Help Dad pick a Compound Miter saw

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  • sscherin
    Senior Member
    • Dec 2003
    • 772
    • Kennewick, WA, USA.

    #1

    Help Dad pick a Compound Miter saw

    Dad is looking at there two saws..

    Which is a better buy?
    The Sears 7" slider
    http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Miter+Saws

    or this 10" from Lowe's
    http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...CE2&lpage=none
    William's Law--
    There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it
    cannot be solved by brute strength and ignorance.
  • Tom Slick
    Veteran Member
    • May 2005
    • 2913
    • Paso Robles, Calif, USA.
    • sears BT3 clone

    #2
    The hitachi is going to be more accurate with no sliding mechanism, capacity will be about the same but the 10" will cut thicker (taller) material. The hitachi also bevels beyond 45* which is handier than you'd think.
    Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison

    Comment

    • LCHIEN
      Super Moderator
      • Dec 2002
      • 21974
      • Katy, TX, USA.
      • BT3000 vintage 1999

      #3
      in my opinion the depth of cut for a 7.25" saw will be too small for all but trim work.
      I'd get the Hitachi if i could only choose from these two.
      Loring in Katy, TX USA
      If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
      BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

      Comment

      • tjr
        Established Member
        • Oct 2008
        • 167
        • at the falls of the Ohio
        • BT3000 (1 3/4 of them)

        #4
        I recently bought the Hitachi C10FCH2 (same as what you're considering + laser) for $113 all in with free sander rebate at Lowes. Things I like: Plenty of power, light weight, seems like a solid tool that'll stay square, 5 year warranty included. Drawbacks: included 24T blade is a bit rough for trim work so may need to consider something finer, U-shaped extensions not included but can buy separately. If buying, do yourself a $10 favor by going to the post office and grabbing the Lowes coupon out of a change of address package. Might also see if another Hitachi rebate offer is coming up if you're not in a hurry to buy.

        As to the Sears choice, reviews seem very positive for a recent Sears power tool. I would be a bit concerned about the depth of cut if building decks or something; several of the reviewers seem to be using them mostly for laminate flooring. The other thing I'd consider is if you're planning to lug the saw around a lot as opposed to keeping it on a bench, will the sliding mechanism be more delicate and require adjustment?

        Comment

        • stormdog74
          Established Member
          • Mar 2007
          • 426
          • Sacramento, CA
          • Ridgid TS3650

          #5
          I would go with the Hitachi. The depth of cut will allow more use of the saw.

          I have a Hitachi - not this one, but a slider - and am very happy with it.

          Comment

          • Bill in Buena Park
            Veteran Member
            • Nov 2007
            • 1867
            • Buena Park, CA
            • CM 21829

            #6
            Depends on what Dad wants to cut. The Hitachi has a ~5.5in crosscut limit, while the C-man (slider) will go 8in. I note they're comparably priced, but if I were cutting stock up to 8in wide and up to 2.5in thick, the C-man would get the job done.

            Having said that - if Dad has any friends willing to kick in $100, this C-man 12in slider is $100 off at the moment ($229) - up to 12in of crosscut, and probably 5in thickness...

            http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_1...ame=Miter+Saws
            Bill in Buena Park

            Comment

            • cabinetman
              Gone but not Forgotten RIP
              • Jun 2006
              • 15216
              • So. Florida
              • Delta

              #7
              Between the two I would go for the Hitachi. The Craftsman might be a bit underpowered (9 AMPS), but that's only part of the criteria. If the choice was for a slider, a 10" minimum, a 12" would be better.
              .

              Comment

              • softop41
                Established Member
                • Jul 2004
                • 470
                • Plainfield, IL, USA.
                • BT3100-1

                #8
                sscherin
                I have experience with the 10" Hitachi slide miter and has been great. Lots of power, very durable, holds its accuracy. Hitachi the way I would go if I was in the market. Well, actually Bosch is the way I would like to go but the $$$$$ are just too high!
                Jerry
                Last edited by softop41; 04-27-2009, 06:25 AM. Reason: spelling
                Jerry
                Making High Quality Sawdust in Northeast Plainfield

                Comment

                • cgallery
                  Veteran Member
                  • Sep 2004
                  • 4503
                  • Milwaukee, WI
                  • BT3K

                  #9
                  What is the depth of cut on the Craftsman? I've looked but can't find it.

                  Comment

                  • herb fellows
                    Veteran Member
                    • Apr 2007
                    • 1867
                    • New York City
                    • bt3100

                    #10
                    Originally posted by tjr
                    I recently bought the Hitachi C10FCH2 (same as what you're considering + laser) for $113 all in with free sander rebate at Lowes. Things I like: Plenty of power, light weight, seems like a solid tool that'll stay square, 5 year warranty included. Drawbacks: included 24T blade is a bit rough for trim work so may need to consider something finer, U-shaped extensions not included but can buy separately. If buying, do yourself a $10 favor by going to the post office and grabbing the Lowes coupon out of a change of address package. Might also see if another Hitachi rebate offer is coming up if you're not in a hurry to buy.

                    As to the Sears choice, reviews seem very positive for a recent Sears power tool. I would be a bit concerned about the depth of cut if building decks or something; several of the reviewers seem to be using them mostly for laminate flooring. The other thing I'd consider is if you're planning to lug the saw around a lot as opposed to keeping it on a bench, will the sliding mechanism be more delicate and require adjustment?
                    Is thuisi the same deal as the Lowes and HD 10% off? Unless they've revised their policy again, there is no longer an instant 10% coupon, if that's what you are referring to. I think you either have to mail it in or do it online, but it's a process to get it, several weeks at best.
                    You don't need a parachute to skydive, you only need a parachute to skydive twice.

                    Comment

                    • LCHIEN
                      Super Moderator
                      • Dec 2002
                      • 21974
                      • Katy, TX, USA.
                      • BT3000 vintage 1999

                      #11
                      Originally posted by cgallery
                      What is the depth of cut on the Craftsman? I've looked but can't find it.

                      2" thick, 1.5" on a 45° bevel cut.
                      2" x 8" cut at 90° crosscut
                      2" x 6" at 45° miter

                      the chief advantage to the 7" slider is it will cut 2" x 8" boards... a 2x8
                      whereas a 10" will cut up to 3.5" x 6" boards, e.g. 2x6 and 4x4.
                      I don't think you deal with 2x8 very often.
                      Last edited by LCHIEN; 04-28-2009, 09:43 AM.
                      Loring in Katy, TX USA
                      If your only tool is a hammer, you tend to treat all problems as if they were nails.
                      BT3 FAQ - https://www.sawdustzone.org/forum/di...sked-questions

                      Comment

                      • rnelson0
                        Established Member
                        • Feb 2008
                        • 424
                        • Midlothian, VA (Richmond)
                        • Firestorm FS2500TS

                        #12
                        The 7.25" miter saw seems like a gimmick to me - it is only $20 or $30 more for a 10" with a 15A motor instead of the 9A motor - but the sliding miter is not bad. If you see yourself doing lots of jobs that require a sliding miter, the sliding 7.25" would have more value than the standard 10", at the same price. If you would never or rarely use the sliding component, I would spend the same money on a 10" standard. As always, it comes down to usage patterns.

                        Comment

                        • tjr
                          Established Member
                          • Oct 2008
                          • 167
                          • at the falls of the Ohio
                          • BT3000 (1 3/4 of them)

                          #13
                          Originally posted by herb fellows
                          Is thuisi the same deal as the Lowes and HD 10% off? Unless they've revised their policy again, there is no longer an instant 10% coupon, if that's what you are referring to. I think you either have to mail it in or do it online, but it's a process to get it, several weeks at best.
                          I grabbed a couple more of the change of address kits in early April and they still had the 10% off coupons included. All the ones I've seen do expire in June, so maybe when they're all gone the deal is over.

                          Comment

                          • sscherin
                            Senior Member
                            • Dec 2003
                            • 772
                            • Kennewick, WA, USA.

                            #14
                            Old thread revival..

                            Picked up a Hitachi C10FCE2 (no laser) today for $129 at Lowes...
                            I know I could get it for less if I'd waited for a Amazon deal but it's project time.

                            Thanks for the good recommendation guys!
                            William's Law--
                            There is no mechanical problem so difficult that it
                            cannot be solved by brute strength and ignorance.

                            Comment

                            • TCOTTLE
                              Established Member
                              • May 2009
                              • 152
                              • Greenbush Maine
                              • Ryobi BT3000

                              #15
                              On a side note, I had a project that needed to be done as well, and I picked up the GMC 10" slider at sears for 140.00 tax and all, and even though it does not have a laser, it is a surprisingly well built saw!

                              Comment

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