Let's talk Miter Saws

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Price range $100-$150

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Honestly think you'd have a hard time finding much in this price range, even used on Facebook marketplace. At least in 10"+ sliding. Depending on your uses, a 7 1/4" sliding saw can cover a lot of needs. I am pretty serious into woodworking and that's all I have. Granted I have a full sized cabinet saw I use for precision crosscut, but I get by with my cheap 7 1/4" saw for all non critical cuts

I bought a DeWalt on FB a few years ago for maybe $75. I see one on there now for $150.

I just bought a 10in from Harbor Freight. I like it. Does a good job and it was very affordable.

I have a Kobalt 7 1/4" still in the unopened box I'll sell you for $80

I have this saw. It’s top of the line.

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I have this saw. It’s top of the line.

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The 799 is a solid saw but I think the Milwaukee 6955 is better. Then above that, you have the Bosch 12" "Glider" and Festool Kapex and if you are made of money and can change the way you think a Mafell Erika push/pull.

To the OP:

Do you really need the capacity of a slider? A slider is more complex, more expensive and when used more likely to be worn to the point it is hard to set up accurately and keep the settings. For the vast majority of DIY stuff I just grab my lightweight 10" non-slider unless I need the capacity of my 12" slider. To be honest I can't think of anything I have cut for DIY in forever that a 12" non-slider wouldn't handle.

Do you really need a dual bevel saw? A single bevel will make all the cuts a dual bevel will you just occasionally have to flip the workpiece. If you are a trim sub the time saved will be worth the extra money, since you are on a budget I would think hard about this. You can get a new Dewalt 12" single bevel for $200.

The other thing to think about when buying used is the blade or even buying new if you are planning to do precision work. If the blade is dull and especially if there is not enough carbide left for another sharpening you may have to replace it. If you are rough-cutting framing lumber a fairly inexpensive blade may be fine, but it you are running trim or building furniture a good 12" miter saw blade can run from $60 up to more than your whole budget.

My point is when on a budget don't buy capacity or bells and whistles you do not need and don't forget to factor in a good blade for your intended use if the saw you are buying doesn't come with the one you need in the shape you need it in. With cutting or boring tools, the tooling is just as important for good results as what spins them.

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Do you really need the capacity of a slider? A slider is more complex, more expensive and when used more likely to be worn to the point it is hard to set up accurately and keep the settings. For the vast majority of DIY stuff I just grab my lightweight 10" non-slider unless I need the capacity of my 12" slider.

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I think the slider is more important. A 10” non-slider can’t even handle a 2x6 on a 45. It’s pretty limited IMO.

If you’re buying one saw, a 12” sliding is the way to go. If you’re someone who can afford multiple saws, having a smaller saw available is nice from the size/weight perspective. My 12” sliding double bevel is not the easiest to move around or setup.

I have at a 12" sliding dewalt, 12" fixed dewalt and a couple years ago I bought a 7 1/4 20v dewalt. I'm not sure I've used the big sliding dewalt since getting the 7". Fyi, not a dewalt fan necessarily, just sorta what I've ended up with. Others are fine too.

I've used the fixed 12" a few times for precise fine cuts a few times because it is the most accurate. But the 7 gets 95% of the stuff I do. This includes crown moulding, base mould, window trim an face-frames for cabinets (all paint grade).

If building furniture then I'd probably stick to the 12" fixed or get something better. But I don't now and don't intend to build furniture.

But to answer your question, a fixed single bevel 12" would be probably be your cheapest used option and function well.

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If you’re buying one saw, a 12” sliding is the way to go.

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There is zero question about that but with someone that has set a very tight budget there are other considerations if they don't anticipate the need for the capacity of a 12" slider. When it comes to woodworking tools I will spend every penny of someone else's money, I have enjoyed doing that for years on forums but buying used on a tight budget may make a fairly new or new 12" fixed single bevel a better option.

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Yeah, most of us know those saws are superior!

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I was specifically responding to the poster that called the 799 top of the line.

The 799 is a great saw, if I had to bet I would say there is more trim cut in the US in a year with a 799 than any other miter saw.