Sliding Miter Saws

[Chaznsc]

I was in Lowe's last night creeping around and got to looking at the Sliding Miter Saws. The Dewalt saw, which is super expensive, was pretty rough on the slide mechanism. the Hitachi was much smoother and the Kobalt almost felt like it was greased glass.

I was pretty unimpressed with the Dewalt. Anyone have the Hitachi?

 

[AG Camaro]

I have a Hitachi 12" compound miter I purchased at Lowes a couple of years ago. I am really happy with it. I like the fact that the saw moves on the bars and not the opposite. I looked at some saws where the bars moved with the saw. If you have the saw on a table you can push it closer to the wall vs having to have extra room behind the saw to compensate for the bars moving backwards. I can't remember how much I paid, but I felt is was a good price for the quality of the saw. If price is no issue the Bosch is a beautiful saw.

 

[bcradio]

I have the 12" Hitachi slider and like it ok. It is a bit underpowered but it cuts just fine. As with most all sliders, it does have some play in the cut when sliding vs. a fixed arm miter saw.

Overall, not a bad tool at all.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Interesting. Most guys go for a slider because it will cut wider boards with a smaller (10") blade. 12" slider would be huge and heavy.

 

[tarbellb]

I wouldnt trust the feel you got from those saws on display. Who knows what shape they are in?

Dewalts get the most positive feedback. I really like my Makita 10" slider. Any of the big name brands will likely serve you well.

As wizard states, a 10" slider will cut just about everything youd want, a 12" is almost overkill.

I would stay away from the lower tier slider brands ie Craftsman, Kobalt, HF, etc... (unless accuracy and setup ease isnt important)

 

[LandofRath]

My Dewalt is smooth, never an issue, nor any of the 30 or so others I have used. On the Dewalt there is a knob to lock the slide, wonder if it was partly tightened effecting it.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

My Dewalt is smooth, never an issue, nor any of the 30 or so others I have used. On the Dewalt there is a knob to lock the slide, wonder if it was partly tightened effecting it.

No kidding. I'm a big Milwaukee fan, but bought the Dewalt 12" slider, as it's the standard by which all others are measured. Mine is smooth as silk--but a heavy pig when you have to move it. Worth it though.

 

[Zeke]

I've always been impressed by the Milwaukee slider. I'm also a Makita fan and they make a nice one too (last I knew). But I used the Dewalt on a job for several days and was dully impressed with that machine.

I have a Hitachi standard compound miter saw. While many dismiss Hitachi for lack of high quality construction, I happen to like mine a lot. And it seems quieter than any of my other CM saws (3 others). Why so many? I don't know, tools follow me home.

 

[shawhite]

I personally would never go back to a sliding miter saw after I got my Bosch gliding miter saw and discovered how much room those slides actually take up. My Bosch is smooth as silk too.

 

[tarbellb]

That Bosch is a thing of beauty, but it is also out some people price range.

Hitachi used to be the bar for sliders, they practically invented them, or did? But those older CS10 sliders are still highly regarded. Their newer stuff is still decent, just looks like a alien turd.

Check your local CL for deals, but be sure to makes cuts before buying.

Also, lots of refurb'd units out there, like www.cpo.com and my fav www.bigskytool.com

 

[maxpower_hd]

I have a 10" Bosch I got used and I love it. Best sliding compound I have ever used. And it has adjustments for everything. You can set it up right or left handed for example. You can true it up if it gets banged around. I can't say enough about it. I've even cut steel with it, although I wouldn't use it solely for that purpose. I know they are a little pricey new but you really do get what you pay for. If you plan on using it a lot I would go for the best one you can afford.

 

[Coach James]

The local high school has several of the Kobalt sliders in the wood shop. The teacher likes them except for the handle. The horizontal handle makes it difficult and dangerous to use with the left hand.

Coach

 

[bcradio]

It's pretty interesting how different site demographics point to different recommendations. This site may have a number of professional mechanics but not many professional carpenters or construction folks.

Here the 'standard' is DeWalt or Bosch, but on a professionals site the 'standard' is the Kapex.

Just a random observation, but Kapex is too spendy for my limited use anyway.

 

[ThomasP]

I have a 12" DeWalt compound slider and wouldn't trade it for the world.

 

[Dirtydan69]

I have the Bosch 12". Best sliding compound miter saw I've ever owned and I have a few. All controls are from the front. No reaching around the back of the saw. Add the zero gravity stand and it's a complete winner.

 

[jlipsky14]

I have a Bosch 12" as well and love it. Would buy another without second thought. Also own a Bosch portable table saw and it is equally as good.

 

[Casey69]

curious about the sliding miter saws; do they fit a need between a table saw & miter saw? are they more precise than a table saw? i just have an older CMan 10" saw that does fine for most framing. paid $200 for it 15 years ago & now can get a 12" version for the same $$$.

 

[Maexle]

I have a Bosch 12" as well and love it. Would buy another without second thought. Also own a Bosch portable table saw and it is equally as good.

same here, 12" Bosch miter saw and Bosch table saw, both on the gravity stands.... Love those tools....

 

[Finky198]

Dewalt dws780 I've had it for years one of my fav tools they really are the industry standard we did some building this season with it. From framing to trim work it performs flawlessly... And yes they are heavy and loud and ....

Oh and the lighting system really shines

 

[koondog]

I also have the Dewalt and I love it. I have had it for 10 years and have zero complaints.

 

[rice rocket]

It's pretty interesting how different site demographics point to different recommendations. This site may have a number of professional mechanics but not many professional carpenters or construction folks.

Here the 'standard' is DeWalt or Bosch, but on a professionals site the 'standard' is the Kapex.

Just a random observation, but Kapex is too spendy for my limited use anyway.

Cabinetmaker/tool polisher forums, maybe? Even then, most own the DeWalt sliders. For rough or even finish carpenters or any general contractor? Nope.

So yeah, what are you basing your statement off of? It's not true in the slightest. Take your green colored glasses off.

 

[finn]

My garage sale LS1013 Makita finally died, So I started looking for a replacement at Lowes and Menards.

I was almost shocked at how rough the slide mechanism on the Dewalt felt, especially considering the high praise sowed on it here.

The Bosch on display right next to the Dewalt, on the other hand, felt like a hot knife in butter, but at a price that I may not be able to justify.

Hitachi was ok, but seemed awfully bulky.

I need to find another retailer with the Makita LS1016l in stock. We don't have a HD, and the local lumberyard was them on order, so I'll have to wait a week or so, I guess.

 

[tarbellb]

Cabinetmaker/tool polisher forums, maybe? Even then, most own the DeWalt sliders. For rough or even finish carpenters or any general contractor? Nope.

So yeah, what are you basing your statement off of? It's not true in the slightest. Take your green colored glasses off.

I too wouldnt believe any industry standard is a triple the cost version of a saw?

Ive been in the wood working/ highend install business for years and even my friends with lots of Festool tools dont rock a Kapex.

Dewalt, Bosch, older Hitachis, and Makita are the usual suspects.

 

[tarbellb]

I really like my Makita LS1013. It has a few flaws, but overall has been a excellent saw that has seen LOTS of use and a bit of abuse.
When I was in the market (2009) it was highly regarded. Looking back I would still buy, but what would likely sway me to another saw, either Bosch or Dewalt would be a discounted or free mobil stand. The stand is worth every dollar and if it comes for free, that would be the brand I picked.

 

[UpNorther]

I have a DeWalt 12" compound sliding miter and love it. I like the 12" because I end up cutting thicker stuff at times.
Before I bought it , I checked out the Makita also, which had great reviews for the sliding.
Ultimately I went with the Dewalt over Makita because of the dust collection chute is in the debris path.
It is heavy, but really it stays stationary on my miter table in the garage. I have a lighter cheap brand 10" that I bring to work.

 

[thebeekeeper1]

curious about the sliding miter saws; do they fit a need between a table saw & miter saw? are they more precise than a table saw? i just have an older CMan 10" saw that does fine for most framing. paid $200 for it 15 years ago & now can get a 12" version for the same $$$.

I only know just enough to be dangerous (need to make that my sig line), but I use a table saw exclusively for ripping, and a compound miter saw (sliding or not) for crosscuts. I also have a radial arm saw I use 90% of the time. Call me old school or whatever, but I have all my fingers after decades of cutting wood.

 

[reader2580]

Here the 'standard' is DeWalt or Bosch, but on a professionals site the 'standard' is the Kapex.

What is so special about the Kapex that makes it worth almost three times what a Dewalt costs? I am on a large woodworking forum too and I had never even heard of the Kapex before. Most of them own the Dewalt, Bosch, and similar miter saws.

 

[05r50]

What is so special about the Kapex that makes it worth almost three times what a Dewalt costs? I am on a large woodworking forum too and I had never even heard of the Kapex before. Most of them own the Dewalt, Bosch, and similar miter saws.

Are we questioning Snap-on?

Not really much difference. Quality product for a professional. Strong dealer network. Great marketing to make their item worth the price they ask.

I haven't used the kapex but have seen the demo in the local store. Too much for my hobby but so is snap-on.

 

[rice rocket]

Are we questioning Snap-on?

Not really much difference. Quality product for a professional. Strong dealer network. Great marketing to make their item worth the price they ask.

I haven't used the kapex but have seen the demo in the local store. Too much for my hobby but so is snap-on.

Even if you go on the Festool forums, you'll find less than a handful of people actually own a Kapex. Even the diehard know that it underperforms. I'm sure the weekly "my Kapex *****" thread isn't a great sales tool for them, but squelching your constituents probably won't win over your customers either.

 

[plain garage]

What is the practical difference between a 10" slider and 12"? Will the 10" be able to handle up to a 4x4 and 2x10 lumber?

 

[bcradio]

Cabinetmaker/tool polisher forums, maybe? Even then, most own the DeWalt sliders. For rough or even finish carpenters or any general contractor? Nope.

So yeah, what are you basing your statement off of? It's not true in the slightest. Take your green colored glasses off.

So clueless you are. You crack me up.

 

[bcradio]

What is so special about the Kapex that makes it worth almost three times what a Dewalt costs? I am on a large woodworking forum too and I had never even heard of the Kapex before. Most of them own the Dewalt, Bosch, and similar miter saws.

The details of the saw are apparently what sets it apart. I don't own one and don't plan to since I don't make any money with my saws. The rice man obviously has it out for Festool and thinks he is an expert on their tools because he used them once and reads a bunch of hobbyist forums.

I myself would much rather purchase the Bosch glider saw.

 

[rice rocket]

Pretty sure I've owned about 5x more Festool than you.

What are YOU basing your opinions off of?

 

[bcradio]

Pretty sure I've owned about 5x more Festool than you.

What are YOU basing your opinions off of?

Are you sad you paid so much or something? Sorry you feel that way.

 

[djjsr]

Just a tip that may help if you have a slider that feels a little gritty.

Try disassembling the slide mechanism. Pull out the rods and you'll find some linear bearings. Remove the bearings and wash everything out with some solvent. Reassemble with a little silicone grease on the bearings.

It made a big difference on my cheapie slider from HF.

 

[rice rocket]

Are you sad you paid so much or something? Sorry you feel that way.

Way to dodge the question. So really, you have no clue about anything. Thanks for verifying.

 

[TomB19]

Cabinetmaker/tool polisher forums, maybe? Even then, most own the DeWalt sliders. For rough or even finish carpenters or any general contractor? Nope.

Yeah. It's an *extremely* rare carpenter that will recommend a Hitachi SCMS. There's nothing particularly wrong with them. Everyone likes them. You just don't see a lot of pros with them.

There is some good wood working advice on this forum but it is not the norm, IMO.

For years, the Makita 1011 seemed to be the popular saw on the wood working forums. My Dad has one. His could be 15~20 years old. It's cut a lot of wood and he still loves it.

I went for a DW708, about 20 years ago. It is said to be better than the subsequent SCMS models. I've used newer saws and haven't noticed a difference. I would say it's the most powerful miter saw I've ever used but who cares about that? Lots of saws are sufficiently powerful and that is all that is required.

These days, I use a Hitachi 10" non-slider (C10FCH2) on most job sites. It is not better than the DeWalt but it is wonderfully light and portable.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=299306

 

[TomB19]

What is so special about the Kapex that makes it worth almost three times what a Dewalt costs?

It can be placed near a wall without having to provide room for the sliders. It's the best saw on the market for bench work, IMO. Throw in, by far, the best dust collection in the business and you have a saw you can live with every day.

Bosch has done a good job of compactness with their glide mechanism but the mechanism has terrible slop at full extension. It would be no big deal to a framer but I can't live with the thought and the price is silly.

The down side of the Kapex is the 30mm arbor, IMO.

 

[bcradio]

Way to dodge the question. So really, you have no clue about anything. Thanks for verifying.

I think you have reading comprehension issues

I made a simple statement about how different forums have different industry 'standards'. Apparently you don't agree, but that sounds like a you problem. It's not up for debate, it's just an observation. Trust me, I have seen your opinion on Festool and you obviously don't like them, which is why I take your opinions on them (and everything else) with a grain of salt.

 

[maxpower_hd]

Hmmm....I know several professional carpenters and they all have different saws, none of them being Kapex because they are simply too expensive. In fact I got my Bosch from a professional carpenter who was being deployed to Iraq so he had to move out of his rented house and was selling all kinds of stuff.

Most of the guys I know run DeWalt, Makita, Bosch, Milwalkee, Porter Cable, etc. They pretty much all stay away from the cheaper brands like Rigid, Ryobi, Craftsman, etc.