Replies

1. 
   RedfordHenry | Nov 21, 2009 05:17am | #1

   Not the least expensive saw but the Makita LS1013 has been very good to me.  I have the one with the attached lamp which is very handy.

1. 
   RichMast | Nov 21, 2009 05:24am | #2

   same here. no problem for stain grade after 3 years.Hope this helps.  Rich

2. 
   chairmon | Nov 21, 2009 11:06am | #3

   I am going to argue the Makita LS 0714.

   It is the Smallest (7 1/2") slider that will handle a 2x12

   28 Lbs.

   The best Dust Collection of any mitersaw......I posted this Vid on the http://www.festoolownersgroup.com asking for a similar vid with the kapex

   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BtmGHPjyWQo

   See what you think.
   Unless you are doing a TON of nested Crown you will love this saw.
   even if you do a ton of it you will. It will be a great replacement for your 8 1/2" hitachi
   Craig

   Edited 11/21/2009 3:08 am ET by chairmon <!-- CHAIRMON1 -->

   
   

   ---

   Edited 11/21/2009 3:09 am ET by chairmon

1. 
   Hiker | Nov 21, 2009 03:32pm | #4

   Great Video

   My saw makes ten times that much dust the second I set it down in a new work space.

   I used to have a 8 1/2 inch hitachi slider which I loved until a hand dropped it off a 2nd floor-Don't ask how.

   Thanks

   Bruce

    

2. 
   Jercarp | Nov 21, 2009 06:09pm | #7

   I have to admit that Festool looks very tempting. At this point, I just can't justify the price though.

3. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 02:51am | #13

   I have been looking for that saw! I had a 8-1/4" Elu slider I bought in '89 and loved...light and accurate. I finally retired it and I'm looking for lightweight...I just bought a 10" Hitachi chopsaw from Amazon for 99 bucks as a filler until I find
   "THE ONE". I have been humping around my Makita LS1013 but it's too heavy and I want to keep it in the shop.Have any idea who sells the Makita LS 0714?thanks,
   silverBTW, on the compressor side I went with the smallest compressor senco makes...1 finger lifts it, great for finishing!

1. 
   Mike_Mills | Nov 22, 2009 04:42am | #14

   Did you look at the FHB Tool Guide?  The Makita LS1214FL got Best Overall.  Best Value went to the Ridgid MS1290LZA.

   Edited 11/21/2009 8:43 pm ET by Mike_Mills

1. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 08:43am | #17

   I have last years but that is great news...I need to find one now...my life won't be complete until I have one <grin>thanks,silver

1. 
   Mike_Mills | Nov 22, 2009 10:31am | #20

   I referred to the online tool guide that is part of this web site,

   https://www.finehomebuilding.com/Tool-Guide/Product-Finder/Saws/Compound-Miter-Saws/89580-65512.aspx?channel=1

   Edited 11/22/2009 2:33 am ET by Mike_Mills

2. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 09:00pm | #22

   I didn't even know it was there<grin> thanks for the enlightenment...so that would be the TOOL GUIDE tab beside HOW-TO...I have never opened any of those tabs...just spending a bit of time on BT is usually all the time I have...silver

2. 
   observer | Nov 22, 2009 05:19am | #15

   Still using my Elu, it's a great saw that I can't justify replacing. Can still get parts in England.

1. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 08:51am | #18

   Mine has several issues...it's time to move on-although someone with more patience than I have could probably save it...one of the sweetest tools I've ever owned...used hard and steady from '89 to 2004...paid 799 bucks in '89...doesn't owe me nothin'silver

1. 
   observer | Nov 22, 2009 09:05am | #19

   Mine has had a few too but I've worked through them and have permanently mounted it as a shop saw. Here is the parts source in case you want to take on a rebuild: http://www.powertoolspares.com/bd_model.php?model=PS174-----D&Product_Description=CROSSCUT%2C+MITRE+SAW&class1=Elu&class2=Wood+Working&class3=Saws&class4=Mitre+SawsFast shipping and pretty good prices.Liked the saw so much I picked up the EVS 1 1/4 HP and EVS 3 HP routers too. Really well built tools and my go-to routers out of my collection of 6.

2. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 08:53pm | #21

   Thanks for the links...hmmm...I might save that saw yet...I like to have backups...could be a winter project...The biggest problem and the reason I retired it is that the sliders are very sticky...I've tried white grease, telfon spray...all the usual suspects but still sticky.Is lotusland a real place? silver

3. 
   observer | Nov 22, 2009 09:10pm | #23

   Shoot the sliders with penetrating fluid usedfor loosening frozen bolts. It appears the linear motion bearings pick up a bit of material over time and that causes binding. The only thing I've found that works (and it works on all plunge routers too) is penetrating fluid. I use a product called Move-it, spray it on and work the head back and forth. When it's free moving, I clean and dry it and wax the rods. Requires occasional repeats, but it works.Lotusland is more a state of mind than a place but it is also a disparaging name applied to the west coast of Canada by central and eastern Canadians. It has it's roots in this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus-eaters . Others call us the California of Canada, a reference to the wing-nuts that tend to congregate in places of favourable climate.

4. 
   silver77 | Nov 22, 2009 09:31pm | #24

   "Lotusland is more a state of mind than a place but it is also a disparaging name applied to the west coast of Canada by central and eastern Canadians. It has it's roots in this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lotus-eaters . Others call us the California of Canada, a reference to the wing-nuts that tend to congregate in places of favourable climate."Fascinating-never heard that before...I'm going to ask around-our climate is less favourable and therefore less wing-nuts-maybe not?Great advice about penetrating oil and you've solved a mystery for me...I'll try it...thanks!
   silver

5. 
   observer | Nov 22, 2009 09:39pm | #25

   Depends on how you define wing-nut.I'm originally Toronto/Oakville. There is definitely a different approach there and now that I'm adapted here, I tend to think of anyone who chooses to live in that great commerce-driven urban metropolis as a wing-nut.

6. 
   Shoemaker1 | Nov 22, 2009 10:04pm | #26

   Good laugh!!
   Vancouver = velcro for wacko's. East Hasting ST. 15 years ago, Nuts, absolute urban blight, but some ars kick Asisn food.
   On the other hand the Grandville Island market and Arts Club/bar. Grin x2.Not to forget! there best export commodity. Fugus picking on Vancouver Island, Salmon fishing. Hiada indian art. Long beach. Skiing in waist deep powder in the Kootenies. Wineries of the Okanogan Valley.To bad it's going to slide into the Pacific soon.

7. 
   basswood | Nov 22, 2009 11:54pm | #27

   Everything east of the San Andreas fault will soon plunge into the Atlantic Ocean. :o)

8. 
   basswood | Nov 23, 2009 06:29pm | #34

   Did anyone get my joke?Testing, testing, 1...2...3...

9. 
   FatRoman | Nov 23, 2009 06:40pm | #35

   Ja, apparently 'Winona' is Dakota-speak for 'underwater' :)'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

   View Image

10. 
    observer | Nov 23, 2009 12:46am | #28

    Indeed.When it goes, I'll guarantee I'll be sliding along with a lotus blossom grin on my face.

11. 
    silver77 | Nov 23, 2009 06:19am | #29

    "Depends on how you define wing-nut.I'm originally Toronto/Oakville. There is definitely a different approach there and now that I'm adapted here, I tend to think of anyone who chooses to live in that great commerce-driven urban metropolis as a wing-nut."I live in the bush>not a wing-nut...that said-ever since I came to Canada in the late 70's, I've always wanted to go to bc> lotuslandI have an old friend in Victoria and I just about moved there a couple years ago...Now I'm happy here in the bush...northwesern ontarioI was in the hot tub under the stars last night and I felt like I had died and gone to heaven...silver

12. 
    silver77 | Nov 23, 2009 06:48am | #30

    Moving away from lotusland for the moment...and getting back to sliding saws- I had time to check out the links...Makita-I have a LS1013 that I love...I'd like to keep it in the shop...needs a factory tuneup...heavy to hump around but not bad when I need it...the 12" Makita weighs 61#...forgetaboutit...too old too hump that aroundbut the LS07147-1/2" like my old Elu...I like it already...27.6# -I like it more1.6# more than my new POS Hitachi chopsaw...425. on Amazon and I'm still on the free shipping trial...This thread has been most useful to me...have to say thanks to everyone for making it so informative and entertaining...silver

13. 
    woodway | Nov 23, 2009 10:54pm | #38

    I'm about to get a slider myself and I'm stuck betwixt the DeWalt 10 inch and the Makita 10 inch. I've used the older 12inch DeWalt and liked it but don't know enough about the newer 10 inch to really sell me on it alone. What's your take?

14. 
    silver77 | Nov 24, 2009 06:47am | #44

    I've never had anything DewaltMakita is pretty well all good...the 10" slider is great...user friendly...heavy but manageable...easy to cut accurately with...My biggest complaint is it's hard to tweek back to factory specs...my bevel stops are loosey goosey...but personally for a 10/12"-I haven't seen anything I like better in it's price range...the Dewalt seem to awkward to me...I'm leaning toward the 7-1/2" Makita myself for most jobs...cheers,silver

15. 
    observer | Nov 23, 2009 07:38am | #31

    I saw your location. Ontario can be a beautiful bit of country once you get away from the megalopolis. Never been to Thunder Bay, but if I was back there living, it would be in that kind of place. I live in the woods outside Nanaimo on the east coast of Vancouver Island. Only drawback to living here is that if I had been out in a hot tub last night, it would have been under the beating rain.

16. 
    FatRoman | Nov 23, 2009 03:30pm | #32

    Hope you don't mind the hijack, but you live on an island I'd love to visit. Particularly for Victoria and Tofino. I'm interesting in some winter storm watching in the latter and seeing in person the splendid architecture in the former that I've only glimpsed in photos.And please take that as a hint to post some of your local architecture in the thread here http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=125678.780'Man who say it cannot be done should not interrupt man doing it' ~ Chinese proverb

    View Image

17. 
    silver77 | Nov 23, 2009 06:00pm | #33

    "you live on an island I'd love to visit. Particularly for Victoria and Tofino."Man-I'm with you there...one of my boldest dreams is to go surfing in Tofino...silver surfer

18. 
    observer | Nov 23, 2009 10:16pm | #36

    Don't mind the hijack at all; this discussion is itself a hijack of someone else's thread.Be happy to oblige on the pictures but it's probably been ten years since I headed south the 100 miles to Victoria so I'm not overly familiar. My predilection is to grab one of my fly rods and head north or west for the trout and salmon fishing on the lakes, rivers and beaches. Urbanity doesn't do much for me.I spent considerable time on the west coast in the days before it became such a destination but the flavour has now changed considerably. Most enjoyable trips have been to visit or camp on the beaches during turbulent weather and to Ucluelt where we stay on the boat at a marina and head offshore about 25 miles every morning after 25 - 40 pound chinook salmon.I also spent a few years in the salmon farming business and traveled much of the inaccesible coast of the island by boat, float plane, helicopter and fish tanker truck/barge. It's a pretty spectacular place here and the best climate Canada has to offer. If you get the opportunity, don't miss it.

19. 
    Shoemaker1 | Nov 24, 2009 04:40pm | #46

    We spent our honeymoon on that ship in Uculet 28 years ago, and did some salomon charters. Got a few big ones and a lot of sand sharks. Lovely place.Back to the sliders. For some mouldings a 7 1/4 won't do.The Makita 10" did the job. I was using the depth stop to do some half lap joints the other day and it worked real slick.As for the weight of a tool, the last cordless drill I bought I weighed it before I bought it. When you are screwing overhead all day that 4 ounces adds up. Yes the cutie behind the counter thought I was nuts, but it's my shoulder.FWIW all these saws are a pain to carry.

20. 
    observer | Nov 24, 2009 07:58pm | #48

    I know the one you mean but we took our own boat and moored at a marina near it. Development in Uclulet has been a lot slower than the Long Beach/Tofino area but you still wouldn't recognize it as the same place you visited.

21. 
    woodway | Nov 23, 2009 10:49pm | #37

    It is not possible for anyone, let alone location, to duplicate California. We're unique. No one, repeat no one, can fine tune deficit spending like we can and confuse, for argument sake, state spending with the state's private, and much larger, economy. Our politicians can spin better than most too, let none doubt their ability to justify further expenditures based upon "cheery picked" numbers relative to other states.

22. 
    rasconc | Nov 25, 2009 04:02am | #51

    Anybody see the Kobalt 10" slider at Lowes? I saw an ad for one but not looked at one.  Probably made by Hitachi for a wild guess.

    http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=141994-46069-SM2505LW&lpage=noneFor those who have fought for it Freedom has a flavor the protected will never know.

3. 
   chairmon | Nov 25, 2009 03:14am | #50

   I picked up mine at Tighten tools here in Omaha. I went with the Tiny De Walt Compressor (compersser with 2" 19 ga brad gun $99.00 at the tent sale last summer)craig

3. 
   Shoemaker1 | Nov 21, 2009 05:26pm | #5

   Last spring while finishing a trim job my old Dewalt 12 bit the big one. I live in a small town so a quick trip to the hardware store. I got the 10 Makita floor model and saved $$.

   Love it period. Great blade. Used a 12 in Milawakee slider a month ago it was nice but huge.

   I left the original price sticker on for the HO to see. Sort of gives them a frame of referance about the cost of doing business.

   I got the old dewalt going and it is now the "Rough Saw"

1. 
   Heck | Nov 21, 2009 05:31pm | #6

   Seems like all of mine are now 'rough saws'  

   when you are up to yur knees in gators, make gatorade     

4. 
   FingerJoint | Nov 21, 2009 09:12pm | #8

   The Milwaukee 12" slider is a great saw if you don't mind a little weight.  Dead on accurate, and has a very nice smooth feel to it.  I think it's around $500-550 at HD right now, including a ridgid saw stand thrown in for free. 

1. 
   toolbear | Nov 21, 2009 10:25pm | #9

   The Milwaukee 12" slider is a great saw if you don't mind a little weight. Dead on accurate, and has a very nice smooth feel to it. I think it's around $500-550 at HD right now, including a ridgid saw stand thrown in for free. @@@Where was that deal last year? It was in the $650s and no gimmies.I bought a DW 12" slider at the Ganahl contractor day for $500 instead.The ToolBear

   "You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert

1. 
   FingerJoint | Nov 21, 2009 10:46pm | #10

   I bought mine about a year ago from Home Depot for $499, but they didn't throw in the stand then.  It really is a great saw.  I like lights better than lasers.  I hear the laser on the Kapex is good, but the saw is expensive. 

1. 
   Jercarp | Nov 21, 2009 11:29pm | #11

   Really the only thing holding me back from getting the Milwaukee is the weight. I tried to lift one up the other day at HD and they had it bolted down. Initially I thought, "God, this sucker's way too heavy for me!", then I saw the screws holding it to the steel shelving.

1. 
   gordsco | Nov 22, 2009 01:16am | #12

   Same thing happened to me. I got about 4 of 5 steps and thought man this thing is heavy!

   Then I realized I was carrying the display table with 7 other mitersaws! 

2. 
   Jercarp | Nov 24, 2009 01:07am | #40

   Well, I finally was at a HD today where one of those things wasn't screwed down, so I locked everything down on it and picked it up off the shelf and set it on the floor. I then kept picking it up and putting it down, first with my right hand, then left (that's the bad one, torn roto-cuff),...I picked it up from the two different handles etc etc.
   I have to say that it didn't seem that much different than the DW 718 which is the saw I currently own. There was a 718 sitting right next to it and I took measurements and the Milwaukee was only slightly bigger. wouldn't believe it if I hadn't seen with my own eyes.I lifted it a few more times and then put it back on the shelf, put the signs back, unlocked the miter & the blade, picked up my stuff and only then noticed a group of employees looking at me from the end of the aisle. As I passed, one asked me if I needed any help and I said, "Nope, Just browsin'."Now I'm thinking about that Kapex or a little sliding 71/4".
   Most likely I won't buy anything.

3. 
   JDale | Nov 24, 2009 03:25am | #41

   I have been folowing along here, as I am also in the market for a new saw.  I am looking for one for the shop so weight is not an issue.

   I have not seen anyone mention Bosch.  Any opinions on them?

   John

4. 
   DCCarpenter | Nov 24, 2009 03:57am | #42

   I ran a bunch of Crown with the 10" Bosch slider, I didn't like it as much as the 12" Dewalt non-slider I own. It was pretty much on par with the Dewalt 12" slider I've used extensively.

5. 
   cic317 | Nov 24, 2009 04:49am | #43

   Had a change to stop & see the 7 1/2 Makita today, seem like a nice saw but you would think for the price $420, they would have built it w/ a double bevel, got soiled by the big Dewalt. Saw they still have the Hitachi 8 1/2, was wondering if these are still as nice as the old ones? Anyone work w/ a newer version?

6. 
   marv | Nov 24, 2009 05:08pm | #47

   Saw they still have the Hitachi 8 1/2, was wondering if these are still as nice as the old ones? Anyone work w/ a newer version?

   I have had one for 5 years and love it.  An "old time carpenter" friend of mine recently wore out his 8.5" Hitachi after 20 years of hard daily use and bought a new one.  It's still the same sweet saw.

   btw, this was the first slider on the market.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

7. 
   silver77 | Nov 25, 2009 03:13am | #49

   Hey, that's a good head's up...I checked out the 8.5 Hitachi...looks good-and light and well recommended...are you talking Hitachi C8FSE 292. Amazonor " C8FB2 499. Amazonthanks-kinda looks like my old elu if I squint a bitsilver

8. 
   Jercarp | Nov 24, 2009 03:56pm | #45

   Bosch is supposed to be one of the better ones. I have only used the older one and it's just fine.
   If weight is not the issue and it's for shop use I would definitely get the Milwaukee 12" slider because of the smoothness, the lights, and the dust collection.

2. 
   toolbear | Nov 22, 2009 06:11am | #16

   bought mine about a year ago from Home Depot for $499, but they didn't throw in the stand then. It really is a great saw. I like lights better than lasers. I hear the laser on the Kapex is good, but the saw is expensive. @@@I checked out the laser and then installed the light. The shadow works just fine and I get light on the work. Useful last winter in a remodel in the rain with the only light my work light. Like a cave.
   The ToolBear

   "You can't save the Earth unless you are willing to make other people sacrifice." Dogbert

5. 
   marv | Nov 24, 2009 01:03am | #39

   retire my 8 1/2" Hitachi

   Your kidding right?  You want to dump the best saw ever made? 

   View Image

   You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv