Sliding miter saw
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downsizingnow48
Elite Member
I've had a Bosch 10" sliding bevel saw for about 35 years. Works perfect now and from day 1. It will outlast me. But, if I was going to get a second miter saw, which I am often tempted to, it would be smaller, not larger. I am thinking about the cordless Makita dual bevel.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XSL02...words=makita+miter+saw&qid=1568421997&sr=8-14
How often do you expect to bevel 4" lumber? Do you make a living on 4" crown molding? If so you need a 12" saw. On the other hand, a 8" or even 7 1/4" slider will do a huge amount of trim and hobby work and is much easier to move to where you are working.
https://www.amazon.com/Makita-XSL02...words=makita+miter+saw&qid=1568421997&sr=8-14
How often do you expect to bevel 4" lumber? Do you make a living on 4" crown molding? If so you need a 12" saw. On the other hand, a 8" or even 7 1/4" slider will do a huge amount of trim and hobby work and is much easier to move to where you are working.
kenmac
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I have built many projects with my HF 10 slide. They didn't have a 12 when I bought this 10.
Built a deck with it ans now replace deck boards with it
It's like the every ready bunny.. it just won't die !
Mine is the chicago electric. They have several models now
check
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Have a friend helping me with the (7”) garage siding. He has a Rigid 12” compound slider. Problem is, we have to cut angles for the 4/12 itch roof, and his saw cuts too short.
He wants to use a jigsaw. Another problem is that the siding is bevelled. Have to think about this.
downsizingnow48
Elite Member
For that kind of situation I set up a plywood jig with a steel straight edge and use a circular saw. One set up will do all the cuts for both gables if the siding is flat. If it is beveled you need two setups.
No jig saw!
No jig saw!
Slowpoke Slim
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For the money you save, may as well get the HF 12" slider and ignore the 10" entirely. I bought the HF 12" slider a few years ago at their "sidewalk sale" for $139 and it's been great. I'm still on my first blade too. Just the standard tooth (forget the tooth count) blade. I did buy a high grade, high tooth blade for doing better quality cuts, but I haven't felt the need to put it on yet. The HF blade is still cutting very smooth. I've cut green, treated 4x4's and also cut 45 degree angles on those green 4x4's. Saw never misses a beat.
Good value for a "home project" saw.
Good value for a "home project" saw.
natedog75
Bronze Member
I have a Makita 10” slider dual bevel, a Rigid 10” dual bevel slider, and a Hitachi 12” dual bevel non slider. I like some things about all three. And all three have something that annoys me. For instance my Makita bevel controls are in the back but lock tighter. My Rigid bevel controls are up front and easier to manipulate for 22.5 and 33.9 but don’t hold quite as tight. The Hitachi doesn’t have any fancy frills like stops for 22.5 but is dead on accurate once setup. It is way to easy to flex a slider when on the outer end and your cut domes up 1/16 out of square which won’t matter for a deck but drives me nuts on trim pieces.
If you want accuracy in your cuts go with the smallest non slider that will handle the material size you will be cutting. If you want capacity go with the biggest slider you can afford. A 12” slider is going to walk and deflect way more than a 10” non slider. I use the sliders for big stuff (decks, siding etc.) I use the 12” for crown and trim.
Both of my 10” miter saws have deep throat recesses on the back and will cut a 4x4. You just have to check the capacity of the saw.
One thing I would say is check to see if the saw is belt drive and check to see if it is soft start. Belt drive makes a big difference. Also soft start is nice to have but my Rigid is almost to soft. It takes longer than I would like to get to full speed.
If you want accuracy in your cuts go with the smallest non slider that will handle the material size you will be cutting. If you want capacity go with the biggest slider you can afford. A 12” slider is going to walk and deflect way more than a 10” non slider. I use the sliders for big stuff (decks, siding etc.) I use the 12” for crown and trim.
Both of my 10” miter saws have deep throat recesses on the back and will cut a 4x4. You just have to check the capacity of the saw.
One thing I would say is check to see if the saw is belt drive and check to see if it is soft start. Belt drive makes a big difference. Also soft start is nice to have but my Rigid is almost to soft. It takes longer than I would like to get to full speed.
natedog75
Bronze Member
Also I have a majority of the Dewalt 20v line and some of the 60v. I bought the 7-1/4 20v saw. Until they release a brushless version I won’t have one. I returned the one I bought. The slide mechanism wasn’t smooth. The hinge on the saw wasn’t smooth either. The saw had enough power for trim but it ran through batteries pretty quickly. I have 2ah, 3ah, 4ah, 5ah, 6ah, and 60v 6ah. Of course it is best to use 4ah or higher on the miter saw. But it ate through batteries if you cut anything beefier than shoe loudly or quarter round. It was convenient but just was up to snuff for me.
I have the 60v cordless compressor and love it. I don’t have to fool with a extension cord for small projects but I don’t have to hold up a 5lb 18 gauge gun either. A bonus is it works with all the guns I currently have from 23 gauge pinned to framing gun. I have even used it on a roof patch with my Senco roofing nailer. You of course need to understand what it is meant for as with any battery operated tool and understand its limitations. I said all that to say I wasn’t discounting Dewalt miter saw just because it was cordless. I just wish it was like some of their other tools. It needs and upgrade to be ready for prime time. I have been watching to see if they would revamp it. When they do I will be all over it.
I have the 60v cordless compressor and love it. I don’t have to fool with a extension cord for small projects but I don’t have to hold up a 5lb 18 gauge gun either. A bonus is it works with all the guns I currently have from 23 gauge pinned to framing gun. I have even used it on a roof patch with my Senco roofing nailer. You of course need to understand what it is meant for as with any battery operated tool and understand its limitations. I said all that to say I wasn’t discounting Dewalt miter saw just because it was cordless. I just wish it was like some of their other tools. It needs and upgrade to be ready for prime time. I have been watching to see if they would revamp it. When they do I will be all over it.
spitter
Platinum Member
Long angles like that I would never lay it on a slide saw . Lay out angle cut with circular saw Take your time It's a skill builder any wood butcher can cut a 90 degree cross cut skills come in when you have to cut angles and notches .:drink:
Egon
Epic Contributor
There are several compound sliders with zero clearance which are good for cramped spaces. ( Makita 10” & Bosch 12” )
Of the others standard sliders. ( DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, ) either 10” or 12” are well accepted brands. They can all be had with stands which would be advised.
My personal choice would be the Bosch 12” zero clearance.
Of the others standard sliders. ( DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, ) either 10” or 12” are well accepted brands. They can all be had with stands which would be advised.
My personal choice would be the Bosch 12” zero clearance.
Egon
Epic Contributor
There are several compound sliders with zero clearance which are good for cramped spaces. ( Makita 12” & Bosch 12” )
Of the others standard sliders. ( DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, ) either 10” or 12” are well accepted brands. They can all be had with stands which would be advised.
[video]https://www.lowes.ca/product/mitre-saws/bosch-12-in-15-amp-dual-bevel-glide-compound-mitre-saw-gcm12sd-337709[/video]
[video]https://federatedtool.com/makita-ls1219l-12-sliding-compound-mitre-saw-with-laser/[/video]
My personal choice would be the Bosch 12” zero clearance.
Of the others standard sliders. ( DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Bosch, ) either 10” or 12” are well accepted brands. They can all be had with stands which would be advised.
[video]https://www.lowes.ca/product/mitre-saws/bosch-12-in-15-amp-dual-bevel-glide-compound-mitre-saw-gcm12sd-337709[/video]
[video]https://federatedtool.com/makita-ls1219l-12-sliding-compound-mitre-saw-with-laser/[/video]
My personal choice would be the Bosch 12” zero clearance.
I've had the Dewalt DW717 for years now, and it's been a great saw. I'm not sure why some are saying you need a 12" saw for capacity, as you can see the specs listed here: 1 in. (254 mm.) Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw - DW717 | DEWALT
It has no problem cutting 4x4's, tall crown molding, etc. I've trimmed my house, built furniture, built decks, and everything in between with this saw. I like the 10" size since my table saw is also 10". I occasionally share some of the blades between the two if needed.
It has no problem cutting 4x4's, tall crown molding, etc. I've trimmed my house, built furniture, built decks, and everything in between with this saw. I like the 10" size since my table saw is also 10". I occasionally share some of the blades between the two if needed.
EddieWalker
Epic Contributor
I've learned that you get what you pay for. I started out with a lot of Craftsman and Black and Decker power tools, then upgraded to DeWalt when I needed something new, along with a few Porter Cable and Milwaukee tools. Over the years, I discovered Makita, and found them to be my favorite by a huge margin. Now that's all I buy.
AllByteNoBark
Gold Member
Been using a Hitachi 12 in sliding compound miter for several years. Used on everything from decks, finishing inside of shop, some light trim, fencing boards, etc. The model I have they no longer make but it has worked well for me. Had a 10 inch before and would highly recommend the 12. It might not be what you would want for making cabinets.
For what I do the preset angles have been very handy once the saw was squared up initially. Dust collection is not good, but, with that said, I've not seen one with good dust collection.
For what I do the preset angles have been very handy once the saw was squared up initially. Dust collection is not good, but, with that said, I've not seen one with good dust collection.
shooterdon
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I am a tool snob, but when I got frustrated with my DeWalt miter saw not being able to cut wider boards, and found the HF 10" slider on sale for $100 I gave it a try.
I put a good blade on it and I have been pleased with it for the last 3 years. I figured I was going to use the DeWalt most of the time and only use the HF (POS) when I had to cut wider boards but it has not turned out that way. The DeWalt sits idle and I have not used it for 3 years.
If I used a saw every day, I would invest in a higher quality saw but I cannot justify it. The HF is not the POS I expected it to be. Not sure if I lucked out and got a good one but then I do not throw it into the bed of pickup and move it to job to job like a contractor would. Almost everything I build is out of 1x and 2x lumber up to 10" (nominal) wide so I do not need the capacity of the 12" slider. The 12" saw is about 60% more costly and bulkier if you need the capacity.
I put a good blade on it and I have been pleased with it for the last 3 years. I figured I was going to use the DeWalt most of the time and only use the HF (POS) when I had to cut wider boards but it has not turned out that way. The DeWalt sits idle and I have not used it for 3 years.
If I used a saw every day, I would invest in a higher quality saw but I cannot justify it. The HF is not the POS I expected it to be. Not sure if I lucked out and got a good one but then I do not throw it into the bed of pickup and move it to job to job like a contractor would. Almost everything I build is out of 1x and 2x lumber up to 10" (nominal) wide so I do not need the capacity of the 12" slider. The 12" saw is about 60% more costly and bulkier if you need the capacity.
kenmac
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it should work, but if you are like me and like to cut anything. 4x4's and mider a 4x4. that 10'' ain't gonna do it.
I'm probably going to buy that 12'' slide from HF the next sale they have. I believe it was 139 ++ with coupon
No such thing exists. Cheap and best are mutually exclusive. Save yourself time and simply buy the cheapest unit you can at a garage sale. Figure out whats wrong with it and why you dont like what it does. Then buy a better one that solves the problems. Or be happy you got a really good deal at a garage sale.
