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Miter saw.

blazinzuk

blazinzuk

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I want to get one. Gonna be doing alot if building and going to be needing to cut lots of 2x4/2x6 boards.

I realize it can be done with a circular saw. But I have solid reasoning for a miter saw. First and foremost is the fact that it generally makes the job easier. With the physical limitations/problems I have that means I might actually be able to work closer to a normal persons pace..

What's good, what's bad?

No wait, I'm no woodworker, and I'm sure I will use it more than Joe schmo.

But what is the best cheap miter saw.

Don't think I need a sliding one, but I would like a 12" one
 
I went with a Bosch 12" sliding compound miter saw. I spent about $475 for it.

Trigger/safety are ambidextrous which is huge for me as a lefty. it swings approx 50 degrees right or left with detent stops at the more common angles. Overall a great saw that has allowed me to do so much more than I could with just a kill saw...
 
I have a rigid from home depot. Runs about $250 and takes a 12 inch blade. i've cut a lot of flooring and a couple decks worth of lumber with it. Works like new.
 
Just 2x4 and 2x6's? A simple 10" non sliding chop saw will handle that. If you want to spend more coin a sliding 10 or 12" is a great tool to have.

FWIW I have a 10" delta chop saw as my go to saw for most jobs. Had it for ten plus years and it's been a solid piece of equipment.
 
If you can swing it get a good one, The one I have is compound miter/chop saw/radial arm saw type action

It also works well with metal cutting blades
 
skunked said:
Just 2x4 and 2x6's? A simple 10" non sliding chop saw will handle that. If you want to spend more coin a sliding 10 or 12" is a great tool to have.

FWIW I have a 10" delta chop saw as my go to saw for most jobs. Had it for ten plus years and it's been a solid piece of equipment.
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I like to have a touch more capability than just the very basic
yellowK20 said:
If you can swing it get a good one, The one I have is compound miter/chop saw/radial arm saw type action

It also works well with metal cutting blades
Click to expand...

Dats the plan. I'm actually looking at used ones but I wasn't really sure what's good what's not
 
I have a 10 inch non sliding. Should have got a sliding one. It is a Craftsman does the job fine just have needed to cut like a 2x12 and it makes it a bit more work.
 
blazinzuk said:
I like to have a touch more capability than just the very basic


Dats the plan. I'm actually looking at used ones but I wasn't really sure what's good what's not
Click to expand...

Take a look at the kobalt 12" sliding compound saw if you want something new. Solid saw for the money ($300 IIRC), friend of mine has been impressed with his.

Used market I would probably buy a dewalt, we had a bunch of those at the shop.
 
Look for an old (early 60's or older) Dewalt Radial Arm Saw. Usually pretty cheap, and will last a long time. Those old timers knew how to build crap. Refurbed an older 61/62 model for a set of bearings and some elbow grease. Works fantastic. Just make sure it's not a sheet metal arm.
 
I run the newer DeWalt 12" compound saw at work. Been through hell and back. I also have an older Mikita 10" stationary saw too. If you don't need the slide, don't get it. If you don't need the 12" blade, run the 10. They are cheaper and tend to cut straighter when doing aluminum channeling, fixtures, etc.
 
Hitachi makes a good 12" sliding miter saw for $350 at Lowes. We have 2 of them at my work, one stays in the shop the other comes with us when we go out on installs. If you can afford it DeWalt pretty much makes the best sliding miter saws but they are more like $500 - $600. The Hitachi saws have held up pretty well, the one has been used almost every day for about 5 years in a professional cabinet shop and the other one has been there for two years.
 
I have a dewalt 10" compound miter saw. I got it when I remodeled the house 15 years ago and it's been a good saw. Very accurate cuts once the fence is set up. If you are only doing framing this would be plenty of saw. You'll definitely want to go up to a 12", and preferably a compound radial arm saw, if you're planning one doing more. It will help you get through wider boards when cutting flat stock. You'll also run out of blade if you have to cut anything tall or thick. Crown molding has to be held up against the fence at an angle to get accurate cuts and you'll bottom out on the wider stuff w/ a 10" saw.

Also, don't forget the blade. A stock 40-50 tooth blade is fine for framing and gen. purpose work but buy a good 80 tooth blade if you're doing any finishing work.
 
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