Miter saw

[sicklyscott]

Hi -

I'm about to embark on a mission to replace the moldings in my house to something more period correct and could use a new miter saw, the old one is on its last legs after some metal cutting action. I'm looking for something in the $200-$250 range in a 10 inch blade or bigger. I could care less about laser guides. I'm not sure if it's worth it to buy a sliding saw (not sure about their accuracy with the sliding) but I want to be able to cut at least a 2x6. I would prefer to buy american made. Any suggestions?

-S

 

[woody 73]

American made that is a tall order,if you have about $3000.00 dollars you can buy a original saw made in Iowa,cuts perfect every time;good luck in moving it to each room! (Radial Arm Saw)

For your money range I am afraid you will be looking at one made in china,try looking at a Makita saw I like them.

Good luck.

 

[hotsam]

Hitachi....for around $100 on Amazon.

 

[34 Ply]

I was a carpenter for 40 years. Did everything from concrete to finish. One of the best things to come out was a sliding miter box. We had a Hatachi for 15 years then bought a new one and used the old one for framing. If you want a good one your looking at around $500. All brands make them now. It sounds like you want to do a good job so don't scrimp on tools. I know the Jap ones are a good saw, but Dewalt makes a good one to. Oh, buy the way, get a 12 inch to cut big moulding.

 

[Gtamazing]

I've been using a Delta the last few weeks. I am by all means not a carpentry expert but I had good luck with it.

 

[Major Ramifications]

You need to figure out what is the largest thing you will need to cut and at what angle. How wide will the moulding be? Will it be one-piece or built-up?
Also, forget made in USA in your price range.

 

[csp]

There are plenty of used sliders on craigslist in that price range. Find the guy that used it to finish his basement and has no use for it now.

 

[blue dog]

This hitachi saw on amazon is a work horse. i have one that i got when they first came out, that thing has made millions of cuts, cuts 11" boards,, 4" crown, it is light and works great. I have the 10" and 12" version and prefer the 8 1/2". as far as finding a saw made in the USA, good luck.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001FOQU3G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[TheGrooveking]

I have a Makita LS1030 10" miter saw (non-compound) I bought back in 1992, and a DeWalt DW705 I bought in 1994 when I needed something bigger that could do compound. Both of these have been used a lot, the Makita LS1040 is 10" and does compound. If you want to get the best get the Milwaukee 12" slide miter saw.

TheGrooveking

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have a Ridgid 4120 I got from Home Depot. Its been a really good saw. I use it as a homeowner and would recommend it. I would also recommend you get Freud Diablo blades for whatever you do wind up with...

 

[ZRX61]

I have a Dewalt 12in, does what it says on the box Added a laser because I'm blind as a bat.

 

[rcsec]

There are plenty of high quality slide miters one the market in both 10" & 12" sizes. A coworker picked up the Dewalt 12" Sliding Miter saw. Looking back he says a 10" would have done everything he needed (a few remodel jobs), saved him a few dollars and been easier to store.
The latest issue of Wood Magazine (Issue 202 Dec/Jan 2010/2011) has some good articles on miters saws; "Cut Airtight Joints", "Get Perfect Crosscuts" & "10 Inch Sliders Shop-Tested". The paragraph on choosing the proper blade for miter saw can't be overstressed - a high quality blade designed for a (Sliding) Miter saw (negative hook) is not only safer but will produce a better cut.
Enjoy,

 

[y2knole]

when I was a kid through my first few years of college, my dad did interior trim and a mitre saw went everywhere we went.

for easy of use, ease of replacement, and ease of hauling on and off of job sites, we used the Ryobi's that they sold at lowes or HD. it wasnt an expensive model, and it did everything we needed for professional all day every day interior trim work.

alot of people have the wrong approach (in my and my dad's eye) to this. they want a saw bolted and fixed to a big heavy bench this never worked. we'd put a 2x12 across a couple sawhorses, and one 12penny framing nail an inch or so in through two of the mount holes on the saws base into the 2x12. this keeps the saw on the bench, but lets you move it around a bit. whats easier to move? a small saw right in front of you, or a 16' length of baseboard? its easier to move the saw to the board, than to move the entire length so it sits flush with the fence of the mitre saw

you dont need a 12" sliding mitre saw for doing interior trim work. pick up a $100 delta or similar and do the job. spend the other $200 on something else (like a painter to paint it all, cause that job ***** donkey nuts)

if you need to do crown molding, get a compound mitre saw. most of em are these days.

 

[sicklyscott]

I think I'm going to go with the Rigid 10 inch compound saw. It comes in a bit less than $200 and I've had good experiences with Rigid as a brand. Anyone have any objections?

 

[Stuart in MN]

Remember that a miter saw doesn't have to be electric. A good hand powered miter saw and box will cut molding like butter and be just as accurate.

 

[rodm1]

Hitachi....for around $100 on Amazon.

They just jumped up to $137.00