what to get, a 10" or 12" miterbox saw and what brand..

[king-of-typos-91]

As I posted before I bought a ridgid 12" miter box saw and had a few problems with in a months time.

I have to say Ridgid was good and easy to work with, they even sent be a replacement saw becasue they could not fix my saw, a new one.

I have to say I'm just not impressed with Ridgid quality, I don't have much trust in this saw. I only used my other saw 3 times for a total of 10 hrs or less and it broke so how could I trust it.

I talked with the store last night and the manager said he would take the saw back and give me 299.00 in store credit :supergrin:.

After the bad experience I had with my ridgid tool I want replace it with a better brand that will work when I need it.

I am thinking about buying a Dewalt, I have a few dewalt power tools and love them. I have a Makita drill and like it, but not as much as my dewalt.
I have a Milwaukee sawzall and love it.

I would consider them along with Porter-Cable, Bosch.

Anyone know what is a great miter box saw?

Do I get a 10" or 12" again?
What's the difference in the 10 and 12"
Do I spend the extra money and get a slider?

[CaptCave]

What do you plan on using it for?

If you want to cut crown molding or large baseboard, better go with the 12"

I use two older dewalt 12" saws that we have.

But Hitachi is making some nice stuff, have a few smaller tools made by them. Either one would probably be a good choice

[zoyter2]

The last two power tools I have bought after careful research and discussions with those who use them professionally were Hitachi. A jig saw and 10" table saw.

I used to buy PC and DeWalt exclusively. DeWalt turned to crap when they became Black and Decker's flagship model, and have not bounced since. PC is still great, but the Hitachi is just as good.

[Cody Jarrett]

DeWalt 12" duel compound miter saw. A little pricey but worth it. It's not a Black and Decker anymore than McCain is Bush.

[bgreed]

Hitachi 10" hands down nothing else comes close.

[KilgoreTrout]

I havent had any problems with Dewalt mitre saws. I see a lack of quality in their battery powered tools since black & decker put their hands in. Hitachi has some nice stuff out, as others said. Plus the green color they use is awesome!

[HollowHead]

The 10s are lighter and easier to move around. I'd personally go with the 12 because most models will crosscut up to an 8" board. This is really helpful if you're doing laminate flooring. You don't have to flip the wider ones around to complete the cut. Oh, and DeWalt...HH

[Southpaw69]

Hitachi 10" hands down nothing else comes close.

That's what i use every day. I haven't come across anything i couldn't cut with it and in 10 inch you get a bigger variety of blades for cheaper.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5993/hitachi10nu3.jpg

I install hardwood and laminate floors, as well as base boards and crown moulding.

[dango]

Ditto on that 12"Dewalt:cool:

[cj5mrt]

That's what i use every day. I haven't come across anything i couldn't cut with it and in 10 inch you get a bigger variety of blades for cheaper.

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/5993/hitachi10nu3.jpg

I install hardwood and laminate floors, as well as base boards and crown moulding.

This is the model I'll be replacing my PC with, when, if, it ever quits. And if you need a quality cordless drill, the Hitachi Li-Ion 18v is the way to go.

Mike

[Bubbala]

I own a bunch of motorized mitre saws. Compound, dual compound, et. all.
The Rigid is a cheap tool. I don't buy cheap tools. The best and most accurate out of the box dual compound saw I ever bought was the 12" Makita.
My 12" De Walt has held up amazingly well. It sees regular construction site use/ abuse and is used for general purposes as well as trim work. Hitachi's are great saws too. Milwaukee makes a damned fine saw also. Any of those mentioned will serve you well. I doubt if you really need a 12" over the 10", but there are certain advantages to the larger format.

[cjlandry]

Go with as large and accurate as you can get, based on your price range.

I cut and built "architectural millwork" for a few years (a fancy name for really pretty doors, arches, windows, trim, etc.). I even made cutters for moulding machines.

I learned that it's a lot like shooting. The nut behind the trigger can be better than the tool, but that's usually not the case.

If your measurements are accurate, set up proper jigs so that your cuts will be consistently on the same line. If your saw isn't accurate, you'll find out real quick.

You must also consider, especially with crown moulding, that rooms aren't always square. Coping can make up for this, if you know how to do it right. It take time, but it can be well worth it.

Check out the contractors who do nothing but trim or cabinet work, and see what they're using. They know that they'll save money, in the long run, by buying the most accurate and dependable tools available.

[armorplated]

Mine is an older Delta, before they went with so much plastic/cast material.

I like it fine, but if I were going to buy another saw, I think I'd like one with a laser capability. I can definitely see where, if the laser concept works as advertised, it would be an advantage.

[longhair]

Get a ten inch slider. Blades are cheaper and the slide will allow you to cut wide planks. Hitachi, Milwalkee, Bosch are all decent tools. Unfortunately, most all are made in asia.

[RDW]

Hitachi 10" hands down nothing else comes close.

Yup! I was in the PT business for 40 years.

[king-of-typos-91]

I am trying to put up crown now, that my next project.

What is the advantages to a slider VS non sliding? If I go with a slider do I need more then the 10" saw?


Thanks

[longhair]

The 10 inch slider will allow you to cut material up to 4x10. For crown, it allows you to cut the material laying flat instead of upside down and backward bedding.

[dango]

Unless you are quite savy with you`re skill level,it`s not all that easy to cut compound miters lying flat.Get a good quality dual miter 12" miter saw.they`re so easy to use even I use one.:cool:

[azg2340]

Hitachi. Period.

[king-of-typos-91]

I went to home depot where I have the credit, I looked at Hitachi's tonight and I have to say they looked big and bulky, it also looked like junk, it's all plastic and BIG.

I don't know what it is but I just love the looks of the dewalt, it just looks like a tough tool, dewalt always looks like a great to my eyes, but Milwaukee always looks tougher rougher.

I am -300.00 on what ever I choose, so it wont be that bad.
I am willing to spend another 200.00 on this but I think that's my top dollar, after all it's a saw that I will use once or twice a year if that.

Let me ask you guys this, is a table saw better then a miter box?

[longhair]

Depends on what you are using it for. Norm is about the only person I've ever seen cutting miters on a table saw.

[wavetrain75]

We use Hitachi and Makita slide mitres. I like the Makita and they use three bearings in the slide rather than two like most other manufacturers.

For finish work most of our guys use the Makita, followed by Hitachi. DeWalt is a good saw but just seems a bit clumsy for the little stuff.

A slide mitre will allow you to cut larger material with the same blade size and allows cleaner cuts if you use them properly.

[Southpaw69]

I looked at Hitachi's tonight and I have to say they looked big and bulky, it also looked like junk, it's all plastic and BIG.

Mine has been bouncing around the back of my van for over 5 years now and it's still going strong and making nice cuts.

it's a saw that I will use once or twice a year if that.

To be honest, if i were you i'd buy a cheapo or see about a rental. If you're not needing to use it alot it's gonna take up space just sitting there. That's alot of ammo money. :)

[cjlandry]

Another important question is whether or not the trim work you're doing will be painted or stained. If it's painted, hiding any imperfections in the cuts is very easy. If it's stained, then it's much more difficult, and requires greater precision.

Check out the corner pieces they sell at Home Depot. I put them in my home office because I like the way they look, not because I have a problem cutting a good miter.

I've even found, in the past, that a home-made miter box and a good hand-saw work VERY WELL for trim. It's very easy to make, a hell of a lot less expensive, it's not that much slower, and the results can be fantastic!

http://www.builderbill-diy-help.com/miter-box.html

[king-of-typos-91]

I just bought a new home so I may use it a little more then what I said, but the point is it wont be used every day / week like a pro would use it.

Renting the tool is a good point, but the problem with renting is that it adds up fast, I think it's like 40.00 a day and then you only have a limited time with it.

I trully enjoy working with my hands and think owiing this tool will only inspire me to do more projects.

My sister and brother have a home as well and they would be able to use it if they wanted.

I will take pictures soon of all the work I have done so you all can see..