I am looking for a new compound mitre saw. I am mostly interested in
finding a saw that make precision joints. I have been looking at the
new Hitachi C12LSH and had a few questions.

1. Will a slider compound saw make as precise a cut as fixed compound
saw?

2. How acurate is the digital display?

3. Pros & cons of the laser marker?

"John Morphet" wrote in message
...
I am looking for a new compound mitre saw. I am mostly interested in
finding a saw that make precision joints. I have been looking at the
new Hitachi C12LSH and had a few questions.

1. Will a slider compound saw make as precise a cut as fixed compound
saw?

Typically the slider will not be as accurate. More moving parts usually
equates to more opportunity to error. That said a slider CAN be as accurate
but in general is not. A regular kerf blade would be an improvement.

2. How acurate is the digital display?
Cannot say.


3. Pros & cons of the laser marker?

IMHO it is a Gee-Whiz feature. Absolutely not necessary and probably
typically inaccurate compared to a zero clearance insert to align your mark
with.

IMHO a slider is probably a little less accurate than a regular compound
miter saw. However, technique in moving the blade without applying side
force might help a little.

When I bought a mitre saw a few years ago I debated the same question. I
ended up buying a standard 12" mitre saw in lieu of a slider or a 10"
machine. My thought was that the larger blade would provide a little more
capacity. Also, when space permits, I can pick up a good, used radial arm
saw pretty economically.

RonB

1. No, a slider will be less accurate. However, how acurate are you
looking for. If I am building furniture where I want real accuracy, I
use the table saw and a well tuned sled (Incra in my case).

2. No experience. I always check my cuts and never totally rely on
settings if 100% accuracy is important; which, fortunate for me, is
not to often.

3. Yeah it's whizz bang but... I love having it. I do lots of quicky
cuts on small pieces and it is real nice to see if I am going to nip my
finger. It is really a nice safety feature and that red line over flesh
is a real eye catcher.

What happen to the old "boxed traveling beam" miter saw where both ends of
the beam are fixed with very little flex. Maybe it fell out of favor like
the RAS as it has a much larger footprint. Shouldn't that be more accurate
than the sliding saws we have now.

On 2 Sep 2005 11:04:12 -0700, "SonomaProducts.com"
wrote:

1. No, a slider will be less accurate. However, how acurate are you
looking for. If I am building furniture where I want real accuracy, I
use the table saw and a well tuned sled (Incra in my case).

depends on the machine. so far my makita 1013 has been more accurate
then any of my non sliders. but I demand more out of that saw then
most people need out of one.
there are few good non sliding saws out there anymore.
but getting a 12" is not the way to increase accuracy.
getting a forrest blade will help a fair amount.
Knight-Toolworks
http://www.knight-toolworks.com
affordable handmade wooden planes

In article ,
Steve knight wrote:

On 2 Sep 2005 11:04:12 -0700, "SonomaProducts.com"
wrote:

1. No, a slider will be less accurate. However, how acurate are you
looking for. If I am building furniture where I want real accuracy, I
use the table saw and a well tuned sled (Incra in my case).

depends on the machine. so far my makita 1013 has been more accurate
then any of my non sliders. but I demand more out of that saw then
most people need out of one.
there are few good non sliding saws out there anymore.
but getting a 12" is not the way to increase accuracy.
getting a forrest blade will help a fair amount.
Knight-Toolworks
http://www.knight-toolworks.com
affordable handmade wooden planes

I went from the first Milwaukee slider (10") to the Makita 1013.
I can't find fault with it. It's truly dead-nuts accurate.

"SonomaProducts.com" wrote in message
oups.com...
1. No, a slider will be less accurate. However, how acurate are you
looking for. If I am building furniture where I want real accuracy, I use
the table saw and a well tuned sled (Incra in my case).

Good point. Miter saws are best for trim and higher volume work where
fractional degree settings aren't as critical. Careful table saw settings
are the only way to get good miters for furniture, boxes, frames and other
precision projects.

Even with my table saw I nearly went nuts cutting the 22-1/2 degree miters
for an octogonal schoolhouse clock face. Did a prototype first (or maybe
two) and then the Walnut.

RonB

Sorry about that little attachment on my last posting. We downloaded Hotbar
last evening to send a greeting card to a friend. Big mistake. Don't use
it!

RonB

On Fri, 02 Sep 2005 09:48:58 -0600, John Morphet
wrote:

I am looking for a new compound mitre saw.

I've had the Hitachi for about 12 years, I don't see any noticable
wave in longer cuts, more than good enough for 90% of stuff, table saw
for the rest. Don't care for the radial arm saws. And I'm still on
the original blade with only diamond hone touch ups.

2. How acurate is the digital display?

Mines too old, but doubt I'd get much use from this anyways.

3. Pros & cons of the laser marker?

Never having used one, I don't see them needing to be all that
accurate, as long as you learn where it cuts relative to the laser
mark. Like the safety part too.



Steve Jensen
Abbotsford B.C.
chopping out the mortise.
Surfing along at 19200 bps since 95.
BBS'ing since 1982 at 300 bps.
WW'ing since 1985

Nothing catchy to say, well maybe.....
WAKE UP - There are no GODs you fools!