Replies

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 06, 2009 01:28am | #1

   I'm a framer and the miter saw we use most is a 12" DW718 slider.  We built a bench for it that stays out through a job... just drop the saw into it in the morning and yank it at the end of the day.  Pretty easy.  If you do much exterior trim with your framing (it's part of the framing package for us 99% of the time) then I think you will find having the capacity of a slider indispensible.  And FWIW, it rarely (if ever) gets knocked out of whack or needs any more maintainence than a blast of air at the end of the day.

     But if you think think you'll just be using it for cutting down studs then I'd probably just get a 10" chop (we have one and pull it out when framing basements).  It'll cross cut 2x4's and 2x6's just fine and is light and easy to maintain.  Joists, rafters and other long wide framing stock will always be easier to cut with a circ saw anyway so no need to really consider that type of stuff.

   Although... now that I think about it, if you work with I-joists much the larger cut capacity of the slider again becomes a factor.  Not so much for long common joists, but for blocking and cripples around stair holes and what not. 

   If I could only have one... it'd be the DW718 slider though.  It does it all and is really quite easy to manage... easier than my 10" Makita slider ever was in fact.

   View Image
1. 
   cliffy | Apr 06, 2009 01:47am | #2

   Hi  Diesel:

   This week is the 14 hour road trip to Boston.  Habs vs Bruins Thursday nite and some more adventures till Sunday morning.  We are staying at HI Express Waltham because it is close to Wellesley and my chum from there says it won't be too hard to get to MIT from there.  Probably hitting a bar or two around tha Garden for a few cold ones.  If you are anywhere near feel free to join us.   Five Canucks in Boston. Should be fun.

   Have a good day

   Cliffy

1. 
   sisyphus | Apr 06, 2009 01:54am | #3

   Looks like the Habs are going to make the playoffs. We need atleast one Eastern Canadian team at the dance. I'll even cheer for Montreal when they play Ottawa if necessary (sigh).

2. 
   frammer52 | Apr 06, 2009 03:59am | #4

   if you work with I-joists much the larger cut capacity of the slider again becomes a factor>>>>>>>>>.

   You actually pick up an I joist to cut it?

   I have a plastic tool the I used for years.  Works with any skill saw.  It is sitting in my new truck, wanting to work, probably mad because I never use it!>G<

1. 
   dieselpig | Apr 06, 2009 04:07am | #5

   We gang cut the long stuff with a chainsaw and headcutter but yeah... we cut blocking and small cripples on the slider bench.  I had one of those Stanley plastic guides for awhile too...didn't like it much.  I much prefer gang cutting though... stretching a tape down 30' I joists over and over again gets old quick.View Image

1. 
   frammer52 | Apr 06, 2009 04:16am | #6

   That probably is quicker, just never used one.

2. 
   Jer | Apr 06, 2009 01:30pm | #7

   "It is sitting in my new truck, wanting to work, probably mad because I never use it!>G<"LOL.....Now that was funny! I'm wondering how many tools are sitting in my garage or truck that are just as angry.
   Good one.

1. 
   Ted W. | Apr 06, 2009 02:48pm | #8

    I'm wondering how many tools are sitting in my garage or truck that are just as angry.

   All my tools are angry at the economy.~ Ted W ~

   Cheap Tools! - MyToolbox.netSee my work - TedsCarpentry.com

2. 
   JDRHI | Apr 06, 2009 09:05pm | #9

   8" sliding Hitachi was always my favorite for framing.

   A simple chopsaw is fine for smaller lumber, but if you'll need to cut joists (Joyceses), a slider is a must.

   Then again, I was never a fan of using miter saws for framing and now do everything with my worm.

   J. D. Reynolds

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