what about miter saws? - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Rob A · 05-03-2006, 08:36 AM

Hey guys,
I just finished reading the thread on what guns you use & thought it might be interesting to see what cms or scms saws everyone likes, or hates and why.
I have a Makita 1013 scms with the laser and I love it. I used to use a Dewalt scms and the Makita seems smoother and it doesn't have the head deflection that the Dewalt does.
What about the rest of you?
Rob

dayspring · 05-04-2006, 04:59 AM

'Kita 10" SCMS, Love it!

**Leo G** · 05-04-2006, 07:25 AM

Been using the same Hitachi CB8F 8 1/2" slider for More than 17 years now

. Extremely reliable, the only thing that broke was the little plastic loop that holds the power cord near the motor. After 17 years the bag needs to be replaced also. Thinking of upgrading to the new 12" Hitachi slider, but all the reviews either say it is great or it sucks, nothing in between.

Mike Finley · 05-04-2006, 08:21 AM

Old craftsman 10" CM, Dewalt 12" CM and newest Dewalt 12" SCM. They all have a place and use. The newest one I feel is the best SCM saw I have ever seen. Never seen any deflections, they stay true, never need adjustment and the newest one has the biggest reach of anything on the market.

tom_c · 05-06-2006, 10:17 PM

The new Bosch 12" compound slide is a killer saw. Bosch has raised the standards in what a miter saw features. I put a 90 tooth hitachi blade on mine and it cuts thru oak like butter.
I've been doing trim now for 25 years. Started out with the old 10" 10,000rpm rockwell. Then to the 8 1/2 hitachi slide. then the 12' dewalt slide, and now the bosch. So far it's been a real pleasure and has some very cool features. Kinda pricey but my opinion is it's well worth it. We spend most of our lives working.......might as well have good tools. Craftsman.....? perhaps if your a homeower or for occasional or light duty. But as a professional I would not even consider them for power tools.

mc_ci · 05-09-2006, 06:26 PM

I recently upgraded from a makita 10" scms to a dewalt 12" scms, not the newest model but the model before. I have heard that there is alot of deflection in the new smaller sliderails on the brand new model. I like to go on to amazon.com and look at the tool reviews. Since these are from people like us that actually use the tools they tend to be accurate. Please let me know if I am mistaken about this new saw. as I think that it has some of the best features on the market but am fearfull of price if its not accurate. I run three saws for me and my guys and all different types have there own merit for different purposes

Mike Finley · 05-09-2006, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mc_ci

I recently upgraded from a makita 10" scms to a dewalt 12" scms, not the newest model but the model before. I have heard that there is alot of deflection in the new smaller sliderails on the brand new model. I like to go on to amazon.com and look at the tool reviews. Since these are from people like us that actually use the tools they tend to be accurate. Please let me know if I am mistaken about this new saw. as I think that it has some of the best features on the market but am fearfull of price if its not accurate. I run three saws for me and my guys and all different types have there own merit for different purposes

I'm sure you and I both could build a house with an old butter knife, a spoon and a sharp rock if we had to. Sometimes we need to step back and not worry so much about splitting hairs about tools. In reality as long as a tool is consistant the operator will be more responsible for whether it performs as it should or not. I recommend looking at the big features, the specs for what the tool is capable of. With todays milling and manufacturing capabilities and all the engineering that goes into tools, especially something that is in it's 50th or 60th year of production and in it's 10 generation, it's pretty hard to buy a bad tool.

RowdyRed94 · 05-30-2006, 01:01 PM

Hitachi and Makita sliding 10s.

MacIndustries · 05-30-2006, 04:44 PM

DeWalt 708 hands down.

River Rat Dad · 05-30-2006, 05:48 PM

<<<<<< waiting to see who tells the poor guy to go search 14 years of archives before he dares ask a question....

Nick H · 05-31-2006, 04:03 PM

I'm still using an ELU 8 1/2 " slider that I bought in 1988. A little bit tired but still doing the job. Elu got bought out by Black and Decker and then got wrapped up with Dewalt and the DW707 is pretty must exactly the same saw, so you have to figure the design was about right.

gtdail · 06-05-2006, 06:50 PM

Using the new Hitachi 12" Slider it works great the only think i wish it has was a laser on both sides of the blade not just one that is a big help.

**Leo G** · 06-05-2006, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gtdail

Using the new Hitachi 12" Slider it works great the only think i wish it has was a laser on both sides of the blade not just one that is a big help.

Hey GT,
I was wondering what you think of the 12" Hitachi slider. I can only find love/hate reviews, nothing in the middle. I went to the store and compared the Hitachi vs Bosch. I've had Hitachi's 8 1/2" slider for 17 + years now and its been a great little saw, I need to upgrade because of larger moldings that I need to cut. So what is your personal review of the saw? Likes and dislikes would be appreciated. All of the 12" sliders seem to have quite a bit of side to side play, the Bosch seems to have the least, but not by much. The table on the Hitachi seems a little small, does it affect you in your daily use of the saw? Thanks for answering.

gtdail · 06-06-2006, 08:08 PM

i have not had any trouble with it getting out of square i love it the only down fall i have seen is that it only has a laser on one side and the table could be a little bigger but i would say it is definitely worth the money in my book

Farmall · 06-09-2006, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob A

I used to use a Dewalt scms and the Makita seems smoother and it doesn't have the head deflection that the Dewalt does.

I have the 12" Dewalt scms and I agree with you, the Makita is the better saw for trim imo.

**Teetorbilt** · 06-09-2006, 11:41 PM

Go to the archives and see what they said last time.

tcleve4911 · 06-10-2006, 01:05 PM

On my 3rd Makita 10"
Smooth & Dependable
Use the older ones for framing & rougher work
Have all 3 on Delta Kickstands - portability is key

tcleve4911 · 06-10-2006, 01:06 PM

On my 3rd Makita 10" slider (sorry about other post)
Smooth & Dependable
Use the older ones for framing & rougher work
Have all 3 on Delta Kickstands - portability is key

notillegal · 06-13-2006, 08:19 PM

Tried them all and the Bosch in my humble opinion is the best.
I have the new 10" sans the "LASER" and it cuts like a charm.

KBN · 07-06-2006, 06:28 PM

Rigid 12" compound slide is the best - lifetime warrenty