I'm currently running a Kobalt 12 inch dual bevel sliding compound mitre saw. It was a Christmas gift, and at the time I hadn't gotten as deeply into woodworking as I am now. It is an ok saw, it is ok for the price I guess, but I have a very hard time keeping it square. I like the capacity, I can chop very wide material but I find that I just cannot get an accurate square cut out of it. At this point I rough cut on this saw, and do my final cuts by cross cutting on the table saw, mostly just to square it up.
Does anyone have any tips for squaring up the Kobalt? The laser is just ok, I hate that its on the right side of the blade, I'd prefer on the left, or on both sides of the kerf, and I can get the laser aligned with the blade, but its a bear to just get the blade squared to the fence. I can get close, but not perfect. Anything wider than three inches and its out of square. If you're chopping 2x4's or framing, this saw is just fine.
Shall I just move on to something better? If so, what is a good compromise on price / accuracy? I don't want to throw down for a green tool. There's gotta be a decent big box option for an accurate chop saw.
Thanks for any advice.