New Tool Advice

[Travis]

OK. So I'm in the market to buy a miter saw. I'm tired of borrowing my Dad's when I have a project. Quite honestly, I'm sure he's tired of retrieving it from my house, too.

 

I want to get a 12" Dewalt Compound Miter saw. This one is a single bevel for $249. For an extra $100, I can get the Dewalt double bevel compound miter saw. I have the extra $100, but I'd rather buy some new lighting for my shop instead. I'm just not sure if it's really worth the extra $100.

 

What I really want is the 12" Double Bevel Sliding miter saw. But we're looking at $542, which is waaaay out of my budget. So I'm stuck with one of these two options.

 

I only want to buy this once and want to make the right choice. Waddya think? Is the double bevel really worth the extra $100? Technically, the single bevel can still do everything the double bevel can do. You just have to adjust the saw a bit differently.

[me5269]

Hi Travis,

I bought a single bevel 10" SCMS a few years ago to do some remodeling on the house (deck, bathroom, etc). Now that i'm doing smaller hobby projects, i wish I'd have gotten the double bevel. I'm right handed and find it very difficult (and dangerous for me) to cut smaller pieces from the right side of the saw. It's more comfortable for me to cut angled pieces on the SCMS than my table saw (R4512 with Incra 1000HD miter).

just my opinion

Mike

[don in brooklin on]

My 2 cents.

 

I think you have to look around your house and think about what projects you may want to do in the future. My bet is that the single will do.

 

I only have a 10" single and in the past had to go a borrow a better saw on only a couple of projects. I had a neighbour that had a sliding mitre so I used it when I put up wainscotting (10") and it was a blessing when I went up the stairs.

 

I have access to a dual sliding saw at our club and I took a project over there last fall as it had lot of weird bevels.

 

2 or 3 times that I can remember so I would go cheaper if you have access to another saw if you need it.

 

I also have a table saw with a good miter and I use my Wixey to tilt the saw.

 

Don

[spirithorse]

Would using a cheaper version such as those sold at Harbor Freight be an option?

I realize most people say, "You get what you pay for" but, unless the tool is really going to be

used almost on an industrial basis, I would think something like these would be suitable.

http://www.harborfreight.com/catalogsearch/result?q=miter+saw

God Bless! Spirithorse

[Kepy]

Travis, have you ever checked CPO Outlets? They do a good job with reconditioned power tools and I have heard good reports about them. Another place is Tool King in CO. Have purchased from them but several yrs ago.

[me5269]

FYI, Amazon has the 12" DW718 SCMS on sale for $445 + free shipping,

http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW718-12-Inch-Double-Bevel-Compound/dp/B000ASG8A8/ref=pd_cp_hi_0

[amazingkevin]

Travis i had got mine from homedepot many years ago for a hundred bucks .it was a delta.Its a pleasure to change miters ,left or right.I did crown molding with it on a multi cornerd(inside and out side cuts)kitchen.Many cuts were upsidedown and backward .did it all first time ever with no mistakes.sorry it was a 10 inch.

Edited March 4, 2013 by amazingkevin