[gruntman]

I have a house that needs carpentry work and I'd like to try doing some of it myself. I have used rip saws and they do the job but I have noticed the mitre saws and bench saws in the box stores and was wondering if they might be a better way to go. Whats the "best bang for the buck" for someone just starting to learn but doesnt want junk?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

I have a ridgid skil saw, works great - new blades when needed are key
I also bought a plunge mitre saw - dewalt I think
Makes trim work a breeze & I built a picnic table w/angled cuts easily

What are you going to be doing?
Trim work - mitre saw
Bench saw - cutting trim work thinner to fit - anything that needs a straight edge cut

 

[hayewe farm]

I don't know. I have about 8 different saws myself. I would say probably a table saw. You can rip, cross cut, miter cut, rabbit, and dado with it. You probably only need a small portable like the Bosch or Ridgid.

 

[Maintenance 6]

If you are just starting a home shop, I'd suggest a table saw as the most basic need and probably the most useful followed by a miter saw. I have heard good things about the Ridgid table saw. If you can swing it, I would go with this:

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/TS3660-Table-Saw/EN/index.htm

 

[gruntman]

I think Im only going to be using it to cut molding or trim, or for building shelves. BUt that willl probably change once I start doing stuff. Someone wrote me and said that a "sliding compound mitre" would do the trick. Scuba - what's a "plunge" mitre.

Rigid, Dewalt, Makita - how do you choose?

 

[Scuba_Dave]

Don't qoute me on that :laughing:
I know some used to just slide back & forth
The blade did not raise up
But it appears most of them now raise up
So they "plunge down" to cut
I bought the 12" model - bigger the better
Electric brake - blade slows down faster
Dust collector - less dust
Rigid & Dewalt are what I usually stick with
But I have a Makita jig saw, & a grinder - maybe something else

 

[Brik]

Yea, a miter saw is pretty handy for the things you mention. I have a Makita
http://astore.amazon.com/handyguys-20/detail/B0000789HL
There is a pretty decent price I think at our Amazon affiliate store.

 

[hayewe farm]

I have a DeWalt DW716 12" with laser but they are a little pricey for some.