Help choosing a saw

[TriggerFinger]

Ok so this is probably a stupid question for 99% of you but I’m a girl and don’t know a whole lot about power tools...I need help choosing a saw. I need one that is capable of cutting 2x4’s. I believe both of the saws below are capable and I would prefer the miter saw because I can use that to finish the trim in the basement. Is there a table that I’m supposed to mount the miter saw to or do you just use it on the ground?

Or is a table saw sufficient for what I need? Will I get more use out of one over the other?

RYOBI 15 Amp 10 in. Compact Portable Corded Jobsite Table Saw with Folding Stand RTS12 - The Home Depot

This affordable RYOBI Table Saw with Folding Stand features an integrated storage for accessories and a sturdy durable cast aluminum table top surface.

www.homedepot.com

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 10 in. Compound Single Bevel Miter Saw DWS713 - The Home Depot

Complete all your wood work projects at ease with the use of this DEWALT Corded Compound Single Bevel Miter Saw.

www.homedepot.com

 

[LovesDogs_CatsRokay]

I have all the saws courtesy of my dad, the miter is the one I use most. It can definitely cut 2x4s, and I just put it on the ground. The table saw is useful for cutting longer runs that won't fit in the miter saw.

 

[dbowman5]

the mitre saw is a lot more expensive and yes it is designed to be attached to a stand. You could use it on the floor but standing for a lot of work is more efficient than squatting or kneeling on the ground. if you want to be able to cut angles it might be worth it and would give you much more flexibility of types of cuts. good luck!

 

[Saltyreef]

I would look at harborfreight for more cost effective options.

For your needs it sounds like you want a 10" dual bevel sliding compound miter saw.

If you are just doing small projects it will be great and can tackle wider boards if needed.

You can also buy a miter table to mount it on but for me and my small projects i just put it on top of my table saw or on the ground.

Hope this helps!

PS: the 10" versions spin faster so you effectively get a cleaner cut vs the 12".

 

[TriggerFinger]

Thanks @LovesDogs_CatsRokay what do you mean by cutting longer runs? Like if I wanted to take an inch off the entire length of an 8ft board? I hope I explained that right...awesome pops! I have an older cousin who “borrowed” a lot of my dads nicer power tools and either never returned them or burned them up... @dbowman5 thanks for the input, much appreciated!! @Saltyreef I’m a big fan of dewalt and my smaller ryobi stuff hasn’t done me wrong yet either. Your reply was very helpful, thank you!!

I think I’ll go with the miter saw

 

[Saltyreef]

Then again......I did demo and renovate my kitchen with a handheld 7" circular saw >.<

 

[LovesDogs_CatsRokay]

Thanks @LovesDogs_CatsRokay what do you mean by cutting longer runs? Like if I wanted to take an inch off the entire length of an 8ft board? I hope I explained that right...awesome pops! I have an older cousin who “borrowed” a lot of my dads nicer power tools and either never returned them or burned them up... @dbowman5 thanks for the input, much appreciated!! @Saltyreef I’m a big fan of dewalt and my smaller ryobi stuff hasn’t done me wrong yet either. Your reply was very helpful, thank you!!

I think I’ll go with the miter saw

Yep. That’s exactly what I mean.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Then again......I did demo and renovate my kitchen with a handheld 7" circular saw >.<

I tried to build my stand with a 15 year old circular saw. I ended up taking new wood to a friend who builds houses so he could cut them for me and actually make everything square. I think a miter saw will give me better control and square cuts

 

[Saltyreef]

FWIW, working with 4x8 plywood on a tablesaw isnt very fun and is much easier with two people.

But yes, you cant use a miter on boards wider than what it will accept.

Table saw is great here.

Fyi im no carpenter!

 

[Saltyreef]

I tried to build my stand with a 15 year old circular saw. I ended up taking new wood to a friend who builds houses so he could cut them for me and actually make everything square. I think a miter saw will give me better control and square cuts

Yep. Thats the main issue is everything being square. Especially with something hand held.

I built mine with a tablesaw since my miter blade was broken and it wasnt very fun lol.
Couldnt keep it square even with that lol.

 

[Camaro Show Corals]

Dewalt 100% here

 

[TriggerFinger]

What the .... does double bevel mean? And sliding vs non sliding? There’s a $300 price jump for the one that slides with a double bevel...

 

[AZMSGT]

Harbor Freight tools are flea market tools. Don’t waste your money on them.

Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Rigid are better big box store brands to consider.

I use a sliding compound miter saw almost daily and I would recommend a good quality one of the above brands and you won’t regret it. There are more expensive but you don’t need it.

Yes, make your cuts on the floor. They are designed to use 2x4 scraps to hold the ends of your wood level with the cutting tables.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp DWS779

The DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is ideal for most cutting applications including crown molding up to 7-1/2 in. This sliding miter saw is designed with a powerful 15 Amp, 3800 RPM motor that

www.homedepot.com

Also, if you only need it for a couple days, you can rent a good one at lowes or home depot.

 

[TriggerFinger]

Harbor Freight tools are flea market tools. Don’t waste your money on them.

Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Rigid are better big box store brands to consider.

I use a sliding compound miter saw almost daily and I would recommend a good quality one of the above brands and you won’t regret it. There are more expensive but you don’t need it.

Yes, make your cuts on the floor. They are designed to use 2x4 scraps to hold the ends of your wood level with the cutting tables.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp DWS779

The DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is ideal for most cutting applications including crown molding up to 7-1/2 in. This sliding miter saw is designed with a powerful 15 Amp, 3800 RPM motor that

www.homedepot.com

Thanks!! I was actually looking at the dewalt compound miter...it’s not the double bevel that slides. What does that mean? How do those features benefit me for an extra $300?

 

[Saltyreef]

Harbor Freight tools are flea market tools. Don’t waste your money on them.

Dewalt, Makita, Bosch and Rigid are better big box store brands to consider.

I use a sliding compound miter saw almost daily and I would recommend a good quality one of the above brands and you won’t regret it. There are more expensive but you don’t need it.

Yes, make your cuts on the floor. They are designed to use 2x4 scraps to hold the ends of your wood level with the cutting tables.

DEWALT 15 Amp Corded 12 in. Double Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw, Blade Wrench & Material Clamp DWS779

The DEWALT DWS779 Sliding Compound Miter Saw is ideal for most cutting applications including crown molding up to 7-1/2 in. This sliding miter saw is designed with a powerful 15 Amp, 3800 RPM motor that

www.homedepot.com

Also, if you only need it for a couple days, you can rent a good one at lowes or home depot.

Im a rigid fan myself.
But nobody should have to pay $400-$500 for a small project lol

 

[Saltyreef]

Thanks!! I was actually looking at the dewalt compound miter...it’s not the double bevel that slides. What does that mean? How do those features benefit me for an extra $300?

So you dont have to flip your molding over to cut the 45 angle on the other side. The saw tilts both ways. Vs single bevel.
Sliding is for wider boards.

 

[TriggerFinger]

So you dont have to flip your molding over to cut the 45 angle on the other side. The saw tilts both ways. Vs single bevel.
Sliding is for wider boards.

Those are words I can understand. Thanks :)

 

[JoshH]

Im a rigid fan myself.
But nobody should have to pay $400-$500 for a small project lol

I look at a tool purchase as an investment. I'm a Rigid man also for larger tools aside from cordless tools where I have investmented heavily in Milwaukee. The OP has mentioned she has other projects down the road she would like to complete and trying to figure out a saw that will be flexible and best suit all her needs down the road is worth whatever the cost is now.

I purchased $1500 in scaffolding specifically to redo the ceiling in my dining room but since then I have used it numerous times around the house. Seems crazy to spend so much on a tool for one project but if there is a use down the road for that tool than it balances itself out.

@TriggerFinger if your budget allows it I would spring for atleast a Dual Bevel Mitre saw, doesn't have to slide although if you don't get a slider I would stick with a 12" blade. You'll find it will serve you best in the long run as you tackle more and more projects. You don't need to buy one with a stand as mentioned above you can cut on the ground, however you can also build a basic work table in your garage or basement that you can mount the saw to as well.

 

[92Miata]

Harbor Freight tools are flea market tools. Don’t waste your money on them.

Harbor Freight's tools are inconsistent. There are areas where their tools are fantastic, and areas where their tools are trash. Their $20 HVLP paint guns are better than anything you can buy at Lowes.


OP, have you checked craiglist/facebook marketplace? You can often find a good, older used tool for cheaper than you can buy a new low end tool.

That table-saw (and most of the tablesaws that look like that) is underpowered, unstable, and IMO, dangerous. On the other hand, you can usually find one of the old cast iron Emerson made Craftsman/Dewalt/Etc belt driven table saws for like $50. They'll cut better, take wider blade stacks, won't vibrate like a cheap tablesaw will, and there's no risk of them falling over.

Sliding miter saws are much nicer than non-sliding ones - they can cut much wider boards, and are generally much easier to use (they make better cuts too -because they're cutting in a straight line instead of an arc) - but you don't need one for trim and 2x4s. You do need a dual-bevel if you're going to be cutting crown molding or anything like that (its whether the blade can tilt left and right).

Check craigslist - you might be able to find a good sliding saw for what you'd pay for a cheap one at lowes.

There are a couple places like BigSkyTool online that specialize in refurbished tools. IMO, you're better off buying a good used/refurbished tool than a cheap new one.

I bought a refurbed Hitatchi sliding compound in '07 or so - have probably cut several thousand boards on it. Still going.

 

[Saltyreef]

Harbor Freight's tools are inconsistent. There are areas where their tools are fantastic, and areas where their tools are trash. Their $20 HVLP paint guns are better than anything you can buy at Lowes.


OP, have you checked craiglist/facebook marketplace? You can often find a good, older used tool for cheaper than you can buy a new low end tool.

That table-saw (and most of the tablesaws that look like that) is underpowered, unstable, and IMO, dangerous. On the other hand, you can usually find one of the old cast iron Emerson made Craftsman/Dewalt/Etc belt driven table saws for like $50. They'll cut better, take wider blade stacks, won't vibrate like a cheap tablesaw will, and there's no risk of them falling over.

Sliding miter saws are much nicer than non-sliding ones - they can cut much wider boards, and are generally much easier to use (they make better cuts too -because they're cutting in a straight line instead of an arc) - but you don't need one for trim and 2x4s. You do need a dual-bevel if you're going to be cutting crown molding or anything like that (its whether the blade can tilt left and right).

Check craigslist - you might be able to find a good sliding saw for what you'd pay for a cheap one at lowes.

There are a couple places like BigSkyTool online that specialize in refurbished tools. IMO, you're better off buying a good used/refurbished tool than a cheap new one.

I bought a refurbed Hitatchi sliding compound in '07 or so - have probably cut several thousand boards on it. Still going.

Yep. I have a nice predator inverter generator that runs better than the hondas we use at work.

Ive broken more Ryobi tools than HF tho lol.