Miter saw recommendations (other than Kapex)

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Naildrivingman

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I own a Kapex and I am pleased with it, so this is not intended to be an anti-Kapex thread.

I am interested in what others are buying for general purpose utility miter saws. Although I love my Kapex, it is for trimming only. I can’t justify putting it through the rigors of utility work, knowing that that the constant loading unloading may compromise the accuracy. Additionally I can’t justify the expense of another Kapex for utility work.

Previously I have owned Hitachi and currently my utility saw is a Makita (both 10”).  The Hitachi was a fine utility saw (unfortunately it was stolen), but the Makita has not proven to be so.

I’m interested in brand and model reviews from others.  What works, what doesn’t.  What’s weak, what’s not. Oddly, I am considering the 15” miter only Hitachi, but I would be unable to bevel stock wider than 4 3/4” with that saw.  I am not opposed to a one way bevel either.  I do think I would like to stay away from a slide saw for utility work.

Thanks.
 
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.
 
lwoirhaye said:
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.
Click to expand...
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 believe the question is really "...other than Kapex 120"...…

I too continue to be very happy with my KS120. It was part of my first Festool purchase and I spent a long time researching which tools to buy. The Bosch Glide came second in my research but I have since seen so many at shows and on display that it might not reach second if I were to start again.

Festool UK lent me a KS60 in April 2017 so that I could make a video about the new machine. My personal conclusions were that it was not good enough for me to sell my KS120 and pocket the difference but if I did not have the KS120 then it would be my first choice. The 60 mm maximum depth of cut might not suit some users but its 60 degree mitre and bevel (in both directions) would really help me.

Peter
 
Certainly here in the UK the yellow saws are by far the most common sight on sites for roofing, stud walling etc and for trim in new builds. Usually with an accompanying dust plume unless the site manager is insistent re dust collection. The dual option of battery and mains adaptor on one saw seems to be a major point of consideration recently here given many sites have no contractor power supply (so battery or personal/shared 110v genny are the options).

Where the utility work is to happen matters too.

Off topic but expanding on Peter’s post my view is that innovation is needed for long accurate bevels for those of us without a large table saw. An area that exposes the slightest weakness in build and technique for slide mitre saws and in setting accuracy and particularly wobble and  technique for the TS55/75. 
 
Several years on my Bosch Glide saw with no problems from the articulating arms. They are robust and smooth. I did bend a fence when cutting a piece of trim too short and it was sucked out of my hand and took off like a rocket (black thumb nail too).

I absolutely love the saw, except for the dust collection, which is weak at best. It's best built into a bench with auxiliary dust collection.

You didn't say if this is to be shop based or mobile.

Many love the heavy Bosch for shop use, the ultra light Makita for mobile. Dewalt is the workhorse contractor grade utility saw. The Makita also seems to be the preferred jobsite trim carpenters saw, while the Dewalt is most often being used by framers, fence contractors, etc.

Here the Kapex is an expensive oddity, and not really used at all.
 
I'm just a DIYer and very new to woodworking, but I recently purchased a Porter Cable 10-inch folding miter saw (model number:  PCXB115MS).  It folds up very compact so it's nice for storing away as space to work is a premium at my house.  I've used it to cut around 50 pieces of baltic birch plywood so far in various thicknesses, and with a nice Diablo blade it has worked very well for me.  It even has a nifty laser sight, which surprised me considering it's a pretty inexpensive tool.  It may not be up to the demands of someone using it for a living, I don't know as I haven't used it that much, but I've been pleased with the quality of the saw compared to the price (also using a nice, context-appropriate blade helps a ton).
 
Did you consider a Milwaukee mitre saw? I've owned 3 of the older Milwaukee versions and they gave me over 20 years of service before I picked up the Kapex. Over the years I used them for everything from aluminum and 4x4's to cutting pavers with a diamond blade. I never had an issue with any of them.

I haven't looked at the latest versions but I've heard good things about their new battery model. That may make transportation easier as it only weighs 28#.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Woodworking/2733-20#sp-specs
 
Cheese said:
Did you consider a Milwaukee mitre saw? I've owned 3 of the older Milwaukee versions and they gave me over 20 years of service before I picked up the Kapex. Over the years I used them for everything from aluminum and 4x4's to cutting pavers with a diamond blade. I never had an issue with any of them.

I haven't looked at the latest versions but I've heard good things about their new battery model. That may make transportation easier as it only weighs 28#.
https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Products/Power-Tools/Woodworking/2733-20#sp-specs
Click to expand...

Wow...5 year warranty to boot !
 
Milwaukee's warranty service is great.  I had a older 18v vac that would take both the new style battery and they're original lion battery platform.  After rattling around in the van for a couple years it would no longer run with my old style batteries.  My warranty had run out about 30 days earlier but they gave me a brand new one.  I also sent my impact back and they again sent me a a brand new Surge.
 
Cordless going forward for a jobsite miter saw is the way to go. Makita offers their new miter saw with AWS which means it will trigger their cordless AWS dust extractor. Milwaukee cordless saws have good reviews, and I am people are happy with the yellow cordless saws too.
 
Received that 7-1/2” M18 two days ago. So far no dust made but can confirm that it is very easy to carry and the led lit cut line indicator looks promising.
 
rst said:
Milwaukee's warranty service is great.  I had a older 18v vac that would take both the new style battery and they're original lion battery platform.  After rattling around in the van for a couple years it would no longer run with my old style batteries.  My warranty had run out about 30 days earlier but they gave me a brand new one.  I also sent my impact back and they again sent me a a brand new Surge.
Click to expand...

Good to know about M’s service. Have an M18 2703 that may need a new chuck. Tapped several thousand m8 holes in 8020 stuff last year and the chuck is cranky.
 
I too bought the new Milwaukee chopper, not much heavier than my 8 1/4 skillsaw.  Trying to convince myself that I really don't need the new tablesaw.
 
as a big fan of the new makitas which i would recommend as an alternative to the kapex, but as a stable mate to the kapex I would get the dewalt 790 not the 780. the 790 on batteries has more power and smoother start up and is a great knock around saw.
 
If you dont move your mitre saw around and money is not an issue, I highly recommend Omga.

the entire saw and components are made of cast iron. the only plastic are the blade guard and the on/off button.

Yes it is very pricey but it will last 100 years.

My first Omga was a T50 350, bought it from a gentleman who has retired, and then I upgraded to their twin mitre saw version.

For a standard T50 350 I think the starting point is $4300 USD.
 
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