When I bought my Rigid it came with a clamp, and an add on table extension. The clamp I use lot's, the extension collects dust. As I said before get the
12" unit, whichever you buy, and keep a sharp blade in it. I keep a rotating schedule, one in use, one being sharpened, and one ready to use. Especially if you cut big stuff and pt lumber.
I'm pretty sure the "new" Rigid line is made by Ryobi (and the one Ryobi tool I ever bought, for light use, lasted 2 weeks. That's a pretty lean definition of "light"). At least that's the general concensus from those at rec.woodworking.
I bought the Dewalt 10" 703. Great saw but I don't think it will cut a 4x4.
That gets my vote, too. After some irritatting experiences with 10" saws, I bought a Bosch 12", what a difference. Nice sturdy machine, comes with an outstanding quality blade. Even does crown moldings fairly close to the way a sliding compound saw does. This is the one to have if your budget isn't up to a $600 DeWalt DW 708. HTH
I got a good deal from Sears on their new laser with extension wings and hold-down clamp. I paid $ 179.00 after my coupons and 10% off with Craftsman club card. I was very hesitate to buying it at first. I am well satisfied with it. It is right on the mark. It's made in Taiwan not by Rigid or Emerson,
Just food for thought, if portability is not an issue.
Have you considered a radial arm saw?
I had one set in the middle of a 16 ' workbench. Not portable by any means, but much more versatile than a compound miter. Keep in mind that a miter saw only crosscuts. A radial arm will do all that the miter will do plus rip cuts. I could throw a 4 x 8 sheet of plywood on the bench and rip it in half.
It' not in the workbench now, I've got it on a makeshift stand in the living room of my cabin.
Portability isn't a major factor, but I already have a 10" table saw, an additional saw to do ripping isn't a big need. Besides, $600 or $700 is way out of my price range (and my needs).
I have been very happy with my Ridgid 12" Miter saw I bought at the Borg. I see them all the time on a special outside the tool rental portion of the Borg for around $150 with the stand. I think I paid $297 new for mine.
Dewalt 705S 12" compound miter saw. Commonly available, nice accessories available, not too pricey. Very good ergonomics. We've had one a decade, I think, and it still cuts clean and square. $300 at Home Depot or Amazon, less when on sale.
We've occasionally considered upgrading the 705S (my other tools include a Unisaw, a PM54A 6" longbed jointer, and so on: we can spend some serious money on tools if we want) but never seen the need.
Mike, I honestly think you might be asking for more headache by narrowing it down like this.
I also went that route some time back, buying at the lower end. It did not pay off. The waste of materials, the increase in labor, the annoyance factor, safety -- I wish I'd bought a Makita long ago. You pay once and you're good to go 20 years.
From the very first cut, the superior tool makes enough difference to make a difference.
Try a few saws, don't take anyone's word for it. Even at Home Depot, they have days when they can set up tools for trial use. Cut a few boards. (When I did that, I abandoned all thought of buying anything less than the Makita L1013, the unique twin linear bearing was so different in feel and comfort level, it was convincing.)
Don't forget that buying the tool is a down payment. You'd be surprised how much expensive material you can wreck with a cheapo tool. (And how quickly.) You need to set it up too. Sometimes that means a new blade (maybe $50) or a whole station - think $90 to $200 for a miter saw stand that suits your way of working.
If you really don't need to own a tool - why not rent? If that pinches the time element too much, buy a GOOD tool, keep it absolutely clean and in good shape, use it for your big project - then sell it. If you buy junk, it has almost no salvage value. Buy a big name brand and it will sell for almost what you paid for it a year later.
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