Hey everyone! I recently picked up the Milwaukee M18 miter saw - it's the 10-inch model. I'm planning to tackle primarily light trim projects, but I'm curious about a few things. What do you think is the best sander to complement this setup? Also, how does the table saw perform? Lastly, how do the M12 barrel jig and the M18 compare? I'm open to suggestions on brands as well!
5 Answers
Honestly, the only decent M18 miter saw is the 7 1/4-inch model. I think the others, including the 10-inch, aren’t worth it.
The table saw is quite impressive! It can handle a 6" dado stack, but just a heads up—it really drains batteries doing that. My only complaint is its short fence, which limits support for longer cuts. For the sander, I’d recommend going for a corded option if possible; the cordless ones tend to run out of juice quickly, and a big battery adds heft that can wear you out during extended sanding sessions. If you're fine with a multi-tool, the M18 Fuel oscillating tool with a sander attachment works incredibly well! Just skip the non-fuel version; the vibration dampening makes a notable difference!
I’ve got the same 10" miter saw and a table saw that I regularly use in my woodshop. Honestly, the table saw is a gem for general cuts, but if you’re going for long rips on thicker hardwoods like cherry, it can struggle a bit. Instead, it really shines for smaller projects, and it even accommodates a Freud 6" dado stack, which is great for joinery! As for jig saws, the M18 is my go-to—no complaints there! For trim work, I highly recommend the M12 detail sander; it’s my favorite out of all the sanders I own!
I think I’m gonna get the table saw and the M18 Fuel sander!
I’d actually suggest skipping the table saw and going for a track saw instead. If you don't need cordless flexibility for the sander, consider a corded Bosch model. They have excellent dust collection, which is super important—don’t want debris messing with your tools!
But the track saw is like double the price!
I can’t speak much about the sander or jigsaw since I don’t own them, but my experience with the table saw has been fantastic. I use it mainly for cabinet installations, and with a thin rip blade, it cuts through 3/4 maple and 2x4s without any issues. A fine tooth blade makes for slightly slower but more precise cuts. When fully charged, my 12Ah battery gets me through about two kitchens, which is pretty solid!

What makes the 10-inch one junk?