Looking for a miter saw, need help

[1105]

I'm looking into getting a miter saw and only have around $200 to spend on one. My biggest complaint I have with miter saws is they never cut true 45* angles. Some that I have used I can pivit the saw blade some more to make it 45* and others I can't.

Which saw would be good for me to buy? I'm considering a Delta since they seemed to have the best reviews but I'm open for suggestions. If I get one, it'll have to be able to a 2x4 if I stand it up on its end so it's cutting the 4" down. I'm guessing I'll need a 12" saw for that right?

Thanks for the help, and if you have had any good experiences with a particular brand over another please let me know.

 

[MCary]

I went with Porter Cable and have no complains. I have cut angles for trim and they so far have matched very well. But I can't remember what I paid. Sorry.

 

[okiejaco]

I trim houses for a living and use Dewalt. You might get by with a 10". They should tell you the cut height.

 

[sandiegan]

Dewalt is an excellent brand. Makita (I think that's what it is) is also pretty nice.

 

[Matt Rise]

Just picked up a Craftsman compound miter saw at Sears. It was on sale for $169. Made framing my basement much easier.

 

[Phyxius]

I have the Dewalt 12" model and its always cut good. Father in law has a Sears 10" model and it seems to work well for him. Problem is a really good one is going to be $$ unless you can find one on sale.

 

[Matt Rise]

I agree, almost everything I own is DeWalt, however, their miter saw was outrageous money....

 

[fraggin]

make a miter box

 

[RandyStacyE]

I recently bought the Hitachi 12" Compound Miter Saw with Laser Marker from Lowes. I love it.

 

[itstheantitang]

If its just for weekend diy, buy a Ryobi 10 in.

Ive got one, its pretty good, only prob is it can sometimes chip the wood (Finished or unfinished) on the back end facing the fence) The problem could be fixed with a new blade, but the chips are not that bad.

It can (despite what the owner manuel says) cut a 2x6 and Id imagine it could cut a 4x4, I could cut a pretty big log with it ~4in.

HTH

BTW it was $100 w/o the laser and it is 120 w/ the laser.

 

[countertopguy]

Re: Looking for a miter saw, need help

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=6990952#post6990952 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by 1105
My biggest complaint I have with miter saws is they never cut true 45* angles. Some that I have used I can pivit the saw blade some more to make it 45* and others I can't.

The owners manual for the saw should tell you how to "tune" the saw. Often in shipping or just everyday use, the saw gets out of adjustment. It is a relatively simple task to set the saw to make perfect 45 degree cuts.

Steve

 

[WiscSea]

I have a Delta 10" and it's great. I think they still sell for around $100.

Just as important as the saw is the blade. Look for one that comes with a carbide blade.

 

[CaptainCoral]

I've been Installing hardwood flooring for 12 yrs. It is true as stated above, Dewalt and Makita are at the top of the heap in Miter saws. It is sorry what is being sold now-a-days in the $200.00 price bracket. I wouldn't suggest to my enemy to buy a Ryobi for any use.

You need to know what you'll be using it for. In my trade, I can go through 2 to 3 15 amp portable table saws a year. (by myself) I tore up that hitachi mitre posted above in less than two months. I'm very hard on tools, and work only with hardwood though. Milwaukee used to make a real nice mitre saw, if you can find a used one.

Tradesmens tools are alot like high end reefing equiptment. You just have to spend the money for quality and lasting craftmanship. Just some more food for thought, every cheap tool I ever bought, was replaced by an expensive one.

 

[KH971]

Another thing if you are going to be cutting long boards or other stuff, you need to make a table that is square and level with your saws table and blade. This will keep you from making mistakes. You can buy one or make one out of steel tubing (my prefrence).
The table needs to be at least 6 ft long on each side of the table if you will be cutting 8ft stuff. Trust me I know, I have 5 in my shop, that run for 8 hours a day. The older Hitachi's 14 inch blades are bulltproof, Dewalt's good, Milwaukee also, if it is going to be run for very little and you never force the blade through the material, a lower price saw will be okay. Just keep a sharp blade and don't allow the material to bind the blade, which stops the motor and burns the motor.

 

[CaptainCoral]

if it is going to be run for very little and you never force the blade through the material, a lower price saw will be okay. Just keep a sharp blade and don't allow the material to bind the blade, which stops the motor and burns the motor.

Ohh, you got me on that one. I work Piecework (by the square ft), and don't have the time that I should have, working with power tools and all. (in my best Tim Allen, Ohhh ho hoaaaaa!)

 

[1105]

Thanks for all of the opinions. I ended up spending a little more than I had wanted and got a 12" DeWalt compound miter saw. I could have gotten by with the 10" saw, but I couldn't do much with it so I went for the 12" model instead. The only other saws I saw that felt like they were good quality were the Hitachi's, but opted for the DeWalt instead and I am very pleased with it. Thanks again and now to finish making my stand.

 

[REEFKEEPA]

I have a Ridgid 12" It is a very nice saw. I think the blade is the most important part no matter what brand of saw you use.
Good blades cost big$.