Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Power Tools). This thread is read-only.
Hey fella’s, We pretty well got the new deck we have been building finished so rest of the year not much left to do besides finish up some fencing, new doors for my shed and a few other things…. We gave been using my girlfriend’s dad’s DW708 miter saw for everything and thought it be nice to have my own miter saw to do the work and eventually start doing projects on my own and so her father doesn’t have to drag his everywhere… I know how to use a saw, but just not a big woodworker, more of a mechanic type of guy
Back to me thinking about buying a saw… I’ve been wondering, should I go out, buy a cheap brand saw like for us here in Canada there is Canadian tire, King Canada, and other cheap brand that make decent saw for like between 189.00 up to about 299.99 when these saw are off sale there about 399.99 499.99 etc… I want a sliding saw for sure because a chop saw just don’t cut it, my dad and her dad and my buddy all said the same thing, buy a sliding saw because i’d regret it after…
So the big question is, buy a cheap saw for now, 10″ blade, sliding dual bevel is probably what I’d want so were not flipping boards over because it only bevel’s on one side and maybe screw up a cut (may as well try and get one that bevel both ways and does everything)…. I can get a saw like this for like 219.99 plus tax here and a good blade for like let’s say 300 bucks because those blades with these saws usually suck and leave a ruff finish
Don’t look like a bad saw but heard cheap saws have a hard time cutting accurate bevel cuts and that sort of thing, adjusting constantly to make sure they cut right among other things
Now I was looking around and seen a DWS 780 for like 499.99 on sale here… down from 699.99… It blew me away being so cheap so I have a dilemma… Buy a cheaper saw for now like in the link above and have it for a shirt time or long time depending on the jobs were doing, if the tool breaks etc… or spend the big money now, get the dewalt and probably have it for a lifetime as I learn new woodworking skills…. because I imagine the dewalt is a better saw then the house brand saws like I showed above
So what’s your opinion from a guy starting out, buy the best I can get now or go cheap and probably need to go bigger later, what would you do?
thanks guys!
When it comes to tools, my rule of thumb has always been “buy a good one, or buy it again”. With that said, miter saws (especially if you’re wanting dual bevel. Slider, etc.) can get very expensive, very quickly. Being in Canada, you guys have some different budget brands and cost structures than we do, so this info may not prove completely accurate, but as far as I’m concerned Ridgid gives you the most saw for the least money. If you buy new, the Ridgid will provide good quality, good performance, good warranty, and more features, for less than Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, or Bosch. Personally, for an occasional user I wouldn’t worry too much about dual bevel. It’s nice to have, but I wouldn’t let that be a deal maker or breaker. You may also checking pawn shops for nice used ones. I got a Makita 12″ for $125 and it was barely used. A lot of pawn shop offerings are junked, but you can occasionally find a gem. Don’t rule out Hitachi either. They make good stuff and can sometimes be had for less.
Right now here in Canada, the ridgid 12″ is 499.99, same as the 780… All the rest at home depot like the Milwaukee is 699 but has a free stand makita is 599 and the rest are in and about the same range
I do like how the slide mechanism on the Hitachi saw works it makes the tool easier to store. You cant really go wrong with the Ridgid saw with the LSA they are the best bang for the buck. The only thing is the dual bevel sliding 12″ saws are big and heavy. I dunno how portable you need it too be it almost needs to be one of those portable stands.
Like I probably don’t need a 12″ just that the dewalt is only 499 which is a steal here in canada when you look at the price it sells for everywhere else which is usually 699 or a bit below but always over 600
It’s hard to pass up a nice saw for a good deal. It’s really hard to know what is the best deals that are up their in Canada like conductor mentioned prices are higher then they are down here usually.
http://www.homedepot.ca/catalog/mitre-saws/171115
http://www.jccayer.com/search.php?search=miter+saw&x=0&y=0
few places that sell tools here online
That is a good price on the 780. If you want it and you have the cash, I say jump on it. It may be a little more saw than you really need, but tools are like money, the less you have, the more you need, and the more you have, the more you want. Better to have a saw you can grow into rather than one you’ll grow out of. I don’t need 20 some ratchets, but I like them and will probably have 50 before its over with. If when I die my kids say “what the hell are we going to do with all these ratchets?” I’ll have considered my life a success.
The 780 just dropped too 479.99 lol It’s like it wants me to order it now
That’s a pretty good deal for that saw at the moment. Plus the 780 has the cut indicator that’s really nice it’s better than a laser they have a review on the saw also if you want to watch it.
07Sierra wrote:
The 780 just dropped too 479.99 lol It’s like it wants me to order it now
Sounds like it’s time to shit or get off the pot. I’d order it if I were you.
If I had the cash I would get the 780, DeWalt makes a good quality miter saw, that 780 is one of the most popular, 479 is a steal!, I would go for it!
I like my Bosch miter but not having any sort of cut line indicator is kinda lame on a fairly recently designed saw. I wish I could afford and justify a Festool Kapex miter but that’s sick money it’s a grand just for the saw.
In tool threads about “which brand” it’s basically a “Ford vs. Chevy” question with regards to the major players (Makita, Hitachi, Bosch, Ridgid, Milwaukee, Dewalt). You’ll see those who are strong supporters or haters of every one of those brands. Whatever you do stay away from the el cheapos…as someone previously alluded to – buy once, cry once. You can’t go wrong with the Dewalt as that is a proven saw, or any of the major players for that matter if it’s for DIY work.
I will add – if it’s only for home use and not going to be moving much, and space is not a premium a 12″ is fine (just remember a few more dollars for blades). If mobility and footprint are an issue, find a good 10″.
Festoon anything is rediuliously priced. It’s like buying a 3 cylinder Rolls Royce built on a VW frame. Festool makes high quality products, but quality doesn’t always translate to performance. For Festool money, you’d expect to have the biggest, baddest, tool on the block, but often times the Festool specs well below products that cost a fraction of the price. Specs aren’t everything, and there’s a lot to be said for quality, but for Festool prices I want both.
In my opinion I would rather have a tool that is construction grade vs. technology grade…
That’s a good way of looking at it Chase. Festool is more of a factory, production, or service, kind of tool in my book. Something that sees a lot of constant, repetitive, use, but doesn’t require the power needed for the grab bag of applications found on a construction site. That’s my view of it anyway.
Festool pricing is out of this world. The other thing is like Hilti and Metabo you have limited service options they just don’t have too many dealers in your area usually. I could buy a lot more tools for what one Festool would cost there are a ton of M12 and M18 tools I would like to get soon.
I ordered the 780 yesterday, should be here next week!
07Sierra wrote:
I ordered the 780 yesterday, should be here next week!
Good Choice!_
07Sierra wrote:
I ordered the 780 yesterday, should be here next week!
I think you made the right move. That was a great price on it.
Conductor I was wondering if you had any Idea of why the Milwaukee miter saw is so poorly marketed, and just seems like a very fringe tool you never hear or see much about it. From what I have heard it’s a nice saw, but its not sold or displayed in any stores.
DR99 wrote:
Conductor I was wondering if you had any Idea of why the Milwaukee miter saw is so poorly marketed, and just seems like a very fringe tool you never hear or see much about it. From what I have heard it’s a nice saw, but its not sold or displayed in any stores.
Yeah I have heard the same thing, on some sites people say its the best sliding compound miter man can buy!
DR99 wrote:
Conductor I was wondering if you had any Idea of why the Milwaukee miter saw is so poorly marketed, and just seems like a very fringe tool you never hear or see much about it. From what I have heard it’s a nice saw, but its not sold or displayed in any stores.
I’ve often wondered the same thing. It gets great reviews, but I’ve yet to see any real push by Milwaukee to sell it. I used to really hope to see a Milwaukee table saw, but I’ve pretty much given up on that. With the spike in popularity of Milwaukee with Contractors, we may well see some attention to stationary tools.
Conductor562 wrote:
I’ve often wondered the same thing. It gets great reviews, but I’ve yet to see any real push by Milwaukee to sell it. I used to really hope to see a Milwaukee table saw, but I’ve pretty much given up on that. With the spike in popularity of Milwaukee with Contractors, we may well see some attention to stationary tools.
I hope they do, Milwaukee seems like the kind of company that takes a great tool, and makes it even greater haha!
Conductor562 wrote:
I’ve often wondered the same thing. It gets great reviews, but I’ve yet to see any real push by Milwaukee to sell it. I used to really hope to see a Milwaukee table saw, but I’ve pretty much given up on that. With the spike in popularity of Milwaukee with Contractors, we may well see some attention to stationary tools.
Yea they have the TTI portfolio to work with so their are saw designs the could adapt and build to a Milwaukee quality tool the Ridgid table saws are very nice. It might be that they are more focused on building tools for the electrical and plumbing trades. The only thing is they are only a good table and marketing a miter saw in stores as providing tools for the carpenter/general contractor side also. It looks like Milwaukee never really offered a table saw except for a Delta rebranded unit from years ago. I really like the idea of having a track saw or panel saw ill be honest table saws make me pucker up while using them.
I tried out the milwaukee mite saw setup and displayed here at a home depot a few hours from me, I wasn’t that impressed, was bulky and real heavy… Just didn’t seem to have the build like the 780 did
Wow I never have see it at any of the Home Depot’s near me guess its a regional item to stock in store.
I was surprised too, Came with a free stand and it was like 599 or 699 but it’s a big bulky saw, My friend hated it more then me and he’s in the market for one as well
Not everyone is looking for something they can hide in a corner for months at a time. Most people buying the Milwaukee miter saw are buying them to set up in a shop where it will sit in the same spot for most of it’s life and be used everyday. In that scenario you aren’t concerned with weight and bulk.
I own the Dewalt dw713. It’s great because I can store it anywhere. I used to own a craftsman sliding miter saw. Worked great but so big to store. So I sold it and got the Dewalt. Then I bought the led light. That makes it kapex precise. Shows exactly where you are going to cut on both sides. The dw713 is bare bones but its a workhorse. Your 780 is a great saw!
Harold Wray wrote:
I own the Dewalt dw713. It’s great because I can store it anywhere. I used to own a craftsman sliding miter saw. Worked great but so big to store. So I sold it and got the Dewalt. Then I bought the led light. That makes it kapex precise. Shows exactly where you are going to cut on both sides. The dw713 is bare bones but its a workhorse. Your 780 is a great saw!
Is it a 10in or 12in? I have been looking at miter saws!
ChaseRogers wrote:
Is it a 10in or 12in? I have been looking at miter saws!
The DW713 is a single bevel 10″
Yes. It’s single bevel but hasen’t been a problem for me. I’ve done it all with it (fence, furniture, remodeling, trim,, …) And it was only $199.
Harold Wray wrote:
Yes. It’s single bevel but hasen’t been a problem for me. I’ve done it all with it (fence, furniture, remodeling, trim,, …) And it was only $199.
Wow and the led light kit will fit this? Thats one of the big things for me, is having the led.
Yes. You have to take a cover piece off and bolt on the led and switch. The led light is so good You can even see the saw blade teeth on what you are going to cut. I’ll take a picture sometime.
Dual bevel is nice to have, but it’s important to remember that it is merely a convenience and really doesn’t add any functionality to the saw. Most of the time a change in bevel requires you to move the workpiece anyway.
Harold Wray wrote:
Yes. You have to take a cover piece off and bolt on the led and switch. The led light is so good You can even see the saw blade teeth on what you are going to cut. I’ll take a picture sometime.
Do you have the stand?
Yes. I have the dwx724. Compact but really heavy duty. Love it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004U4S7S4/ref=aw_2nd_sims_4?pi=SS115
Harold Wray wrote:
Yes. I have the dwx724. Compact but really heavy duty. Love it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004U4S7S4/ref=aw_2nd_sims_4?pi=SS115
Wow! It costs as much as the saw! Haha, But I am seriously considering this saw.
Up here the compact one is more then the heavy duty one, it’s 149.99 for the heavy duty one
I use my tailgate as my miter stand. Not ideal, but I get by.
Conductor562 wrote:
I use my tailgate as my miter stand. Not ideal, but I get by.
I use an old saw horse that I made for my stand.
Conductor562 wrote:
I use my tailgate as my miter stand. Not ideal, but I get by.
Lol I need to invest in some.