Ryobi 12 in. miter saw $20. less

[gimpy]

I was looking at the miter saws locally last night. I noticed the Ryobi 12 in miter saw was priced at $199. Just 3 or 4 days earlier, it had been priced at $219. The sticker shows no indication that it is on sale or anything. The salesman did not even know that was a lower price until he peeled the sticker off a little and saw the old price underneath it.

It makes my decision a little harder as I was thinking of getting the Ryobi 12 inch or the Ridgid's 10 inch saw. They are now the same price. For hobby use, which one is suggested by you folks?

Frank

[steve-u]

While I have not used either I looked at both when I was looking to get a miter saw. To me the Rigid definitely looked to be better quality and had a better warranty. If you need a 12 inch however you should get a 12 inch. A 12 inch can probably crosscut a board that is about 2 inches wider than a 10 inch if that would make a difference but to me the big advantage of a 12 inch is the taller fence and vertical cutting capacity which is important to me because I installed some 4.5 inch crown molding and cut it upright against the fence. I ended up getting a Hitach 12 inch when Amazon had then for $179 shipped.

If you think you want the 12 inch and you have a Menards or Lowes nearby or don't mind buying from Amazon check out the Bosch, Dewalt, Hitachi, and Delta 12 inch miter saws. Yeah they are a bit more but in my opinion well worth the extra money. Menards usually has a deal on the Bosch 12 inch where you can get a free Bosch sander by rebate which you can use or sell. The Bosh is a sweet 12 inch saw and comes with a decent blade.

[gimpy]

steve, I'm really leaning towards the 10 inch Ridgid just because of its supposedly superior quality. And because of the lifetime warranty, both of which you pointed out.

There is no Menards or Lowes close to me, only HD and an Ace-Homco.

Frank

[tsbrewers]

I would buy the Ridgid in a heatbeat over the ryobi. I have a dewalt 12" which is nice for building decks and such, but it is way too big for trimming or anything like that. I am a trimmer by trade and usually recommend a 10" standard one, and an 8" or so sliding one down the line.

Brew

[sweensdv]

Just my .02 cents worth but quality wise I'd rank the Harbor Freight 10" or 12" sliding compound miter saws in the same class as the Ryobi and the Ridgid regular CMS's. For under $100 you can get their 10" but the 12" is the better deal of the two IMO and it would still cost you under $200.

[gychang]

Just my .02 cents worth but quality wise I'd rank the Harbor Freight 10" or 12" sliding compound miter saws in the same class as the Ryobi and the Ridgid regular CMS's. For under $100 you can get their 10" but the 12" is the better deal of the two IMO and it would still cost you under $200.

Wondering if you have used it extensively..., since I am also considering HF 12" slider...

gychang

[sweensdv]

gychang,

I don't have one of the Harbor Freight SCMS's but I do own a CMS(Craftsman) that comes out of the same factory as the Ridgid and Ryobi do. Whatever possessed me to buy that saw is beyond me. I've compared the Ridgid and Ryobi to my Craftsman and all three seem to have the same weak points.

My reasoning for suggesting the HF saws was that if the OP was considering purchasing, IMHO, a not so good CMS he would be better off for the same money to buy the 12" HF and get a saw with more cutting capacities.

As far as the 12 HF SCMS is concerned, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for occasional carpentry uses. For woodworking projects were precise accuracy is required it might be OK but I kinda doubt it.

[gychang]

gychang,

As far as the 12 HF SCMS is concerned, I wouldn't hesitate to buy one for occasional carpentry uses. For woodworking projects were precise accuracy is required it might be OK but I kinda doubt it.

thanks I appreciate your opinion.

gychang

[liftoff621@hotmail.com]

I'm Happy with the Ridgid 12" SCMS

I've had the Ridgid 12" SCMS for about 2 years. I've been very happy with it. The stand it came with worked ok for awhile, but the addition of the Ridgid movable miter stand has really made it great.

[Jan]

Last time I was in HD they had a $50 rebate if you bought a Ryobi miter saw and the Ryobi stand. Your $200 could get you a 10" Ryobi saw and a stand with the rebate. Then you'd have a nice kit to start trimming with. If you buy the Ryobi saw make sure and get the newest model, the one with the sliding fence. My local HD has the boxes with the new models tucked in the back: good old HD.