I’m looking to buy a sliding compound miter saw and was wondering what everyone’s thoughts are on the various makes and models. I’m a pretty serious DIYer and intermediate woodworker in my spare time. I’ve been using an older 10″ miter saw for several years and want something with more cross cut capacity. I’m leaning towards a 10″ model because I don’t want to have to buy all new 12″ blades and because the selection of 10″ blades seems to be better. So far, I like the Makita LS1013 and the new Hitachi CF10SK (model #?) with the laser guide. I’d be interested in your opinions and experience- thanks.
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You can't go wrong with the Makita.
John
I usually support Porter Cable, but do not buy thier slider, fence is to short and no extension arms are available, Other then that its a great saw.
Is this saw going to be purly stationary or are you planning on moving it. If you need a good saw and it can be perminate in location have you thought about a radial arm saw, lots of cross cut and good for miters too
I have thought about a radial arm saw and the less expensive ones ($600) aren't much more than sliders. I guess I was thinking about portability in case I ever need to work somewhere other than my shop. If you had a choice between the a slider and a radial and portability wasn't an issue, what would you go with?
Also, there only seems to be about 3 choices for bottom of the line radial arm saws- Craftsman, Delta, and Rigid- any thoughts on quality among those 3?
I've had a Sears 12" RAS and as far as I'm concerned my DeWalt 12" SCMS is far superior. The RAS is good for carpentry, the SCMS is good for furniture. Enough said?
John
Depends what you would use it for.
I'm not an expert but if I was using the tool for work just in my shop I would go with the radial arm saw. If I was going to use it for that and trim and could only have one tool I would go with a slider.
DON'T buy searsView ImageGo Jayhawks
I can't speak about radial saws per se, but I'd rank Sears lowest of the three. Ridgid is made by Emerson Electric (Ridge Tool Co. is a subsidiary, I think) Anywho, Emerson used to make most/all the Sears stuff until a few years ago. So, IMHO, Sears Crapsman trades on mostly reputation these days, but the tools that actually built their rep as low cost, quality tools are now wearing orange. Sears tools now seem more or less made by lowest bidder, good innovation for gimicks and gadgets though. This isn't to say Sears doesn't have a few good tools, but they're the last place I look now for any power tools.If everything seems to be going well, you've obviously overlooked something.
I bought a Milwaukee SMB before the Makita came out and I've had good luck with it. When our Habitat chapter needed one, I bought a Makita 10" and everyone likes it.
If you go with Makita, double check the model number on the box they hand you. There are lots of similar ones. I bought their LS-1030 chop saw, which turns out to be made for the metric countries. It takes a little modification to get all the way thru a 2x6.
-- J.S.
Have used Makita extensively for over 20 years. Great stuff, holds up to a crew. Use a 12" sliding compound in my shop and job site for cabinets , furniture and trim.
In my opinion the Milwaukee slide saw has no peer. The Makita is an excellent saw too.The Milwaukee saw can be locked any place on the bevel or swing scale without jumping into the closest detent. This is especially handy when cutting outside corners of crown, base, etc.The scales are large and easy to read.The fence is large and reverses for bevel cuts, takes 2 seconds to flip the fence and lock it.The Makita slides easiest of all the slide saws I have used. I do not like the scales as they are hard to read.The Makita comes in second, many of the other brands can be lumped into third place. Stay away from the Freud slide saw, it is inferior. Odd chopping motion, kind of jerky, way underpowered.I have used most slide saws for extended periods of time, but have only used an Hitachi once.The scales and fence were small, glad when they gave it to another carpenter, I asked for and got the Milwaukee.These are my Opinions only. I am sure at least one person will disagree.
Mike
i have two compound miter saws a 10 inch delta and a 12 inch dewalt
the delta is bench mounted in my shop and the dewalt is ajobsite tool
i prefer the 12 over a slider, the dewalt has nice high fences, easy to read sclaes and plenty of power
a 12 in blade weighs considerably more and thus gives a smoother cut in hardwood trim and the additional power is nice too
freud makes a good selection of 12 in blades and they are expensive, but saw doesnt work as hard and the bigger blades last longer between sharpening
have used the makita double compund slider, but all those moving parts? and adjustments? and the fence is really low, nice saw though
I've had the LS1013 for a couple years and really like it. Smooth operating and the blade that comes with it is great.
Get the Makita LS1013. I have one and only wish I had bought it several projects sooner!
Got mine at HD for about 500 bucks maybe 1 year ago. The blade it comes with is nice too, you won't have to go out and buy a new blade.
The angled motor is nice because it allows you to bevel cut in both directions, and the fact that it goes past 45 degrees miter cutting is nice in old houses where not everything is plumb and level.
It's also pretty quiet, plenty powerful, and has a nice soft start feature.
Thanks to everyone for their opinions. One of you mentioned Milwaukee. I love their stuff and own drills, circ. saws, and sawzalls from them. I think they discontinued their sliding compound miter saw so I didn't really consider that option. I picked up the Makita LS1013 last night and so far, so good. The soft start feature is definitely nice on a slider- the head doesn't jump when you hit the trigger. Anyway, thanks again for the advice.