[Steve Viegas]

The larger the blade, the bigger the piece of wood you can cut. If you are looking to cut molding, you do not need anything larger than a 10" blade, and likely a smaller blade will work (depending on the size of your molding).

I would suggest that compound is good (allowing you to cut 45 degrees in either direction) and worthwhile for what you are doing.

Sliding is good too, but it turns your miter saw into a reasonably effective tablesaw with one large draw back being the size of the table. A tablesaw is considered by most to be the most important tool in a woodshop. That being the case, I would suggest getting a REAL tablesaw.

All of that being said, my opinion is that you purchase a compound miter saw. You can get one of these for under $200.00 new and probably less on Craigslist. I would also suggest Craigslist for a tablesaw when the need arises.

Of course, that advise is probably worth what you paid for it...