Miter saws

[Louis]

I'm in the market for a miter saw.

I don't need Dewalt and another industrial strength saw. Just need to know what to look for.

I'm looking for 10inch 15 Amp is very close to it. Do I need to have it sliding (for larger pieces)?

I've seen a description for a DeWalt 10inch saying that it could cut 4x4 and 2x6 at 90degrees and up to 2x6 at 45degrees. Do all 10inch do that?

[Trapper]

Get the slider. It's worth it.

[Louis]

I'm looking at those:

http://www.rona.ca/webapp/wcs/stores...roductId=83321

or http://www.rona.ca/webapp/wcs/stores...oductId=168401

That last one also is available as a sliding one for $100 more.

[Clint]

I'm not familiar with those brands, so I'm skeptical. We buy Makita, DeWalt and Hitachi for the most part. A 10 inch slider is fantastic and has a huge capacity. In any saw, though, have them plug it in (with a blade in it) and start it up. The start should not be overly loud or harsh (the better saws have "soft start"), and the motor should be buttery smooth. If possible, make a few cuts in hardwood. You should get no burning and very little tearout.

I'm the type to only buy nice tools. I've spent way too much time using inferior tools and that only ends in frustration. I realize that a homeowner doesn't need top-end stuff, though, so you'll have to meet your own compromise.

[Louis]

Great tips Clint. Exactly what I was looking for!


Rona is Canadian retailer and they have their own tool brand (as most large home building retailer nowadays). It does come with 3 year warranty which is nice.

I'd love to afford DeWalt but my needs don't justify the price point difference.

[Clint]

How are Makita and Hitachi up there? DeWalt is actually considered a mid-grade company. They're an offshoot of Black & Decker, the king of homeowner grade crap. DeWalt is very popular around here because they came out with some of the first really practical cordless drills, but their quality in saw motors and mechanisms doesn't compare to the Japanese brands.

Really, the key is smoothness. Like I said, see if you can try the saw and decide if you like how it feels. You might have to upgrade blades to a nice 60-tooth carbide if it comes with a cheapo.

[Louis]

Hitachi is very expensive and so is Makita but I don't recall seeing saws by Makita...

So DeWalt is High end B&D? Didn't know that...

Ohh, I just found this site: http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/

[Clint]

http://www.bosstoolsupply.com/index....OD&ProdID=7187

You might be happy with a cheapo, but for the type of work I do I cringe to think about it.

[kwc50]

Don't buy cheap -- even for a homeowner / weekend warrior. The extra $40 or $50 you put into your power tools will give you a smoother tool that just seems to handle better and last longer. You don't need an industrial strength machine like someone who's livelihood depends on it, but if you have more than a couple of projects to do you won't be happy with "crap" either.

I bought a Delta 10", 15 amp, compound miter saw several years ago. After building a deck (with sunburst railings), a shed, finishing a basement, and putting up crown molding all over the first floor and cabinet crowns in the kitchen, I wish I had spent a little more on my saw. I'm glad I have one, but some days I wish...

Make sure you get a compound saw, and not a single bevel. Make sure the grip lies horizontally and not vertically (after the 100th cut of the day you'll understand). AND! If you're not going to buy a slider, buy a 12" saw -- your current project may not need something that big, but eventually you will.

[Louis]

Any opinions on Ridgid (sold at HomeDepot)? Almost same price as Dewalt.

[kwc50]

I've seen Ridgid (Lowes sells them also), but I've never looked at them as if I was investigating a purchase. They seem well built enough, but I don't know what they'd be like once I got halfway through a project -- although I suspect they'd be just fine for what I do.

[Clint]

I think Rigid would be all right. At least it's better than some off brand. As for the 12" size, you get more blade chatter and flex if you're making heavy hardwood cuts. Otherwise they're fine.

[kwc50]

Originally Posted by RowdyRed94

As for the 12" size, you get more blade chatter and flex if you're making heavy hardwood cuts. Otherwise they're fine.

Which means you're back to the slider!

[Louis]

Originally Posted by kwc50

I've seen Ridgid (Lowes sells them also)

We don't have Lowes in Canada I think (at least not where I am).

Thanks for the great info people. I'll try to have them fire off the sliding model I'm looking at.

[Louis]

I finally went with this one:



http://www.rona.ca/webapp/wcs/stores...roductId=60701

[kwc50]

I've heard good things about Bosch -- he looks like he'll do well for you! Just remember: Blood is an NOT a rust inhibitor (as my old shop teacher was fond of saying)!!!

[Louis]

Originally Posted by kwc50

Blood is an NOT a rust inhibitor (as my old shop teacher was fond of saying)!!!

Thanks for the reminder!

[wayout1]

Bosch makes good tools. Make sure you clamp it down securely especially if you're doing multiple cuts. Its always worth spending a little extra on a tool purchase like this. Back before "consumer grade" they made tools to last. My father still has his fathers worm drive circular saws. Thems some heavy beasts but they are in great shape. There was a time once when we didnt have a disposable economy. Would you buy the knock off brand pipes for your bike because "Im just going to ride it occaisionally"

[Louis]

I made a little bench for it, allows me to move the move without hassle.

[Louis]

Official specs from Bosch web site:

http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tool...=54931&I=55108