Sliding Mitre Saw recommendations

[Gareth J]

I bought and evolution one when I needed one for a one off job. Got it from Screwfix the one time they weren't on offer, typically.

It's been fine and very good for the money. I got a single bevel. An occasional inconvenience but never insurmountable though if I was earning a wage from it, double bevel would be worth it. Not had it long enough, nor will I use it enough to comment on longevity.

 

[Onoff]

DeWalt...and I hate DeWalt.

 

[MetalMonkey]

DeWalt...and I hate DeWalt.

Old dewalt and elu saws were good.
The newer ones not so much, especially the DWS780 - they come faulty form the factory apparently.

​

 

[julianf]

If you have some space, one of the old dewalt radial arm saws would be way more versitile.

They do take up way more space than the footprint of the saw though in actual use, but are nice to use.

They are more bother to set up as well.

 

[sako243]

@reb78 I've got the 10"Milwaukee and it is bloody handy being able to not faff with cables (was using it yesterday up some scaffolding cladding a steel beam above the office).

One big but though is it really does like the 12Ah battery, I've only got 5Ah and a single 12Ah high output and the difference is noticeable, particularly in wet timber like our local builders merchant stocks. The "lack" of performance to a mains one is made up for by it's convenience not having to plug it in. Most of the time I've used it has been building new things that don't currently have mains.

Neighbour who's a chippy has an Erbauer (big 12 or 14" one) and he's happy with it.

 

[dobbslc]

I've had one of these for a few years and it's great.

GCM 8 SJL Sliding Mitre Saw | Bosch Professional

GCM 8 SJL Mitre saws & work benches | Cutting capacity of 70 mm vertical and 312 mm horizontal for sawing large workpieces, 2-point dust extraction system provides optimized dust management, Light and compact design amd one-handed transportation handle provide an easy transport

www.bosch-professional.com

I sometimes wish I had the double bevel one.
3 year warranty when registered.
It's done all the skirting and door architrave and kitchen kick boards etc in this house so far with only operator error

 

[addjunkie]

I have a makita one was about 200 quid, about 240 now from what I can see. Does most things youd want around the house. Double bevel is very useful for skirting boards.

I also have an evolution one, for rough use. Fire wood, metal, all sorts, well abused but still working.

What you buy depends on what your going to use it for!

 

[Turbo]

I tried a lot of 240v saws when I was sourcing a new one for our Mens Shed and it was down to 2, a Makita and a Dewalt.
Got a good deal on the Dewalt, a DWS780 and it was a good choice. Once set up it has been extremely accurate and the shadow line is the bees knees compared to any laser line.
With a lot of site chippies going battery they are out there second hand.

 

[Craig-SM]

It’s surprising how many people you see slagging down a mitre saw for not been accurate when all it needs is just a 5 min calibration

 

[Turbo]

It’s surprising how many people you see slagging down a mitre saw for not been accurate when all it needs is just a 5 min calibration

You can calibrate them perfectly but if there is any play in the saw it will not be accurate.
I had a parkside saw and it would always put a bump on the edge of a long cut due to play in the bearings.

 

[Craig-SM]

You can calibrate them perfectly but if there is any play in the saw it will not be accurate.
I had a parkside saw and it would always put a bump on the edge of a long cut due to play in the bearings.

True and that was the issue with Performance one I had before. It’s people who don’t take the time to calibrate it in the first place then whinge about it that bugs me.

 

[TEO]

my DeWalt sliding miter saw is now 20 years old........it's done a lot of work....still accurate as new....
I'd only change it for a 350mm blade model....mines only 305mm....and yes it does make difference.....
plenty of used ones.....Makita is as good.....the Bosch looks great with less working room needed but those pivot bushed will soon get loose.....
View attachment 491747
be careful if u go for a smaller type DeWalt some of the early ones have no spares.......I have one in for repair and no parts anymore....luckily I can make the nec parts.....

I wouldn't go old Makita, the locking system for the table was combined with the back& forth slide & caused me all sorts of issues. Separate controls for those functions makes a massive difference.

 

[Turbo]

True and that was the issue with Performance one I had before. It’s people who don’t take the time to calibrate it in the first place then whinge about it that bugs me.

The dewalt saw we bought needed set up when we got it. It was close but not quite square both horizontally and vertically. Spent half an hour tweeking it and got it perfect.

Had I let the gorillas loose on it straight away they would have run the saw down, saying why did we buy that rubbish dewalt.

 

[chunkytfg]

Makita LS1219 305mm Electric Slide Compound Mitre Saw

Makita LS1219 305mm Electric Slide Compound Mitre Saw Available from ITS.co.uk with fast delivery and 5 star service

its.co.uk

I have this one only dont buy it from ITS. Generally available cheaper elsewhere.

I know you said sub £500 but honestly it is worth it.

Simply having the slid part out front as opposed to sticking out the back is a massive selling point as it can sit so much closer to the wall and takes up alot less space overall. Mine is regularly used in anger as I'm primarily a woodworker over metalworker. Ive use it for cutting 200mm x 100mm Oak sleepers and it goes through them in one shot. No need to rotate them or anything.

 

[Bravheart]

Single bevel evolution here tct blades great for wood that may have embedded metal but don't think it's refined enough for delicate carpentry. There is too much play in the pivots, the blade leaves too rough a finish and the fence was never true straight out of the box and no amount of fiddling could get it any better. Other blades may be available of course.
I would coppy what the guy's that make a living from cutting timber use if you are doing an internal house refurbishment also if that's the case as above double bevel will be so much handier.

 

[Turbo]

I have yet to see an evolution power tool that impresses me. They are aimed at the diy market with average build quality and light construction.

 

[mtt.tr]

I have a DeWalt chopsaw on stand that I would like to sell

 

[123hotchef]

These were mentioned in another thread, do t know if any good as I've never used a mitre saw.

Evolution R255SMS+ 255mm Electric Sliding Mitre Saw

Get it tomorrow: Free next-day delivery to site - Evolution R255SMS+ 255mm Electric Sliding Mitre Saw. Rated EXCELLENT on TrustPilot

its.co.uk

they are good cut a little slower I have 2 of the big ones and a smaller one! I also have the milwakee M18 big boy for off site work

 

[Dessieb2022]

It’s surprising how many people you see slagging down a mitre saw for not been accurate when all it needs is just a 5 min calibration

I have a Bosch mitre saw, instructions don't give any mention of calibration and the angles table itself doesn't seem to be adjustable. Any ideas where to look to find out how to calibrate it? It's out about 1mm over a 4x2 board.

 

[Craig-SM]

I have a Bosch mitre saw, instructions don't give any mention of calibration and the angles table itself doesn't seem to be adjustable. Any ideas where to look to find out how to calibrate it? It's out about 1mm over a 4x2 board.

You didn’t say what model you have but most adjust the same way. The mitre angie is adjusted by loosening the screws on the locking plate that shows the degrees, ensuring the blade is square to the fence and tightening them back up.
The bevel normally has a bolt at the hinge that you can adjust and then lock with the nut. Once square repeat with the mitre at 45 degree and same again with the bevel.
If yours has a knob to clamp the mitre in place be careful as the tend to adjust the angle as you tighten it regardless of it being squared or not.