Sears 10" Compound Miter Saw-Laser Trac

[Caroline (Guest)]

Does anyone have any information about this miter saw? I am in the market, and am considering this model. Thanks

[Johanna]

There is some discussion of this saw at Wood Online (woodmagazine.com). One or two said they liked it, but I am inclined to agree with the person who said that it was not a quality saw. He compared it to a DeWalt.

If you look back through this board and other woodworking boards, most woodworkers perfer Makita and DeWalt for mitre saws. There have been a number of reviews comparing mitre saws and these two always come out on top. Sears' power tools have a poor reputation (many woodworkers I know refer to them as Crapsman tools). I know I have never like them.

I have a Makita LS1011 sliding compound mitre saw. It is my favorite tool -- cuts through thick hard wood very precisely at any angle.

Johanna

[Carol the Router Lady]

Amen to Johanna's report. I have the original Hitachi. Still works great and not having the 10" blade hasn't hampered me. However, if I were in the market, I would go with the Makita. Sweet, sweet saw.

Many times I have heard, 'I won't use it that much', 'I'm not that good', etc. when people are trying to justify not buying a good tool. Those same people agree with me that if they had back every foolish dime they spent on inferior tools, they could afford to retire! Maybe, you 'won't use it that much' because it turned out to be a poor tool, or you're 'not that good' because your tools don't permit you to be good or to get better.

Just something to think about. Often times the difference in money between a poor tool and a good one is less than $100, but the difference in performance is light years. Your choice. 10 weeks of $10 meals out gives me the $100 I need. And if I really skip that meal gains me a narrower waist line!

[JohnP]

The lack of quality of Craftsman power tools aside, I will address the laser. For a few years Porter Cable sold a 10" saw with a built-laser. They discontinued it due to poor sales (not the only reason). For the first thing the laser had to be recalibrated every time you changed the blade. If all you do is cross cut 2x4s for framing not a big deal. But if like most of us you use a different blade for different cuts and or wood tne you will spend alot of time adjusting the kerf sight of the laser. Any time the head of the saw get hit or banged hard you will need to check the laser, besides checking the blade alignment.
Seems like alot of work to replace what your eye and a pen line can do.
Just my thoughts
JohnP.

[Carol the Router Lady]

There is an aftermarket laser system for compound saws. Aside from the alignment thing, the laser line is quite 'fat'. Good woodworking demands more precision. I mark with an Xactor knife and cut to the knife line.

[Caroline, the beginner (Guest)]

Thank you all for your very helpful comments...........I will definitely re-think and do more research........Regarding the recalibration and the thickness of the laser line.......excellent information.........Regards, Caroline

[EzRidr]

Caroline;

I have owned the deWalt 12" compound sliding miter saw for about 4 years now. My wife is now a pro with it, having used it for several years helping me with our ongoing rustic house remodel, where EVERYTHING is wood. Although this is a very expensive saw, it has proven itself very useful, and one of those tools many of us have lusted over for many years before making the investment. I will say one thing-having been an avid hobbyist and carpenter over the years,I've done without and have used many cheap tools,improvising with whatever I could afford. after meeting the girl of my dreams(she bought me this saw for our 2nd Xmas together)and having been able to buy better equipment in my quest for the dream shop, I agree with anyone who says a better tool can elevate your skills tremendously. One thing that you can also look into is the myriad of jigs that have been invented to make a better cut with just about any tool(my specialty when I did without was making chicken soup from chicken #$@!) To sum it up, make every purchase wisely,make it count,shop & compare the features till you drop,and you'll find that you'll never be sorry in most any purchase you make. Happy Woodworking! I can't wait till the wife wakes up tomorrow so I can show her this neat forum!

[barbsiddiqui]

I enjoyed reading your profile, and am envious of your 'home' project...you and your wife are doing what I've only wished to do for many years. Just think, after all that experience, when you're ready to start on The Shop, you'll have so many innovations to build into it, it will be more a Studio than a shop! Glad you found us. -Barb S.