I need a 12-Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw

[HardDrive]

I want something high quality that is going to last. Any recommendations?

(No Craftsman thanks.)

[Burnin' oil]

DeWalt. I've had a couple (theft). About 600 bucks. I use it all the time. No problems so far.

[look 171]

Festool makes a fine tool and I really like it but I don't think I would not buy another due to the cost. My Hitachi and Makitas are about 95% as accurate. The Festool is not 5% more.

[javadog]

Makita.

JR

[turbo6bar]

I have the Milwaukee slider. I like the smooth table action and great power. I don't like the noise. If you're doing more than a few cuts, hearing protection is mandatory. If I were buying again, I'd consider the Makita, as well. I also like Hitachi miter saws, but I have no experience with the 12" models.

[rnln]

I bought one from harbor freight. After several days of remodling my house, some small plastic pieces came out from underneath the blade area. Exchanged another one at HF and last until now. I don't use it too often.
Asking many people about this slider type before I bought this. Each person favor diff brand from HF to Hitachi, Dewalt, Makita, Milwauki, etc.

[RWebb]

everybody I know around here is using the new DeWalts with the built in stand/table

I just use an old Makita chop saw I got for $50 - my blade costs more than the saw did

[look 171]

do not buy the HF tool. One of my guy decide to buy their slider to finish the job. It was so inexpensive it was worth the cost. it turned out to be a big PITA. All the adj and angles were off right out of the box. all the miter cuts were off. We spend 20 miniutes getting the saw adjusted. It went out of wack a few days after after doing some wide baseboards. Not worth the money IMO.

THe Hitachi is a belt driven saw, I think. It is the most quiet of the bunch that we own. One of my favorite on the job. The lazer is a plus on that thing. The Fastool stays in the shop.

[look 171]

Like Randy said, the blade will make all the diferences in the world. What type of work are you doing with it?

[dipso]

DeWalt here.
Whatever you get though, make sure it will angle right and left.
That is very important in a good chop saw.
Some chop saws only angle to the right. I'm not talking about the pivot base, but the actual saw itself should be able to lean right and left, regardless of the base position.

There is nothing worse than having to flip or end over a piece of marked wood because your saw won't cut multiple angles.

You can save a hundred bucks or two by buying at a pawn shop, if your lucky.

[masraum]

I have a dewalt dw716. Its a non-sliding, double bevel, compound 12". The DW718 is, I believe, the sliding version of the same saw.

[DanielDudley]

The Dewalt is a good quality contractor saw, as are the Bosch and Makita. I have used all three, and the Bosh is a better feeling unit, but the Dewalt is a bit quicker to adjust. If I were buying now, I would get the 12'' Makita. Gear drive, and also I have had the old ten inch for over 12 years and it still cuts as well as the day I bought it. I have built about a million houses with it. I leave the 12'' Bosch at home. My partner has had the DeWalt for a number of years. Very sturdy.

Just choose from those three saws and you absolutely cannot go wrong.

[A930Rocket]

Most trim guys I've used had the Hitachi. Some non slider Dewalts for basic cuts.

[trekkor]

Any of the big brands will satisfy.

Hitachi, DeWalt, Makita, Milwaukee, Rigid, etc....


KT

[wcc]

Is there a reason you need a sliding saw? The 12in dewalt can cut a 4x4, angles, etc with no problem.

[dipso]

Sliding will handle a larger board. Let's say you want to cut an 8" piece of wood at a 45*. You can't do that unless you have a sliding saw.
Also, a sliding saw will give you better access to the mark made at the edge of the piece of lumber.
I hate chopsaws that don't slide. I always mark my wood at the edge and then when I go to cut it the blade starts in the middle.
It drives me crazy.

[john70t]

Chop saws are for trim and 2x4s.
If you want to cut a piece of plywood at a 45deg angle, clamp on a guide board and use a circular.

[chapo]

Dewalt here, I am a contractor. The slide is nice for cutting large base or crown flat.

[HardDrive]

Thanks for the info guys. I need to cut 1x8 and 1x10 board into short planks that can be used for another process.

[James Brown]

Bosch, the best.