Sliding compound mitre saws

[l_bilyk]

Since i've been on the subject of power tools all week, I figured I'd ask for your opinions on this one too.

Who do you think makes the BEST sliding compound mitre saw right now?

 

[PAToyota]

When I was looking at them, I found (and was told of other's experiences) that the sliding compound mitre saws just don't hold the tolerances if you are doing finish work. Plus, I have a tablesaw as well. So cutting large stuff wasn't as much a concern. I went with the the Dewalt 12" double compound mitre saw only because I hate trying to figure out the angles when cutting something backward with a single compound saw.

 

[Dave Carney]

Bosch, sliding double compound. Get the 10" version and you'll be able to split atoms. Haven't tried their 12" but the larger the blade the less tolerance you can hold.

 

[midknightryder]

I have the Dewalt 12" Double compound saw and have used it extensively in remodeling. I have never found another saw to be as accurate.
MKR

 

[GearHead_1]

I've got the Ridgid 12" sliding compound miter saw. I really like it's portable base. I've used the heck out of it and never found it to be lacking in anything. I would think however that if finish work is your primary objective that a smaller saw would probably fit the bill.

 

[l_bilyk]

So I went to home depot and tried out their saws. I think i might get the makita LS1013L.

http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det&tag=LS1013L

It was very compact (good because I don't own a truck) and assembled in USA (vs. dewalts hecho en mexico). It also comes with all the extension wings and clamps that you would have to buy seperately if you buy the dewalt.

The only thing I didn't really like is how the spring that supports the arms is an actual coil spring that sits in a cup cast into the arm. I have never seen a saw with this type of spring. Any thoughts?

 

[rustylocke]

The 12" is really for more stationary cutting, and the 10" is for moving from job site to job site. The weight is a big difference. If you aren't going to move it, go with the DeWalt 12" slider. It will be just your luck that you'll need that 12" one time and you'll wish you had it. Just my opinion, from someone who has a 10" and wishes he had a 12". That sounds kind of funny!!

 

[kartracer55]

I have used milwaukee, hitatchi and Dewalt. The Dewalt was the nicest to use BY FAR and probably the most expensive as well. IIRC the label on the Dewalt says assembled in Mexico of Domestic and Foreign components, whereas the Makita probably has its safety gaurds bolted on in the USA to a saw thats made in CHINA. OK I made the last part up...

My vote is Dewalt

Jim

 

[Willy Victor]

DeWalt gets my vote.

Willy

 

[l_bilyk]

Here's the thing though... the dewalt may be better but I can get makita tools almost at cost. So the price gap is huge.

 

[l_bilyk]

I have used milwaukee, hitatchi and Dewalt. The Dewalt was the nicest to use BY FAR and probably the most expensive as well. IIRC the label on the Dewalt says assembled in Mexico of Domestic and Foreign components, whereas the Makita probably has its safety gaurds bolted on in the USA to a saw thats made in CHINA. OK I made the last part up...

My vote is Dewalt

Jim

No why would you say a thing like that? They both use chinese components, but the makita is assembled in the states whereas the dewalt is assembled in mexico. Makita actually makes alot of their stuff here, in japan, and some things in germany

 

[l_bilyk]

It will be just your luck that you'll need that 12" one time and you'll wish you had it. Just my opinion, from someone who has a 10" and wishes he had a 12". That sounds kind of funny!!

Not an issue. I just bought a radial arm saw, and the old man has the dewalt 12" slider, but it's a real hassle to borrow his.

 

[kartracer55]

No why would you say a thing like that? They both use chinese components, but the makita is assembled in the states whereas the dewalt is assembled in mexico. Makita actually makes alot of their stuff here, in japan, and some things in germany

The Dewalt I have always used says "of domestic and foreign components"


Besides... I dont care too much about where its assembled. All being assembled here in the USA is going to do is drive up the cost of the finished product because your going to have to pay for that union labor they are probably using, it wont affect the quality, nor will it help our trade deficit. Dont get me started on that one... I want American MANUFACTURING. Union or not, I want things actually made here, not just put together here. That doesnt really help us out too much, because were still importing all of the components. As far as Im concerned, if its going to be made of chinese components, it should just be assembled over there to keep the cost as low as possible. By assembling it here they are trying to polish a turd... its still a chinese saw


Jim

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

The 12" is really for more stationary cutting, and the 10" is for moving from job site to job site. The weight is a big difference. If you aren't going to move it, go with the DeWalt 12" slider. It will be just your luck that you'll need that 12" one time and you'll wish you had it. Just my opinion, from someone who has a 10" and wishes he had a 12". That sounds kind of funny!!

If you aren't going to move it, and have the room, save your money and find an OLD Dewalt radial arm saw. I picked up mine for $75.

 

[l_bilyk]

The Dewalt I have always used says "of domestic and foreign components"


Besides... I dont care too much about where its assembled. All being assembled here in the USA is going to do is drive up the cost of the finished product because your going to have to pay for that union labor they are probably using, it wont affect the quality, nor will it help our trade deficit. Dont get me started on that one... I want American MANUFACTURING. Union or not, I want things actually made here, not just put together here. That doesnt really help us out too much, because were still importing all of the components. As far as Im concerned, if its going to be made of chinese components, it should just be assembled over there to keep the cost as low as possible. By assembling it here they are trying to polish a turd... its still a chinese saw


Jim

It must be an older model. The current 10 and 12" dewalt sliders say plainly "made in mexico"

The makita says assembled in "USA of foreign and domestic components". The thing is, you don't know where the parts are from. But I strongly doubt all the components are chinese. It wouldn't make sense to have all the pieces made in china, and then shipped here to be assembled just for that label. If that was a sound business move, rigid saws would be assembled here instead of china. I'm sure it uses SOME chinese components, but not all. The dewalt probably uses some chinese components too. And it's not even assembled in USA.

 

[l_bilyk]

PS: In regards to the "wasting money on union labour" comment, dewalt wastes plenty of money on advertising. I don't know how it is where you are, but in ontario everywhere you go, dewalt tools are rammed down your throat. Lets face it, ever since black & decker, dewalt isn't what it used to be.