i was wondering if anyone had any insight or use with the Kobalt 10″ Sliding Miter Saw. i do though need a sliding miter saw because i am doing some renovations over the summer so i need a miter saw that can cut up to 12″. if anyone has any advice on other good sliding miter saws for a decent price then that would be appreciated too.
P.S. my choice for miter saw right now is the Hitachi 8 1/2″ Sliding Miter Saw that is being released at Lowe’s on February 27th for 400$
Replies
I don't know about Kobalt for power tools. Their hand tools seem decent, but when it comes to bigger ticket items I'd rather stick with the more popular brands. I'm really happy with my Bosch 5412L (minus the "L", as I tried the laser once and tossed it in the useless gimmicks bin). Makita also makes a really nice dual bevel slider. DeWalt is okay, but the blade guard is kind of fat and bulky. I've stayed away from Hitachi since they started making all their tools look like monster toys. They used to be top of the line, but I don't know if that's true anymore.
The two I would highly recommend are the Bosch and the Makita dual bevel sliders. You can usually save some money by buying them online (amazon.com, toolking.com) or a gently used one on ebay.
One thing to consider with the Hitachi 8 1/2" is that while it might cut 12" width (does it? I really don't know), it won't cut the depth of a 10" or 12" saw. Thus, large crown molding would necessarily have to be cut laid flat.
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Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.net
See some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
Edited 2/16/2008 9:45 am by Ted W.
"if anyone has any advice on other good sliding miter saws for a decent price..." A decent price is that which buys you a decent machine. Given that you live in a big city and the construction industry is experiencing a slow time, you could well pick up a good saw on Craig's List. I just did a search on the Boston list and found these ads. There are always a couple false hits, but 3 of them are SCMS's.
The best deal was one that was given to me. A Harbor Freight 10" slide. Said it would not cut square, and gave it to me. After about 10 min of tinkering (read - filing a mount hole in the fence). It is now square in both axis, and the detents are true. How long the motor lasts is anyones guess? He said he only paid $100 for it so it was no big loss to him when I offered it back to him. He had already bought a Craftsman 10" slide to replace it.
As for the Kobalt, I was in Lowes a week and a half ago. They had 2 on display. One in the normal area and one on an end shelf. The one in the normal area must have been assembled wrong or broken, as there was a lot of slop in the slide mechanism (side to side movement). The one on the end shelf in the main isle was just fine. If I remember it had the low motor housing so can only do compounds on one side, but not sure.
I would suggest you go and try out a few saws and see which ones feel good to you. Some approach the adjustments different ways. So it would be good to move knobs, slide it, make adjustments. And one may be more comfortable or easier to use. The Kobalt is a good price for what it does. I think Craftsman has a lower cost 10" slide saw as well.
BTW, I have had the HF one 6 years now and its still going :O Heavy use for about 15 weekends a year (translates to about 2 years of daily heavy use). The first set of brushes are even still in it.
Been, I think you've got me mixed up with the original poster in this thread. I'z not lookin' for a saw! Love my Bosch 12" CMS, don't have money for a slider (unless I give up the idea of getting a new table saw, LOL!_)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I caught that right after I sent it. Forgot to change the To:
Tried but no option to change it in edit. Was meant for op. :-)
Been there, done that, so I totally understand!! [insert red face] The only thing you can do is go back, edit the post with a sentence right at the top to redirect the comment.
D*mn I wish I could afford a slider! Really don't need one that often, but ain't they nice?!!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Yep, they's nice. :)--------------------------------------------------------
Cheap Tools at MyToolbox.netSee some of my work at AWorkOfWood.com
I've had the 12" compound slider from Dewalt for several years now and it's performed very well. I found it at a tool wholesaler who happened to have his business in my area. He still sells on e-bay and from his Website, but not sure if he has any of these saws left. I ended up getting it for about $450.00. At the time they were selling for $600.00. I've made a good No. of purchases from this place(Cripedistributing.com) over the years but not so much lately as he moved his business to Idaho. He's actually a cabinet maker. His Co.( Cripe Cabinets) builds many of the fixtures for Costco. He sells tools, and other items, wholesale as a side business. When your ready to purchase it might be worth a look.
Danny
Jamie,
Since, for some reason, everyone seems to have come to the conclusion that you're looking for a new SCMS, I recommend that you get the Bosch.
-Steve ;-)
The longevity and effectiveness of a bogus internet rumor, ROFL!!!
Wanna hear my sad tale for the week? You might remember that there's a Steel City, 3HP, titanium-coated-top cabinet saw, 50" fence, on sale right now for $1200 at WWer.com, right? So, some guy in the Seattle area has been running a Craig's List ad trying to sell the same model, new in box, he won it in a drawing but it's too big for his shop. So, I send him an email, alerting him to the sale and providing a link to it, and I offer him $1,000 for his saw.
So, does he respond? Nope, not even to say "You've got to be kidding!" The ad has disappeared from C.L., so either he sold it, or he's waiting for the sale to be history and relist it.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Ouch.
You know, if you keep up with these sad stories, I'm going to write you a check for $50--my contribution to the "Help Forest Girl buy a saw" fund.
-Steve
Not to worry, Steve, the fund is doing OK (paying $1K would leave some $$ for other things, LOL!). I'm always surprised, though, when there's no response from a Craig's List seller. I've had the same thing happen when wiriting to offer full price on something, just a coupld hours after it was listed. Hurts my feelings, darn it! (ROFL!)forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Retired from my teaching job 9 yrs ago. Sold my radial arm saw and DW miter saw, and put the money on a 10 in. Delta Sidekick as a retirement gift to myself . Wouldn't take a lot for it. I have used it for nine years now and it performs admirably. I like the type of angle adjustment and the folding stand. It also has pull out table extensions. I'm not sure my catalog is up to date but it is listed in Amazon ( used to be Tool Crib of the North) for $430. If I were you, I would keep my old tablesaw and go for the slider. I researched for a long time before buying. Second choice was Makita LS 1013 at $500 without the folding stand. I think I got more for less with the Delta.
I'm gonna pull a Napie on ya!
Forget those wimpy SCMS saws, get a REAL MANs' saw. Buy a RAS and never look back.
Patroits (almost) rule,
Bob @ Kidderville Acres
A Woodworkers mind should be the sharpest tool in the shop!
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