I’m an experienced DIYer who will be completing the interior of our new home as soon as the contractor is finished with the shell. I have most of the tools I need, but still need a compound miter saw. I’ve been looking at a DeWalt, but a local Sutherlands is going out of business and selling a Delta for $119. I like the price, but the unit on display didn’t excite me. I’m inclined to go with the $300+ DeWalt. Anyone have any good words for the Delta and think I should change my mind?
Thanks,
Jim
Replies
Jim,
I`m not familiar with the Delta. I can tell you only that in my 20 plus yrs. in this biz I have never even come across a Delta miter saw on a job. I can`t say that means something negative...but I can assure you its not a positive.
That said, I use a Makita. I started with an inexpensive model years back and I`m still in love with Makita miter saws. Most guys these days seem to go for the Dewalt. I`m not a big Dewalt fan myself, but it is a sound saw. I`ve never met anyone with a bad thing to say about a Hitachi. That saw is a real workhorse.
Just wanted to add my two cents. Spend it as you may.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"
Thanks to all for the input. I'll be doing crown moldings along with other trim detail, including installing kitchen cabinets and moldings, a couple window seats, and a raised hearth for a wood burning stove. I think I'll be happier with the DeWalt or a Makita.
Jim
Where are ya from Jim?
Sutherland's is a local outfit, so you gotta be pretty close to me (in the scope of things).
I have a Delta 8" miter saw, and it's a piece of junk. My brother has a Delta 10", and it does ok (not great, but ok).
I think ya have the answer already when you say the display didn't impress ya. James DuHamel
J & M Home Maintenance Service
not gonna tell ya which saw to buy....but if you are planning to trim your entire house...that $181 ya saved ain't gonna mean nuttin in the end if you hate the saw you're fighting with the whole time!
Buy a tool right...buy a tool once. Spend a buck...you're trying to build something nice here. Jeff
"That's like hypnotizing chickens........."
My thoughts would lean more towards whether or not you were likely to use it again, and whether you needed a compound miter saw or not.
If you'll only use it for window and door trim on one house, then rarely use it, I'd go for the Delta.
If you're going to install crown mouldings and such, the compound miter feature can be handy. Or you might want the better one of you think you'll be using it a lot down the road.
Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.
I own a delta 10" and have never had any problems with it. It works fine for basic trim job. Its a little heavy for my though but after 10 years it still runs like it is new.
Jim I don't know what delta it is but, I bought a twelve inch compound about 2 -3 years ago. Took it to the job and it wouldn't cut a 45 to save its life. on the stops at least. tried to adjust but there is no real adjust for that. it cut a good 45 on the one side and the other was 3 degees off. Brought back twice and the same prob with all. I even took it to another store and set it up with a sales person, Funny he said "WHAT A PIECE OF #*#*" Now I have the dewalt sliding compound and LOVE IT!!!
Jim:
My first electric miter saw was a Delta (1970's)used it for years and sold it to one of my carpenters,when I quite working with my tools. But,Delta was purchased by one of the larger companies and put on a the shelf.
They were excellent at that time. But today who knows, and for $180.00 I'd buy what I wanted.
Charlie
I think Makita or Hitachi will do very well.
Deltas are actually nice saws, then after a couple hundred cuts they wear out for some reason- the motor starts to give and the arbor starts loosening up really bad. As for other saws I would stick with Hitachi's and Bocsh's. It's almost a cliche now to say that Dewalt is high end black and decker but I gotta say it. Dewalt tools are sub-rate, over -priced , but well marketed. And if you ever have to have a dewalt tool serviced (even under warranty) forget about it and just throw it away.