Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - mitre saw sliding vs. not.

OK, I am getting my home depot cards for the holidays and b-day and want to get my next tool to be a compound mitre saw. I will use it to do siding, build a deck, molding and framing 2 bathrooms, cabinet crown molding, and many various other home projects. I want to get a good industrial grade (like dewalt or bosch or something). My questions are:

1) Do I need "sliding" capability on this saw?
2) If I get a sliding unit, does that reduce the accuracy of cut angle when doing molding cuts?
3) Can someone point me in the direction OR tell me cut sizes capabilities of (10" vs. 12" vs. sliding, vs, 90 to 45 degree angle)? Kinda like a matrix showing what to expect?

Thanks to all once again. Peace: e3

I built a two level deck for my pool and I bought a 12" Delta SideKick to do the job. Great saw. It is not a slider. On the 2x12's I had to flip the board over to finish the cut. But that wasn't a big at all. Went through the 4x4 and 6x6 with no trouble at all. It's been a very reliable tool. I was looking at the sliders, but the cost verses use just wasn't there.

I agree with weebee. The additional cost for a DIY'er is not justified for a slider. A 12" compound over a 10" is justified, particularly during after X-mas sales.

I, too, built a two level deck with my Delta 12" compund miter saw. It's the second most useful tool I own. It's a great saw. I even used it to cut the balsa wood "studs/plates" for the miniature model of my workshop.

I'd buy a regular compound miter....the 12" .......Dewalt makes a real good one.....and for the difference in price, buy another tool, like a GOOD circular saw for the times you need the "sliding" ability and for a LOT of other uses.

I have a real good radial arm saw and it rarely gets used.

Also consider whether you are going to be moving this thing around much. A slider is bigger and heavier than its non-sliding counterpart.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Tn...Andy
I'd buy a regular compound miter....the 12" .......Dewalt makes a real good one.....and for the difference in price, buy another tool, like a GOOD circular saw for the times you need the "sliding" ability and for a LOT of other uses.
QUOTE]


You nailed it.

I recently purchased the Dewalt 708 after a ton of research. I am very happy with this saw (so far). One of the reasons I purchased a slider was the capability to cut 24" pre-fab counter tops. It is a little heavy (57 Lbs) but it is still portable. I also purchased the Dewalt stand, an 80 tooth blade, hold down clamp and crown molding brackets. The stand comes with bolt on brackets with quick release handles. Some of the reviews I read complained about the dust bag, which does come with the saw. I also have a 10" Delta, which makes twice the mess than the Dewalt does. The saw did require some fine tuning but has held so far. Crown molding cuts are very accurate and very smooth. I do agree that at $599 the hold down clamp and extension bars should be included. You can find refurnbished 708's for $499 from most tool shops. Hope this helps.

I was contemplating getting the Dewalt DW708 to replace my old (over 25 year old) Sears 7-1/2" "motorized miter saw". This is a sliding radial arm type miter saw that tilts and bevels. It's fairly compact and easy to tote around and set up. I borrowed a DW708 from a friend to try it out. Of course it was a great machine but it was a killer to load and unload. It might be O.K. if you could leave it set up in a box truck or trailer but I can't see using it for a job-site saw. Just too darn heavy and cumbersome to load/unload.

Originally posted by txdiyguy
I was contemplating getting the Dewalt DW708 to replace my old (over 25 year old) Sears 7-1/2" "motorized miter saw". This is a sliding radial arm type miter saw that tilts and bevels. It's fairly compact and easy to tote around and set up. I borrowed a DW708 from a friend to try it out. Of course it was a great machine but it was a killer to load and unload. It might be O.K. if you could leave it set up in a box truck or trailer but I can't see using it for a job-site saw. Just too darn heavy and cumbersome to load/unload.

an extra 5/10 minutes to load unload is nothing if it saves you time.

I have used the slider (Dewalt) on several laminate wood installs and I have used the standard 12" as well. The slider maintains blade life substainally better the the 12" for this operation. However, as a DIYer I too would recommend a 12".