Easy-in, easy-out chopsaw - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

Jeremy E · 03-12-2009, 05:22 PM

I've been on the lookout for a small, light-weight miter saw. I've got the Makita 10" slider, which is a great saw, but it's a pain to drag in and set-up, then break down when I've only got a few cuts to make. I do a bunch of punch-list stuff for my brother-in-law's bigger jobs to supplement my own. I hate dragging out the big saws when I've only got to replace a piece of casing that got dinged when the floors went in or cut the returns on a hand-rail going down the basement stairs. I've been doing all that stuff hand lately, but that's getting old.

I think a decent 8 or 10" chopsaw will do the trick. I'd like to go as compact and light-weight as possible without losing a practical range of travel (4" crosscut won't do). I've never been a fan of DeWalt (I know, Ford or Chevy...), and my other brother-in-laws' Craftsman and Ryobi make me break out in hives whenever I use them. All the Hitachi stuff is on sale at one of the big boxes this month. Anyone use theirs? Any other recommendations or solutions?

Thanks.
Jeremy

Framer53 · 03-12-2009, 05:53 PM

Go to Sears, they have a 7.5" sliding saw. very lite and is on sale for around $120! I know, it is a craftsman, but on another site I go to, a lot of guys bought and like it.

Mitchell Const. · 03-12-2009, 05:56 PM

Makita 7.5 inch slide Pricey but sweeeeet!

TempestV · 03-12-2009, 05:57 PM

Makita 7 1/2 would probably be your best bet
http://www.tools-plus.com/makita-ls0...term=MAKLS0714

if that isn't big enough, I know you aren't a fan of dewalt, but the dewalt 8 1/2 would probably be the best.

m1911 · 03-12-2009, 06:13 PM

The Dewalt 10" is a great saw.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...roductID=17173

jaros bros. · 03-12-2009, 06:15 PM

I third the Makita 7 1/2. Light and great for trim work.

Five Star · 03-12-2009, 06:36 PM

i have that hitachi 10" with the laser, its not that bad of a saw for small punch list work. i like it because you can lift the plastic guard with your thumb on the trigger hand when the saw is in the upright position. good for cutting sills and notches,and eyeing up the blade. try it when your there at lowes i think its on sale now,and you can always return it just save the reciept.

Five Star · 03-12-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1911

The Dewalt 10" is a great saw.

http://www.dewalt.com/us/products/to...roductID=17173

this saw is actually pretty good and if you get that new light laser attchment for 49 ,it cast a light on the blade and gives you a shadow on the work piece, i have the 12"model with the light..its awsome and even works outside in the sunlight.

silvertree · 03-12-2009, 07:05 PM

I bought the Hitachi 8.5" and used it to build a stairway, worked well.
Paid $220 from Hitachi reconditioned tools. It was new!

kevjob · 03-12-2009, 08:36 PM

http://www.reconditionedsales.com/default.aspx

BKFranks · 03-12-2009, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy E

I've been on the lookout for a small, light-weight miter saw. I've got the Makita 10" slider, which is a great saw, but it's a pain to drag in and set-up, then break down when I've only got a few cuts to make. I do a bunch of punch-list stuff for my brother-in-law's bigger jobs to supplement my own. I hate dragging out the big saws when I've only got to replace a piece of casing that got dinged when the floors went in or cut the returns on a hand-rail going down the basement stairs. I've been doing all that stuff hand lately, but that's getting old.

Thanks.
Jeremy

Funny, I just gave away an old miter saw with a cast iron base that was like 15 years old. It was in really good condition, but weighed a ton. It had been sitting in the garage for years and I was tired of it sitting there.

slowsol · 03-12-2009, 09:28 PM

The Craftsman saw is on sale.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...00100383&aff=Y

$109.99
Use the coupon code SWELCOME05008 to get $5 off. Choose in store pickup and you don't have to pay shipping.

It sounds like a pretty good deal.

m1911 · 03-12-2009, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slowsol

The Craftsman saw is on sale.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...00100383&aff=Y

$109.99
Use the coupon code SWELCOME05008 to get $5 off. Choose in store pickup and you don't have to pay shipping.

It sounds like a pretty good deal.

I saw that saw in person. The quality looks and feels like S H I T. It's like a Ryobi, only worse. Smells of Chinese quality. But hey, some might like that type of S H I T.

Jeremy E · 03-13-2009, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kevjob

http://www.reconditionedsales.com/default.aspx

Thanks. Great link

.

Jeremy E · 03-13-2009, 03:09 PM

Thanks, guys. I hadn't even thought about a little slider, but I like the range they have. Sadly, the Makita isn't in budget this month. I'm sure I'd go north of $400 in the best of times for a role player that wouldn't even get off the bench every day. I'll probably take my chances with that little Craftsman. I've blown $100 on dumber things than that once or twice...

PrecisionFloors · 03-13-2009, 08:48 PM

I blew a hundy on a Crapsman 3gal 1HP compressor 4 years ago....emptied the oil in it and replaced it with synthetic.... can't kill the damned thing. I just picked it up when I was in a pinch and really didn't expect it to last a month. Their table saws on the other hand are complete junk....I'd rather have a Ryobi.

WilsonRMDL · 03-14-2009, 04:53 PM

I put synthetic in my crapsman compressor 2 years ago, darned thing still runs strong everyday haha.

Framer53 · 03-14-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by m1911

I saw that saw in person. The quality looks and feels like S H I T. It's like a Ryobi, only worse. Smells of Chinese quality. But hey, some might like that type of S H I T.

Not even close, and by the way, if you don't own a Ryobi, how do you know how it feals.

The Craftsman, is not a production tool, but it is lite and does a decent job.

Chris G · 03-14-2009, 06:26 PM

For a $110 bucks how can you not buy one. You're not building a piano.

I have the Craftsmen 7 1/2" chop. Weighs 16 pounds. No way in hell could I live without it. It was $60. Two years old and it has been literally thrown around.

My other saw is a Makita 10 slider. I'm not bringing that out to install 1/4 round.

m1911 · 03-14-2009, 06:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Framer53

Not even close, and by the way, if you don't own a Ryobi, how do you know how it feals. (FEELS)

The Craftsman, is not a production tool, but it is lite (LIGHT) and does a decent job.

But I do own a Ryobi - I use it for chopping firewood.