Miter Saw recommends

[Mark]

Yes, the answer is get the Kapex  But right now I can't really justify the cost for it when I "think" getting a decent miter saw will do the jobs my TS55+1080 can't do really well.

- Cut baseboard and 1/4 round molding
- Cut 2x6 and 2x4 to rebuild a wooden staircase

I'd love to get the Kapex but I'm trying to be economical or more likely "practical" and get a good miter saw that can do the above jobs. Any recommends on a decent dual compound miter saw? Hitachi, Porter Cable, Sears, Rigid?...

I did read the previous posts but I think they were aimed at professionals that can charge for the work and make a living off a solid investment in a Kapex or...

Mahalo

 

[Tony M]

Don't get  hung up on the hype. Although the Kapex is loaded with nice features, you will definitely do good with another brand, in particular, I thought Makita had a nice set up.  The best thing to do is hook up with Forrest Mfg. Get a Chopmaster blade and a dampening disc/ testing disc that is the same size as your blade. You will be able to true your saw much faster and with more conviction with a test disc. If you do not need crosscut capacity, a scms may not be for you. Good Luck! Let us know how you make out.  

 

[Woodenfish]

I have no need for a slider so that opened up much less expensive options and so far I never regret purchasing my Ridgid R4121. The saw can 90 a 2 x 10 or 4 x 4 with no problem and compared to other saws in it's class I feel it has the best fence and easiest to read scales for miter and bevel short of the Kapex. I use the standard blade for construction lumber and keep the 100 tooth Ridgid blade (Made by Freud) for the pretty woods. The dust bag Ridgid supplies with the saw is useless but I seldom ever use it with out either being connected to my Festool CT33 or my Ridgid shop vac. FYI, the Ridgid saw & vac combo is better at collection but the Festool CT is just too easy to change out a full bag.

 

[Rob Z]

Hi Mark,

I'm quite impressed with all the Festool tools that I have bought, but one tool I likely will not buy is the Kapex.  I have a 10+ year old Hitachi 8 1/2" SCMS, and it does everythng I need.  I cut all molding on the flat, so I don't need any more capacity than I have now.  I just field tested the newer version of the Hitachi 8 1/2" SCMS for a magazine, and while it isn't quite the same saw as the one that I have, it is still a decent value for ~$400.

A friend of mine bought the larger version 10" Hitachi SCMS, which bevels in both directions.  For his shop work, he says it is a great improvement over the earlier 8 1/2" SCMS that he used for years.  That saw is ~$500.