" cross cutting capacity get a 10" slider. You probably won't need the extra range you get from a 12" and the 10" has cheaper blades and and is easier to pack around.

If money is of little concern I would go with the Bosch glide or the Makita dual slide saws. Lots of range, they take up less space, and you can put them almost right against the wall.

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

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G5R4E9A/?tag=atomicindus08-20

If you have a Menards nearby they also sell a version that appears to be a decent saw for the price.

http://www.menards.com/main/p-2783146-c-9082.htm?tid=-7030133818137682987

 

[shadowen]

I bought this one not long ago

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00K1...aw+10+inch&dpPl=1&dpID=51JS95pGwIL&ref=plSrch

So far it as served me well. I've rebuilt my front porch, rebuilt my front steps, and replaced a bunch of trim in a couple of rooms using it.

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[BK13]

We use a Bosch CM12SD. The adjustment procedures are a little funky to get started but eventually you'll get it.

Our only gripe is how bulky it is. After a 10 hour day I always grab another guy to handle the other side.

The stand Bosch makes is ****, however.

I want that saw in the worst way, but 'bang for the buck' doesn't exactly spring to mind...

 

[tarbellb]

Makita, Dewalt, Ridgid, Milwaukee, and Bosch..

will ALL give you awesome results when buying in the 10-12" slider category.

Find the best deal, and if a certain feature tickles your fancy then go for it.

Also note: My Makita LS1013 (10" slider) will cut a 4x4 in one pass.

 

[coolreed]

I have a Hitachi 12" Compound Miter Saw. Compares favorably to Dewalt and other 12" Miter Saws but a little cheaper price. I have been very happy with it.

However, for precise accurate cuts I prefer (and so do many others) a common 10" non sliding compound miter saw. So don't get caught up in the 12" blade as being better because it is bigger. And don't think a slider is necessarily better either. It really depends on what you need.

Again, fine cabinet making and other fine woodworking (no pun intended) I would go with a common 10" dual bevel non slider. Or,..you can have both!
like me.

My 2 cents,..

 

[TonkaJoe]

Thanks for all your input guys! Definitely helped me to decide a little easier.. so this afternoon I went out and picked up this beauty!.

Purchased a DeWalt DW717 10"
double - bevel sliding compound mitre saw from Home Depot. Sale price was $529, and the guy helping me was nice enough to knock another $30 off just beacuse. So with that I purchased an Avanti two pack of 60T carbide tipped finish cutting blades which were only $39.. the single pack blades were the same price! So I got a great deal with that alone. So altogether I hit about $600 on the nose for everything.

Out of the box I cut a couple of test pieces and she was dead on right from the get go which was a pleasant feature... used the vac port as well and it collected the majority of the dust which was created. I actually did a small trim job on a cabinet I built in the garage for my beer fridge and the bevel cuts were so flawless with those blades to the point where I almost didn't really need to sand anything!.

I have a lot more projects that are in the works and this saw will definitely do the trick for me, its very smooth and so far I really like the accuracy and ease of use. A little dive into the wallet yes
(thats what OT shifts are for I suppose)[emoji12]
but I can rest assured that I got a quality built saw that will hopefully perform in my shop for many years to come. Thanks once again for all the suggestions and advice everyone!.

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[metaldad]

I have the de walt 12'' dbsms, with the stand. nice tool, although i really hate yellow

 

[Nermal43]

+ 1 on the Dewalt 12". Ours has 10+ years and many, many hours without fail. The Dewalt rolling table is great too.

 

[guy48065]

Does it need to be "portable"? "Portable" as in one-man lift/pull/carry/setup/haul up flights of stairs? Look at the weight specs. These sliders have been getting fatter with each new model. The Makita LS1013 is lighter than most at 46#.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

The Dewalt 12" slider has long been the standard. If you are just chopping 2X4s get any one, but if you will be doing trim work and need precise angles and cuts, then Dewalt is the only way to go. You truly "get what you pay for" in this case.

Edit: Should have read page two, as I see you already made your choice. You will like that machine, though you can't cut 4" stuff with it.

Edit II: One admonition--they are bulky and heavy to move, so be careful about dropping it. If you do, it will be junk.

 

[kneeman]

^^^^so no other brand can cut precisely?

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[Fugio]

Dewalt seems to hold it's square better than the other's I'm using. The rest are mostly fine though.

The only ones I really have are my Ryobi, because it's NEVER square. I have to set it up every time I make even the slightest adjustment. And of course, the HF is even worse. Like, a million times worse. If I was just ripping old boards to build a shack, it would be fine.

But if I'm doing a lot of trip work and need the utmost precision, DeWalt is my first choice. I prefer the 10" over the 12" inch as well.

 

[cashishift]

I have a 12" Dewalt dual bevel non slider.

I am very happy with it. Bought the compact Dewalt stand, its great.

 

[TLCObsession]

I have the 10" Hitachi and love it. Tuned up, its very precise. I have done trim, crown molding, T&G ceilings, flooring and decking.

 

[Mgnu]

No love for the harbor freight 12"? I got one this year for general homeowner ****, works fine. Put a Diablo blade on it, saved the other $800 the Bosch and gravity rise stand would have cost into the bank.


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[sam.coll]

I have a Makita LS1016 10" never had a problem with it not being on point. Right now im looking at the Makita LS0714 for finish work, nice and light and I cant see there being much problem with blade deflection in a 7 1/2 blade

 

[thebeekeeper1]

^^^^so no other brand can cut precisely?

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Yes, that's exactly what I said. No wait--I said the Dewalt saw is "the standard." This wouldn't seem to exclude other brands.

 

[Finky198]

Yes, that's exactly what I said. No wait--I said the Dewalt saw is "the standard." This wouldn't seem to exclude other brands.

I would agree if you go to a construction site 9/10 times they will have a dewalt 718 or 780 they are pretty much the industry standard Not to say there aren't better saws out there but for the price the dewalt is hard to beat. And they just happen to last forever if maintained well

 

[kneeman]

Yes, that's exactly what I said. No wait--I said the Dewalt saw is "the standard." This wouldn't seem to exclude other brands.

You said if you need precise angles dewalt is the only way to go.

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[hangfirew8]

Does it need to be "portable"? "Portable" as in one-man lift/pull/carry/setup/haul up flights of stairs? Look at the weight specs. These sliders have been getting fatter with each new model. The Makita LS1013 is lighter than most at 46#.

I think it's like the Army's definition of "man portable"- somebody welded handles to it.

Anyway you're wrong about each new model. I have the old DW708 and its replacement was lighter by a few pounds. I think that's been replaced now, not sure.