miter saw advice needed

[gale]

My husband bought me a miter saw for Mother's Day (great hubby, right?) So anyway I really wanted the sliding saw that can cut a 12" board but he wasn't sure what to get so he got a regular miter saw. The one he got is a Ridgid brand that has a lifetime warranty. For the same price I can get a Ryobi sliding saw but I'm sure it's not as heavy duty as this one plus has a 2 yr warranty. But I am just a gal that makes things here and there and not a pro so maybe the less-heavy-duty-but-more-versatile one would be better for me? I just don't want to exchange it and then regret it. He is on board with whatever I want to do (but we can't really spring for the $500 sliding Ridgid brand and I wouldn't want to, being just a hobbyist and all).

[Jeff Metcalf]

Good Day Gale;

Just thought I would let you know the shopping Jay is telling you about the craiglist, amzon and e-bay are all online shopping and when it comes with free shipping means it will come to your door or a depot near your home.

 

Take Care Jeff

[Gary roofner]

I have a 10" slider and I can cross cut 12" stock in fact by flipping the piece against a stop block I have cut 24". Lowes sells a slider that fairly heavy duty there tool brand Kobalt. On sale here for $159 something. These saws really you need to build or buy a miter saw station to get repeatable cuts. i have a Ryobi about $100.

[Rita B.]

Hi Gale,   Does the saw your husband bought you hold a 10" blade or 12"?   I have a 12" dewault miter that I love, non sliding.  I use to have a 10" but when it finally quit, I graduated to the larger size and have found that it does a much better job.   Using a stop when flipping a board is a great help for accuracy but after I made a sled for the tablesaw, it is my choice for cutting now.   I know you mentioned having difficulty with the tablesaw but I think you would find that you could manage the cut very well with the sled and it would save you a lot of dollars in doing so.

[gale]

The one he bought and the one I want are both 10". The table saw belongs to his dad and he'll be taking it back soon. Plus it is old and falling apart and definitely not safe. The table it's on isn't even level-we have to put a block under one leg because the bottom of the legs are all rusting. The fences don't slide very smoothly even after we put beeswax in the tracks. So my husband doesn't really want me even trying to use it. I was really just trying to find out if anyone had input on the one he bought vs the one I originally wanted but I decided to go with the ryobi. I just need to wait to return it until he can go with me as I can't lift it myself without hurting my back.

[John Schaben]

Hi Gale - I'd suggest checking at Harbor Freight.. They have some junk but they also have some jewels. Their sliding miter saws appear to be one of their jewels. I added their 12" sliding saw to my home repair arsenal a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised. It was in desperate need of a decent blade but everything else was dead on after a minor setup. Here's a link to their 10" miter saw

[gale]

thanks-I have to get it at home depot since that's the only hardware store we have and I would rather buy it locally in case there's an issue where I have to return it.

[thomas b farrell]

http://www.mitersawreviews.biz/

[Susan Stanton]

I bought Lowes brand Kobalt last summer, the 10" sliding compound. I am a small woman with arthritis and no expertise, but with a few lessons from my brother gained complete confidence in it. I cut 2"x12" boards at angle, and have gotten great exact cuts from the saw. I've only had it a year, but am very pleased with it. Like Gale, I'm a part-time hobbyist and don't use my table saw at all yet -- (an elderly beautiful Craftsman) I haven't had training yet! I can't remember what it cost new - $299? But since it does exactly what I want, and so nicely, it is perfect for me.