Hey everyone! I'm torn between two miter saws I'm looking at on Facebook Marketplace. One is a brand new Harbor Freight Warrior 7-inch single bevel without saw horses, priced at $50, and the other is a 20-year-old Craftsman 10-inch single bevel that comes with a saw table for $40. My wife, who's an electrical engineer, can handle repairs, so durability is key for us. I've heard Craftsman used to be top-notch, which is making me reconsider. What do you think is the better investment for longevity? Thanks a lot!
5 Answers
Honestly, both saws have their limits. What exactly do you plan on building? I started out with a Craftsman 7 1/4” sliding miter saw and graduated to a 12” DEWALT dual bevel compound after three saws. Just throwing that out there!
I think it might be wise to save a little more, like $100-$150, for something better than these options. Just a thought!
I’d say go for the Craftsman. My dad used to tell me that if you’re going to invest in a tool, spend a bit more and get a quality one. It really pays off in terms of time and productivity when you're not constantly fixing something that won’t work properly.
I lean towards the Craftsman too, but it's worth asking what you plan to make with it. Both saws will need a blade and tuning to really perform. While Harbor Freight has some decent options, the Craftsman with the table gives you more flexibility and helps gauge if you really need a miter saw in your projects.
It really depends on what you're after! For larger old machines like cast iron tools, nothing beats them. But modern ones are often easier to work with. I'd suggest the new miter saw; it's probably going to be more enjoyable to use, even if neither are stellar.