Long time reader of the posts here on Sawmill Creek, but finally registered to be able to communicate with fellow woodworkers. Here's my new problem. After well over 10 years of service, my Hitachi 8.5" slide miter saw is finally being retired from the shop. I can't complain one bit, it's been my woodshop saw, my jobsite saw for trim, framing, vinyl siding, and just about everything else. I'm just finally able to get a dedicated saw for my shop. I really like the Makita 1016l. Even here on the creek, the last mention of it I could find was in 2009. I have heard of issues with the saw with the slides grinding and not working properly and issues with the saw being difficult to square up. A lot of stories the other way too about it being perfect right out of the box. Seems to be a hit or miss saw. Buy one and keep returning it until you get a good one. Since I'm planning to keep my Hitachi for jobsite use, I want to make a good choice for a saw that will be in the shop and nowhere else. I'm wondering if anyone has bought a 1016 recently and if you can elaborate on it a bit. Maybe Makita fixed the issues by now and all the bugs are worked out of the new model? I'm thinking this saw with a Chopmaster Signature, Tenryu Miter Pro, or Freud Industrial blade will be a nice, shiny new permanent fixture in my shop. Any inspired suggestions? DW 717 is my second choice. I can't get a Bosch 4410 in my area so I can't do a good hands on look at that one, and the Kapex is out of my budget.