Which Circular and Compund Miter Saws?
blownonfuel
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Hello. Which worm drive circular saws do you recommend? Also which size compound miter and stand do you recommend? I will be adding on to my house this summer and need something that will last.
Thanks
Replies
Let the Rumpus Begin
Bump
You can get yourself a good deal on dewalt's 12" dual bevel comp miter saw and just about cut anything.
If you really want to cut anything, get the SLIDING 12" dual bevel comp miter saw.
Can't rec. dewalt's stand for heavy material. FHB had a recent article on stands only. Search for it above.
I like wormdrives.
Buy the skil magnesium one, or the bosch, which is the skil. I have the bosch and the older skil with steel base and the bosch is a dream.
"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
Thanks Waters. What do you think about the new 8 1/4" 60 deg. Skil that just came out?I'll look at the Sliding 12".
I haven't looked at it but if it will cut 2x4's on edge I'd get that if I was buying a new saw.
Only thing would be the availability of blades.
I'd like to convert my older skil to bigfoot's 10" monster-but that's more than the saw costs new!"Research is what I'm doing when I don't know what I'm doing..."
How often will you be using this stuff & will you be moving it around to work or bring the material to it.
I have a DeWalt 12" SCMS, PITA to relocate from one place to another, but I like it's capacity & quality of cuts.
I have a Bosch 10" SCMS that's much easier to transport from point A to point B. Can't cut as big but since the blades is 2" smaller the cuts are a tad finer.
Circular saws------ I am biased I only like the "wormdrive" style. Skil is the old standard, I used for many years until it died (water death) I bought the DeWalt cause of weight factors. It works great, but I don't think it would hold up on a "production" style jobsite, but is great for the weekend warrior.
“The world is a dangerous place, not because of those who do evil, but because of those who look on and do nothing.†—Albert Einstein
I picked up the Craftsman badged Skil HD77 for $54 as a display model a couple weeks ago at Sears. I didn't need another, just too cheap to pass it up. Came with everything including the box.
Thanks plumbbill. I'll probably be doing a little bit of everything with the equipment. As an ex auto tech. I don't mind spending good money for good tools even if I don't use them to full capacity. I would rather have it and not need it than need t and not have it.Skil just came out with a new 8 1/4" 60 deg. worm drive. Have you heard anything about it?Thanks Again.
Skil or Bosch on the wormdrive....either way you'll be happy. Have't seen the 8 1/4" you mentioned, but I gotta imagine the added weight is gonna be more than you'll want to deal with if it's your one and only saw.
I'm partial to the Makita 12" dual bevel slider. That and the Ridgid rolling stand and yer good to go.
J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
Pp, Qq
Sliding compount miter saws are great, but you have to ask yourself how often you'd really need that feature. I have a 10" Dewalt CMS, and it is a wonderful tool. Every now and then I need to cut something wide and I cut most of it - flip the board over, and cut the rest. Not an elegant solution, but going up to the sliding version is a lot more money.
Sure wish I could get away with just flipping the board over.
I probably could not afford you.
I need it cut - dead accurate - safe - RIGHT NOW.
Flip it over? Who has time for that?Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR ConstructionVancouver, Canada
A slider is useful when you're cutting wide fir planks that tear out the back side of the cut, but you want to avoid the splintering.
So, you back up the cut with a sacrificial pce of scrap against the fence. The sacrificial pce moves the work away from the blade, sometimes to where a non-slider can't quite reach it.
I also like having the option of starting a cut from the edge facing me (that's usually where my mark is), or from the back edge that's against the fence.
With a slider, no matter where your pencil mark is, you can find it easily with the blade.
A slider also quickly removes material to backcut a baseboard or kitchen backsplash that needs to follow a bowed wall.
Flipping a board as you described can sometimes be avoided by carefully lifting the front edge into the blade. I find that flipping takes time, and can lead to tear out on the good face.
My first miter saw was the 8 1/2" hitachi. Then I got the 12" dual bevel Dewalt (not the slider). I love them both and don't regret spending the money for two saws. Especially since I got the Dewalt reconditioned for $260.
The Hitachi is a great little saw and I was'nt sure how often I would use the Dewalt but it's large capacity has come in extremely handy for cutting 4x4s and many other things. I also find it convenient to have two saws around so I can make cuts in different areas of the house without moving around so much.
One more nice thing: neither saw is overly heavy like the 12" sliders.
I've been in the reno game for quite a while and I've got a few buddies into construction of new homes. A lot of the framers prefer the worm drive because of the weight and power. Don't think you could ever wear one out either. For occasional use I think the sidewinder is the way to go. You get what you pay for with these things so I would go with what you are really comfy with. There is a lotta gear out there to choose from. Although seldom used it is nice to be able to go beyond the 45 deg bevel. Not something that all saws offer.
The slider is a tool that has really been almost over developed in the past year or so. I looked at the new Hitachi the other day and it was overwhelming to see all the do dads, adjusters, lasers and god knows what else. I think the weight of it was huge too. If you are into renos like myself you have to factor in the weight. 10 vs 12". Who knows. I've used the makita 10" for many years. It is relatively lite, has the large cutting surface, bevel is easily adj, accurate, cuts mitres beyond 45 deg.
I don't know if having the extra 2"cutting capacity is worth the extra wt and money. I've never been stuck not being able to cut something without a little tipping as mentioned if need be. Boils down to what you are going to do with it. Don't be afraid to spend some money. It is an investment so treat it as such, you won't be sorry.
Have fun deciding
Gary :-)
The nice thing about the Hitachi SCMS is that it will slide to the front instead of to the back. This means you can use it on a more normal depth workbench in your home instead of having to place it in the middle of your workspace. This will give you more flexability in where you place it. They normally have the model with all the doodads on it in the store, but you can order it without the digital hooha. Get the laser though.
After using sidewinder saws most of my life, Worm drives came as a revelation. They are heavier and longer, but they work more like a natural extension of my arm. I could cut without a guide with my Ridgid Wormdrive, where I always needed one with my various sidewinders.
I lost my Ridgid, then bought a Bosch... and took it back after a couple of days and got another Ridgid. Using the Bosch - compared to the Ridgid - felt like I had lost a bet! The Ridgid just seemed more refined and easier to use. The Bosch was still 10 times better that the sidewinders, BTW.
Rebuilding my home in Cypress, CA
Also a CRX fanatic!
If your hair looks funny, it's because God likes to scratch his nuts. You nut, you.