ADVICE FROM WOODWORKERS

It does look like a nice rig. Just for your info, the Bosch saw (12" slide) on the Bosch stand collapsed down comes out 38" from the wall and stretches 36" wide. Judging from the pictures, the support arms would extend approximately as far as the Portamate's wings.

And that's not even to mention this baby...

I am picking out a miter saw tonight so I can complete a project. Probably going to end up with a cheapie option though. Rigid or Ryobi most likely. I've been buying things left and right for this new home and I'm not looking to drop $500 on a saw at the moment. Hopefully I won't regret it.

My first saw (qfter a Sears Chop saw) was a dewalt 10". It was a goodole saw ( I got it at yrd sale--Lotsa guys who are being kicked out by their wives had all these great tools so I, like a vulture, pick em up dirt cheep).

I bought a Hitachi dual slide 12" with a laser site and an active dust catcher that fits my central vac real nice. Its accurate and the slide is about 20" and thats as good as I haad from an old Radial Arm killing machine (NEVER BUY AN OLD RADIAL ARM, YOU WILL DIE cause they fling wood back at you at hypersonic speeds). The only thing I dont care for is that the wood slices (If Im trimming) have a habit of dropping down into the blade slot.

You can get the sliding miters by Hitachi at Lowes and they often have sales thatll save you a hundred bucks.Yard sales are the best though. I bought a Fest.. edge bander at one for 75$ and It is worth at least 800 bucks new. The guy barely had it unpacked before his ol lady kicked him out for messin with the neighbors wife. (Thats like the 9th commandment) .

The only tools I stay away from are KOBALT (really poor carbonized metals) and anything from Harbour Freight.

You'll probably be fine with either. The only thing I'd advise is that once you get it home, spend a bit of time checking to make sure everything is squared properly. There's lots of how-to videos available on youtube.

Edit: I'm assuming your time zone earlier than mine and you're already shopping. If not, Craigslist is an option. When I got my new saw a month ago (for $300 off on sale) I immediately placed an ad on Craigslist for the old 10" and had it sold in 48 hours at near the price I paid for it (but it was pretty much in perfect shape).

Also, the blade your saw comes with will likely be just fine for your purposes but up the road you can do some research and purchase a higher quality blade. I've kept the blade that came with my miter saw but bought a really nice blade for my table saw.

Thanks everyone. I ended up going with the Ryobi 15 Amp 12 in. Sliding Miter Saw with Laser.

Seemed like the best value for $199. Even if it only last it's 3 year warranty I think I'll get my money's worth.

I'll make sure to square it all up though tomorrow morning.


https://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-15-Amp-12-in-Sliding-Miter-Saw-with-Laser-TSS120L/205673791

Sounds fine (and a great price). One piece of advice - don't rely on the laser. You can use it as a rough guide but better to bring your blade down to the workpiece (before engaging the on switch) because that will be exact and lasers can go out of alignment.

Good luck on your project. If you have problems or need advice let us know.

PS... I assume you'll be setting it up on a workbench or table? For any piece longer than about 3 or 4', you'll need to set up some support wings on either side of the saw.

Well, I decided on the Portamate Portacube 8000. They said I should have it in 4 days. I commented on how the only complaint anyone had for this unit was the way it was packaged. Not strong enough.

My Portacube came yesterdy PM, by UPS. Im getting a boit annoyed at UPS, they have to get back to delivery in a manner thats not as abusive to my fuckin stuff!!. The box was really banged up . Im going to unpack it this AM. Took Pix and , if anything is wrong, I have a record on a chip.

What do you expect from a company whose initials are pronounced 'Oops!"?

one side of a wing table is a bit bent. I called the e store and didnt get no satisfaction.

What did they say?

they say its an issue with the shipper. I reminded them that the shipper is part of thir responsibility. I put a stop on the Credit card. I like it when the money holder gets involved (even if it costs me some more in the end, Im like that)

Understandable response. I've had good luck with shipping until recently. I think I mentioned on the car thread that 3 new hoods arrived (sequentially) for my Z3 and everyone was damaged during shipping.

Iv been oin barn uty (later lambs than usual were getting too old for lambs at christmas and the market is no longer seasonl).

ANYWAY, a report on how well my portacube works. ITS great!. I like the substantial wheels and its easy to wheel around with a fulcrum lift (IT IS HEAVY WITH THE SAW AN ALL). Ive got plnty of room in the work shop o I can keep it out or put it away fairly easily.
Ive been replacing the "Jay board" on my metal frame shelves with 3/4 A/C plywood. I got a Kreg panel saw frame (Another yard sale deal from (apparently) another poor bloke whos wife had suggested splitting up. The Kreg unit sells for a good price an I got it for 75$ . I use a Milwaukee cordless circ saw and , with a good panel blade it doesnt tear out at all.Of course I dont reccommend going for a panel saw speed record. My shelves now holdeasily 200 pounds without any sagging. That look always bothered me.

3 lambs tonite but its not 10 degrees and snowy so I can sit out here at a table in the tack room