Compound mitre saws - to slide or not to slide

[lymmranger]

I`ve had enough of hand powered mitre machines - they never seem to give reliable results on anything bigger than a moulding!
my house is full of 7inch skirting boards and picture rails so I am looking to purchase one of these delightful machines.
use will be non trade on a variety of mouldings and skirting boards
Budget is approx £100 but may spend more, and i will buy a finer blade at the same time.
I am (nervously) considering the macallister double bevel model from b&q
which is currently around £129 (hopefully less at the tradepoint) - this model seems to offer sliding action and lots of features, including coping with my huge skirting boards
I know this machine will not cope with trade use but it does seem to be quite a solid machine....
.......I would appreciate any comments or alternative suggestions but give me 5 minutes to get my body armour on first

Oooooops just realised - this is in the wrong section - sorry Mods please could you move this to tools. sorry

 

[big-all]

unfortunatly you will be luck to get an accurate slider for less than £200 or a decent branded for less than £300

in general a slider costs 50% more than an equivilent mitre saw

 

[WoodYouLike]

To be honest, we as trade use mitre saws from DIY-sheds too, because of the price and decent quality (compared to the very expensive ones "specially" for the trade, never seem to last longer then those from DIY-sheds).
The slider is a great feature to have, makes work simpler

 

[lymmranger]

To be honest, we as trade use mitre saws from DIY-sheds too, because of the price and decent quality (compared to the very expensive ones "specially" for the trade, never seem to last longer then those from DIY-sheds).
The slider is a great feature to have, makes work simpler

thanks for the quick response guys

...so I think your saying go for it???? wheras big-all is saying no?

must admit I never usually buy cheap tools (false economy) but I have a few macallister tools and have been quite pleased with them - they happily built a boat without breaking. I also think that nothing seems to last like it used to anymore, no matter how much you pay

hmmm - not sure what to do now

 

[joinerjohn]

For 7" skirting, your gonna have to have a sliding mitre saw. Regular non sliding ones will have a maximum cut across the bed of around 4"-5" max. With a slider you should be able to cut 7" without too much problems.
If you want it even cheaper, get an OAP to buy it on a Wednesday!! They get 10% off. If I need anything from B&Q, I always ask my dad to go in.

 

[gregers]

i own three chop saws and they all slide,1 of them you would say is from the cheaper end of the market,and to be honest its a pretty decent bit of kit,now i wouldnt know how it would last on the trade front,but for occasional use go for the cheaper 1.

 

[big-all]

...so I think your saying go for it???? wheras big-all is saying no?

must admit I never usually buy cheap tools (false economy) but I have a few macallister tools and have been quite pleased with them - they happily built a boat without breaking. I also think that nothing seems to last like it used to anymore, no matter how much you pay

hmmm - not sure what to do now

more a case off you will have to take your chances on cheaper saws
you could try and stretch to £200
http://www.axminster.co.uk/viewinde...0s&source=emailclub&dm_i=5F,4Z5P,3372A,FGVQ,1

 

[foxhole]

The mac allister B&Q sell has a very poor motor, if your home has a modern power supply it may trip the switch [power surge on start up] rendering it useless.They will ask you to return it if you have this problem.

 

[simmyoto]

screwfix sell erbauer mitre saws- these are rexxon saws that have been own branded- the erb 2501se uses a bosch motor and is a good choice for those on a budget- replace the blade when you get chance with a decet one and you wont go far wrong- in addition contrary to many peoples oppinions you can buy spares for the erbauers- jus searc nline for rexxon spares- call them if you ever need anything and they will sort i for you- all in all the erbuer is a decent machine for less than £150
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/30997...aws/Erbauer-ERB2501SE-255mm-Sliding-Mitre-Saw

 

[lymmranger]

...I went for the macallister one in the end I had no choice but to purchase the bigger 255mm blade machine (normally £159.00) due to lack of stock.
I am a trade point customer, but this machine had no discount on it, so the manager heavily (and I mean heavily) discounted the extra finer tooth blade I got to go with it.

...It is an awsome piece of kit - proper alloy scales and really solid. It needed very little adjustment out of the box and has already earned its keep. (i.e. it did a job a pro would have wanted at least £200 for)

I have to admit it is far too big for my requirements really but I am sure I will think of something else to use it for (it will cross cut and mitre up to 16inch wide)