Miter saws

[/pine]

The OP does not say what he is wanting a motorized miter saw for...assuming it's primarily just to save labor from his box and back saw...and is only going to be (occasionally) cutting standard sized moldings etc...
I suggest a less expensive saw from one of the box stores...
However if he is going to be using the saw for commercial work or cutting large crown moldings, stair treads etc. it's a different story..

 

[downsizingnow48]

I have a Bosch 10in slider. Bought about 16 years ago when they first came out. It cut dead straight, all angles, from day one, and still does - I never touched the adjustments. I used it a lot for many years, transported in the back of a pickup most the time. I used it with several different stands, the DeWalt is my choice.

 

[Boris1]

I bought a kobalt 12" dual bevel compound miter sliding saw, I think it may have been slightly over $250 but worth the cost IMO. Lowes brand

 

[SandburRanch]

Is this your own creation or did you find the plans somewhere?
I like the flexibility and storage!

No plans, just built it. One thing I like about it but didn't realize it until after I begin using it is the area on the back side of the fence to lay cut off pieces, tape measure, yard stick or whatever. It's a little shy of 8' so I can stand it in my 8 ft. shop for storage.

 

[/pine]

Since this thread is about chop (miter) saws...here is a tip I learned from a master trim/mill work craftsman...

When cutting miters for door casings etc. (generally 45*)...you should always measure "short points" (of the angles)...rather than the long points...it's not always easy to hold a tape measure on a flimsy piece of molding and make a mark...So...
...pull and mark a taken measurement on any flat piece of lumber or your work table etc...then hold the butt end of the stock flush with the end of the board/table and just transfer the mark to the work piece...this also speeds up the process on repetitive cuts...

be safe and keep your fingers out of harms way...motorized chop saws are quite unforgiving...!

 

[DFB]

Ya OP should say what jobs a powered miter saw is needed for. Make a big difference if its just average finish trim work or compound cutting rafter size material

Personally I have had a sliding beam style Craftsman for years will make wide compound cuts but a simple light weight 10" Ryobi chop saw I got for $40 bucks at the flea mkt used (the blade that came with it cost more than that price ) is my go to saw to take with me to work and used for most interior trim out.

 

[ultrarunner]

I have an old 10" Makita that I bought used in 1983... never missed a beat.

Also have a compound slide 10" Makita bought new 20 years ago and OK...

Only complaint with the compound slide is it will leave about 1/8 of an inch when cutting 4x4 material unless I use a spacer...

 

[downsizingnow48]

light weight 10" Ryobi chop saw ) is my go to saw to take with me to work and used for most interior trim out.

Agree. I have a lightweight Hitachi 10in mitre saw for same reasons.

 

[4570Man]

I have a Bosch 12" slider that I really like, but it is twice your budget. I have used a friends 12" dewalt slider which is also a really nice saw, but still way above your budget. I also have a now discontinued Porter Cable 12" non slider that has done A LOT of work, but unfortunately a nasty catch bent the fence making it too inaccurate for my precise woodworking needs. I have been unsuccessful in finding a fence for it. I could build a new on, but it would loose 1/2 inch of much needed capacity. Now I just keep a junk blade in it to cut questionable wood to avoid ruining the $150 dollar blade in the Bosch. Remember that the best miter saw in the world with a junk blade still cuts like crap. I strongly agree with whoever said build plywood out feed tables, but unless you have a table saw building an accurate set will be a challenge.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

First time Ive checked back since I posted and whoa thanks for the comments and opinions. Just general use it what Im looking for, cutting mouldings, trim etc, I have a table saw but always wanted a pwoer miter saw. Will a 12" be the way to go or will the 10" do most everything i ask of it? Seem the general opinion is the sliding miter saw which is what i was leaning towards. Whats the real difference in the radial arm saw and the sliding miter saw?