Need recomendation on 12" sliding compound miter saw [Archive] - Colorado AR-15 Shooters Club Discussion Forums

View Full Version : Need recomendation on 12" sliding compound miter saw

.40isthenew.45

10-24-2022, 09:57

Getting ready to finish out 3100 sq ft basement and will follow that closely with crown molding. Walls will by 2x6 in some areas. I have always used lower end saws since i didn't plan to use them much. I threw away the 10" ryobi before this move since it no longer held the angles and the safety guard was broken (my fault not a saw defect). Anyway I want to buy my LAST compound miter saw. Anyone have recommendations of a particular make and model? If not what are the features I must have but may not know I need?

Thanks in advance,
--Chris

HBARleatherneck

10-24-2022, 11:21

I have all Milwaukee battery powered tools. However, my corded saws are mostly Dewalt. I have used my Dewalt sliding compound miter regularly for 15 years. Works like new.

3beansalad

10-24-2022, 11:25

https://www.metabo-hpt.com/us/main-navigation/item/12-sliding-dual-compound-miter-saw-with-laser-marker-c12rsh2s-metabo-hpt

I wish I had spent the extra for the sliding one when I bought the C12FDHS. But it's been incredible. I was introduced to Metabo (Hitachi) power tools through a buddy that's been a professional home builder for something like 40 years. Their nail guns are damn good too.

JoeRoss

10-24-2022, 14:18

I have an older Dewalt that I have used to rebuild 2 houses with. It still works like new. I had some CRAZY angles that I had to do, and it worked like a charm.

If I was still doing that kind of work, I would look into a laser one, or attachment. I thought it would be great to have, but I never got one.
Does anyone have a laser on theirs, if so, does it make it as accurate as I think it would?

BladesNBarrels

10-24-2022, 15:43

My next one would be a sliding saw with the rails in front or folding lever, so that I could put it up against the wall in the shop.
Festool makes one of the best. Good luck finding one - they are out of stock through Woodcraft - pricey at around 1,600, but 2 lasers that show where the blade is cutting.
Makita has them through Home Depot and Bosch Folding Lever that takes a laser attachment on Amazon. - around 600-700
Currently I have DeWalt with a stand that I can fold up and put away when I am not using it.
It does most everything I need, but the rails are in back and that takes up room.

00tec

10-24-2022, 15:51

I have a Kobalt I bought several years ago. Does the job, but I'm not a carpenter either.

Laser helps you get close, but it's not as precise as you want it to be

buffalobo

10-24-2022, 16:00

Dewalt model DWS780 with rolling stand is what I use every day(commercial carpenter). Versatile, repeatable and accurate setups. Parts are easy to get when needed.

Never been a fan of lasers on chop saws.

Bosch has their "Glide" saw that is very smooth on the display model but I have never made any cuts on it. Uses articulating arm for slide action so no bars to stick out the back.

Bosch is my second choice(not neccesarily the new glide saw).

JohnnyEgo

10-24-2022, 17:47

I deeply love my Festool Kapex and have zero regrets over its $1200 purchase price. It is my lifetime compound miter, and it is ideal for interior trim work, because it is light weight, incredibly accurate, and has marvelous dust collection.

That said, it's a terrible choice for general construction use. Ill-suited for cutting 2x material for hours on end, as well as delicate and overpriced for the specific need. I keep a Dewalt 716 for those purposes. Hard to find perfection for all purposes in one tool.

bradbn4

10-24-2022, 18:26

You want Dual Compound Miter Saw if you are doing anything fancy...if you are doing a bit of work; consider getting the stand...

whitewalrus

10-24-2022, 22:14

A stand is a must unless you will be mounting it permanently somewhere. You want the work at the same level as the rest of it - trying to hold something up and still while cutting will get old quick.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

buffalobo

10-25-2022, 05:59

.40isthenew.45

10-25-2022, 08:57

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-Amp-Corded-12-in-Double-Bevel-Sliding-Compound-Miter-Saw-w-Blade-Wrench-Material-Clamp-Compact-Miter-Saw-Stand-DWS779WDWX724/322363840?g_store=&source=shoppingads&locale=en-US&&mtc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_009_PORT_POWER-NA-DEWALT-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-DeWalt&cm_mmc=SHOPPING-BF-CDP-GGL-D25T-025_009_PORT_POWER-NA-DEWALT-NA-SMART-NA-NA-NA-NA-NBR-NA-NA-NA-DeWalt-71700000092059223-58700007746903587-92700070311665293&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkt6aBhDKARIsAAyeLJ2qD0ilYOimX_OslWRI fJJssq1wkM8-i2VV9THLB0tS4d1kv-5NPfUaAkfcEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

This combo running at Home Depot will do what you need and last many years.

That is an attractive deal for sure, but when I read about the differences in the 780 and 779 I can't decide how cool/necessary I think the Integrated CUTLINE? Blade Positioning System ( light that makes a shadow of the blade on the work, for those of you not researching along side me) is. Also is the detent plate better on the 780?

00tec

10-25-2022, 09:02

Never trust the light, always trust and check your mark. They're put on there for the "ooh, shiny" effect IMO

whitewalrus

10-25-2022, 09:55

That is an attractive deal for sure, but when I read about the differences in the 780 and 779 I can't decide how cool/necessary I think the Integrated CUTLINE? Blade Positioning System ( light that makes a shadow of the blade on the work, for those of you not researching along side me) is. Also is the detent plate better on the 780?

Even with lasers and such to indicate the cut line, I always bring the saw blade down to check its in the right spot before I actually cut. Having that could save a bit of time, but if it?s off you will end up out of sorts on things that need to be cut very close.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Tim K

10-25-2022, 13:43

We've had virtually every miter saw here in the shop at one time or another. Well, all the mainstream brands. I looked at Festool's offering, but after all the trouble we've had with their other tools, I passed. Festool tools don't survive in a production environment.

Anyway, having tried them all, I don't think you can go wrong with any of the major brands. When we need one, we just buy whatever looks cool at the moment. I will say that my general default is DeWalt. We've got Dewalt tools in the shop that have been running daily in the shop for 15 years. Same goes for Porter Cable, though I don't know if they're still in the miter saw biz.

encorehunter

10-26-2022, 06:47

I agree on the Dewalts, especially for the money. The one posted is a great deal. I have gone to mostly battery powered, but I still have a corded back up Dewalt. My one regret is going with a 60v table saw. I wish I would have gone with the 120v (2 60v batteries) as they have an adapter to plug into the wall.

bradbn4

10-26-2022, 07:39

I do have an older Dewalt version with stand - however; my use for the hardware is mostly to cut trim size. The stand has made the device well worth the money.

.40isthenew.45

10-29-2022, 07:47

Lowe's had a "deal" on the DWS779 with a better (read wider) stand for $449. The only differences I could find in the 779 vs 780 was the led light and the 780 had bevel stops to make setting common angles easier. No one had a deal going for a stand with the 780 so I figured for the price difference and a free stand I could hold it while i set the bevel angles.

Picture for interest.....
91856

buffalobo

10-29-2022, 08:14

Pretty much set for many years and once you have set it up to your preferences it will take less than 2 minutes to set up/tear down.

Many guys will cut sample jigs for bevel or compound angles that need to be repeated for a particular job that the saw may not have stops for and then just toss them out at end of job. For us, on production jobs, repeatability is crucial.

JoeRoss

10-29-2022, 10:50

Sounds like it was a good thing that I did not bother with the laser. Would not have helped since I am such a perfectionist when it comes to woodworking, I would have still had to eyeball it.

You got a good one, should last you a LONG time.

beast556

10-29-2022, 20:17

That dewalt saw will serve you very well for years to come. 20+ years in the trades 90% of my tools are dewalt.