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

[jbasen]

I have a Milwaukee 12" miter saw.  I like it a lot except for dust collection; which I feel is mediocre.  I have it on a mobile cart so I can move it out of the way when I don't need it in my smallish shop.  I do use it at the start of every project for cutting long boards down to a manageable size.

The digital angle gauge is a nice feature

Jay

 

[wow]

ASSUMING (I know, I know...) that a larger saw would have roughly the same performance specs as the current Kapex (like runout, precision, etc.) I would like a larger blade that can do multiple things.

1. My miter saw stays in the shop, so weight isn't a big deal for me.

2. I'd prefer to have just ONE mitre saw, as I am one-man/hobby shop.

3. To some degree, I believe in the "bigger is better" school of thought. But not at the expense of accuracy, reliability, etc.

I voted for a 12" version, thinking that Festool could improve on the Bosch GCM12SD 12" Dual-Bevel Glide Miter Saw. I'm sure I could live with a 10" version, but I compare it to the RO90-RO125-RO150 lineup. I have the RO90 and plan to get the RO150 as I think the RO 125 is just not a big enough difference.

In the same vein, I think that a 10" version might be too close in size to the current Kapex, and would simply cause people to choose one or the other. A 12" model could instead cause many people to buy BOTH!

 

[evolution.727]

I use a 12in dewalt slider.I prefer a 12in saw and that is the reason I don't own the kapex.I'm also not a fan of the safety button.

 

[glass1]

this is a great question. I was just thinking about this today.  I feel the full time carpenter/ woodworker needs 2 miter saws. A 12" with the capacity of the dewalt dws780 especially the vertical capacity is very useful. I find the 10" saws more accurate for demanding jobs and I currently roll with the bosch cm10gsd.  But... If a company would make an 8" like the original hitachi but with dual bevel (I could care less about vertical behind the arbor greater capacity because I have a 12" saw for that). If the saw could bevel cut at least 1" in both directions and cross cut 12" and go to 60 degrees in one direction and bevel past 45 it would be amazing for 80 percent of my work. The smaller blade would aid accuracy and keep costs down. I feel no company has tried this as it would cut into the sales of 10" saws which are the ultimate compromise. just my 2 cents.  Please make a smaller kapex and let the others battle it out for capacity.

 

[jimmylittle]

I currently run a Kapex and a 7-¼" Makita.  Would love a 190mm Kapex to add to the portable pile of Green and Blue.

 

[w802h]

Easy Upgrades over the old Hitachi 8.5": Dual Bevel, Detente Override, Better Dust Collection, More Contrast reading the Stamped Numbers.

It would be easy for Festool to improve the small saw market, but look at the poll.

 

[glass1]

actually the poll is a little hard to answer  prefer to own or use  I prefer to use a 8" but if I had to own just one I would own a 12" for the just in case need.

 

[MaineShop]

Saw this thread and decided that it was time to stop trolling these forums and register. I work on a small crew doing mostly remodel work. We don't have a Kapex but have been looking at getting one for our shop. We do use several different miter saws in our job site trailer.

I second the comment on the 7 an 1/2" Makita. We picked up one of these a year ago and now we have two in the job trailer. We still keep a Dewalt 12" slider but honestly it rarely comes out these days. The Makita 7.5 is a slider and with good cross cut capacity and we use them a ton for trim work. Small blade= little deflection, and at under 25lbs they are super portable. We often take them right up on the staging with us when we are doing exterior trim. Soft start is another plus. We are not a Makita crew and we have more Festool in the trailer then Makita but these little saws have earned their place. I can't remember exact price but I think they were pricey for the size, around $750 maybe?

To be honest we were mainly looking to get a Kapex for the shop because it seemed so compact while still offering good capacity. Also better accuracy than the competition. The blade diameter was not entering into our choice at all.

Adam

 

[Kev]

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. 

You want to hold out for the sword saw. I'm sure it must be heading your way soon!

 

[Paul G]

I prefer 12" but use a 10" because that's what I bought long ago as my budget allowed. Voted for the former.

Shane, testing the waters for a 12" Kapex?

 

[RJNeal]

I own a 12"  and 10". I was planning one selling the 12 after I got my Kapex five years ago. I decided to keep it for framing and leaving it on secured job site ( I really hate moving it). And some of the work mate rant the easiest on saws sometimes.
I used the Kapex for move portable jobs, framing to finish.

Rick

 

[Administrator_JSVN]

Saw this thread and decided that it was time to stop trolling these forums and register.

Welcome to the forum, Adam. Look forward to seeing you here more! Feel free to contact me if I can ever be of assistance.

Shane, testing the waters for a 12" Kapex?

Paul, there have been a lot of threads in the past about how folks wished there was a 12" Kapex. I'm not involved in product development at all. But I know some of those at HQ in Germany read the forum and have their finger on the pulse of the FOG. Please don't let this thread imply that a new or additional model of the Kapex is in the works, because to the best of my knowledge that's not the case.

Shane

 

[Slappy]

I've got a 10" Delta I got many many years ago , cuts square ,powerful ,  don't deflect at all  can't seem to replace it as it does so well for me
Voted 12" would like the added capacity
but then again there's more tools I need so the $$$ goes for those 1st  & the Delta still cuts fantastic for me 

 

[junk731]

Like others have stated the Makita 7 1/2" SCMS is our go to saw on job sites. Light weight, accurate and when hooked up to a Festool vac very little dust. Haven't found too times where a 10" or 12" are really needed.

John

 

[leakyroof]

If it was simple 2X building material, and I had to carry the saw around a lot, then I would say I miss my old Ryobi 8 1/4" sliding saw due to the lightweight and small footprint.
Less moving, stationary workstation, then I like 10 and 12" saws.  I currently have a 12' slider.  It doesn't get moved, so the size and weight aren't an issue.

 

[leakyroof]

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. 

You want to hold out for the sword saw. I'm sure it must be heading your way soon!

  You're a Tool Pusher, a Tool Pornographer, you are.. [poke]  [jawdrop]    [wink]

 

[RKA]

In general, being able to cut taller moldings against the fence leans me in favor of the 12" saw.  For anything else, an 8" slider would do quite well.  The 10" is an in between compromise if you can only have one tool, but still not as portable as an 8 nor having the capacity of a 12.  So really, if you had given us the option of "All of the Above", that would be perfect.  Then we choose based on individual requirements, kinda like the sanders and DE's.  [smile]

 

[Kev]

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. 

You want to hold out for the sword saw. I'm sure it must be heading your way soon!

  You're a Tool Pusher, a Tool Pornographer, you are.. [poke]   [jawdrop]    [wink]

Just spreading the good word [big grin] [cool]

 

[FOGNewbie]

I couldn't afford it at the time, but I went right for the Kapex. I had looked at a Makita, but after trying the Kapex, I didn't look back. I don't use it often, do to time constraints, being primarily a hobbyist. I did have a couple of situations where I could have used a larger saw, but it is rare for me. The only way I would consider another miter saw is if it was both as precise and accurate as the Kapex and had the 12' cutting compacity. Since I already have the Kapex 120, I think it would take much to push me toward a different Compound Miter Saw. I'd probably have to like it enough to sell the current Kapex since I cannot justify owning two of the same type at the moment.

If Festool is considering a New/ larger Kapex, I hope they make it possible to use the crown stop and the UG stand at the same time. In addition, it would be great if one could buy a zero clearance insert and auxiliary fences as well(Darn it, should have included in survey).

 

[Bob Mircetic]

While we're talking about miter saws...

One feature I'd love to see is the ability to put a dado blade on one.  Basically turn it into a portable radial arm saw.