Replies

1. 
   billyg | Oct 22, 2004 06:12am | #1

   I have it and I like it.  It's a very nice saw -- smooth and well built.  The laser is pretty good for most work.

   Billy

1. 
   George1 | Oct 22, 2004 08:33am | #3

   Thanks Billy, I am wondering if the laser is worth it. I was considering the Mikita slider but I thought the laser would speed me up a little. Thanks again Jr.

2. 
   woodroe | Oct 22, 2004 06:23am | #2

   Jr., I have one and like it, the laser can be adjusted to either side of the blade, it's a nice saw. I would suggest that you find one to demo first, (as with any saw). The pencil line you make for your cut is almost impossible to see when covered up by the laser light (if you are a cut away the line guy as I am) but I haven't found it to be a problem. The laser line is sharp and acurate.

   There are alot of good sliders out there, they have different features and ergonomics. I wish I could take the best features of a few and make the saw that I would really like to own, but sadly all the manufacturers out there are more concerned with meeting price points than building the best saw. I've used quite a few different sliders, I wish the engineers that design the saws would give a few crews of finish carpenters saws made by all the major makers and let them tell them the features they want on a saw. I could come close to a perfect saw by combining some features of the Makitas and Hitachis. Alas, I've chosen the Hitachi.

1. 
   George1 | Oct 22, 2004 08:43am | #4

   Woodtick, I like the Makita, the laser was the reason I liked the Hitachi. I think your right, Especially if they actually went out and worked with the trim crews, we might get a Matachi that would be good. Thanks Jr.

1. 
   MG911 | Oct 23, 2004 09:30am | #5

   Hi there..just thought I would share my 2 cents.  I have the 12" Bosch slider and can't say enough good things about it. IMHO, Bosch is the leader of the pack and is way ahead of its time. Front bevel controls?? Genius!! The same forward thinking options are also available on the 10" fixed model I believe.

   As for the laser issue, I was just reading an article about aftermarket miter saw lasers in a magazine called "Wood". They were very happy with a model called the "Laserkerf" which retailed for $83.  Sounds like it was very accurate and easy to install.  Maybe some others around here are familiar with it.

   Might be something to think about if you find a good deal on a saw without a laser.

   Hope this helps! Mike.

3. 
   woodguy99 | Oct 27, 2004 02:32pm | #6

   I have the Hitachi 10" with laser and love it.  Lightweight, well-made, and the laser is indespensible for any angle cuts.  The dust bag works really well too, maybe too well because you have to empty it a lot if you're using the saw all day.  Great tool, good price.

1. 
   skyecore | Oct 27, 2004 10:21pm | #7

   I bought the older bosch 10" slider because it is so reasonably priced, but at work I use the hitachi (the one without the laser) and in comaring those two, although in general i like bosch better, the hitachi is clearly a better saw, much stiffer, very light, very accurate, cast parts instead of machined parts. It is a dream to use. Somthing else to cosider: I'm not absolutely posative, but I think that the japanese saws(makita and hitachi) are made in japan, but the bosch saws, if im not mistaken, are made in taiwan, and although taiwan production quality has increased greatly in the past five or ten years, it has nothing on japanese production quality. That being said my bosh saw is the cheap one. I've heard only good things about the fancy new(and very expensive) 12" model.