Miter Saw size

[Jaze Derr]

Looking for input on whether to get a 12" miter saw, or a 10" sliding miter saw.

I want to be able to cut a 4x4 without having to turn the wood (at 90 deg). I don't do crown molding, or any fancy stuff. Mostly 2x lumber, up to 2x6, 2x8.

I'm leaning towards the 12" saw, but I'm poor.

Thoughts?

[Van Huskey]

IF a non-slider has the capacity one needs I prefer a non-slider, less moving parts to introduce error.

[Steve Griffin]

Looking for input on whether to get a 12" miter saw, or a 10" sliding miter saw.

I want to be able to cut a 4x4 without having to turn the wood (at 90 deg). I don't do crown molding, or any fancy stuff. Mostly 2x lumber, up to 2x6, 2x8.

I'm leaning towards the 12" saw, but I'm poor.

Thoughts?

I love easy questions.

Save yourself a couple hundred bucks and get the 12" chop saw. It will cut your 2x8 just fine.

You will also have a tool which is easier to transport, take up less room in the shop and handle the thicker woods.

-Steve

[Jaze Derr]

I was leery about the sliding mechanisms myself, especially on the lower level brands, which is what I can afford.

So, which of these two would you get?
http://www.cpoprotools.com/products/zrr4120.html
or
http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-3912-46-12-in-compound-miter-saw/bshr3912-46,default,pd.html?start=2&cgid=bosch-reconditioned-miter-saws

I have a few small Bosch tools, and love them, but I've never dealt with Ridgid.


Or, a new Craftsman? http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00921205000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

[Bruce Wrenn]

Watch craigslist (tools) for a couple weeks, and some good looking DeWalt 705's will show up. Here (central NC) they go for $125 - $175 range, depending on their condition. You will most likely buy a new blade though.

[Jaze Derr]

Watch craigslist (tools) for a couple weeks, and some good looking DeWalt 705's will show up. Here (central NC) they go for $125 - $175 range, depending on their condition. You will most likely buy a new blade though.

I've been looking at the craigslist offerings for over a month now, and almost nothing decent :(

[Mark Woodmark]

If you have a tablesaw that is 10 inch, I would think about the 10 inch miter saw. You could use the same blade on both

[Josiah Bartlett]

If all you are cutting is dimensional lumber, you probably don't need to worry about the slider's accuracy. You will save money buying 10" blades instead of 12" blades, if you are going to use it a lot.

[Pete Janke]

I have had the Ridgid 12" miter saw for several years. It has served me well and does cut accurately. It is mounted on the Ridgid MSUV. 12" blades are more expensive but do cut through 4x4s and handle almost all of my cuts. Larger cuts are done on my table saw. I buy the blades on sale, usually from Amazon. I don't know about the Bosch or Craftsman models you noted.

[Van Huskey]

One 10" slider that has gotten pretty good reviews is the Triton, it is on sale at Highland.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/triton-tc10sbsms-10-sliding-miter-saw-with-laser.aspx


If you are going to buy Rigid you may want to think about not getting a CPO, mainly for the lifetime service agreement if you buy new.

[Dar Lounsbury]

If you have a tablesaw that is 10 inch, I would think about the 10 inch miter saw. You could use the same blade on both

A blade setup for a mitre saw and one for a table saw have little in common. One should not be used on the other. Odds are that the arbors are different.

[Rich Engelhardt]

I swap out my Freud and DeWalt 10" 40T blades between my CMS's and TS's all the time.
Both my TS's have 5/8" arbors and both my 10" miter saws have 5/8" arbors.
One reason I went w/the 10" was so I could use blades in both tools.

Sliders are a little different in that a negative hook is best in them.

[Van Huskey]

A blade setup for a mitre saw and one for a table saw have little in common. One should not be used on the other. Odds are that the arbors are different.

Not really true, most negative hook blades work fine on a TS and miter saws are fine with a 0 degree hook blade, more of an issue with a RAS. Maybe there are some oddballs but in general most 10" miter saws and 10" table saws have 5/8" arbors.

[Bruce Wrenn]

I've been looking at the craigslist offerings for over a month now, and almost nothing decent :(Tools on CL are like grapes- they come in bunches. First there are none (when you really want one) and then there are a bunch (right after you paid too much for a lesser quality machine.) Right now on RDU CL is two DeWalt 705's. Both are $125

[Van Huskey]

Tools on CL are like grapes- they come in bunches. First there are none (when you really want one) and then there are a bunch (right after you paid too much for a lesser quality machine.)

Or right after you exhausted your tool budget... :mad:

[David Helm]

For many years I used a Dewalt 12 inch nonsliding compound mitre saw professionally. It was a great saw and did everything I ever asked of it. With a little imagination, I could cross cut a 4X6 easily. I lost this saw in a shop disaster. I replaced it with a factory rebuild (actually it had never been used but had a finish blemish) 12 inch slider for about $200 less than brand new. $400 as opposed to $600. I used my fancy 12 inch blade from the old saw. Look for factory rebuilds, they are generally very good deals.

[Thomas Canfield]

Our mission work group at church acquired a Kobalt 10" slider recently that came from Lowes for about $200. I was surprised at how well it seems to perform both on accuracy and capacity. It is also very light and easy for one person to move and set up. As mentioned, the 10" blades are more available and less money. For general cross cutting and simple miters, that would be something to check out. It only has 45 tilt one side that limits some cuts.

[Glen Butler]

I really like my ridgid miter saw. The pre-set stops are very accurate. I can't say the same for dewalt. In fact, if you want accuracy don't get a dewalt. I have not used a bosch, but in general they make a good tool, but every brand has those they excell in and those they don't.

[Dan Barber1]

I haven't used a slider but got a 12 inch Porter Cable with a laser a few years ago and love it. I don't think PC sells it anymore but it works good on almost everything, including crown molding. But the laser is one of the best things.

[Paul McGaha]

I have a 10" Hatachi Slider. I like it ok.

[Jaze Derr]

After hemming and hawing for a week, I finally just went ahead and ordered the reconditioned Bosch.

$231 on sale, not a bad price, I hope.

http://www.cpotools.com/factory-reconditioned-bosch-3912-46-12-in-compound-miter-saw/bshr3912-46,default,pd.html

I'll let you guys know how it turns out :)

[Heather Thompson]

Jaze,

That is the choice I would have made also, bet you be very happy with your new saw.

Heather

[Don Jeansonne]

I bought a Makita LS1016L 10 inch slider. It will cross cut 12 inches and cut a board 4 5/8 inch staning up at fence. That will most anthing I need to do. Checkout this saw at HD for $449 - 499.

[Jeff Holoboski]

I have the Dewalt 12" dual bevel miter saw and its my first.cuts 4x4's nicely and has been used to cut trim accurately for my 8x12 shed.next project will be installing crown molding in our family room,can't wait.the wife can't wait either.
Jeff

[Gene Howe]

One 10" slider that has gotten pretty good reviews is the Triton, it is on sale at Highland.

http://www.highlandwoodworking.com/triton-tc10sbsms-10-sliding-miter-saw-with-laser.aspx


I took advantage of that sale and, it's the best 200 bucks I ever spent.:D