October 11, 201114 yr I am going to be buying a saw and I was just doing some research on them. I have narrowed it down to a few different ones. I am looking for a Miter saw. I want to stay around $200. This is going to be for light use and DYI projects mostly. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for me or experience dealing with any of these particular model or ones that you have used that worked well? I read the reviews on each and they are mostly mixed especially the Kobalt which kind of scares me. 1st one is Kobalt... 2st one is a Roybi... 3nd one is Rigid...
October 11, 201114 yr I am going to be buying a saw and I was just doing some research on them. I have narrowed it down to a few different ones. I am looking for a Miter saw. I want to stay around $200. This is going to be for light use and DYI projects mostly. Any thoughts on which might be the best option for me or experience dealing with any of these particular model or ones that you have used that worked well? I read the reviews on each and they are mostly mixed especially the Kobalt which kind of scares me. 1st one is Kobalt... 2st one is a Roybi... 3nd one is Rigid... I've used the Ryobi some and it is complete crap. I have no experience with Kobalt. While I haven't used their miter saw, Rigid typically makes a "decent" product so of the options I'd go that route. Your best bet is a Makita though. Both my Dad and Step-Dad build and they swear by Makita saws. I haven't worked in that field in a few years but I have roughly ten years experience with them to know that I agree with their sentiments.
October 11, 201114 yr I know you're limit is around $200, but if you can afford it, go with a compound sliding miter saw. I have a 10" Hitachi that has been great. I wish I would've went with a 12", but for the price I couldn't pass it up. Of the above brands, I'd go with the Rigid. I have a Rigid table saw, and I've had zero issues with it.
October 11, 201114 yr I'm a general contractor, and I've been working in construction for about a decade. When I was in my "tool acquisition" phase of construction (when I was still doing field work regularly), I made it a point to ask EVERYONE'S opinion before I bought my tools. That way I had AS MUCH knowledge as possible in making my decision. (I'm a pretty big-time "Buy It Once. Buy It Right." kind of guy.) When it comes to chop saws and miter saws, there are 4 tiers: 1) Top-Of-The-Line Shop use. No packing in and out of a truck and beating them around jobsites. HIGH precision. HIGH price. (Think DELTA.) 2) Top-Of-The-Line Jobsite use. A little more durable, and some portability is taken into mind. Pretty high precision. HIGHEST price. (Think Hitachi and DeWalt.) 3) Mid-Range Jobsite use. Not quite so durable as the top-of-the-line, usually just as portable. Fairly high precision. Moderately priced. (Think Ryobi, Rigid, Makita, Milwaukee, Porter Cable) 4) Everything else. (Think walking past these in the store.) Kobalt tools are highly touted at Lowes, but that's because the workers are supposed to speak highly of them...they're their store brand tools. A lot of people mistakenly think Rigid tools are Home Depot store brand as well, but that isn't the case. Home Depot has a nearly-exclusive dealership contract with Rigid tools. They also come with a 3 year warranty, which is MUCH better than most anything else out there in the ways of warranties. After the 3 years is up, they aren't too hard to repair yourself should anything go wrong, and parts are easily available through Home Depot. Ryobi isn't too bad, but once anything gets loose or goes bad, you're saw is pretty well shot. If you're asking me, of the three you listed, go with the Rigid, hands down.
October 11, 201114 yr A 12" sliding compound miter saw by Hitachi or DeWalt will be the last saw you or your son will ever have to buy...
October 11, 201114 yr Author I know you're limit is around $200, but if you can afford it, go with a compound sliding miter saw. I have a 10" Hitachi that has been great. I wish I would've went with a 12", but for the price I couldn't pass it up. Of the above brands, I'd go with the Rigid. I have a Rigid table saw, and I've had zero issues with it. I can go above $200 just would prefer that price point. I would go the extra money if it is going to be worth it. How much would a Hitachi like that run me? I think the Hitachi would be a little over my price range.
October 11, 201114 yr Author A 12" sliding compound miter saw by Hitachi or DeWalt will be the last saw you or your son will ever have to buy... Yes, but I don't want to spend $500 when I don't really need something as good as DeWalt. I won't be taking it from job site to job site much.
October 11, 201114 yr Yes, but I don't want to spend $500 when I don't really need something as good as DeWalt. I won't be taking it from job site to job site much. Fair enough. Just figured I'd toss that out there.
October 11, 201114 yr Author Fair enough. Just figured I'd toss that out there. Trust me I agree but I couldn't justify ( She wouldn't let me either :lol: ) spending $500 on a saw for the kind of work I am going to be doing with it.
October 11, 201114 yr Author What about the differences with a sliding one and regular one? I can't decide which option I would like to have or if I would even need a sliding one.
October 11, 201114 yr I can go above $200 just would prefer that price point. I would go the extra money if it is going to be worth it. How much would a Hitachi like that run me? I think the Hitachi would be a little over my price range. Watch craigslist, especially since you are only going to be using it sparingly.
October 11, 201114 yr Author Watch craigslist, especially since you are only going to be using it sparingly. I have been checking on there a lot but I'm not sold on buying something like that on craigslist.
October 11, 201114 yr What about the differences with a sliding one and regular one? I can't decide which option I would like to have or if I would even need a sliding one. A sliding one will allow you to cut wider pieces of wood. It's a very nice feature that I couldn't live without.
October 11, 201114 yr A sliding one will allow you to cut wider pieces of wood. It's a very nice feature that I couldn't live without.:thumb: :thumb: You want one man.
October 11, 201114 yr Author A sliding one will allow you to cut wider pieces of wood. It's a very nice feature that I couldn't live without. :thumb: :thumb: You want one man. I found one for pretty cheap but I don't think it is going to be very good quality. It actually has decent reviews. http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=miter+saw
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