10" Or 12" Miter Saw

Old Crow

What is yalls opinion. And what do you use?

CrpntrFrk

The company I work for owns a 12" sliding compound miter that I picked out for him. I myself own a 10" compound miter. IMO I always get something that can handle the biggest peice of material because I never know what I will be cutting in the future. My personal saw is a 10" because thats all I could afford at the time. You just need to think about budget and what you do the most of. But think hard.... it sucks to be caught not having a machine that can't handle a project because it is too small!

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loneframer

I like the job appropriate aproach. Nothing bigger than what's necessary. Of coarse if space or finances are limitted, go with 12" for total versatility.

Warren

Get the 12". if you get the 10 the time will come when you will say I shoulda got the 12. I seriously doubt if you get the 12 you will ever say I shoulda got the 10. Can't just think about your current job, you must look to future jobs as well.

Five Star

i use both, a 10" for small moldings and cab installs,and a 12" for bigger moldings and framing,etc.

i currently have 3,1-10",1-12",1-12" slider and looking into a forth (kapex)for clean work.

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loneframer

You are a true role model who deserves to be looked upon with the highest regard.

Five Star

thanks lone,i,ll take that as a compliment ...i think

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Five Star

that kapex is the sh!t though,

the more me read, the more me like

i just posted a bunch of old stuff on craigslist to feed my new festool addiction

DAMN YOU FESTOOL<> DAMN YOU

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Warren

Keep hearing you guys talk about that Festool but I have not seen it yet. I am as big a tool whore as the next and I can imagine if I seen it I would want it. While I only do finish work once in a while, I have high standards and any tool that improves on quality and or production is a welcome addition. I am going to do a search now and I'm sure I will be the next "damning" festool.

Sooner Pesek

Milwaukee 12" SCMS for trim,
Makita 12" SCMS set up for shelving, 2x material,ect.,
Dewalt 10" Compound for punch out work,


If I had to choose only 1--it would be the Milwaukee 12" for versatility and capacity.


My partner has a Milwuakee 12" SCMS, Dewalt 12" SCMS, and a Dewalt 8 1/2" SCMS.

If he were to pick only 1, I bet it would be the same saw for the same reasons.

Roger

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"SKILLED Carpenters aren't CHEAP , CHEAP Carpenters aren't SKILLED " --- saw this on a t-shirt a while back ---

Five Star

try this site festoolownersgroup.com

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1mancrew

If you install 5/4"x6" decking...12" miter saw is a must for cutting 45's...unless you like to cut half way through and then flip to finish the cut (I did that for a while...lol).

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willworkforbeer

Another thing to consider is noise level, I bought a Rigid 10" once (cause I was poor at the time) and it had a deafening whine. Plug it in before you buy it.

Warren

For Sale: Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw with ridgid stand, Bosch 10" Sliding compound miter saw with ridged stand, Craftsman 8 1/4 sliding compound mier saw $1300 FIRM

Sooner Pesek

Warren,
Don't forget the sales tax!

Roger

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"SKILLED Carpenters aren't CHEAP , CHEAP Carpenters aren't SKILLED " --- saw this on a t-shirt a while back ---

Five Star

LMAO...join the club i posted 5 items on craigslist this morning

last month i sold a 15 yr old dewalt miter saw for 150
and a miter saw stand for 125

and bought the ts75 plunge cut saw on ebay for 475..no regrets, im converting my religions to festool

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EricTheHandyman

I've got a little 10" Delta that I keep in the truck at all times for those occasional cuts

12" sliding Bosch with rolling stand that takes up the entire truck that I bring if I'm running a lot of trim or decking--great saw that's easy to use, cuts a 4x4 or a delicate molding equally well.

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jaros bros.

I bought a 12" Bosch that would bevel both ways when they first came out with them. I have gone back to a 10" now. It had too much play, especially cutting hardwoods at angles. The blade wanted to wander through tough grain. New blades seemed like they helped but still had wander. I never tried a blade stabilizer though. I didn't like the fact that it was such a big brute either. Now for framing and cutting it was excellent and would really do a number, I just didn't like it for fine finishing work.

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Josh Jaros www.jarosbros.com Remodeling in The Woodlands, Texas

rojigga

Sounds like you need a slider. Always get a slider.

I use both. 12's are good for large material. Dual bevel with the cut capacity of a 12 has saved me loads of time.

I agree with the guy who posted about blade wandering. 10's are good for finer trim work in that regard.

TempestV

or get a slider- even a Dewalt 8 1/2" or Makita 7 1/4" could do what you are talking about.

I have an older Makita 10" slider that is surprisingly compact, which makes it good for packing up on scaffolding or some other hard to reach spot. I want to get a Milwaukee 12" though.

As far as capacity, most sliders can cut 12" wide, doesn't matter the blade size. If you are cutting thicker materials you might need the 12", but you open yourself to potential blade flex issues. Personally, I haven't had trouble with blade flex/runout/wander on 12" saws provided a good blade is used, and the cut isn't forced. For the most part, the 12" saw I've used is my dad's dewalt 708 (still one of the best saws ever made, why did they have to drop it in favor of the 718?)