Miter saw recommendations (other than Kapex)

[notenoughcash]

i got the 10" forward rail makita in cordless and absolutely love it.  only complaint is that is blummin heavy.  27 kg (dont know units that are from the middle ages, hang on, just mesuring this 5.3 cubit long by 5.3x2.6 digit wide board........ [tongue]) w/o bateries.  not sure about the corded verson, or the 

 

[Imemiter]

Ridgid is re re-releasing their 7.5" blade 18v SCMS. I don't think a guy would get a lot of hardcore framing out of one, but for the weight-weary carpenter/handyman they're great. 24 lbs. and double bevel, with a shadow cut-line and area light. When they came out three or four years ago Fine Homebuilding gave them a surprisingly favorable review. But then they disappeared. For unknown reasons Ridgid pulled them off the shelves. I got mine for $200US  from a guy who had a pallet load of them.

According to Toolguyd these are being revived for $375. I'm not sure I'd want to pay quite that much, but if anyone's in the market for something like this and they start going on sale, I'd give it a buy rating. 

 

[Mini Me]

Miter saws have become so competitive on pricing many seem to fall short of what furniture makers want in the tool.  I think it's a quality control issue.  I've seen a lot of complaints about lemons in recent years.  Some designs like the articulated arm used by Bosch seem most suitable for carpentry due to play in the mechanism.  Out-of-flat and square base and fence castings have also been reported.  Even the recent iteration of the venerable 8-1/2" Hitachi sliding saw doesn't generate as much enthusiasm as the older models did. 

I would buy one from a local dealer, take it home and give it a good going order.  If it isn't up to spec, take it back for an exchange.

I should have been more specific. I have definitely ruled out the Bosch articulating saw...too many pivot point give me concerns for long term stability.  The current Hitachi slider is not nearly as good as the model I had before.

I guess that leaves DeWalt and Makita. As I posted, my current utility saw is a Makita and I’m not impressed with its durability. The new model may be different. I would consider recommendations from owners of the most recent iteration.

I have had a Bosch Glide for about 6 years and it gets used for everything including cutting a lot of firewood and there has been no loss of accuracy or noticeable wear in the articulating arm. Sliding saws on arms slide the bearings over dust and dirt every time they are used and that to me sounds worse than the sealed joints of a Bosch Glide.

 

[Bertotti]

In all honesty when I was ready to step up my miter saw I just couldn't afford a Kapex, not even close. I would up with the Hitachi C12rsh. I have an older version of this. It is a beast, can move on the rails or the rails can move in the assembly, has a laser, and runs really well. That said if you plan to move it around you better hit the gym. I move mine often but it is a heavy son of a gun, must be close to 80lbs! Not an issue usually until I am in a tight hallway or on stairs, it is just heavy bulky and you really have to be careful not to twist your body up maneuvering tight areas because it will bite you. I am still on the original blade even after cutting thousands of square feet of flooring and way more of deck building But I love it. I connect mine to a smaller 1hp jet fust collector. It throws a fair amount of chips but it collects as well or better than any other miter saw I have used. It does not collect like a ts and a ct26, ironically enough I never even considered moving my MFT to a job site but after doing so on my home remodel it is s thought. But it is paid for and Cutts significantly thicker wood than my ts55. But like I said it is heavy and if you don't want heavy skip it. Most lowes have them I noticed in a web search so maybe you could get your hands on one and see what it's like to pick up. I see on the Lowes website the rsh2 has been lightened down to below 60lbs so it would be much more manageable than the monster I have. The Lowes website has a nice video. And yes as odd as it may seem I do take the dust collector and my ct26 to where I am cutting. A simple wood or cardboard deflector on the back of the Hitachi folds up and keeps dust contained fairly well compared to other miter saws I have used. One reason I bought a smaller one on wheels. Not to decide if I want to spend the cash for a nice canister filter which is almost as much as I paid for the collector itself, but it will move so much more air and filter better.

 

[builtwoodworks]

I have a 12" Bosch glider currently mounted in the shop.  I know this saw gets a lot of polarizing reviews regarding accuracy, and unfortunately I'm in the camp that agrees it's not great.  Granted I know there is play in most of sliding saws, and technique plays a role, just didn't expect to see as much.  So much so, I've foregone the glide, and keep it fixed and flip large pieces. Finish square done on sleds.

If you can find it however for a good cost, I'd say it wouldn't be a bad general purpose saw, since you gave that as a consideration.  I picked this up for $400 amazingly, so I've learned to tolerate, and will look at the Kapex some day.

I've also had Rigid and Dewalt.  Both pros and cons.  Really have to weigh your uses, when deciding on best machine for your needs.