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Miter Saw Recommendations
#6668097
02/09/17 03:39 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Stevarino
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I'm in the market for a miter saw and need some help finding the right one for small projects that will include cutting steel and wood. I just got into welding and have been using a dewalt 4.5" grinder, but cutting angles are a waste of time and money.. Looking for the best bang for my buck.. not looking for the cheapest saw, something that will last.. Budget let's say <$400?. School me on blades as well.. I recently built this base for an old ski lift chair, working on a hog trap currently.. steel ranges from 1x1 square tubing, 1x3" square tubing.. .. I build all kinds of things out of wood like tables, signs, odd end projects.. so what would be best for me to buy?
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668145
02/09/17 04:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,525
SnakeWrangler
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I would get two different saws....one for metal and one for wood.....usually can find good deals at pawn shops...
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668215
02/09/17 05:12 PM
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Joined: May 2015
Posts: 4,140
Dalee7892
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Most miter saws for wood has a lot of plastic on them, no good for sparks cutting steel. Miter saw for wood, if cutting compound meters need a tilt on saw. Depending on size of material will suggest the size of the equipment. Cutting steel apt of sparks, metal cutting saws have mostly metal parts and a different locking device on them. A fixed band saw will do a better job on steel, no sparks, cuts are smooth. Check out Northern Tool for the fixed band saw. I have a Dewalt Compond Miter Saw 10", will cut most wood that I use. It is a little heavy. Go to Lowes or HD and review.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: SnakeWrangler]
#6668217
02/09/17 05:12 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
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Western
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I would get two different saws....one for metal and one for wood.....usually can find good deals at pawn shops...
Yep, most steel saws are made for the heat, wood saws are not. I have a Makita 14" chop saw bought in 91 and a newer Rigid 14", both for steel, both work great, just use 1/8 blades to better control blade flex. I have a small Craftsman miter and just bought a Dewalt DW716 after a couple of months of reading, talk about a sweet saw
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668249
02/09/17 05:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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Yeah, I like that dw716.. so I couldn't buy a different blade to cut steel? Would it burn up the motor? Or more of a safety issue?
I sure was hoping to buy only one saw and be able to swap blades.
Last edited by Stevarino; 02/09/17 05:32 PM.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668259
02/09/17 05:40 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,525
SnakeWrangler
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Yeah, I like that dw716.. so I couldn't buy a different blade to cut steel? Would it burn up the motor? Or more of a safety issue?
I sure was hoping to buy only one saw and be able to swap blades. A lot of it has to do with volume.....how much do you plan on using it? Mostly cutting wood or metal? You can cut wood with a metal cutting saw and you can cut metal with a wood cutting saw....but they weren't designed for that.... I'd put the money into getting a saw designed for whichever material you expect more of....then get a used (pawnshop) saw designed for the other material.....
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668266
02/09/17 05:45 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Stevarino
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Just got into welding, but don't have a lot of big projects in mind.. probably more wood type projects in the future.. think I'll go with something like the dw716 and be on the lookout for a used chop saw..
Sorry for my ignorance, but I appreciate the help guys.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668297
02/09/17 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 65,525
SnakeWrangler
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Just got into welding, but don't have a lot of big projects in mind.. probably more wood type projects in the future.. think I'll go with something like the dw716 and be on the lookout for a used chop saw..
Sorry for my ignorance, but I appreciate the help guys. Ignorance is temporary and fixable....stupid is as stupid does.....you stopped with the ignorance when you asked the question.... Sounds like a good plan. As you get more into the metal work you can upgrade your tools as necessary.... I really like the ski lift bench....looks great....keep posting project pics.....
I believe in science and I’m an insufferable [censored] Actually, BBC is pretty damn good "You Cannot Simultaneously Be Politically Correct And Intellectually Honest!"
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668394
02/09/17 07:19 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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Wish I had a "before" pic on the chair.. it was a pile of rust.. found it on CL along with two others in New Hampshire.. made in the late 60s early 70s. The other two are done and hanging as porch swings at our cabin in Broken bow.. Here's one of my odd end projects.. posted a while back but one of my favorites.. http://texashuntingforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/4098519/Wine_Barrel_Smoker#Post4098519
Last edited by Stevarino; 02/09/17 07:21 PM.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668410
02/09/17 07:34 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,236
Gamblinman
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Wood saws turn too many RPMs to cut metal. Better off having 2 saws for your intended purposes. I'm betting if you can catch them on sale, you can purchase both in your budget.
" I don't hunt turkeys because I want to, I hunt turkeys because I have to."
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668439
02/09/17 08:00 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,466
Jkd106
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I have a rage saw ( compound miter) it works well on both, I have cut a lot of metal with it, trimmed a couple of new houses, and various other wood projects. You can get a combo blade that cuts both, or buy different blades for each material. I will say the metal blades wear pretty quickly with any thing over 14ga. I use a torch or chopsaw mostly, but for nice 45's or special projects the miter is nice. Also when you cut metal with it, the cut is not hot, you can handle with bare hand.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Jkd106]
#6668453
02/09/17 08:15 PM
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Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,006
Stevarino
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I have a rage saw ( compound miter) it works well on both, I have cut a lot of metal with it, trimmed a couple of new houses, and various other wood projects. You can get a combo blade that cuts both, or buy different blades for each material. I will say the metal blades wear pretty quickly with any thing over 14ga. I use a torch or chopsaw mostly, but for nice 45's or special projects the miter is nice. Also when you cut metal with it, the cut is not hot, you can handle with bare hand. Nice.. I'll look into this.. I believe Ramball uses something similar..Maybe he'll chime in.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668458
02/09/17 08:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 29,034
Western
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The DW716 is on sale right now at homedepot, probably everywhere else as well, it is one hell of a solid miter saw. I almost went with the next model up with the slider, but to many pro reviews said there was was to much play in the system, so I got the 716 and went ahead and bought a darn good table saw If you get the spare coin, see if you can catch the HD miter saw stand on sale, I got it in a package deal and man, what a nice addition! As mentioned, hit a few pawn shops and see what you can find on the chop saw, even harbor freight may get you into a cheap one with decent bearings for as little as you say you cut.
If at first you dont succeed, then skydiving is not for you..
"Don't trust everything you read on the Internet"- Abraham Lincoln Dennis
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668587
02/09/17 10:06 PM
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Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 3,416
ZK-315
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If it were me buying a new miter saw, I'd go with a sliding miter saw, especially if you're planning a lot of angled cuts. Anything over a 2x4 (or maybe 2x6 I cant remember off the top of my head), you'll have to flip your board and cut the other side of your board. At the angle, the saw wont cut all the way through at a wider board.
I got a free hand-me-down cheap miter saw from my neighbor when he upgraded. He upgraded to a slider and now I see why.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668624
02/09/17 10:35 PM
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Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,466
Jkd106
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This is the rage I have, and I agree with above, I wanted the double bevel, slider, it's worth the extra money.
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6668681
02/09/17 11:20 PM
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 22,716
BigPig
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The problem with using a metal blade in a conventional wood miter saw is that the motor and bearings can't handle the stress of metal cutting. I would buy a Ridgid compound miter saw with laser guide and one that slides for wood working, and also a Ridgid for metal cutting. I absolutely HATE my Dewalt chop saw
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Re: Miter Saw Recommendations
[Re: Stevarino]
#6689371
02/28/17 01:43 AM
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Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 6,109
pdr55
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Horizontal band saw for the metal. Sliding compound mitre saw for wood.
If you`re running down my country, man, You`re walking on the fighting side of me. (Merle)
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