Miter Saw Question

[dyazdani]

I need a little advice concerning the purchase of a miter saw. I'm primarily buying it for some wood floors I'm putting in, but that's OK.

For roughly the same money (~$250) I can get a 10" sliding miter from Sears or a 12" Hitachi standard compound miter.

So, the question is would it be better to get the sliding type or just go up in size to a 12"? I can't get by with only a 10" (too bad, I know ) because the flooring I'm purchasing is too wide.

Thanks!

[orbifold]

sears?

dyazdani, some years ago, I owned plenty of Sears woodworking tools. An old foreman used to say "Sears is fine for tools--as long as ther're wrenches." You could always check with mechanics on their version of that. I bet they are much better now, everybody is, but of the two, I vote Hitachi, if the 12" gets you the cut you need. I often lift the material to finish the cut on my DeWalt 10" which I am quite happy with, but that's no good for a flooring cut. :B
I retain a dislike for Sears, and Skil, too. Wish I could give you more up to date info.

Dave

[JoshK]

I was looking at compound mitres a while back. I was looking to get a sliding miter but then a 12" Makita (non-slider) came up on my local craigslist and I snagged it. The 12" does everything I need a miter to do. Which is to say, you will probably not wish it was a slider once you get it. 12" can do a lot.

I too would shy away from Sears and I've heard good things about Hitachi tools, I own one of their routers and its a beast.

[dyazdani]

I agree on the Sears thing as well except in certain situations. I have a Craftsman Pro router that is really a Bosch in different clothes, so I didn't have a problem with it. I also have a circular saw from them that works decent for the money.

I'll probably snag the Hitachi (it does look very nice) next time I'm around a Lowes...

[aud19]

I vote for the 12" as well :T

[RobP]

Hitachi makes a very nice saw, I own both a stationary and slider, after I got the slider I never use the stationary, its a much more versitile tool, I would spend the extra few dollars and get a slider, in the long run you will be glad you did. Here is a pic of the 10" slider.

[aud19]

Or yes, there's Robert's option of spending more money :

[tyler]

My vote on the miter goes to the Hitachi. I own the latest version of the 12" slider. :T

[aud19]

:drool: Nice saw!! :P :T

My vote on the miter goes to the Hitachi. I own the latest version of the 12" slider. :T

[topp]

You may get more input at a tool forum, I recommend woodnet.net. For what it is worth I have Makita 10" sliding and it does everything I have needed it to do.

[tyler]

:drool: Nice saw!! :P :T

Thanks! It does a great job! :B

[RobP]

Or yes, there's Robert's option of spending more money :

:lol:
I found when it comes to tools, just spend a little more the first time, you may not need all of the capabilities it can offer at first, but later on you usually end up upgrading and spending more money.


I got mine cheaper by opening up a lowes credit card, they gave me 10% off, I then had a 10% cupon from another home center and gave it to them. Lowes will honor other offers from competing companys. :T

[RobP]

My vote on the miter goes to the Hitachi. I own the latest version of the 12" slider. :T

Wow, they sure have changed the way they look......looks like RoboSaw.. :T

[aud19]

Wow, they sure have changed the way they look......looks like RoboSaw.. :T

Their new head designer is H.R. Giger :lol:

[stidrvr]

I also vote for A slider, I use a 10" Milwaukee. Although I do agree with what others have said about Sears quality. One other thing to consider, is that there is a substantial jump in blade prices from 10" to 12"

[cjd]

I use a table saw with a sled...

[orbifold]

I use a table saw with a sled...

What cjd said :B
Mine was 22" xcut with a Biesmeyer stop and a tape fence set inside. Only she was old and too big. I saved the goodies and will make a smaller one next shelf project.

[tyler]

Their new head designer is H.R. Giger :lol:

It does give that type of appearance. But if that were the case it would probably launch the blade instead of spin it! 8O

[dyazdani]

I use a table saw with a sled...

Got one, but I really want a miter saw too :W My table saw isn't that great, so I'd like a chance to upgrade the mitering capability I currently have.

[dyazdani]

Hitachi makes a very nice saw, I own both a stationary and slider, after I got the slider I never use the stationary, its a much more versitile tool, I would spend the extra few dollars and get a slider, in the long run you will be glad you did. Here is a pic of the 10" slider.

I didn't look for a 10" Hitachi slider - I just happen to run across the one from Sears. I'll take a look and see.

I'm with you on the extra money - I aready wish I bought a better table saw after using it about one time. I'm willing to spend the $$ on the 12" Hitachi no problem, it's just whether I really need the slider or not. I don't think I do, but I'll keep looking and thinking...

[tyler]

Got one, but I really want a miter saw too :W My table saw isn't that great, so I'd like a chance to upgrade the mitering capability I currently have.

I also have a sled for my table saw. However, I still utilize both the table saw and the miter. It really depends on the application.

[RobP]

what would really be more useful would be a good radial arm saw. :T

[Alaric]

Their new head designer is H.R. Giger :lol:

:roflmao: :roflmao: :roflmao:

[hollywood11111]

unless you need the extra cutting width, stick with a non-sliding saw. they're more accurate. I find some sliding saws have some play in the slides. I personally am a dewalt guy. My 12" saw was true and square right out of the box.

[Dennis H]

unless you need the extra cutting width, stick with a non-sliding saw. they're more accurate. I find some sliding saws have some play in the slides. I personally am a dewalt guy. My 12" saw was true and square right out of the box.

And radial-arm saws are even worse with the play thing. They're okay for framing but you need to spend big bucks to get a radial arm tight enough for cabinet work.

[Pookie007]

You probably will want to change out the blade when you get it. Most 10" come with 37 tooth blades. For fine work, you probably want a 60 tooth. If you are cutting 2x4" you will be fine with the 37 but it will leave a rough edge.

[Lex]

I tend to get ridgid power tools from HDepot now. But I got a Porter Cable compound mitre saw.

[whoaru99]

I really like my Bosch 12" (non-sliding) compound miter...

[Ray Collins]

Just as I was reaching for my wallet to purchase a 12" Bosch slider, my friend, who is building a new home, offered to loan me his 12" DeWalt slider until his home is completed. This saw is a BOY DOG!!! It is accurate, powerful and very easy to use. Here is hoping for construction delays!!!

Ray

[orbifold]

Play

Ditto again on the play thing. I have an old (deWalt) 10" radial. I use it for two things. To chop long lengths to something that will swing around in my dinky one-car garage shop, and the 10' table is a work area. As to the table saw, mine is just a Rockwell contractor's 10" but I put it on rollers, added outfeed and side tables, junked the fence for a Biesemeyer TSquare, and changed the motor over to 220 volt. A good aftemarket fence is required to be Happy :B If you can find one that fits your tsaw, it could change your feeling about the puchase :T If not, Jonathan's rule applies:

Experience is the hardest teacher, she gives the test first, then the lesson :E

I've had plenty, fixed em if possible, or just tossed em if not.

Dave

[Doug]

I wanted something good for corner round mouldings was my primary focus and just something good for mitre cuts of any kind. I needed to do a moulding job around a jacuzzi tub to save a vinyl floor for now. It was the type flooring they don't make now, that starts contracting as soon as you take off roll. The major issue with it was, you could not just glue and caulk and have it stay. Eventually it pulls loose and shrinks! Since it had already shrunk beyond a staple and caulk point, I saved it by stapling and then doing quarter round. That looked a bit out of sorts with tile meeting vinyl, but it's better than a blotched floor showing, and cheaper than redoing the whole thing for now. So, my saw was for 1 job, then I have it left for others later if need be. I don't even remember if mine was a 10 or 12", probably just a 10, as I Was not concerned about really large stuff, I have a table saw for that.

I lost the other floor made out of this vinyl stuff when it shrunk beyond repair on me at the tub. I replaced that floor with tile, thus, when I bought my tile saw, lol.

Looks like Porter got out of the mitre saw biz for now anyway.

It's nice to have the right saw for the job when needed. That's why I have a:
tile saw (budget tiawann model)
mitre saw
table saw
reciprocating scroll saw (the good one on a stand)
and hand power saws.

I don't care that they are the very best, just that they do my jobs when called upon to perform.