What do you think about your miter saw?

I have the makita ls1016 slider, works great. Accurate, smooth start, and deep capacity. Paid $379 @ HD.

Get a Festool track saw and rip and crosscut all material quickly, accurately, and enjoy the work. Easy peasy.

Congrats on your table contract and may you have continued success.

I have a DeWalt 12’’ SCMS. I have had it since they first were introduced and got some sort of “deal” on it but do not recall the details I have had zero problems with it. I do not expect perfect 45d from it for furniture and use shooting broard for making true 45’s.I feel it would work well and hold up for your tables.
The question is, do you need SCMS as they are expensive? I have used the compound angle option on mine maybe once.

-- Jerry

Waho I am more worried about the angle cuts for the legs then the crosscutting. Thanks for the suggestion though.

Jerry I don’t need it for anything other than cutting the angles for the legs. I had to look up what the SCMS stands for. I think that I would use the function, but I am not sure.

SCMS = Sliding Compound Miter Saw

DeWalt Radial Arm Saw. Or if SCM is a must, I second the Makita or get a 12 inch Hitachi at Lowes. The thing about the 12 inchers is the blade cost is huge. If cost is a consideration the Kobalt 10 inch slider at Lowes is under $200 and gets good reviews – you will probably finish your job within the warranty period so it’s not like you would be taking a risk.

I have both a makita and a dewalt 12 inch. Both are non-sliders. The dewalt 12 has been in heavy use for about ten years now without a problem. Sounds like for what your doing it may be the saw for you. Big bang for the buck ! And if it falls out of your truck or whatever you havent broke the bank. JB

I have a Ridgid 12” that has been a good saw. However….if I was looking new I think the Makita would be very attractive to me.

-- Don't rollerskate in a buffalo herd

Try the Hitachi 12” SCMS with laser. It’ll handle anything. And if you have a pet gorilla, it’s portable.

-- Clint Searl.............We deserve what we tolerate

I had a deck building job to do in 2000 and bought a DeWalt 12” SCMS . I still use this saw and have had zero problems with it.

-- In God We Trust

I’ve had Dewalt, Hitachi, Sears, and a Bosch 10” slider…the most awsome saw I’ve used is the Bosch GCSM12SD Glide. The new articulating slider. Coming down in price, but the best, smoothest most accurate I’ve had. I don’t hesitate to cut critical miters with it and I make a lot of military retiree flag and shadow boxes. Like I said, not cheap, but (my opinion) the best… except it has no laser line. I got the $10 Irwin laser and it was 10 times better than the Bosch $50 laser option. Last saw I’ll ever need for precise wood working… For cheap… the $100 10” Hitachi was next most accurate and you can get it at Lowes. I keep it in the attic for my mobile projects. Just my opinion.

-- "Always with Honor"

I too have been looking at the Kobalt 10” SCMS that dhazelton mentioned. Also similar is a 10” SCMS from Craftsman. I know that many people don’t trust the quality of Craftsman tools anymore, but I’ve never had any issues with mine and I think I’d prefer the Craftsman name over Kobalt.

-- It's made of wood. Real sturdy.--Chubbs Peterson

I have a Dewalt 12” non-sliding, and haven’t had any problems. I remember when I bought it, I was considering getting the additional laser guide to know exactly where the blade would cut. After looking up reviews, it turns out that the laser requires constant calibration to keep it accurate. The simple LED light that it came with casts a shadow of the blade onto the workpiece, which imho is as accurate as possible and will never require calibration. The easiest solution’s usually the best. Just something to consider in your purchase!

-- Adam, Rochester NY

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/251

Here’s a review on the Hitachi 12 saw.

Seriously, go look at blade prices before you buy a 12 inch saw. You will be shocked. If you can get all the capacity you need out of a 10 inch slider go that route (pretty sure you can miter a 2X10 with most of them). Your wallet will thank you.