Mitre Saw Recommendations

[Munroast]

A note on the 90 angle i have a ryobi compound sliding one and I have to store it turned to 45 due to lack of space so every time I use it i have to set back to 90 I always check its dead on with an engineers square. I lay the thick heavy end at the fence and the thin end go's along the cut line, I slide the saw nearest to me and check it just kisses the square and then i slide the saw to the fence end an check and adjust from there.
So if your main beef is with the accuracy of the 90 then do that check every time you use it.

I always prefer to make a cut on a bit of scrap wood, and check the angles on that. have found it better than trying to align the machine up to a set square

and also a sharp multi tooth blade for super accurate cutting, my 120 tooth tct blade only comes out of the box for very special occasions, going for super accuraciy is a recipe for madness

all 6 corners - perfect

 

[bobbyrobby25]

I purchased a Bosch GCM8

It is OK, not a refined as a Festool, but I couldn't justify that kind of cost.

Yeah Festool is not in budget, albeit I love some of the gadgets they include such as the angle gague that snaps to the plate to let you line up the perfect angles...

The Bosch get's excellent reviews, it's definitely on my shortlist, I just wonder if the 8 inch blade is too small for a 'one and done' saw

Hi Bobby robby

Where abouts are you?

North East

One thing to look out for is "soft start" - it slowly starts spinning, not silly slow but "soft" whereas mine with a 10inch 80 tooth blade starts almost violently and if you are holding your wood against the fence by hand - like you shouldn’t then the wood can move/ jolt off the mark.

Absolutely want this - the Titan I have is wild on startup

---

Thanks all for the input and suggestions..I am really torn on this one, no closer. However, I think that I want to get a stand with it, and store it on the stand - that way the weight concerns are lessened (especially if it's a wheeled stand). I will also absolutely use the stops for repeat cuts.

DeWalt 780 has entered the chat...I heard the XPS shadowline system is really good and better than the laser guides.

However I am still drawn to the Makita 10/1219 - that front rail system gives me a futureproofed design

But, the Evolution & Bosch options are standouts - so here is a question - is a more mid range saw with top notch blades a better option than a top end saw with standard blades?

I have a (probably unreasonable) fear that cheaper = way less accurate. My most recent project turned out poorer than I wanted due to the cuts and it's just mega frustrating.

Finally - @Munroast - Love that

 

[ETAF]

I have the DWS778 (250mm blade)
If money was no object , i would have got the DWS780 , liked the tool, Also wanted the bigger table saw, BUT they changed the rules (table size v blade size) , just before i purchased

is a more mid range saw with top notch blades a better option than a top end saw with standard blades?

I think the saxton blades are really good - so no matter what machine i got i would always get some new blades with various teeth - on my 250mm I have 60T and 80T - plus the dewalt blade it came with , with a 305mm blade probably 80/100T equivalent

DeWalt 780 has entered the chat...I heard the XPS shadowline system is really good and better than the laser guides.

I have no issue with the shadow guide , has no setup - not great in bright sunlight - Used laser on the evolution it was OK, in a garage - not in bright sunlight - BUT needs to be setup

 

[aveatry]

Yep agree with the the selection of blade comment. And Saxton as well. Maybe a consideration could be the ease or not of swapping blades.

 

[GinSoakedBoy]

Hey Folks,

New to the forum and looking for some help on a mitre saw upgrade. I did try searching but the threads are years old and the tech (and prices..) certainly have evolved.

I currently have a cheap Titan that I got as a starter saw 3 years ago. It's served a purpose but it's a pain and I find it tricky to get repeatably square cuts (0 detent is not a clean 90, bevel can slip slightly even when tight, etc) and every time I use it I just get annoyed because it's rarely square without loads of faff.

I don't do super precise stuff, but I make planters, benches, shelves, frames - and I also want to make chopping boards (so need 300mm+ cut capacity). I am not in the trade, but a keen DIYer who appreciates quality tools.

I am considering the Makita 1019 (or 1219) and I am prepared to spend the money on a quality tool that will last - but I was hoping to glean some wisdom from folks with more experience. The front rail system is ideal for me - I have a workbench but it's not big enough for the saw to live on permanently, so it'll need to go on a shelf (or elsewhere)

The downside of these Makitas is the weight - and I usually move my Titan around when I use it - I don't have a permanent mitre saw table, but if I can get a movable stand, I have space to store that (just)

The vast majority of my use cases are pretty simple 90 degree cuts, with the odd 45. However - I have some garden projects in mind, like building a garden arch, some more planters - and chopping boards, and I want the ability to grow with the tool and make some simple furniture - so I need clean, square 90 degree cuts without the risk of mitre or bevel slipping, but also I want features like depth stop so that I can do fancier things as I learn more.

I read good things about the Evolution saws...but I find that for what I am after they are either looking like £250-300 (Evolution prices) or a straight big jump to £700+ (Makita, Dewalt) - The Bosch GCM 8 SJL also looks excellent and more in the middle ground price wise.

I don't want to go to Festool levels. I am a DeWalt guy for everything else...but I only have 2ah batteries, but since this is home use, I am not overly fussed about a cordless saw and would prefer 240v.

Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I was in a similar situation to yourself, when it came to replacing my old mitre saw (coincidentally also a Titan). Budget was limited, and I couldn't justify the cost for a £600+ unit.

Ended up buying a Metabo KGS 305M 12' saw, and honestly I have been very pleased with it. Comes with soft start, blade brake, trenching facility, big cut capacity, shadow line, double bevel, smooth sliding rails and its movable (just!). FYI there are two units being sold under the same model name, one is older and doesn't have the same features.

Considering the £300 odd price tag, I think it represents a bit of a bargain and I think its comparable to the similarly sized Dewalt / Makita saws which I have experience of.

I think Metabo are trying to grow their market share in the UK hence the very reasonable prices on equipment? I went to a trade show shortly after buying my mitre saw to see a show deal for the same saw, but cordless with 2x 5ah batteries and charger for £385!

Some things to note with the Metabo - it needed completely setting up out of the box. Fence, stops etc were all out and it took a decent amount of fiddling to get it spot on. Its also a bit of a lump to move around, so if you're dragging it in and out of a van it may not work for you. The back fence is also a little mean, I am planning on cutting and fitting some tuffnol to the fence to provide more surface area.

Hope that is of some help.

 

[ETAF]

@bobbyrobby25
have you decided - just a thought , screwfix have a show end of sept with lots of tool dealers also D&M have a show - i think october time -
i went to D&M a few years back and got a good deal on toughbuilt , kreg & trend stuff
not been to a show since covid and FFX closed , which is the one i used to go each year and again purchased a load of deals

these are all in the south - sure there wil be north ones - NOT sure your location

 

[bobbyrobby25]

Thanks @GinSoakedBoy that is helpful! And thanks for that also @ETAF I had not considered shows

This will just live in my garage - I will likely couple it with a wheeled stand. Those pneumatic ones look very nice

 

[bobbyrobby25]

Me again...what stands do you folks reccomend? Ideally one that has wheels; but I do want one with stops built in

 

[big-all]

Me again...what stands do you folks reccomend? Ideally one that has wheels; but I do want one with stops built in

what ever you choose go for an aluminium based stand as steel based are unbelievably heavy i have the dewalt 7023 no wheels but easy to carry but wheeled versions are available but in general a compromise over longer stands that can support 5m plus timber
arms with length stops 100% better as infinitely adjustable with ease

 

[evdamadiynot]

I've seen standalone soft start modules here and there and am toying with the Idea of fitting one to a cheap table saw that leaps into the air on startup and de-calibrates itself in the process.
I have an antique evolution mitre saw thats done me proud
Its much heavier and solid than the current ones and has wear levellers