I'm considering whether to buy a miter saw to make quick cross cuts. I already own a DeWalt table saw and a Ryobi circular saw, but I'm uncertain if a miter saw would be a valuable addition or if I should invest that money elsewhere. Home Depot has the DeWalt 779 for $450 and Amazon has the DeWalt 716XPS for $361. Are either of these worth the purchase, given my current tools?
4 Answers
Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of miter saws either, but I do think they're invaluable for quick cuts. If you're mainly making boxes or furniture, sticking to a crosscut sled with your table saw could be just as effective and might save you some money in the long run. Just consider what you're building most often and go from there!
I'm not sold on miter saws for most projects. A crosscut sled for your table saw can do wonders for accurate cuts. But if you find yourself needing long angled cuts frequently, it might be worth snagging one used for less. Just make sure it fits into your workflow!
I find a miter saw really useful for trim work and framing. But honestly, mine just sits in the garage now because I don't use it much outside of specific projects. If you're not doing a lot of cutting of longer pieces, you might be okay sticking with your table saw and circular saw for now. You could also consider looking for a second-hand one to save some cash!
Miter saws are awesome for quick, repeatable cuts, especially on longer boards. If you're doing anything where you need precise angles or lengths, it’s a game changer. However, if most of your work involves smaller projects or you’re not cutting dimensional lumber often, you might be better off investing in tools like a planer or router instead.
That sounds about right! I use mine with a stop block for repeatable cuts and it’s pretty handy, but it really depends on what projects you're planning.
I had a similar experience. I initially got a Harbor Freight miter saw for baseboards and treated it well, but now I mostly reach for my hand saw for quick cuts.