Replies

1. 
   Barrie2777 | Jan 02, 2006 05:23am | #1

   I have been using a Makita 10" dual angle slider for ten years without a problem.  I am sure that the Dewalt would provide years of troublefree service.  The laser site lines are a great idea.

2. 
   Troy | Jan 02, 2006 05:24am | #2

   The Dewalt is a nice saw. I have a Delta 12" saw which I have been pleased with. The nice thing about the Dewalt is that it is lighter than the Delta so if you are moving it about it is a little less work.

   Troy

1. 
   cp | Jan 02, 2006 05:42am | #3

   I would like a heavier saw. I will not be moving it.
   cg

3. 
   forestgirl | Jan 02, 2006 08:14pm | #4

   cp, are you considering a sliding CMS, or a "regular" CMS??  These threads tend to generate a slew of slider recommendations, so if that's over your budget, it's best to make it clear that it's not an option for you.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
   Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   cp | Jan 03, 2006 03:49am | #5

   Yes ,I am considering a slider.
   thanks.

1. 
   cp | Jan 03, 2006 04:19am | #6

   This will be my first and last saw.
   I have no other blades.12" slider ; I guess.I was reading other posts' and am concerned about blade drift.
   cp

1. 
   SoCalSooner | Jan 04, 2006 12:55am | #7

   I have the DeWALT 708 12" combine miter saw and it has worked well for 2 or 3 years.  I have purchased quite a few of the accesories and the portable stand.

   I was at a woodworking show about a month ago and came across the Bosch 12" compound miter saw.  I can remember the model number, but it was there best and I was impressed.

   If I was going to buy a miter saw now I would include the Bosch as one to look at.

    

    

1. 
   Festool4 | Jan 06, 2006 03:26am | #11

   I also purchased the Dewalt DW708 (12" Double-bevel sliding) with portable stand. It has proven to be a great saw (powerful, accurate and provides very clean cuts). I looked seriously at the Bosch but it was even heavier and just had too much plastic for my taste. Nothing against Bosch in general: I have two of their routers, their table saw with mobile stand, and their drill—all of them work beautifully with absolutely no complaints.   <!----><!----><!---->

2. 
   dperfe | Jan 07, 2006 06:24pm | #17

   Regarding the Dewalt 708. I had one for 4 years and just recently sold it. It had a major issue, which just got to be too damn annoying to work around. The rails did not track parallel to the blade. The blade was toed slightly to the left. I was able to set it up to make 90 degree cuts, but the trade off was that all the other detents were thrown off and, you couldn't use the slide mechanism as doing so would reveal the alignment issue (slightly more then 1/16") As well, when making miter cuts the alignment issue with the blade would cause burning in the wood. I originally bought a manufaturer refurb. The power trigger failed after about 6 months and DeWalt sent me a new one, which was very nice. I can't recall if the original one had this problem since i was still fairly new to woodworking at the time and just assumed that any error was my fault. I sold the saw recently, getting back almost the entire cost btw, and bought the Hitachi C12LCH. I had intended to go with a 10" slider, Makita or Hitachi, but decided on the this saw for several reasons. The cost $340 (Amazon) compared to about $550, the accuracy reputation of a chop saw vs. a slider, the fact that vertical cutting capacity was more important to me then the extra 4" capacity in width, the nice features including the lcd readout and laser, and the fact that i already had Forrest 12" chopmaster, worked in favor of the Hitachi. Also, I rarely bevel so the dual bevel was not important. So far, after about 2 months I'm happy with Hitachi. Setting up square was fairly easy, and the 45 degree detent was correct (I havn't checked all the detents) and I love the lcd readout and laser. The knocks I have so far, is that the laser line becomes blocked as you begin your cut, and the blade it comes with is not very good. Deflection seems to be about the same as with the 708. the factory blade is very bad in this regard. dp

4. 
   handros | Jan 04, 2006 06:57am | #8

   Have you looked at the Bosch 4410L?  It is a 10" saw but the cutting capacity is only about a 1/2" less then the 12" version (5412L) and about $150 dollars less.

   I to am also shopping around for a new miter saw.

1. 
   cp | Jan 04, 2006 07:09am | #9

   I'm looking at the 5412L now.Whats the diff. in the 5412L and the 4212L.
   Again; this is all new to me.
   cp

1. 
   cp | Jan 04, 2006 07:15am | #10

   i see now.
   It'a slider.
   i see they are made in tawain....................

2. 
   cp | Jan 08, 2006 06:54am | #19

   looks like the bosch 5412.
   huh

5. 
   DOtto | Jan 06, 2006 04:33am | #12

   I have had the DeWalt 708 for a couple of years.  I do remodeling with a few cabinet/furniture projects a year, so the saw can go from cabinetry to deck work to cutting aluminum soffit panels.  It has worked great.  The workhorse has been rained on a few times while in the truck without any trouble. 

   it is a bear to move but that is not an issue for you.

   I have the old stand and it has been great.  the new stand looks even better. 

   I did get the Woodmaster? blade from Forrest.  Big bucks, but it doesn't bend when cutting 6" baseboard.

   The new Hitachi looks awesome with its space saver slider system.  In my shop, the DW has to sit quite a distance from the wall.

   Dave

   Dave Otto -- Otto Construction -- PA

6. 
   muleboy | Jan 06, 2006 07:40am | #13

   As a locksmith I usually end up showing up on a job site about the time the trim carpenters are on there last days on a job site.   I have been polling these guys for years.   One saw seemed to be the overwhelming favorite.   The Makita's 10" SCMS the LS1013.  

   One guy Said "It might not have a laser or any of that other S**T but this saw is a workhorse and always cuts they way I want it to."

   I just got one for Christmas.   I couldn't be happier with it.

   Muleboy.

7. 
   oella | Jan 06, 2006 07:56pm | #14

   We have been using 12"compound  sliding saw from dewalt with good results-  the only thing I don't like about it is the dust collector orifice seems to get clogged too often unless you are changing bags often

    

   otherwise decent machine for money

8. 
   jdarylh1 | Jan 07, 2006 02:23pm | #15

   I've done some recent posting on Breaktime about my 12" DeWalt (non-slider). It's a good solid saw, but it's insanely loud. Too loud for me to just do a small quick cut without hunting up the ear muffs. Here's an excerpt from a review "Tools of the Trade" online did:

   "The soft-start features on the Hitachi and Makita models and their extra quiet operation really made them favorites in the shop. The Bosch and Ridgid are also acceptably quiet. The DeWalt is noticeably louder than the others."

   My DeWalt doesn't have a soft-start feature which I would dearly love. I asked our local DeWalt repair facility about the noise and the tech said "Yep, they're loud saws". Until I can get enough money to switch, I'm trying to quite mine down a little with a different blade.

   The noise and lack of soft start are the two things I don't like about the DeWalt. Other than that, they're really nice saws. Oh yes, I also don't like the locking tab on the miter table either. The locking knob they used to have seemed much better.

   If you're looking to buy your one and only saw, I'd recommend doing everything possible to find a place where you can turn different brands on and operate them. That gives you a whole different perspective than just messing with them in Lowes or HD. You might be more successful getting that done with an independent tool retailer than trying to talk a Lowes salesman into plugging in all his saws. Or if one of the Woodworking shows are near by, that would be an ideal place.

1. 
   cp | Jan 07, 2006 06:14pm | #16

   thanks,
   I intend on having a pair of muffs at every tool station.
   Due to my loss of hearing, ( worked at a saw mill; of all things)
   I must wear them. Only have about 40% left in left ear and none in right.Yes , I did wear ear plugs in the mill. They were over their osha limit.
   thanks again

9. 
   nikkiwood | Jan 08, 2006 06:23am | #18

   From my own experience, and reading through these threads (for too long), I would say the top contenders in the SCMScategory are the Makita and Hitachi. I think you would be happy with either one, and could choose based on the features you like.

   Bosch is also popular, but mainly among framers -- maybe becasue all the controls are upfront.

   The miter scale on the Makita is on the right (covered by the board you are cutting), whereas the scale on the Hitachi is at the front. Turns out, if you are shifting angles , you always have to bend down and blow off the scale for the Hitachi -- which for me is a PIA. Since the scale is covered (when you cut) with the Makita, this is not a problem.

   Most cabinet people and trim carps seem to prefer the 10" -- which is smaller, lighter, with cheaper blades, and without any significant loss in cutting capacity.

   BTW, if you look at the Hitachi, don't discount the laser as a gimmick; I have used it and thought it was slick (and accurate).

   ********************************************************
   "It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."

   John Wooden 1910-

1. 
   dperfe | Jan 08, 2006 07:43pm | #20

   "BTW, if you look at the Hitachi, don't discount the laser as a gimmick; I have used it and thought it was slick (and accurate)."I agree. I used to view it more as a gimmick, but now I love mine.

1. 
   cp | Jan 11, 2006 04:38am | #22

   Does anyone have the Bosch 5412?

2. 
   muleboy | Jan 09, 2006 07:01am | #21

   For what it's worth...  The second most common Miter saw I have seen on job site is the Hitachi.

   Makita and HItachi  seemed to dominate.

    

   Muleboy.