Which Mitre Saw

[Parsnip]

I have got a few planters to knock up and my usual avenues for borrowing are currently all in use, so I'm in the market for a cheap(ish) mitre saw.

I need to be able to cut a mitre and an angle on the table (which to my understanding, is exactly what a mitre saw does - the office debate of "chop saw" "compound saw" drew no conclusions, but the pictures look right...
A double bevel (which I guess means it can bevel in both directions) would be nice, but not critical.

Screwfix has this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb719msw-216mm...

Which looks decent enough - am I missing anything obvious? Are the evolution ones a bit more crap for not a lot less money? Will I just be pissed off by it not being accurate at all and better to just shell out for a mid range brand like Dewalt or Makita?

[RRLover]

Parsnip said:

I have got a few planters to knock up and my usual avenues for borrowing are currently all in use, so I'm in the market for a cheap(ish) mitre saw.

I need to be able to cut a mitre and an angle on the table (which to my understanding, is exactly what a mitre saw does - the office debate of "chop saw" "compound saw" drew no conclusions, but the pictures look right...
A double bevel (which I guess means it can bevel in both directions) would be nice, but not critical.

Screwfix has this
https://www.screwfix.com/p/erbauer-erb719msw-216mm...

Which looks decent enough - am I missing anything obvious? Are the evolution ones a bit more crap for not a lot less money? Will I just be pissed off by it not being accurate at all and better to just shell out for a mid range brand like Dewalt or Makita?

I have the exact one. I'm like a bit of bodgit & scarper so its ideal for me.

[Shenanigans]

I picked up the equivalent Dewalt version on screwfix for £199 (with free additional blade) to do some decking in the back garden last year.

Haven't had any problems with it...despite it now collecting dust until the weather comes back so I can do some fencing and planters!

I'm sure the Erbauer will be do the same job

[mcbook]

If you're only going to use it for this one task, have you thought about using a circular saw?

With a workbench and a very basic homemade jig you'll be able to cut repeated lengths and also cut 45 degree angles with a circular saw.

A mitre saw seems like overkill for some planters... unless you need to justify a new tool, in which case I totally understand :-)

[dickymint]

I'd be investing a bit more wonga - have a look at the Evolution Rage Multipurpose range - cuts metal, through nails etc

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-RAGE3-S-Multi-P...

I went for the top model (double bevel and larger blade) It's been excellent value.

[Parsnip]

I built a massive deck last year using a borrowed Makita mitre saw and just got so used to how easy (and safe) it was to use. I don't imagine a sub £100 tool will be close in terms of quality, but it will be better than some heath robinson bodge using a ripsaw that ends in a trip to A&E.

I'm under no impressions that a mitre saw is overkill for what I'm doing, but it's handy to have and a few times I have done jobs that I would have used it for if I had it

Plus, she gets a few planters out of it, I get a new powertool.

[mcbook]

Parsnip said:

I built a massive deck last year using a borrowed Makita mitre saw and just got so used to how easy (and safe) it was to use. I don't imagine a sub £100 tool will be close in terms of quality, but it will be better than some heath robinson bodge using a ripsaw that ends in a trip to A&E.

I'm under no impressions that a mitre saw is overkill for what I'm doing, but it's handy to have and a few times I have done jobs that I would have used it for if I had it

Plus, she gets a few planters out of it, I get a new powertool.

In that case, go for it. However, I suggest you get something from a well-regarded manufacturer. The rear fence/work support on my cheapo mitre saw snapped clean in two when the blade hit a knot in the piece I was cutting. Up the budget and get a mid range sliding version from Makita, Dewalt, Bosch (blue) etc.

https://www.axminster.co.uk/dewalt-dws774-mitre-sa...

[Ynox]

Tried the Evolution outlet on Ebay? I picked up a sliding 254mm saw for about £60 last year.

Not the best for fine carpentry but does the job for what I wanted it for.

[Trustmeimadoctor]

The evolution stuff isn't bad I have the 255mm orange one not double bevel and it's been great on soft and hard wood, nails, slate, marble etc

[herewego]

Have a look at the JCB, I've had one for a couple of years and it's done a lot. The laser light failed though but I don't miss it, I just put the blade on the mark, lift it, start it and cut it. I prefer the handle shape. The blade doesn't cut metal though. It was £100.

[Stig]

dickymint said:

I'd be investing a bit more wonga - have a look at the Evolution Rage Multipurpose range - cuts metal, through nails etc

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-RAGE3-S-Multi-P...

I went for the top model (double bevel and larger blade) It's been excellent value.

To be fair, whilst Evolution make it a selling point (I have one among other chop.mitre saws) you can get a metal cutting blade for any chop saw should you feel the need.

Just don't try cutting cove mitres after using it

[Stig]

herewego said:

Have a look at the JCB, I've had one for a couple of years and it's done a lot. The laser light failed though but I don't miss it, I just put the blade on the mark, lift it, start it and cut it. I prefer the handle shape. The blade doesn't cut metal though. It was £100.

Sorry to disagree, but in my experience other than their excellent diggers and plant equipment ('proper' JCB), anything with the JCB brand on it is inevitably badly made in China and seems to last about 5mins.

[herewego]

Stig said:

herewego said:

Have a look at the JCB, I've had one for a couple of years and it's done a lot. The laser light failed though but I don't miss it, I just put the blade on the mark, lift it, start it and cut it. I prefer the handle shape. The blade doesn't cut metal though. It was £100.

Sorry to disagree, but in my experience other than their excellent diggers and plant equipment ('proper' JCB), anything with the JCB brand on it is inevitably badly made in China and seems to last about 5mins.

I'd be surprised if all chop saws are not made in China but in any case as I said I've had it a couple of years and it's done a lot of work already and it's fine.

[dickymint]

Stig said:

dickymint said:

I'd be investing a bit more wonga - have a look at the Evolution Rage Multipurpose range - cuts metal, through nails etc

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Evolution-RAGE3-S-Multi-P...

I went for the top model (double bevel and larger blade) It's been excellent value.

To be fair, whilst Evolution make it a selling point (I have one among other chop.mitre saws) you can get a metal cutting blade for any chop saw should you feel the need.

Just don't try cutting cove mitres after using it

Be very careful fitting a metal cutting blade on an "ordinary" mitre saw - multipurpose mitre saws run at a much lower RPM as do chop saws.

Edited by dickymint on Wednesday 18th April 16:44

[dazwalsh]

Rage evolution S is the correct answer, although id imagine the erbauer one is a good call too, they are decent tools for their price. I use their cordless stuff day in day out and

[TooMany2cvs]

Another vote for Evolution from here. I have one, which got quite a lot of hammer on a biggish project, and didn't even hiccup. It's been used for hardwood as big as will fit in, down to angles on skirting, and right the way to ally scaf pole - and the blade seems as good as new. A "B grade" from their eBay store, it turned out never to have been used, but had clearly been on display in a store somewhere - it has mounting holes drilled through the base.

[dmsims]

Have an outlet Evolution as well

Gives a very clean cut in Oak (with the std blade) if you don't rush it

Edited by dmsims on Wednesday 18th April 18:40

[Gr44]

I'd vote for Evo as well.

Festool is my dream one, however... if money is no object

[Drumroll]

I use this Evolution Mitre saw https://www.screwfix.com/p/evolution-rage3fp2552-2...

Does all I ask of it, planters/decking included

[Gazzas86]

I've just bought this today which i pick up tomorrow..

https://www.screwfix.com/p/titan-ttb598msw-210mm-s...

Didn't want to spend more than £100 as it will be used infrequently, i have a few things i'm going to build such as Garage workshop benches etc, and a seating area around a big tree.

Hoping it lives up to it's reviews!