CMS - deal or no deal?

[LowerUnit]

I'm not sure if it's a deal or not, but I did not have a CMS and saw the 10" Ryobi TS1342 at Home Depot normally $99.00 marked down to $69.00 and thought it may be a good starter saw for me.

What say you...?

[maxparot]

That sounds like a bargain to me.

[Stormbringer]

Having been $99 and now $69, I would say it's a deal. However, maybe it's just me but, I don't view a miter saw as one of those tools that you buy with the intention of upgrading.

Think about what uses it will have down the road. Will you be crosscutting wide stock? Can you get buy with a sled on your table saw instead? Will the miter saw be used for home remodeling and carpentry projects? Will you eventually want to put up crown molding? Can the saw swing both ways for cutting crown on the flat? If not, what the blade clearance for cutting vertically nested? Would you rather hold out for a 12" model or a 10" or 12" slider? Can your shop accomodate those sizes? Can your wallet?

I went with the DeWalt 12 DW706 after extensive research. I knew I couldn't accomodate a 12" slider so they were out. The DeWalt is built like a tank and has tremendous ooomph. The holddown clamp is the best I've seen. Mines on an MSUV so the less than perfect bed extension rails weren't an added expense. I knew I was going to be doing tons of 5 1/4" baseboard throughout the house and I like cutting witht the workpiece up against the fence so I knew I needed a saw that could accomodate that size. Not many can. The reviews I read and the promo at the time sealed the deal.

$69 isn't exactly breaking the bank so if you want to upgrade down the road it should'nt feel that bad. Also keep in mind, if you buy it and put it to the test and it doesn't make you feel all tingly inside, you have 30 days to return it to home depot.

Just some things to think about.

Good luck,
Greg

[Knottscott]

That's a good price...if you get some use out of it, it'll be a good deal too!