Best budget miter saw

[atgcpaul]

I have a 10" Ryobi CMS which was $80 or $90 at HD. For the most part it
fits the bill. Sometimes I wish I had a slider or a 12" but this gets the job
done.

[LarryG]

Which options are more important than others?

Depends entirely on what you're going to do with it.

If you work with a lot of mouldings, double bevel is virtually essential. I don't, so I get by fine with my single-bevel saw.

Blade size and sliding vs non-sliding are all about capacity. How wide of a workpiece do you need to cut? My 12" non-slider occasionally comes up short but for the most part, it has all the capacity I need.

Some lasers, like the add-on kind that mount to the arbor shaft or the blade guard, are sometimes so inaccurate as to be virtually useless. Others, like the twin-beam model built into the handle of my Delta 36-255L, are deadly accurate and a wonderful convenience. (When you run across someone who says all lasers are gimmicks and don't work, or are prone to failure, I can just about guarantee you they've not tried a really good one.)

IOW, the importance of these features is something only you can decide. What is important to one person may be completely unimportant to another.

[mbennett]

Specs

Which options are more important than others?

10" vs 12"
single bevel vs. double bevel
non sliding vs. sliding
no laser vs laser
etc.....

I know which items are more desireable, but when weighing options which are more important than others?

[Hoover]

A second vote for Hitachi, especially the reconditioned saws. Good quality, I have a 10" non slider. It does a great job, simple reliable and powerful.

[radhak]

I think the best place to start is

http://www.reconditionedsales.com/, which sells Hitachi tools.

I got a friend to buy from there before we laid laminates for his floor, and we found the 10" one dead-on accurate, and for a fraction of the price of a new one. And shipping is dirt-cheap!

[unclecritic]

I have the HF 10" slider and it actually cut pretty straight out of the box, but the blade was junk and I put in a dewalt blade... its ok, but if your going to use one alot, i would spend a little extra money on a bigger name brand...I just used my buddys 2 year old craftsman and it was actually pretty nice...

[rjwaldren]

I just came back from my local Lowes, they had nearly their entire line up on clearance. A lot of good looking stuff between $100-$200 - all brands, sizes both sliding and stationary.

Definitely check out your local store.

[bmyers]

I went with a used Hitachi 10" slider after trying a few (new) bargin brands. I knew I'd be better off with a quality used machine rather then a new bargin brand saw. Ended up paying about $180 for a used one which was more than no-name stuff but WELL worth it.

Keep an eye on craigslist, local ebay auctions, regular auctions and the classifieds in the local paper. It might take a little longer to find something good and at the right price but you'll thank yourself later.


Bill

[Woodshark]

I have the Delta Shopmaster 10".

I've used it to build out and finish a basement and install several rooms worth of laminate flooring.

I would like 12" sliding saw but for the money it is hard to beat. I bought mine at Lowes several years ago for $79. You can find them all day long at the big box stores for less than $100.

If you don't have a local store, Amazon it and get free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/Delta-SM100M-S...5360492&sr=8-1

[Sawatzky]

I don't know if they are still making them, but I have a 4 year old Delta Shopmaster that is great. It is accurate and powerful. That saw was less than $150.00. If you want to spend up to $250.00 then I think you should be able to get a DeWalt, which would also be a good saw. I have a 10" saw, which works well, but it would be nice to have 12" or a slider. Many here have had good luck with the HF slider when tuned up and with a new blade. I think you can get that saw for under $150.00.

[sweensdv]

If "close enough" is good enough where accuracy is concerned then I'd take a look at the Harbor Freight 10" or 12" sliding compound miter saws.

If precise accuracy is a must then look at the standard miter saws by DeWalt or Bosch. IMO, stay away from Craftsman, RIDGID, Ryobi and house brands.

[mbennett]

I'm tired of borrowing miter saws every time I have a project, but don't want to spend an arm and a leg. Any advice on what's the best saw for less than 250?