Advice on saws??

[DANR]

I need to buy a compound miter saw and a table saw for our place up north. We don't have a lot of storage space there, so I need something compact and portable. I am a DIYer, so I don't need the top of the line, but I don't want junk either. Any suggestions or tips would be appreciated!

[mn_bowhunter]

Price range? I really like the ridgid portable table saw for its quality portability. The fence is better than any other I've seen including bosch and dewalt. It also stands up on end for storage. It runs about $500 and has a lifetime service agreement so if the motor craps out they'll fix it. I also really like the dewalt 10" miter saw. It's got great accuracy and the ability to turn off the positive stops for miter adjustments. The miter saw runs 200-230.

[Bear55]

I have the Dewalt 10" saw and it does a great job but I am really wishing I would have sprung a larger saw with a larger cutting radius, especially for angles.

[BoxMN]

I have rigid 12" miter, and it works great. I got it right as they were coming out with the laser light, so got it cheap and with the lifetime warranty. So far, it works great, precise and has been bounced around. If you get a miter, get 12" or if 10" make sure it is sliding. A 10" that doesn't slide won't cut a 45 angle on a 8" board, but a 12" will.

Good luck.

[Farmboy1]

I always buy the absolute best tools I can, but that means I normally pay a little more for them. I have a 12" Dewalt miter saw. Works great for 99% of stuff. The only problem I have had is on wide materials. If you do not specifically need it, stay away from the sliders. They are great when needed, but you lose accuracy, and they are a pain to haul around. Also most sliders the head can tilt left or right which is good when you need it, but takes 5 minutes every time it is moved to check accuracy.

Table saws - I had a Ridgid contractor saw, but upgraded to a Delta Unisaw. I love the Unisaw but is way overkill for most people. Looking for something compact that you can store, I would look at any of the contractor saws out there. We have 3 Ridgids at work, and they are servicable. Also Bosch makes a nice one. Things to look for are easy to set up and take down, quality fence, and ease of adjustment. I am a stickler for location of the shut off switch. I can hit mine with my leg after a cut, but this is not possible with most contractor models.

[LightningBG]

I have a 12" Ridgid Dual Compound Miter Saw With Adjustable Laser and Love It.

Here are the specs. I bought it at HD about a year and a half ago and haven't had a single complaint.

Features

Work Clamp with Quick-Release Lever – securely holds material in place

Quick-Release Bevel Lock – provides users with up-front access to make quick angle adjustments

2 ½ in. Dust Port – provides connection to standard dust collection systems to help keep work area clean

Bevel Stop Pin – quick action levered pin releases or bypasses bevel detent index points with one simple motion

Dual Bevel and Extended Miter Range – 0° to 48° dual bevel and 0° to 50° miter capacities with crown molding stops to accommodate a wide variety of cuts

Expanded Cutting Capacity – gives extra material support to cut up to a 2 in. x 10 in. at a 90° crosscut and a wide range of crown molding

Zero Clearance Throat Plate – give material maximum cut through support

15 Amp Motor – heavy duty motor powers through the most difficult cuts

Sof-Touch™ Controls – improve comfort and grip

Repeat-A-Cut™ Marking Surface – allows user to mark fence for repetitive cuts

Miter Detent Thumbwheel – quick action thumbwheel releases or bypasses miter detent index points with one simple motion

Quick-Release Miter Lock – provides users with easy access to make quick angle adjustments

Specifications

Motor: 120 V, AC only, 15 Amps

No Load Speed: 4,000 r/min. (RPM)

Blade Arbor: 1 in.

Blade Diameter: 12 in.

Weight: 46 lbs.

Cutting Capacities

Baseboard Against Fence: 6 in.

Baseboard Lying Flat: 9 ¼ in.

Crown Molding Lying Flat: 7 ¾ in.

Nested Crown: 7 ½ in.

90° Cross Cut (nominal): 2 in. x 10 in.

45° Miter Cut (nominal): 2 in. x 6 in.

45° Bevel Cut (nominal): 2 in. x 10 in.

[DANR]

Thanks for the advice guys! Looks like I should be looking hard at Dewalt and Ridgid

Thanks again

Dan

[Kodiak]

check out the evolution power tools line of saws. they have a dual compound miter slider saw that is pretty trick, you can even cut aluminum and mild steel with it. that would be real handy up at the cabin, prices are not that bad either....a rage3 is the 8 1/2" slider miter that is only like 160bucks, and is decent quality.

i myself use a bosch 10" dual compound bevel slider but that is a $500plus saw...works great!.