Compound mitre saws

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cldlr76

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#153690 5-Oct-2014 08:16

Hi,

I looking at buying a compound mitre saw, mainly for doing skirtings/acrhitraves etc and the odd bit of framing timber as we renovate. I'm looking at these two...

http://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/powertools/saws/black_decker_255mm_slide_compound_mitre_saw_2000_watt_189376/

http://www.bunnings.co.nz/bosch-compound-mitre-saw-1800w-250mm-pcm1800-0603b01040_p00611081

Does anyone have any experience with either of these, or maybe another one in the $300-$350 range?

Obviously the slide offers more cutting capacity, which will be nice when I do more fencing and retaining, but I've done a bit of that already with my circular saw, so its not a must have, I'd rather have an accurate mitre and clean cut over the extra capacity.

Thanks

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#1147507 5-Oct-2014 09:14

I've found a one piece fence better than two piece - easier to adjust once the saw gets a bit of wear and tear on it. Not familiar wiith either of those saws though.

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Sidestep

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#1147518 5-Oct-2014 09:50

I have an Hitachi C10FCH2 as a second/smaller jobs saw.
I'm not sure if its still sold, but it was a cheaper machine at the time, bought as a temporary replacement for one that was stolen.

Must have had it 10 years or so now...

Still cuts true, no slop, motor runs well.
I use it for trim work, small jobs, all over the place, as its light & easy to carry around. It's had a lot of use.

Not a professional/commercial machine by any means, but accurate in both mitre and bevel measurements.
I replaced it's 10" GP blade with a quality, finer one when I got it.

Before this one I'd never have recommended buying a cheaper machine.

Now - I don't know the ones you listed - but I'd say take a close look at the saw, check all the angles & stops for accuracy.
Grab the handle & work it, pull the trigger, make sure it feels comfortable and moves smoothly, has no slop in the pivots.
Watch it doesn't catch the fence at full lock - and has enough of a fence to be useful.
And really needs that slide to be able to cut useful wood at larger angles.

nickb800

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#1147542 5-Oct-2014 10:36

I've been using a $99 Ryobi mitre saw for a few years now, it's still going great. If your budget is tight, i'd suggest going for a cheaper saw and then splash out on quality blades, as the blades will have a big impact on the quality of fine cuts e.g. architraves

If you decide on a sliding saw, I'd only get a good brand e.g. Bosch, Dewalt, Makita as the accuracy of your cuts is heavily dependent on the bearings in the slide mechanism, and once they 'go' then your saw is pretty worthless. If you go for a non-sliding saw, I think you can get away with slightly lower-end brands. Try to bend them with your hands as hard as you can in the shop, particularly between the saw and the base, to make sure it doesn't flex

Dingbatt

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#1147549 5-Oct-2014 11:15

Looked at both the subject CMS in the OP. Went with the B&D one in the end, sorry can't remember why, may have just been price. Used it for everything from framing to trimming in a recent kitchen renovation and couldn't fault it. I think it came with a laser marker, but I didn't use it. So much more versatile than a simple mitre saw.
The double height fence can impinge on the mitre angle sometimes but can be removed.

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timmmay

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#1147597 5-Oct-2014 14:23

To derail the thread slightly... better than starting a new one thoguh.

I need a general purpose saw. I do random things, like cutting through 100mm pipe (need a clean straight cut, in one go ideally), cutting 4x2s, cutting through sheets of 10mm plastic. I only use it occasionally, but my hand saw is too slow and my jigsaw is the wrong tool for the job (I got it for something specific). Can anyone recommend a good value general purpose saw? I'd consider second hand if these things last well.

I use a Makita Flipper recently. Awesome saw but $2000.

nickb800

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#1147606 5-Oct-2014 14:48

Timmmay: For that you could get away with a circular saw. A mitre saw is awesome at making square cuts in lengths of things (pipe, 4x2s), but can't cut sheets. A mitre saw is more of an extra that you would get after a circular saw.

For a circular saw, I'd recommend a Bosch as a good quality brand but not overkill for random/occasional DIY use - I think they're under $100

timmmay

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#1147619 5-Oct-2014 15:15

Thanks for the suggestion. Circular saw means I'd need a vice or two, plus stands. I don't have any of that stuff right now, so that'd add to the cost. Plus the Bosch circular will cut 62mm, I'd prefer 100mm really.

PANiCnz

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#1147661 5-Oct-2014 17:00

Sidestep: I have an Hitachi C10FCH2 as a second/smaller jobs saw.
I'm not sure if its still sold, but it was a cheaper machine at the time, bought as a temporary replacement for one that was stolen.

Another vote for the C10FCH2, picked one up recently for $500 with stand (normally $199 on its own). Wasn't sure I saw the value in the stand but when cutting some skirting and architrave recently for the spare room being able to set it up away from the garage was a godsend.

Bought it for the same purposes you are, decided against a sliding saw as good ones were out of my price range and decided I was better off with a standard compound saw from a reputable brand. Hitachi do a three year warranty on the saw.

Fred99

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#1147685 5-Oct-2014 17:26

timmmay:
I use a Makita Flipper recently. Awesome saw but $2000.

I have an older (10 years?) Dewalt version of that saw - in fact I thought only DeWalt made them - but obviously not.
I bought it for $500 on TradeMe. Well made gear lasts. Parts are also still easily available - mine came without riving knife, no problem buying one ex UK, posted and arrived here in a week.
I give up on Ryobi, Black and Decker etc. All my battery tools are now Milwaukee, power tools Makita, DeWalt. Too much grief for me when stuff doesn't work properly or breaks.

mcraenz

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#1148267 6-Oct-2014 15:33

I have a Makita that I'm very happy with. Around ~$600 new. With your budget I'd be going to TradeMe. Personally I'd much rather a second hand professional tool than a brand new 'home DIY' model.

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nickb800

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#1148311 6-Oct-2014 15:58

timmmay: Thanks for the suggestion. Circular saw means I'd need a vice or two, plus stands. I don't have any of that stuff right now, so that'd add to the cost. Plus the Bosch circular will cut 62mm, I'd prefer 100mm really.

I'm not sure that anything in the domestic power tool realm would cut 100mm in one go. Even the sliding compound miter saw that the OP linked to will cut to a max 92mm.

timmmay

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#1148316 6-Oct-2014 16:05

Maybe I need a band saw or something. Though that wouldn't cut wood straight.

nickb800

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#1148333 6-Oct-2014 16:21

timmmay: Maybe I need a band saw or something. Though that wouldn't cut wood straight.

You'd need a massive band saw too. Perhaps building a jig like this to use with a handsaw is your best bet for pipe?

mcraenz

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#1148354 6-Oct-2014 16:33

Bandsaw would be just fine. This is a band saw:
http://www.harborfreight.com/14-in-four-speed-woodworking-band-saw-60564.html

Can easily cut PVC pipe and wood sqaure with the guide

Also a cut off saw would work but it's much less versitile than a bandsaw.
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200491232_200491232

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timmmay

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#1148367 6-Oct-2014 16:42

I don't cut pipe all that often, just occasionally. I wish there were places you could pay a fee and go use all kinds of random tools for an hour or a day, that'd be handy. I may have to get a mitre saw some time, pay the $300 odd for a decent one.

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