Miter Saw w/ $150ish budget

[W_KY]

Miter saws have been discussed quite a bit on here but I haven't seen too many that are within my budget. I would like to keep it under $150 for the saw if possible (although I realize I may need to purchase a good blade which would be additional $). This would purely be for homeowner type activities (building a shed, a deck). The biggest thing I would be cutting often would be a 2 x 6 although I'm sure there will be the rare occasion to cut a 2 x 10. The most complicated/most accuracy required cut I could see myself doing would be for some crown moulding that I may/may not do in the future.

The town I live in has a Lowe's and Sears. There is a Home Depot about an hour away but I would prefer to purchase locally so if I have any trouble with it in the beginning, I can return it. That is not a deal breaker by any means. I will say the Lowe's here has treated me well in the past. There is also a Harbor Freight about 1 hour away as well. I am indifferent as to if the saw has a lazer as I have heard several people say they are not very accurate so lose those usefulness.

I am considering:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=116704-67702-C10FCE2&lpage=none

Suggestions and comments are welcome.

 

[lametec]

I have the C10FCE (which is basically identical to C10FCE2). I've had no issues with it in the time I've owned it.

I bought it in December '06 for $69.99 from Amazon.com.

Being only a 10" saw and no sliding action, you have to flip wider boards to finish the cut, but for those rare occasions that I do cut wide stuff, it's no big deal. It'll cut 2x6's in one cut.. just cut a bunch last night, actually.

The 5 year warranty is nice.

You'll need a better blade than the included one for moulding.

 

[back2class]

I have a Ryobi 10" I think I paid like $80 on sale a few years back. Have done several major remodeling projects and it is still going strong. Seems like sears has a similar unit for around $90 on sale.
Don't worry about not having the slide rails for larger pieces. I spent a decade as a remodeling contractor and can count on one hand how many times that would have been a big help. Just makes the saw big and clunky and adds expense.

 

[zer01]

I bought a 10" craftsman miter saw with laser guide and clamps for $100. Or you can search Craigslist. I really like my craftsman one, you can find some for less money in almost new condition on craigslist. People buy them for home deck building or crown molding then realize they will never use it again and sell for a reasonable price.

 

[metal1313]

i personally really love my ridgid saw, but its way out of your budget. i reg cut 2x8, or 2x10s so for me the saw needed to slide, and have a 12in blade.

i also have a smaller ryobi that i got when i was pretty young, around 13, and its now my moulding saw. with a good blade i havent had any issues. if you decide to look into used saws get a really clean one, becuase some that ive seen that even look slightly used have had the **** beat out of them

 

[sgrammel]

Spend the extra money and get one that slides...I wish I did! About the only thing you get in one pass without the slide action is a 2x4 or maybe a 2x6

 

[W_KY]

Thanks for the advice. Glad to hear that you've had good luck out of the Hitachi. I hadn't even noticed the 5 year warranty on parts. I wonder how good they are about honoring it.

For the wide stuff, I figure I can either just flip the board or handle those with a circular saw. For the few times I can think that I would need it, I don't think I can justify the extra cost plus the more space/heavier/less portable.

 

[mjozefow]

The most economical option in terms of cutting capacity vs cost is going to be a 12" saw.

I own a 10" DeWalt and a 10" Makita slider. The extra capactiy of the slider is SOOOO nice to have.

I would recommend a DeWalt or Bosch. You see the small DeWalts on a majority of job sites for a reason.

The best advice I can offer is to look at review and comparisons from knowledgeable sources like Fine Woodworking / Fine Home Building.

 

[j-easy]

OP,
I have the exact saw in your post, I have had it for a year or two now and I really like it.

I bought it from amazon.com
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000V5Z6RG/?tag=atomicindus08-20
its $129.95 there with free shipping

overall I am very happy with it and would buy it again, let me know if you have any specific questions about it.

 

[chrislehr]

Got a 10" Rigid for 169 at Home Depot... the laser beam is slightly off (havent looked to fix yet) but its been AWESOME int he 3+ mos Ive had it.