SCMS or just CMS?

[Tom Slick]

I am kicking around the idea of buying a compound miter saw and can't decide if I really need a sliding CMS or just a plain CMS. If I buy a slider it will probably be a 10" and the non-slider would be a 12". I am currently looking at the Bosch and Makita setups, although DeWalt and Rigid are not out of the picture.

what model and brand of either do you recommend and why

I would mostly be using it for cutting trim and dimensional construction lumber.

[drumpriest]

I have the makita slider and love it. I do a lot of my cross cuts on it. I bought it initially for installing our flooring, as the plank width was more than my CMS could handle. I havn't regretted the purchase.

[Hoover]

I don't own either a Makita or a Bosch CMS, I do own a Hitachi 10 inch CMS. I am happy with it, of course always wishing I owned a SCMS or a 12 inch CMS. But that is based on want not need.

The Makita slider is a solid performer, and the ones who own them are happy with the saw. The Bosch also has a following who feel the same way. No problem with your choices, you really can't go wrong.

On a 12" miter saw, you mentioned Ridgid and DeWalt. Just basing a decision on these two alone, the Ridgid has a good reputation, plus the lifetime service agreement adds into the equation.

One thing you might want to factor in is the price of 12" replacement blades over 10". It is nice just to have a spare blade around for either your table saw, and your miter saw in case of an emergency. For some of us money is rather tight at times, and those dear dollars might have to be used elsewhere.

I probably haven't given you the answer you wanted, but any of the 4 brands you suggested will do you fine.

[Slik Geek]

I am... always wishing I owned a SCMS or a 12 inch CMS.
...you mentioned DeWalt.
...you might want to factor in the price of 12" replacement blades over 10".

All excellent points. I have a Makita SCMS. I haven't used the compound portion much, but I have used the extended width capability more often than I anticipated. Each time I think to myself how glad I am that I didn't save some bucks and just get a "plain 10 inch CMS" like I almost did.

When I was shopping, I looked at the DeWalt CMS models and IIRC, the base seemed to flex on them when I tightened the table lock knob. I had some concern regarding the precision of their cuts as a result.

I too concluded that I would rarely need the depth ability of a 12" saw, so the additional blade cost wasn't warranted for my needs.

One final note on the Makita 10" SCMS - perhaps others can comment on their saws performance: Getting extreme precision miters when I switch between 90 deg and +45 or -45 deg isn't as simple as "loosen the knob, press the lock release, rotate and tighten when you reach the preset stop". I've found that I have to do a quick check with the plastic triangle supplied with the saw and sometimes make an ever so slight rotational tweak.

[thestinker]

I have a regular CMS and wish I had a SCMS...and will eventualy move to that. 10 is fine now and will prabable be fine in the future too.

RS

[sparkeyjames]

I have a Dewalt 12" compound (right tilt) miter saw. Will cut an 8" board at 90 degrees and a 6" board at 45 degrees. Have no need for slider as my table saw has that nice sliding miter table and with a few roller stands (bearing type) longer boards can crosscut. Failing the use of any of the above my father has a radial arm saw with a 24" 90 degree cut width.

[movnup]

I have both a 10" Delta and also the 12" Dewalt (right tilt) miter. I have them set up with different blades and use them both. I looked hard at the SCMS but a couple of things were holding me back. For one thing is the additional cost and the second is the depth / weight of the machine. I have a garage / shop and space is an issue and it is also lot heavier to move around if you need.

If you are cutting 2 x 8's you can cut through in one pass on the 12" which for accuracy in framing was a huge feature and also not to flip the board saves your back / time. All large crosscuts I've done either on the BT or a circular saw with a guide.

[tedkitch]

At one time I had both. I received a Ryobi 10" CMS as a gift and it was a good saw for what I used it for. I then purchased a 10" SCMS from Lowe's. It was a 75% off Workforce. It was less than $50. I figured for the price I couldn't go wrong. It has actually been a phenomenal saw. I had to totally recalibrate it (with some serious help from a good FAQ that I found on the net) and purchase a better blade for it. I love the ability to slide back through material and it makes cross-cuts easier. I also like it better for crown molding. I sold off my CMS as it was just collecting dust. After getting my cheapie SCMS re-calibrated I never used my CMS again.

[Tom Hintz]

I've had a couple of good CMS over the years and finally got the Bosch SCMS (4410L, see my review of it at the link below) and am very happy I made the jump. The additional capabilities of the SCMS have made this a much more useful tool in my shop. In addition to the extra cutting width capacity, the Bosch is very accurate at straight, angle and combination cuts.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/b4410Lrvu.html

[Tom Hintz]

I've had a couple of good CMS over the years and finally got the Bosch SCMS (4410L, see my review of it at the link below) and am very happy I made the jump. The additional capabilities of the SCMS have made this a much more useful tool in my shop. In addition to the extra cutting width capacity, the Bosch is very accurate at straight, angle and combination cuts.

http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/b4410Lrvu.html

[eddy merckx]

I got a Hitachi SCMS last year which I'm really impressed with. The detail which put me over the top is the better than average dust collection. I got the one with the laser. The laser line is slightly too fat for really fine work but still is cool. You can adjust it's position to make the line on either side of the kerf.

I've found that I rarely use the slider table on my BT3 now. The SCMS handles much longer lumber and will cross cut 24" if you flip the board over.
It's really slick for rough cutting long stock into shorter chunks.

Eddy

[messmaker]

I am in the minority on this one. I have and use both(1o"). The benefits of the slider are well known. The price you pay is with size. It takes up almost double the space. It is also the worst tool I have for dust collection. I am not sure that a 12" CMS is not the best compromise.

[BrazosJake]

I've got the Makita 12" CMS and am quite happy with it. For cutting crown, it rules.

[BrazosJake]

I am in the minority on this one. I have and use both(1o"). The benefits of the slider are well known. The price you pay is with size. It takes up almost double the space. It is also the worst tool I have for dust collection. I am not sure that a 12" CMS is not the best compromise.

I just read MMs reply and agree. I don't know how much width of cut you gain with a 10" slider vs 12" CMS, but if I were concerned about that, I'd probably go all the way and get a used RAS.

My LS1221 is dead-on accurate using the pre-set stops. I don't have to fiddle with cutting crown in place, just bevel and miter at the pre-set stops, and it's perfect.

[Kristofor]

My Makita ls1013 SCMS will give 12" of cross-cut capacity. However, while it does take more space than a CMS an SCMS is significantly more mobile than a RAS. It could be stored under a bench, but it could also easly be stored on a homemade mobile cart, or a MSUV or similar device for easy movement/storage.

The visible dados on a RAS would be nice, but I'm always moving things around for more room, and that would not be as easly with a larger, more stationary RAS.