Woodworking crosscut tools: Feedback needed

[dragoneggs]

I would go with the sliding compound miter saw with foldable stand. I had a radial arm saw that I loved until good miter saws became popular.

I have the Dewalt 12in sliding compound w/laser. I really like it. Need a dust collection hood of some sort for it. Have it installed on its mating stand that can be folded up and stored or transported but I found it sits on it all the time because you still need a place to set the beast when you are not using it.

 

[ESBkevin]

Just to add to the choices, I have an evolution Rage 3 Compound mitre saw. It has a blade that cuts metal too if needed and still leaves a nice finish on timber.

The other alternative that seems to be gathering popularity these days is an MFT (Multi function table) with dog holes and a plunge track saw. Watch a couple of youtube vids to see how they work. Some people are doing away with the table saw and using a tracksaw for ripping as well as cross cutting on the MFT. Also it can be a lot more portable if needed. Most plunge cut saws do have a restricted depth of about 2" though. So have a look and see if it suits your needs.

 

[SJay]

If you plan on cutting sheet goods get a Festool Track saw. I have had one for over 10 years - favorite saw in the shop.

 

[shooterdon]

Like you I have a large Delta cabinet saw but a miter saw is a useful tool to compliment it. I have a higher end non-slider and it was a pain cutting wider boards and bought the cheapo HF sliding 10". I think it will do close to 12" and it is much more convenient. I will likely sell the other saw if the HF unit holds up. I have done my carry all and built dolly frames for my attachments using the HF saw....so no fine carpentry yet. But it seems to do a decent job. If I was younger I would bite the bullet and get the best sliding miter saw out there. I "made do" with the non slider for a long time and regretted not making the investment.

 

[Ford850]

An average quality 10" saw with a couple good carbide tipped narrow kerf blades (one 80 or 90 tooth kept just for high quality trim cuts) works awesome. The quality of the blades matter more than the saw.

 

[GLyford]

I have used a 10" delta that was almost worn when I got it, and a 10" hitachi I inherited. The delta still works but the hinge joint is getting sloppy and I no longer trust the angle. I replaced it with a 12" single bevel dewalt. It could really use a light, but they changed the model so the kit no longer fits, other than that I am very happy with it. I have the cutoff table set to the same height as the table saw, so each can help as an infeed/outfeed for the other. I still use the hitachi as an outside portable.

If you are going to leave the unit in one spot set up, I'd say go with a 12", sliding if it will fit the budget. Even a 12" miter runs out of cutting width pretty fast. For outside portable use, I think a sliding 10" would be a better fit being lighter. As long as you aren't expecting picture frame/cabinet maker accuracy, nearly any will do.

I have yet to get a track saw, but they are very tempting. Watching others use them there is a flexibility of use, improved accuracy, and reduced fussiness of using loose clamps and lumber to make fences for a regular circular saw. Grizzly has a "mini" track saw on sale until the 21st for 99.95, might get one for breaking down sheet goods?

 

[ddbackhoe]

I'm in the middle of outfitting my new basement workshop with power tools. The centerpiece is a cabinet saw I already own. I'm contemplating crosscutting setups, one of my most common operations. I can make a crosscut sled for my table saw for fine woodworking, but I also do a lot of 2x4 type projects (workbenches, functional homestead stuff like chicken coop, etc.), for which a crosscut sled is the wrong tool. Currently have an old B&D 10" miter saw on a mobile stand. Works fine, except for the very limited capacity (have to flip 2x6 to complete a cut). I'm thinking about replacing it with something that will give me more capacity, maybe with a laser guide, to make it easier on my aging eyes. Do like the big sliding miter saws, but they take up an enormous amount of space due to the tool depth.

So: New miter saw? Sliding miter?

What do you have? What do you like?

Folding panel saw was my choice.

 

[joeu235]

I have both types and the slider only comes back to the home shop when I'm cutting plywood into shelves. Pick a DeWalt up off Craigslist

 

[Egon]

Bosch & Makita make a no clearance sliding miter saw.

[video]https://www.makita.ca/index2.php?event=tool&id=3264&catid=3[/video]

[video]https://www.boschtools.com/ca/en/boschtools-ocs/miter-saws-cm10gd-48431-p/[/video]

 

[3Ts]

I've got a dewalt 12" compound sliding miter saw. I use it for most things including fine furniture, cabinetry, trims & mouldings, and 2x4 "furniture". It's portable, accurate and takes up less room than my other saws. I'd recommend a sliding miter saw.