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Thinking About A New Miter Saw


kmmcrafts

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Nothing wrong with my old Hitachi 10" miter saw other than I would like to be able to cut through a 90 cut without having to flip my board over and make a second cut. I mostly just use it for a chop saw to cut boards down to a more manageable size. Most my lumber is purchased in 8-10 foot lengths, and seems a bit difficult to cut that long on my scroll saw for some reason. 

Thinking I need a sliding miter saw.. seems many will do at least a 10-12" cross cut.. seems like that'd work well for me. Would like to stay with a 10" blade since I have new higher end blades on hand for various purposes. Not looking to spend more than $1000 and as always lower cost is always better but wanting a quality tool. Once I get rolling on the CNC making signs I feel like it'll get used a lot. The one I have is old, maybe bought it around 2000-02 and it's used probably a few times a day, every day now. I bought the old Hitachi as a refurbished one.. and refurb is probably where I'll look once I find something suitable if there is a refurb available then that is what I'll do.. 

I don't have a router stand either, I mounted mine to a cheap universal HF stand.. I seen Home depot had a ryobi package with a stand etc.. think it was nearly $300.. Not sure how good a saw they are.. 

Anyway what do you have or recommend.. features you like / dislike etc.. My Hitachi has a LED line which is nice to have.. I see some say a shadow light.. not sure how that compares to the LED..

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I've got a 12" Dewalt compound miter saw and it is just too big and heavy. What I would like to replace it with is a 10" sliding miter saw. I know they are big and heavy too but at least if I was to set it up and leave it up, it would be there for quick cuts that I'm doing on my bandsaw now. I'm limited to that 14" capacity on it. I've looked at the 10" saw at H/F but would really like something of a better quality. Anyway, to my point, give the sliding feature a good look at before buying anything. It might be the answer to your problems.

 

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I gave my 10" rigid miter saw to my son. I have a 45 year old Dewalt radial arm saw for doing cutoffs. I have had it for over thirty years at it still works great. I can cut a board close to 16" . I have room for it, it's placed between the garage doors. I planed it that way when I had the garage built.

IMG_0612.JPG

Edited by Woodmaster1
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You know Kevin, I know you have a ton of money but I'd give this saw a look and watch the video. For $220 without a coupon, this saw looks great. I think I might just have to have one. As soon as they send me another coupon, it'll be mine.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-dual-bevel-sliding-compound-miter-saw-57179.html?_br_psugg_q=sliding+miter+saw

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1 hour ago, Woodmaster1 said:

I gave my 10" rigid miter saw to my son. I have a 45 year old Dewalt radial arm saw for doing cutoffs. I have had it for over thirty years at it still works great. I can cut a board close to 16" . I have room for it, it's placed between the garage doors. I planed it that way when I had the garage built.

IMG_0612.JPG

I had a nice 1950 craftsman radio saw that I gave to my uncle about 6 years ago because I had it two years and never once used it.. About a week later I thought of all kinds of things I could use it for, 😂 I kick myself for getting rid of it.. But then again, the thing was huge and very heavy.. 

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39 minutes ago, octoolguy said:

You know Kevin, I know you have a ton of money but I'd give this saw a look and watch the video. For $220 without a coupon, this saw looks great. I think I might just have to have one. As soon as they send me another coupon, it'll be mine.

https://www.harborfreight.com/10-in-dual-bevel-sliding-compound-miter-saw-57179.html?_br_psugg_q=sliding+miter+saw

I was eyeing that last night and was kind of thinking about pulling the trigger on it, I'm torn kind of between that one and this one from HD.. Since I kind of like to have the stand too.. the HD one actually a little lower priced I think.. buy the time I also buy a stand. 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-15-Amp-10-in-Sliding-Compound-Miter-Saw-and-Universal-Miter-Saw-QUICKSTAND-TSS103-A18MS01G/313307258

 

Edit: actually no the HF one is $10 cheaper with a coupon I have for $15 off the stand.. If I wait for the big 25% coupon then it'd be quite a bit cheaper maybe..

 

Off subject sort of but do you happen to use the "Honey" extension for automatic coupon codes when shopping online? Many times people will put in their coupon codes and it picks up coupons that get used.. and will give you the best price on things.. Sometimes it doesn't find a working coupon.. but many times if I shop online it'll pull a 25% off coupon code and I don't have to wait for one in the mail or email etc.. That's how I got the coupon for the stand.. 

Edited by kmmcrafts
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37 minutes ago, kmmcrafts said:

I was eyeing that last night and was kind of thinking about pulling the trigger on it, I'm torn kind of between that one and this one from HD.. Since I kind of like to have the stand too.. the HD one actually a little lower priced I think.. buy the time I also buy a stand. 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RYOBI-15-Amp-10-in-Sliding-Compound-Miter-Saw-and-Universal-Miter-Saw-QUICKSTAND-TSS103-A18MS01G/313307258

 

Edit: actually no the HF one is $10 cheaper with a coupon I have for $15 off the stand.. If I wait for the big 25% coupon then it'd be quite a bit cheaper maybe..

 

Off subject sort of but do you happen to use the "Honey" extension for automatic coupon codes when shopping online? Many times people will put in their coupon codes and it picks up coupons that get used.. and will give you the best price on things.. Sometimes it doesn't find a working coupon.. but many times if I shop online it'll pull a 25% off coupon code and I don't have to wait for one in the mail or email etc.. That's how I got the coupon for the stand.. 

I've had that on my computer but somehow it got deleted. Thanx for reminding me. I really like that H/F saw and it had all great reviews. 4xs & 5s. He guy in the video bought a brand new Ridgid stand for his. I have the Dewalt stand that my table saw is on so I might swap it with the miter saw and build a cabinet for my job saw. That way I can incorporate an outfeed table into it. I'm enclosing my driveway so I can leave my bigger stuff outside with tarps.

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2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

I had a nice 1950 craftsman radio saw that I gave to my uncle about 6 years ago because I had it two years and never once used it.. About a week later I thought of all kinds of things I could use it for, 😂 I kick myself for getting rid of it.. But then again, the thing was huge and very heavy.. 

so, was that AM or FM?

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I have a Makita 1013L, 10" slide compound miter saw for about 20 years now. It still runs just like i bought it. I use it mostly  for pictiue frames and just simple cutoffs. Replacement parts are still available on the Makita website.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/LS1013F

Edited by ben2008
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I have a Hitachi C12RSH Sliding Compound Miter Saw I purchased several years ago. I purchased it refurbished for a project where I cut large pieces of wood, thinking I would sell it after I completed the project. I liked it so much that I kept it. It's heavy, but I don't move it, so that isn't an issue. With a proper miter saw blade installed, it cuts smooth and square. I can shave off a 1/32-inch of wood, square up blocks for making birdhouses, crosscut 12-inch boards, and rip short pieces up to 12-inches.  I would not use the same blade I use in a table saw. I only use negative rake blades in miter saws.

 

20161024 203850 Toymakers Shop Tour Hitachi C12RSH Sliding Compound Miter Saw.jpg

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I got the Ryobi 10” slider saw and like it a lot. I also have a Ridgid 10” slider with the mount but it is in the garage and I used it on big job,like decks making and heavier job. The Ryobi is in my shop in the basement.

Edited by scrollerpete
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In my school shop I have a 12" Dewalt. Come to think of it I have had the same one in all of my school shops. 1 had a stand, 2 had shop built tables, and the current one sits where ever I clamp it. I am planning on getting rid of an old radial arm saw and building a miter saw table in the spot. The saws have all preformed really well.

At home I have a cheap 10" (tool shop, I think) It has noticeably less power, I compensate by keeping really sharp/new blades in it. If I combine the price of the saw and all of the blades I probably could have gotten a better one.

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Anyone considered the battery powered route. I don't mind putting money into portable power tools. I've seen articles on  table saw, miter saws that are battery powered. I'm hesitant on battery powered stationary tools. Larger investment, but if the battery can't be found in later years, its a large paper weight with a blade. Seen lawn equipment, snow equipment go the route of battery power. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow throwers.

Grew up yanking on a cord to start a gas engine, ran forever. Just not sure the investment will last more than a year or two. RJF

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6 hours ago, teachnlearn said:

Anyone considered the battery powered route. I don't mind putting money into portable power tools. I've seen articles on  table saw, miter saws that are battery powered. I'm hesitant on battery powered stationary tools. Larger investment, but if the battery can't be found in later years, its a large paper weight with a blade. Seen lawn equipment, snow equipment go the route of battery power. Lawn mowers, leaf blowers, snow throwers.

Grew up yanking on a cord to start a gas engine, ran forever. Just not sure the investment will last more than a year or two. RJF

Have this one but the battery died one day.. so I came in the house for lunch and recharged the battery. When I went back out to finish the motor wouldn't work. Then the wife suggested to buy the refurbished Hitachi.. Actually still have this Craftsman one but the battery dies way to quick. 

On a more serious note, you can take the battery packs apart and change out the cells.. usually way cheaper than replacing the whole battery pack. That said though.. I don't see why one would want a stationary battery powered tool, are you sure it's not a jobsite table saw? I've never seen a battery powered table saw.. Then again I never seen a battery powered miter saw until yesterday when researching them. I could see that being handy for construction sites etc.. it was actually hard to find a corded one on the refurbish tool site.. 

 

51ALRcpNU+L._AC_SL1000_.jpg

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9 hours ago, Roberta Moreton said:

I replaced my Dewalt 12” miter saw with a Dewalt 12” sliding miter saw. The saw came with a “washer?” type thing adapter because the arbor is a different size. 
Just so you know. 

I did notice that some said ( I think ) 1"? arbor.. and I know mine Hitachi isn't that large.. so it is something I need to watch for when buying or I'll have to consider the cost of another new blade.. I run a miter saw blade like Bob mentioned.. which is not very old and not the cheapest blades.. why I was hoping to stay with a 10" blade, lol

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2 hours ago, kmmcrafts said:

Have this one but the battery died one day.. so I came in the house for lunch and recharged the battery. ...

 

 

51ALRcpNU+L._AC_SL1000_.jpg

My shop is so small I do not have room for a powered miter saw.  So I actually bought one of these (not Craftsman, but almost identical) recently to make my frames.  Yep, not a quick as a powered miter saw, but it is very accurate as long as you make sure to clamp everything down well before cutting.   

A power sliding miter saw is very expensive just to use to cross cut wide boards.  If there is room, a radial arm saw is a much better choice for cutting wide boards.  Great for making dados also.

IMHO, even the most pricy power miter saws are not as accurate for cutting precise miters as this hand powered saw or as good as a professional miter sled for use on a GOOD table saw.   I had both, a good power miter saw and a profesional table saw with a mitering sled, when I had my full workshop back in NC.  The sled was, hands down, much more accurate then the Miter saw.   

    

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13 hours ago, ben2008 said:

I have a Makita 1013L, 10" slide compound miter saw for about 20 years now. It still runs just like i bought it. I use it mostly  for pictiue frames and just simple cutoffs. Replacement parts are still available on the Makita website.

https://www.makitatools.com/products/details/LS1013F

You cut picture frames with it? I ask because a long time ago I inquired on this forum about using a miter saw for picture frames. The general consensus was that they are not accurate enough. I was about to buy one until that advise was given. How accurate is yours? I would again consider purchasing one.

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11 hours ago, Rockytime said:

You cut picture frames with it? I ask because a long time ago I inquired on this forum about using a miter saw for picture frames. The general consensus was that they are not accurate enough. I was about to buy one until that advise was given. How accurate is yours? I would again consider purchasing one.

Les,

Please read my reply to kmmcrafts above.   

I highly suggest you don't waste your money on a power miter saw for making picture frames...YOU WILL NOT BE HAPPY.

If you have a decent table saw, buy a good frame miter making sled.  Perfect miters every time and lengths exactly repeatable.  

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11 hours ago, Rockytime said:

You cut picture frames with it? I ask because a long time ago I inquired on this forum about using a miter saw for picture frames. The general consensus was that they are not accurate enough. I was about to buy one until that advise was given. How accurate is yours? I would again consider purchasing one.

 

The accuracy of a miter cut depends on a lot of factors. The blade's quality, sharpness, quality of the saw, the saw's alignment, and the operator's skill all play into this. Assuming everything is aligned, and square and the saw is of good quality, it will work.

Many users will grab the saw handle with a death grip and push the saw out of alignment. It does not take much side pressure to do this.

If you are doing precise cuts with a miter, saw, using some clamping is necessary; the wood's slightest movement can screw up your cut.

If you use a miter saw, you should watch these videos.

 

2014-01-25 Ted Baldwin: Cutting Small Things Safely (00h:50m)

2014-03-29 - Ted Baldwin: Cutting Small Things Safely II - Woodworking

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