Sliding Miter Saw - Choosing Between a 12 Inch and 10 Inch Model

When a sliding miter saw is required there are many choices ranging from 7 1/2 inches to 12 inches. The 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 inch models are generally purchased for very specific work by a tradesman and are not used as general purpose machines due to their size. The real battle arises when the choice has to be made between the 10 inch and the 12 inch models. These two sizes are the stars of the sliding miter saw market and manufacturers pull all the stops to advertise these particular models. So if we are going to buy, we have to choose between the more attractively priced 10 inch model and the more expensive 12 inch model.

Dewalt 12 Saw Blade

In general manufacturers include the bells and whistles on both their 10 inch and 12 inch models, therefore the choice comes down to some very basic factors which we will analyze.

Dewalt 12 Saw Blade

The terms 10 inch and 12 inch refer to the diameter of the saw blade in the machine. A sliding miter saw has a distinct advantage over their less glamorous family the non-sliding model in that sliding saws have a much wider crosscut length.

A saw with a 12 inch blade has the ability to cut thicker pieces compared to the 10 inch model. For the tradesman who has to dimension thick pieces, the extra 2 inches on the blade makes the 12 inch model indispensable on the work site.

Conversely for the majority of handymen and weekend warriors, a 10 inch saw will complete just about all the projects they will experience such as dimensioning 2x4's for framing, large picture frame molding, crown molding and weekend decking jobs. The extra 0 for a 12 inch sliding miter saw is hard to justify especially for the handymen and weekend warriors.

When deciding which model sliding miter saw to acquire one must also consider the weight of the tool. A 12 inch sliding miter saw is quite heavy compared to a 10 inch and if the tool has to be frequently moved it can be quite frustrating and hazardous moving a tool from point to point on a work site. The blade size also adds an increased replacement cost as 12 inch blades are more expensive and even when having the blade re-sharpened the extra teeth on the 12 inch blade are an additional cost.

It is good to remember that even if a job comes along suited more along the lines of a 12 inch saw, most of us have a portable table saw which can also do crosscuts with a suitable jig. A cross cut jig for a table saw is very easy to construct within 15 minutes and this solution frees up extra cash for the purchase of other more critical tools.

In the final analysis a 10 inch sliding miter saw will be sufficient to satisfy the needs of the weekend warrior and the handyman. The advanced tradesman however will need to consider the 12 inch sliding miter as a viable addition to his tool kit, even though he may already own a 10 inch model, based purely on the increased volume of work he has to do on a daily basis and the sizes of stock that may be involved.

Sliding Miter Saw - Choosing Between a 12 Inch and 10 Inch Model
Dewalt 12 Saw Blade

Special Price!!! Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor

Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor
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Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor

>> Click here to update Cheapest prices for Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor <<

Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor Feature

  • Saves 1/3 wood loss on each cut.
  • Feeds easily when used for moderate rips and crosscuts on a table saw.
  • Reduces "JUMP IN" for better "PULL-CONTROL."
  • Eliminates bottom splintering on RADIAL CROSSCUTS.
  • With new 30° ATB tooth style this blade stops totally, ALL bottom and top splintering on ply veneers on both radial and table saw machines


Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor Overview

Maintain maximum stability for the best cut with a Forrest Chopmaster Saw Blade. Specially designed for sliding compound miter and radial-arm saws, grabbing and throwing of scrap cutoffs has been minimized with this design. This blade has a heavier than normal steel plate and a negative face hook. Its made with double-hard C-4 submicron carbide for up to 300 longer life. Each blade is hand-straightened to a runout of .001/.002 for maximum cut quality. The tooth style (4 points and flat) produces steady, clean cuts with no bottom splintering. Youll be delighted by the extra smooth, tight cuts youll get with this blade. The 12" blade has a 1/8" kerf and 1" arbor hole.

Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor Specifications

We're rarely speechless around here, but after bringing this blade down through a gorgeous piece of maple, it nearly happened. We knew that Forrest makes some of the best blades on the planet, but we truly weren't prepared for the gorgeous cut we got with this blade.

On the back side of plywood, we had zero tearout. When we cut a length of 8/4 oak, it felt like a hot knife through butter, and the result was too good to be believed: smooth as glass, completely free of circle marks of any kind, and it looked like it had been sanded already - cut after cut after cut.

You can pick up a miter saw blade for a tenth of this price, of course. It will cut. But it won't cut like this. And it won't last as long as this blade will, not by a long shot. Because it's made of double-hard C-4 carbide, it holds it edge for what seems like forever, and it resharpens beautifully.

Forrest spends a good deal of time on each blade, ensuring that it's as straight as can be, and that's part of what you're paying for. If you spent good money on a decent miter saw, you owe it to yourself to put this blade on it. After parting with your money, you will never regret buying this blade. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste

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Forrest CM12806115 Chopmaster 12-Inch 80-tooth ATB Miter Saw Blade with 1-Inch Arbor

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