Hey everyone! Father's Day is coming up, and I'm hoping my family can help me upgrade my miter saw. I've been using a Performax 7.25" compound saw for about a decade now, and while it's been a trooper, it's starting to show its age. The fence isn't quite straight, and I'm pretty sure my 0° setting is really more like 0.5°. However, it has served me well over the years.
Now, I'm looking for suggestions on a solid, long-lasting replacement. I'm located in Central Wisconsin, where I mainly have access to big box stores. I'm leaning toward a 10" blade because I want it compatible with my table saw blades.
I don't need a job site size saw; I plan to set it up on a support frame, just like my other bench top tools. It should be manageable enough to lift and carry, but it doesn't have to be super light.
So, what do you think? What's a good 10" sliding compound miter saw I should consider? Or is there a compelling reason I should go for something different? I'm all ears!
3 Answers
I bought the Hercules 12” sliding compound miter saw from Harbor Freight during the pandemic, and I love it! I had to do a bit of tweaking to get it squared up at first, but it hasn’t let me down since. I actually don’t feel the need to upgrade it anymore because it works so well for me, and I use it almost every weekend!
If you're set on a 10” slider, I'd recommend checking out brands like Dewalt, Bosch, and Makita—they all make solid options. Just a heads up, sliders can be tricky to get perfectly dialed in. If it's just for shop use, you might find a 12” non-slider dual bevel can be a cost-effective option that's generally easier to keep accurate.
It really depends on your budget! A Bosch dual bevel slider could be a great option. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to use the same blades for your miter saw and table saw since they require different types. I have a DeWalt 12" double bevel slider that I've been happy with, but I had to invest in a good blade, like the Forrest Chopmaster, to get the most out of it. I mostly use mine at 0°, so the double bevel feature is just a nice bonus for me!
Thanks for the tip about the blades! I didn’t know that there was a difference—I might be using the wrong blade on either my table or miter saw right now!