Replies

1. 
   crt2cu2 | Mar 23, 2003 01:41am | #1

   DR,

   I am partial to Hitachi chop saws and in fact just bought a new C10FS. This is the 10 inch model with dual compound tilt and sliding carriage capacities. Home Depot sells this saw for $499. Bosch chop saws are also well rated but of course cost a bit more. Check out both brands and compare to Dewalt and Porter Cable.

   sawick

2. 
   JeffKurtz | Mar 24, 2003 03:12pm | #2

   I've never found it difficult to cut to a line, so I can't really see spending money on an un-needed gadget.  Why not put the extra money into a better grade of saw?

   Dittos on Hitachi and Bosch.  Also think that Makita and DeWalt are good machines.  I have a Delta (Porter Cable is exactly the same - same company) and wish I would have bought another brand.  Stops are difficult to set.

   Jeff

3. 
   BG | Mar 24, 2003 04:14pm | #3

   Dr,

   I bought a Delta CMS last October to replace my old Craftsman miter saw.  In November I bought a cabinet saw and have not used the CMS since.  Perhaps if I had purchased a sliding CMS I would have more use for it.  The Delta was an inexpensive model..the only thing I don't like is how the chips fly when taking a shaving off one board..I have been hit several times.  That is one of the reasons I use the cabinet saw more. 

1. 
   Oriole | Mar 24, 2003 04:27pm | #4

   BG,

   I have the DeWalt SCMS and like it very much. It is large though and takes up lots of room. I wish they had the saws with the lazers on them when I bought a saw. Not that it is needed for most things, but I think it would be extremely helpful when cutting mitered corners or crown moldings. If this was accurate, it would make cutting angles much faster, to say the least.

   Oriole

1. 
   SAWBOSS | Mar 25, 2003 11:22pm | #8

   You can purchase the laser seperate, which can be added to most any saw (radial arm, cms, circular). They are a bit costly though. I saw them in a catalog selling for $149.00. If I can find the catalog I will post it for you.

4. 
   KevinLBS | Mar 24, 2003 05:30pm | #5

   Is that DR for doctor?

   If you're debating between the two of those saws, I can't really help you decide, but I'll tell you that you'll get either one of those at an absolutely dirt cheap price at amazon.com and you won't pay any shipping for it.

1. 
   RoyinMD | Mar 24, 2003 08:09pm | #6

   Someday I'll replace my Craftsman CMS with a better saw, its just not accurate enough. A few weeks ago I was doing a wide oak frame, the miters came out crappy, spent about 2 hours adjusting the saw with no better results. Used the table saw the next morning and finished.

   At the January WW show I bought a $42 pointer laser. It screws to the front of the CMS blade guard. A nice help for old eyes.

   Enjoy, Roy

5. 
   davsco88 | Mar 25, 2003 10:42pm | #7

   I recently bought the Porter-Cable 12" twin-laser.  So far, just using it for the Trex deck I am building and sawhorses and the like, but it is awesome.  What a complete improvement over the 10" Craftsman I had previously been using.  Super easy to set bevel and miter angles; lots of power.  Nice big deck on which to lay your material.  Only downside is that it weighs a ton.  At the International Builders Show in Vegas, the Delta rep said that the Delta and the Porter-Cable are exactly the same, although I've seen some places carry the P-C for more?  Got mine at Amazon.com, which I've found to have great prices and a great selection and great service (ie, in stock and delivered quickly).  Also, buy the clamps made specifically for this (and maybe other) model to help holding stock while cutting.  By the way, if you get Fine Woodworking, I believe the current or just past issue had an Amazon ad with a special code to get a few bucks off...

6. 
   GT | Mar 27, 2003 12:36am | #9

   Stay away from lazers,mostly just marketing. I have a makita LS 1013 great saw ,easy to adjust .I would buy a 12 inch the next time,hitachi 12 inch is also a nice saw.Both these saws are sliding compound miters.

7. 
   TomFerreira | Mar 28, 2003 05:07am | #10

   I have not used the new laser saw from PC but it is not a sliding CMS. I think that unless you are cutting framing you will need the crosscut capacity of the sliding models. I have had a Makita LS 1011 for many years and have been very happy with it. You really want to check the specs before buying and ask about reliability. From what I hear the Makitas are considered by most to be the best overall. I like the new Bosch but it is very pricey ($699). But, considering I have had mine for 10 years or so, the amortization is good.

   TDF

1. 
   Dr | Mar 29, 2003 06:20am | #11

   Thanks, Tom.

8. 
   CAGIV | Mar 31, 2003 10:28am | #12

   I have the porter cable 10" scms,  Its not to bad, but I would spend money elsewhere if I did it again.  It might just be my application,  I do remodeling and its a bit heavy, the fence isnt tall enough and there is no option to add support arms. 

   If it were set up in a shop with extension tables and a taller fence it would be better, but in that case I would rather have a radial arm saw anyway.

   I personaly don't like the laser option, just something else to get out of alignment and hassle with or possibly break.

   Just my 2 cents.

   View ImageGo Jayhawks