Sliding Compund Miter Saw vs RAS

[Bigdog72]

If you only had room for one tool which would it be the Sliding Compund Miter Saw or the RAS? I know they serve different purposes in a woodshop but they do share a lot of the same functions. Thanks in advance for your advice!

[Douglas Robinson]

No question, Sliding Compund Miter Saw! It cuts on repeatable angles and compound angles. RAS cant do both or even one easily. Also RAS is less accurate (usually). I would assume a tablesaw was available already.

Doug

[Gofor]

That's an easy one for me: A Sliding Compund Miter Saw on a mobile base (collapsible type). If you do any carpentry work like decks, sheds, trim on the house, etc, the Sliding Compund Miter Saw is a great jobsite saw. That and a circular saw with and edge guide will do about all you need. Inside the shop, it is great for miter cuts and cutting stock to length, and can be rolled off to the side when not in use.
The hard part is finding a Sliding Compund Miter Saw that makes reliable repeatable cuts, particular angles and bevels. With almost any brand you have as many that swear at them as swear by them, particularly as to the accuracy on the angled cuts. I have an old (10+ yrs) 8 1/4" Craftsman Sliding Compund Miter Saw. The slide assy/mechanism is very well built and is still holding true to good accurate cuts. When it dies I will probably look for a 10", as it seems the smaller ones don't have as bad a tendency to rack out of alignment.
JMTCW

Go

[JackLeg]

HANDS DOWN, THE "SLIDER" IS THE ONE!
We've go both, and a 12" sliding miter saw is my favorite tool in my shop. Lots of choices out there, but our "peers" on here convinced me to get a 12" instead of a 10" and I'm glad they did.

I bought the 5412L Bosch on Amazon. It arrived promptly, free shipping, and I love that laser light. The features on that saw make it more of a tool than I am a WW.

[newtonc]

I'll be the odd one and vote for the RAS.
But it also costs twice as much.
So that would be a factor as well.

[JimmyC]

I'm torn. They both do different things well. The Sliding Compund Miter Saw is the universal tool, it travels well( on stand) and positions itself well. The RAS, I keep it in the 90 degree position, is absolutely the best for long cross cuts (much more depth) and is absolutely tops for dadoes (beats tablesaw's and routers). So basically it comes down to your needs. Or... you can buy a good Compound Miter Saw and a used Ras (about $200) for less than a Sliding Compund Miter Saw.

By the way, I have two Compound Miter Saw's, one Sliding Compund Miter Saw, and a RAS and love all of them.

Just my two cents worth.

Jimmy

[froglips]

I prefer a RAS. It can take a dado stack, run molder heads and can be accurate. Jigs can also be setup to make things very easy to work.

In my book, I'd opt for the RAS or a table saw + Sliding Compund Miter Saw.

Many reviews of older Sliding Compund Miter Saw's were not good on accuracy, but that seems to not be the case lately.

Last comment, a good used RAS can be had for a song, way less than a Sliding Compund Miter Saw.

What are you looking to use these powered disk spinners for?

Jim

[Bigdog72]

Thank you all for your replies!

I am trying to put together another shop after a 7-8 year layoff. My Compound Miter Saw died and rather than replace with another Compound Miter Saw I started thinking (tool disease). I don't really have room for a Compound Miter Saw and a ras hence the question. I have a Unisaw so I am set for a table saw. I am looking at a used 10" Hitachi Sliding Compund Miter Saw and thought I would get some advice prior to making the purchase.

[Ray Martin]

A friend of my who is a finish carpenter has the Hitachi and swears by it. Says it stays true and is very accurate.

I think if I were making a load of book cases, I'd be tempted to get the RAS. Other than that, I'd chose the Sliding Compund Miter Saw. Admittedly, I'm biased. I have Makita slider and a good table saw... so it's the devil I'm familiar with. The tool required depends on what you want to do with it. the votes depend on what we have (and are used to).

Ray

[scsmith42]

Geoff, I think that Jimmy hit the nail on the head with his response. They are both useful tools.

The portability of the Sliding Compund Miter Saw would make it my first choice, as that way I could use it for general construction as well as woodworking.

If you find a good deal on a very good used Sliding Compund Miter Saw, you probably won't go wrong with purchasing it.

[froglips]

If you don't need the portablility of a Sliding Compund Miter Saw (which ain't all that portable) maybe.....

You menitioned you have a Unisaw, have you considered a different approach?

http://www.in-lineindustries.com/index.html

The Dubby is pretty awsome.

I'm assuming you are looking to do accurate miter cuts.

Thanks,
Jim

[JimmyC]

Originally Posted by scsmith42

Geoff, I think that Jimmy hit the nail on the head with his response. They are both useful tools.

The portability of the Sliding Compund Miter Saw would make it my first choice, as that way I could use it for general construction as well as woodworking.

If you find a good deal on a very good used Sliding Compund Miter Saw, you probably won't go wrong with purchasing it.

I have to agree with Scott, if you have limited room and can get a good deal on a Hitachi Sliding Compund Miter Saw I would definitely go that way.

Jimmy

[Bigdog72]

I am looking at a Hitachi 10"Sliding Compund Miter Saw that is about a year old. Guy wants $350 for it. Good deal?

[scsmith42]

Geoff, re the HItachi it would depend upon how much it's been used. Right now you can buy a new one - delivered - from Amazon for 447 (including shipping). $350.00 seems a bit hight to me for a used one, unless it was barely used.

If you could get it for $300.00 that would be a better deal.

Scott