Replies

1. 
   Dave45 | Dec 01, 2007 05:50pm | #1

   I have no experience with that saw, but I've had several Craftsman power tools over the years and have generally been happy with them.  The exception was with some early '80's bench top tools that were real junk.  If I'm not mistaken, that saw is made by Ryobi, and the only real difference is the name plate and paint job.

   At the risk of committing an act of heresy, I'll tell you that the "homeowner" grade of power tools (Craftsman, Ryobi, Skil, B&D, etc) can and do work quite well for a DIY'er. 

2. 
   forestgirl | Dec 01, 2007 07:42pm | #2

   "I could use a miter saw...."  Do you need a sliding miter saw?

   "The price is great."  It's only great if it does the job well enough to not end up on Craig's List in year for $50 <grin>

   You are very wise to look for some feedback on it.  Sorry I don't have any experience with that model, but I do have experience with buying a cheap miter saw that wasn't accurate and didn't have enough capacity to be useful.  If you find several people who have this Craftsman saw and can attest to its accuracy (assuming you want to do more than cut construction lumber with it), then it's probably a good deal.  But if you don't, IMHO you're taking a considerable risk with that $200, which I assume is hard-earned.  That same $200 would go a long ways toward getting a good-quality 12" compound miter saw that is big, solid, accurate, and holds its settings.

    

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   byhammerandhand | Dec 02, 2007 02:23am | #4

   I'm on Forestgirl's side.The major problem I have is the world is full of people with Craftsman tools that are as little as three years old and they are searching for parts that are no longer available. I've never had a problem getting parts for my 20 year-old Bosch, Makita, or PC tools over the counter at the local factory-authorized service center. JMO

3. 
   user-83153 | Dec 01, 2007 10:34pm | #3

   Forestgirl is right. You are going to give up capacity but here is a good deal on a factory reconditioned Bosch 12" for about the same price...

   http://bosch.cpotools.com/reconditioned_tools/saws/miter_saws/3912-46.html

   I bought a reconditioned jigsaw from them and it is impossible to tell it from a new one. Except of course that it is 30% or more cheaper.

               Rob

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 02, 2007 05:30am | #5

   "You are going to give up capacity...."  Technically, this is true, but I've cut some pretty wide boards on my 12" Bosch using the flip method and a (sometimes) sharp eye.  They're not perfect, usually, but pretty darned close! ;-)  Not to say I'd toss back a nice sliding miter saw that happened my way, LOL.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

4. 
   dovetail59 | Dec 02, 2007 05:37am | #6

   Hello , again this is only my opinion , I have the 12" craftsman compound miter saw and not very happy with it . Getting the fence aligned with the blade has been a nightmare , I also wished I had saved a few more $$ and bought the high dollar saw . This one will end up on ebay !