Which size miter saw do you prefer / use: 8", 10", or 12"?

[Administrator_JSVN]

Just curious... There's been a lot of discussion on this topic over the years but I'd like to see a consensus among forum members.

Which size miter saw do you prefer / use: 8", 10", or 12"?

Please make your selection using the poll at the beginning of the thread. Feel free to post any other comments or feedback as well.

Thanks,
Shane

 

[shed9]

Kapex 130?

I currently have an 8" Dewalt that will get supplemented / replaced by a Kapex when funds allow. Not much of a jump from 216mm to 260mm but I'm not sure blade diameter is a decider for me.

To be honest I don't actually feel comfortable processing anything too thick on the miter saw - If I have anything over the cutting range of my 8" unit I'll shove it through the table saw.

That said, I pushed the 12"/300mm vote button up there ^ as given a choice I'd prefer a larger saw blade and more power even if I'm cutting stock that doesn't need the 12" blade capacity.

 

[Wooden Skye]

I voted for 10", but I have a 12 inch hitachi slider that takes up less space than any 10 inch (besides Kapex) which is why I bought it, just couldn't afford the Kapex when I was looking.

 

[fdengel]

I use a 10" because it's what I have.

I'm sure that doesn't help much  [laughing]

 

[pettyconstruction]

I prefer a 12"as long as the blade does not deflect much.
It's good for framing and a little big for finish,but will work

 

[RC]

I've got a Bosch 12" slider and wouldn't want to downgrade if I ever go to Kapex. Most of the time I don't really need the capacity, but it has been invaluable when the need arises.

 

[jaymon5]

I have a 12" dewalt for framing (outside use only) and use the Kapex for everything else.  If there was a 12" Kapex, I would have just that.

 

[ifit]

If you are looking for ideas for the next kapex
It needs to run on a portable generator
Give it the dewalt xps system - more accurate and lights up the work area
Make the angle lock more precise - I tend to do a lot of cuts at 45.5 deg - 46 deg but it often bounces back to 45 in use
Improve the electronics or do away with them so it gets up to speed quicker

 

[RussellS]

I have a 10" Makita sliding miter saw.  It was on sale AND came with a Makita rotary hammer drill.  I have used the drill for attaching lots of electrical boxes and conduit to cement walls.  Haven't used the miter saw much.  Maybe I should have just bought the rotary drill and set heck with the miter saw.  Given the choice I would choose a 12" sliding miter saw.  It will cut 1" deeper and 1" wider.  Doubt I will ever need the slight extra capacity a 12" gives over a 10".  But nice to have just in case.  Not sure there is any accuracy difference between the different size blades.  Does a 10" blade have less wobble/runout than a 12" blade?

 

[jacko9]

I have the DeWalt 12" slider that is mostly used for rough carpentry like deck building, etc.  I also use it to cut hardwood to rough length before milling the stock.

Jack

 

[ccarrolladams]

Long before the Kapex was announced for Europe, I had owned many RA and miter saws ranging from 250mm upward. A month before I bought my first TS55 I purchased a new 250mm miter saw with a laser on one side of the blade.

Then I used a Kapex on a trip to Europe. Immediately I told my Los Angeles Festool dealer to pre-order one for me and to keep bugging Festool USA until I could take delivery. Currently I own 6 Kapex, four in my cabinet making facility, one reserved for installations and one in the workroom at my condo. I have sold or donated all of my previous miter saws.

However, for my cabinet shop while the building was being remodeled I ordered a lumberyard style 7.5hp radial arm saw with a 550mm blade. That shares a bench with one of my Kapex. We use the big RA to cut thick and wide rough lumber, and also ordinary construction lumber which we occasionally use.

For the precise work we do using the Kapex they have what I consider the ideal blade. To be adequately stiff, a larger blade would need to be thicker. By the time we have custom milled cabinet lumber for making cabinets, that is well within the capacity of a Kapex. When installing we have never run into crown we could noy cut accurately with the Kapex.

 

[NYC Tiny Shop]

I like the 10" for the Kapex. If Festool made an 8" that cut 4x4's, weighed between 30-35 lbs., and worked with the same UG Miter station as the Kapex 10", then I would buy it. (It would be cool if it had the option to do 1 degree detents, also.)

 

[w802h]

I do mostly remodel work.  The Hitachi 8.5" (older model, not the new junk) is a very accurate, portable machine.  Capacity tops out around 12" - anything more and I'm looking for my TS55.  Crown is easily cut on the flat since the usual detente settings are included.  It will cut a 4x4 if I put a small shim in to chock open the blade guard.  In my shop, the saw sits on a bench against a wall, so for me the slide needs to measure less than 2ft from the front of the base support to the back of the slide.  Dust collection even with a vacuum is mediocre at best.  The light weight and accuracy are more important to me than capacity.    

 

[Kev]

I'd hate to see a future version of the KAPEX transformed into a low-tech monster clunker [scared]

I don't make too many drawbridges, so my needs are modest. I have a sword saw for cutting bigger timbers and I don't seem to run into the need to cut compound mitres with extreme accuracy with large timbers that go beyond the scope of my KAPEX.

If Festool introduced a SCMS that retained the 10" blade for minimal deflection, but allowed for the use of a 12" for thinker applications that'd be interesting ... but it'd need more power for the 12" blade, more bulk, more weight, etc.

Bottom line for me, I would never want to compromise accuracy for cut capacity - I'll apply other methods to deal with the big stuff. But all that said, offer me a machine almost identical in attributes to the current KAPEX, with the bonus of one more inch depth of cut and I'd probably say "yes please" ! [wink]

 

[Kev]

I do mostly remodel work.  The Hitachi 8.5" (older model, not the new junk) is a very accurate, portable machine.  Capacity tops out around 12" - anything more and I'm looking for my TS55.  Crown is easily cut on the flat since the usual detente settings are included.  It will cut a 4x4 if I put a small shim in to chock open the blade guard.  In my shop, the saw sits on a bench against a wall, so for me the slide needs to measure less than 2ft from the front of the base support to the back of the slide.  Dust collection even with a vacuum is mediocre at best.  The light weight and accuracy are more important to me than capacity.    

The earlier Hitachis were gems weren't they. You'd think manufacturers would develop better tools generally over time, but market pressure seem to often dictate otherwise.

 

[es07Eric]

Selected 12/300mm as it's what I currently have (Hitachi).  As soon as the funds become available, ill spring for a Kapex.  I don't really see the need for a 12"-incher for finish work; or at least it's what I've found in my limited experience in finish work.   [tongue]

Cheers,
Eric

 

[rst]

What's the option if you own all three (four actually).  We have used multiple Makita 10"ers in our commercial glazing biz for 30+ years, down to one now in a 24' setup... our material is 24'.  I also own a 14" Makita...also mostly used for 4 1/2"-6" square aluminum.  I bought the Hitachi 8 1/2" slider when they first came out and I was remodeling my house.  A couple years ago I bought a 12" Makita slider... didn't necessarily need but Amazon had it for $450.00 for one day...Bingo.  Now that  I've discovered these damnably fine German tools I'm trying desperately to avoid thinking that I need a Kapex.

 

[tjbier]

10", haven't had a major need for a 12"
Plus the 10" blades are interchangeable with my table saw.

 

[Thunderchyld]

I currently own a 12" and have a Kapex on order after playing with one @ Woodcraft.  Bit of a sidetrack, but I am a little curious about something else, is there a larger miter saw than 12" that's still decently portable?  I deal with more landscaping timber than anyone else I know, and I'd like something capable of popping an 6x6 or even an 8x8.  I know I'll be buying a sword saw when it comes available here, but for now I've been stuck using a chainsaw, either freehand or with a firewood vice. 

 

[stvrowe]

I voted 12" simply because that is what I have.  It doesn't get any use in the shop, only for trim on-site.