[OP]
Contributor
Home Depot still has the Ridgid 12" SCMS for $299.
I have a 10" DeWalt - non-slider that I'm more or less happy with.
There have only been a couple/three times in the past that I wised I had either a larger saw or a slider.
The $400 and above ones (Glide) aren't in my plans since I really don't use a miter saw all that much.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
The value of such a tool depends on your use and if you have not run into a situation where you needed one yet, you probably don't. I gave up the CMS and the huge associated footprint years ago. The value to footprint ratio just wasn't there for me.
"A hen is only an egg's way of making another egg".
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This! Space is precious.Originally Posted by glenn bradley
Thoughts entering one's mind need not exit one's mouth!
As I age my memory fades .... and that's a load off my mind!
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I only use my CMS, for the most part, for breaking down boards to work-appropriate length. Rarely is it used for "finish" work. It does have a 12" blade, but is not a slider. I sometime have to flip wide boards over to complete a cut that a sliding CMS would better handle, but that's not an issue for me. So if the capacities of your 10" saw meet your needs now, why put money into a replacement. Perhaps there's another tool or other tooling that will better enhance your woodworking projects and skills that the money would better serve.
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The most expensive tool is the one you buy "cheaply" and often...
Contributor
No, you don't really need one any longer.
With the introduction of track saws, I personally don't see the need for sliding compound miter saw unless you're in the building trades and know you would constantly be using it.
Price is, unfortunately, an indication of quality, and you really need a strong beam on a slider. $299.00 is a lot of $$$$, but many of the others are twice that amount and more. The beam makes the slider.
I have a 25 year old DeWalt 12" compound miter, and I am finding less and less use for it as times goes on. I just don't cut 4x4's, and 2x8's, very often any longer.
Last edited by Mike Cutler; 11-29-2017 at 11:04 AM.
"The first thing you need to know, will likely be the last thing you learn." (Unknown)
Contributor
Do you have a RAS?
Do you need it on a job site?
Member
This week I replaced my 12" dewalt non slider with the 12" sliding rigid from home depot. I am very happy with the quality of the saw. I read a few negative reviews about not cutting square, but decided to take a chance at $300. It DID need some adjustment to cut square through the full range of motion, but those adjustments were easy to make. I am happy with my purchase.
That said, if it's not a tool you use very often, it may not be worth it to you. I do use it often, but I'm just a hack... certainly not a professional.
Contributor
It sounds like your current miter saw takes care of virtually all your needs (with a couple of exceptions). Based on that, I'd say that a new saw, regardless of the price isn't a necessity. I've never been a big fan of miter saws, sliding compound or not. Owned a Hitachi 12" dual compound slider. Great saw, but the dust collection was bad. I don't own the saw anymore. If you're a trim carpenter, a good miter saw would be a must. I have found I don't need one.
Member
I have a small Ryobi BT3100 table saw, Ryobi RAS, Hitachi 12 inch non-slider, and "Pro-Tech" 10 inch non-slider. All get used. I mention the table saw because it lacks a miter slot and therefore pretty much can't cross cut. It has a sliding table but I have never been able to adjust it to decent accuracy. If you are comfortable with cutting smaller pieces on the table saw and big ones with a track saw (which I also have) you may not need a CMS - or at least a good one. I just used the Pro-Tech to put up >200 feet of crown molding 3 5/8. I needed to move the saw around to cut the 16 feet lengths in the shop and it is a lot more portable than my 12 inch Hitachi. The cuts were within capacity so it worked well. I would not want to do those cuts without a CMS. But for furniture work, or casework, I use a CMS but you might not. My main go-to crosscut tool is the 12 inch non-slider. It will cross cut up to 8 inches and the RAS does the wider stuff up to its capacity then the track saw gets pulled out. I do not own a slider primarily because of the space they require. My main usage is on a bench in the shop and the bench would have to be really deep to use a slider. All of them use a lot of space. I believe accuracy would be closer to a RAS than a non-slider but I have not used one so I might get a surprise.
Member
I have a Bosch GCM12SD, which I believe is one of the better models you can buy. I use it regularly. Having said that, I very seldom use this saw if high precision is required. My table saw with crosscut sled is more accurate and leaves a finer finish cut. I looked long and hard at the 12 inch Ridgid SCMS before I bought the Bosch and almost bought it at something like $450. I think it is a fine tool. For the price you mention, I think it is a great buy. You have to decide whether it is worth it to upgrade.
[OP]
Contributor
Ok - I think I got the message.
Thanks!
I'll forget about the slider for now.
I just hated to see a great deal get past me.
"Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." - John Lennon
Member
As others have said it depends on what you intend to use it for. Fifteen years ago I bought a 10" Bosch SLCMS and used it for fine furniture. I made a lot of cuts with that saw that were dead on accurate. I moved out of my hobby shop at home into a commercial shop and took the saw with me. It cost more than $400 15 years ago. That saw is still being used in that shop by my son in his business. It was a good investment.
I have since started up my shop at home and have a nice minimax combination machine that I can use for precision cuts but wanted a cut off saw to use for roughing lumber and carpentry projects. I went to Lowe's and bought their cheapest 10 SLCMS for just over $100. On black Friday I bought the Ridgid MSUV for $99 at home depot. (It's really good). So I have paid about half today what I paid 15 years ago and have it mounted on a very nice portable stand.
Now, it's not as accurate as my old Bosch. It probably wont last as long, but that's okay, I knew that when I bought it.
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