Standard or Sliding Mitre Saw? Or table saw?

michaelcherr

I could't disagree more with the first part.
On the versatility scale, a miter saw is the seccond worst saw I can think of. (Chop saw would take the cake.)

A tablesaw can accurateley rip, cross-cut, mitres, dado and more.
A mitre saw makes quick and accurate cross-cuts and mitre cuts.
A circular saw can do specializes in being versitile and portable, but lacks the accuracy of the mitre and tablesaw.
In decently skilled hands, it's accurate enough for all construction work, except some trim.

That being said, for construction work, my two top saw choices would be circular and miter saw.
I think miter saws are great, just far from versitile compared to other saws.

7.62

Sorry for the belated update. I was given a used Rigid sliding compund mitre saw by my father in law, who had two and said he didn't need one. It worked tremendously well, and I was able to pick up a circular saw and a used Dewalt mitre stand with the scratch I saved. The fort and swingset was built and turned out great, and the mitre saw was key.

Thanks for all the advice!

Bubba_DIY

Think about getting yourself a good cross cut hand saw too.... you don't always need to pull out power tools to do a job. Hand tools are some of the best "cordless" tools you can buy, and there are no batteries to worry about.

7.62

Thanks. Have had one of those since day 1.