Miter Saw

[Wolverine]

It's time to get a Miter Saw. I'm looking at 12 inch compound models. I have a bench saw so I do not need a Miter Saw that slides.

Most of my power tools are Porter Cable. I've been extremely happy so far with their performance. For this "chop" saw, I've been looking at the:


1) Porter Cable Model 3802L

http://www.porter-cable.com/index.asp?e=547&p=2732




2) Craftsman Professional Model 21235


http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/prod...OL&fromAuto=YES&bidsite=CRAFT&pid=00921235000





Does anyone have any recommendations or words of wisdom to follow regarding Miter Saws?????


Also, is there an online tool store you would recommend?


Much appreciated!

 

[OI812]

If you like Porter Cable stick with it. I am a Milwaukee guy myself, and when I don't buy Milwaukee I seem to be less satisfied with it.

 

[GearHead_1]

I picked up a Ridgid 12" coumpound sliding miter saw about 6 months ago. It's a cutting fool, I REALLY like it. At the time I did quite a bit of research and found that the DeWalt and Ridgid both stacked up at the top of the reviews. I've got a ton of DeWalt tools and really thought I would buy theirs. I ended up leaning towards the Ridgid because of the laser. They're about the same price. I put it on their portable stand. I liked it well enough that I turned around and bought their portable table saw also. I've been building a house and used both of these extensively. So far, so good, I would buy it again. Just a side note, when I was researching this saw I found many negative reviews on Ridgid's cordless power tools, for what it's worth.

 

[bmwpower]

Whatever you get, I would spend a little extra and get a compound sliding saw. Some stuff you will not be able to cut on a normal miter saw. I'd rather have one tool that does it all, than to have to take it to a bench saw with limited capabilities.

I like the direct drive units, too.

 

[Wolverine]

Whatever you get, I would spend a little extra and get a compound sliding saw. Some stuff you will not be able to cut on a normal miter saw. I'd rather have one tool that does it all, than to have to take it to a bench saw with limited capabilities.

I like the direct drive units, too.

Sorry for my ignorance, but could you explain a "direct drive unit" as it pertains to a miter saw?


Much appreciated!

 

[GearHead_1]

Sorry for my ignorance, but could you explain a "direct drive unit" as it pertains to a miter saw?


Much appreciated!

There are I believe 3 main types of saws. One is a direct drive that spins the blade directly off the arbor of the motor. The next is a gear drive that uses for lack of a better description a series of gears (worm drive would likely fall in this catergory) driven off of the motor to drive the blade. I beleive these are found primarily in an industrial environment. The last one is a belt drive that uses a belt to turn the blade from the motor. There are pros and cons to all of these. Some feel that the direct drive is a more accurate saw. There are also those that feel that because the direct drive arbor is usually a cantilever design (unsupported on the non motor side) and because of the spun weight of the blade that wear is introduced quickly at the arbor. Gears and belts both wear out. One of these designs may influence your decision more than others but there are very good saws in all 3 designs.

 

[rick]

I have a 12" dewalt that I am very happy with.

 

[kgwld1]

I have a 12" dewalt that I am very happy with.



Me too.............!

 

[Major Ramifications]

Wolverine,
I did a search of power tool reviews before I bought mine, it is interesting to see user's opinions of products. Since I wanted an American made saw, I went with the Dewalt. I don't know if it is still made in USA, but at the time it was the only 12" miter saw that was. I got the model 706 double bevel belt drive saw. The double bevel allows me to flip my saw, instead of the work, which is a big plus in my crowded garage. Nobody makes a double bevel direct drive saw because the motor would interfere when you bevel it the other way. The other advantage to belt drive is that it gives you more depth of cut, since the motor does not interfere with the workpiece.
I think the Craftsman unit is made by Ryobi, if the model number on the SAW starts with 315, it definitely is.
And, years ago when I bought mine, the Porter-Cable unit was made in Taiwan, and cost just as much as the Dewalt.
Add to the equation that there is a Dewalt factory center not too far from here with very nice folks to help with any future parts and accessories needs, the decision became even easier for me. Also, at the time, Dewalt had a promotion where they sent me a free pneumatic brad nailer for buying the saw. The brad nailer is nice, but it is made in Taiwan.

All that said, I got the saw from Sears, because they had one of those 10% off promotions going on, and I had a coupon, etc. They did not stock the saw, but they ordered it for me.

I LOVE my Dewalt 706, but it comes with NO accessories, and they aren't cheap.

 

[Wile1Coyote]

I have bought a TON of porter cable tools on ebay at prices much much cheaper than what the stores sell for. Brand new ones too, I don't do refurbs or used.

Set up a search for the model you want, save it to your my ebay and tell it to email you any new auctions and fairly soon you will find one being blown out cheap.

GL

Jon

 

[Ken Greene]

12" Rigid non slider here.... works great have had it for over three yearts and use it weekly. Its never let me down.

 

[Wolverine]

Thanks for the great info! Another another thread with quick responses and good information.......... a testament to this great site. I'll be picking one up a saw this weekend.


Much appreciated everyone!

 

[mooman]

Go with a Makita 10" sliding compound (LS1013). You can't go wrong. It's direct drive, bevels left and right. Constantly rated #1 by Tools of the Trade Mag. I'm a ex Makita factory rep. But knowing about the competion was our job. I've seen and tested all.

The Makita saw made in Buford, GA. Only the Porter Cable unit (now owned by Black and Decker) is made in Tenn. Porter Cable isn't what it used to be. kinda like your father's Oldsmobile.

Try this trick with the DeWalt saw.... Bevel it a few degrees either left or right...tighten it down. Then, push against the saw. You'll be able to move it out of wack quite easily. It's also not made in the U.S. Only DeWalt corporate is in Maryland.

 

[Major Ramifications]

mooman,
When did Dewalt stop making theirs in USA? Where is the Dewalt 706 made today?
I thought the Makita was a gear drive unit that mounts the motor at a 45° angle. I thought Porter Cable was owned by Delta now.
I like the Makita stuff, but it seems like all their stuff is made in China is it is priced like it is made here, so I don't consider them when making a tool purchase.

 

[SteveL]

I have the DeWalt 706 and like it a lot. Only wish it has a laser guide, but I can add one for $70 some day. the DeWalt is built like a tank and very accurate!

 

[mooman]

The reason the Makita motor is at a 45 degree angle is to give you the room to bevel both left and right.
The Makita miter saws and some other tools are made in Buford, GA.
Believe it or not, the tools made in the Makita plants overseas are of better quality than the ones made in the U.S. Couple of reasons:
1) Machinery- The production facilities and machines are newer and more technologically advanced than what is here in the US.
2) Workers- Work ethic overseas is top notch. Workers focused on making good tools, not their next union contract or smoke break. Sorry, sad but true.

These Chinese made tools are not along the same quality vain as the other no name tools you see made in China at your local Harbor Freight store.

Both Porter Cable and Delta were owned by Pentair Corp (also owns DeVilblis). until last year. Both those companies were sold to the Black and Decker corp. who also ownes DeWalt. They make great toasters, not tools in my opinion. Delta used to be the name to have in your cabinet shop Great table saws, jointers, etc. Now they cheapend the brand and you can find a Delta bench grinder mad in a cheap Chinese plant that makes other tools for other companies at your local hardware store.

Also, for you tool trivia buffs.......Who was the Milwaukee Electric Tool Company sold to last in 2004?............Techtronics (TTI)! The parent company of Ryobi, Homelite, McCollough and other used to be quality brands.

 

[Wolverine]

Educate me Moonman, who makes the craftsman power tools? I know they are made overseas because Sears has a disclaimer in the catalog under the product's description.

Thank you

 

[Major Ramifications]

Educate me Moonman, who makes the craftsman power tools? I know they are made overseas because Sears has a disclaimer in the catalog under the product's description.

Thank you

Here you go:
http://www.owwm.com/Craftsman/Manufacturers-Prefix.asp

Most of the new ones are made by Ryobi.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Good information, Moonman! It is kind of sad to see so many of the big brands become joined together by larger companies.
I merely pointed out that the Makita dual bevel miter saw uses a motor mounted at 45° because this leads me to believe that it is a gear driven saw, not direct drive as you had previously stated.
Keep this type of information coming!

 

[bdaz442]

What a bout a DELTA? I purchased a 12" from Lowes last year , On sale for $99.
It does a great job. Very square, and lots of power.

 

[Major Ramifications]

I checked out the Dewalt 706, and it is still made in USA of domestic and foreign components.

 

[kartracer55]

Dewalt is good stuff, PC is good stuff, and they recently got bought out by black and decker, who makes dewalt. Milwaukee was bought out by the company that owns Ryobi less than ayear ago, and havent purchased any milwaukee lately.

My nieghboor swears by hits hitatchi.

Jim

 

[Coach James]

"...made in USA of domestic and foreign components" simply means it was assembled in the US. It could be that all the parts were made overseas and the package was made in USA. That doesn't mean it's not a good saw as overseas manufacturing can be excellent quality.

I have a Craftsman 10" compound miter saw that was made by Ryobi and it has been fine for me. I'm not a professional builder though and it rarely makes more then 10 to 15 cuts a day.

Check out Amazon. Not to but it, but to read the tool reviews. When I was looking to buy a new jig saw to replace my Black and Decker piece of s**t jig saw, I did that. Bosch got top reviews from everyone. Based on that I bought a Bosch Progressor and it is 100% A+. I'd like to burn that B&D jig saw but can't quite bring myself to do it yet.

 

[evildky]

I have an old delta (not rockwell old but not too far from it), the newer porter and delta tool seem to lack thre quality of years past

 

[slapshot]

Sears has a couple DeWalt saws on sale/clearance....not sure if those are THE best prices, but, a sale is a sale....I rarely ever see anything DeWalt on sale.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00923407000

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&pid=00923408000

 

[BetterDays]

advantages of a 10" v. a 12" for occasional (as in project time) use?
Forgo the 12" for a 10" on a radial arm (or slider or whatever it is called?)