at the top of must have list

[mammy]

I spent the afternoon at my son's house using his porter-cable miter saw. It far out surpasses the circular saw I used a few days ago to cut the legs on my new work bench. It is awsome and cuts perfect every time (as I am sure all of you pro's know). I feel like a kid who just discovered candy. I just have to decide which brand I want. Are there any suggestions on the brand name. Thanks for your support and help. Now my bench won't wobble.

[handi]

Mammy,

Now you know the joy of using a fine tool :)

Stick with a name brand, and buy the best you can afford.

Also, go to a few places and try out the saws on display. There are a few handle styles and you may well find a preference.

Hope this helps, and keep in touch.

Ralph

[Johanna]

LAST EDITED ON Feb-23-02 AT 10:28PM (CDT)

WARNING! You have just become addicted to tools! It is a very, very serious addiction that will lead you to frequent tool departments, drool over woodworking supply catalogs, spend hours on end on woodworking sites on the web, etc.

This addiction, when pursued for some years, will drive all vehicles from your garage and fill it with thousands of dollars worth of tools.

On the positive side, of course, is the enormous satisfaction of living with furnishings you have made yourself to your exact specifications. You will also come to know some of the nicest people around the world -- fellow woodworkers.

[Weez]

My nephew put a sign on my shop door where I see it everytime I leave the shop "So Many Tools,, So Little Time" Oh how true! But for some reason I always find a use for a new addition to the collection.

Weez

[TheWoodWizard (Guest)]

I agree to a point about getting the best saw you can afford and buying a brand name,but before you buy one go to epinions and search for any and all comments on the particular saw you have in mind,I personally will never again buy a delta miter saw,had 2 of them,both had secondaries burn up in just a few short months,they were under warranty,so they were fixed free,then about a month after the warranties expired they went again,had to scrap them as the repair would have costed more than a new one.Now,I have a Dewalt 12",double bevel which does it all.Trouble-free for almost 5 years now.I also own two Pro-tech compound miters ,10", which were a little over $100,that I use at jobsites,which are still cutting as good as the day they were new,6 years ago.So,price and manufacturer are really not an issue,mine are time tested,as I'm a contractor and also a wood hobbyest,my tools have been used and used hard.As mentioned get a saw that is comfortable to use,as far as the handle configuration,some of them are awkward to use.The Pro-techs are in limited production,but still can be found at sears and lowes.

[TheWoodWizard]

If you get a chance,and there is a woodworking show in your area,take the venture.At the show you will usually find all the top manufacturers displaying their wares,a good place to check out the feel of the saws,and how easy or difficult they are to set up for bevel cuts and miter angles.

[Mamabear (Guest)]

Mammy, I have to give a good word for the Dewalt Compound miter saw. Mine has at least a 12 inch blade on it and slices through wood nicely. I have enjoyed working with it so I would highly recommend the Dewalt brand. They are not cheap but work horses. Happy Woodworking! Mamabear

[Johanna]

I have a Makita sliding compound miter saw that I just love. It has been consistently rated as the #1 saw of that type for several years.

[karylwolfe (Guest)]

I visited a wood working friend and have had the opportunity of using his 10' sliding compound miter saw. It's way too cool. On my wish list list, too, is a compound miter saw. It's not gonna be a Delta, and it will be a sliding one. The sliding allows more versatility in cutting. Sliding is the way for me to go. Keep drooling.