Sliding Mitre Saw

[sharpshooter]

Looking to get a miter saw, I borrowed my dads and realized I have to have one. He has a 10in and it doesn't slide but I was wondering if getting a slider is worth it? I know a 10in cuts a 2x6 barely so I'm thinking of a 12in. What are you guys using? What brand/cost/ and opinions? For a brief moment I considered the HF ones, Then I got a lil indecisive on those..

 

[Tom2]

I bought a 7 1/4 sliding Craftsman last year. Havent used it a ton, but I love it. Was $119 on sale.
Wasn't going to risk it on a HF version..

 

[jpilgrim]

I have a non-sliding 10-in Hitachi that my dad picked up at a garage sale. I use it all the time to cut aluminum stock with a Freud triple-chip non-ferrous blade. It makes great cuts!

Remember to clamp your metal workpiece to the saw bed. I learned the hard way as a teen: my hand could still feel the punch from the alum channel I was holding down a week later, the blade lost several teeth and the motor spindle got bent. I use C-Clamps or ViseGrip 11R's to hold stock down now.

I use WD40 for blade lube and the cuts are noticably better than dry. Next time I need to do wood work, I'll probably just get another miter (of the sliding variety), rather than build up a nice mix of sawdust, alum chips and wd40!

I taped the guts from a furnace air filter over the motor air intake to keep metal chips out of the motor internals.

 

[bry@n]

I bought my Dewalt 12" sliding compound mitre on sale as Home Depot. I think I got it for $500 or so.

 

[sharpshooter]

Id love to have a dewalt slider, but I cannot justify the cost of one of those for the time Id use it... If I was making my living cutting wood then that would be a different story... Just cant afford one of those fancy rigs LOL

 

[onemoretry]

The best of both worlds, a 12" slider

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I have the first generation DeWalt 12" sliding compound miter, and while it is nice to make cuts on super wide pieces of wood, it is bulky to store. It requires a bit of real estate on a work bench or wherever you may end up storing it.

Lowe's "may" carry the 8" Hitachi sliding miter, and I would give them a worthy look.

In retrospect now, the DeWalt looks to be middle ground in terms of pricing. Take a look at the jaw-dropping price of the Festool Kapex KS 120.

Good luck,
Mike

 

[djjsr]

I would definitely get a sliding model. I have both in 10" and rarely use the non-slider. I do use a 7 1/2" non-slider with a fine blade for finer work.

I shopped around a lot and got the Harbor Freight saw (the better one of the two they have). It seems to be built pretty good for the money (around $150). Several that I looked at weren't any better but cost twice the price. The best I found was a DeWalt and it was superior quality but way to much $ for me. (I think it was over $600).

 

[c_mccann]

I have a makita slider 10" and opted it over the 12" model. Has not been undergunned as of yet, 4x4's are no problem. Like the Makita, had another Makita and a Hitachi. The Hitachi non slider was a brute of a machine and a crude beast compared to the Makita.

 

[W_KY]

I got a Milwaukee 12" slider from HD for $299 on clearance. Probably more saw than I really need but I love it. Now I just need to build a nice bench setup for it or buy a miter saw stand.

 

[WSMC633]

I wanted one for a long time, but couldn't justify the price. Then I was at sears and there was a CMan 12" sliding compound mitre on the clearance table for $150. Bought it on the spot, and love it! I don't do a whole lot of woodworking, but it kicks **** when I need it. It's cool being able to cut larger stock in one shot too.

 

[metal1313]

i have several miter saws, from a little delta, to a bosch slider. it really depends on what your going to be doing. a 12in will cut most things easily for general construction and a big 12in slider may not be worth the added cost.

as for the bosch i just got it a few days ago, its used but in great shape. i also have a ridgid slider that i love, but for 50bucks and case of beer i couldnt say no to the bosch

 

[dfndr]

So, If you don't do a lot of wood cutting but want a saw, is the sliding miter or a cheap bench saw a better choice?

 

[sharpshooter]

dfndr... it depends on what your gonna be cutting. If I didnt have a saw at all and was looking to purchase something then it would be either a circular or a table saw... a miter saw is great for cutting boards but your not gonna rip any plywood with it... If I was you Id look into a table saw first...

 

[dumper]

if you are only using it at home, and not hauling it to job sites, you may want to consider a radial arm saw- it will do it all, including everything a table saw will do. They do take up alot of space, but since power miter boxes have gotten so popular, you can buy used, high-quality radial arm saws for not much money. I have seen RA saws that were over $500 new, sell used for under $100, in excellent condition- most people just want the space back. It really depends on what you think you are going to be cutting.

 

[K5blazer83]

I have the Dewalt DW708 and I love it. The new version of it is the DW718 and I've used both. I honestly prefer the old school DW708. Way more reliable and better made.

My Dewalt collection

 

[boiler7904]

Id love to have a dewalt slider, but I cannot justify the cost of one of those for the time Id use it... If I was making my living cutting wood then that would be a different story... Just cant afford one of those fancy rigs LOL

Then you have plenty of time to hunt for a deal on one for yourself. Home Depot and Lowes have been offering decent discounts on sliding compound miter saws every few months for the last year or so. I got a 12" DeWalt for $450 out the door at Lowes last July or early August. Home Depot was knocking 150-200 off retail on DeWalt and Milwaukee at Christmas. Just have to be patient and ready to jump when you see a good price. There's no way I'd have mine sitting in the garage if I had to pay full price and run it past the budget committee aka my wife.

 

[FNFS2000]

Don't mess around get a Kapex and be thrilled with the best

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

I have a 12" Hitachi slider that is mounted on a folding Rigid table. Wouldn't be without it triming out a house. I also use it (the table has roller feeds in and out of the saw) to cross cut everthing up to 2x12's. I can make a square cut in a heart beat with this saw once setup and never pickup the wormsaw.

By the way, cutting roof rafters and jack rafters is a breeze now....

 

[sharpshooter]

I think Im just gonna get the DW713.. I cant justify spending a whole lot more than 200 bucks for the limited time Id be using it. Ive used the 12in brother to this saw and found it extremely well built so I figured ill spring for a quality one even if it doesnt have all the bells and whistles, atleast I know it will last me as long as I need it to...

 

[snowpromod]

I have a 10" Hitachi Slider mounted to a Sawhelper - going to get rid of the Sawhelper, but keep the saw! Pay the extra $$$ for a slider, well worth it imo!

 

[sharpshooter]

Id love to have a slider but realistically I wont need it that much to spend the extra coin... gonna stick with my gut... I keep telling myself the 713 is all i need ha ha

 

[back2class]

As I just posted.. over 10 years as a busy remodeling contrator and never had any need for a slider. Just a plain old 10" compound did everything I needed.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Check Craigslist and Pawn Shops (do you have a Cash America Pawn nearby). That way, you can get whatever kind you want. I got a Hitachi 15" C15FB miter saw from Cash America for $50. I turned around and sold it on C/L for $200, as I am already used to my Dewalt 12" Dual Bevel DW706.

 

[Abodyracer]

Take a look at the jaw-dropping price of the Festool Kapex KS 120.

Good luck,
Mike

http://www.festoolusa.com/products/...ks-120-sliding-compound-miter-saw-561287.html

Pocket Change

 

[Shadowdog500]

My wife actually bought me a Dewalt 12" slider as a gift. I love the thing but it does take up allot of real estate to store. I bought the stand for it, and it is wonderful once it is set up. I also have an old delta 10" non sliding miter saw, and it is good on 2X4's and a 2X6 if you aren't cutting an angle, and it sits where I can easily grab it for quick cuts. the bigger saw only gets set up for big projects.

Chris

 

[MasterBlaster]

A few years ago i bought a Hitachi 10" slider on clearance for $240.00 from Lowes.It's a
bada$$ piece of machinery,i tell you.With a Porter-cable hybrid blade called a razor,it makes some clean cuts.

 

[mjozefow]

I'd avoid the HF one like the plague. The only reason I could ever see buying that one is if you ONLY needed the crosscut capacity.

Getting a tight miter joint is easy with a good saw (I have a Makita) buy a total PITA with a cheapo.

 

[moronmountain]

So which between single and double bevel?

 

[FNFS2000]

Kapex is worth every penny, its an awesome tool. Especially to the pro, its just a hobby for me, but I love having the best tools for the job

 

[sharpshooter]

So which between single and double bevel?

Single youll have to flip the board, double youll have to flip your wallet !!

 

[aczr2k]

onemoretry- What brand of miter saw stand is that? Thanks

 

[sharpshooter]

Looks like a Trojan

 

[onemoretry]

onemoretry- What brand of miter saw stand is that? Thanks

Looks like a Trojan

Trojan it is...
I am not the biggest fan of it. I didn't know at the time that they had a different stand for the larger saw. I think had I gone with that, I would have been happier. It isn't bad, but for the money, it ain't great either.

 

[boiler7904]

BOSCH 4212L 12" Dual-Bevel Compound Miter Saw for $439.99 + free shipping