Mitre saw bench question...
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
I went ahead and bought a Skil bench (similar to the ones posted). It works well. I cut a couple of 4x4's this afternoon. After weighing spending the extra ~$60 on the bench vs. wasting an entire afternoon building a bench, I just opted to buy one.
This is fine for a hobbyist. If I was going to be taking on more projects, I'd just build a nice/sturdy 2x4 bench.
This is fine for a hobbyist. If I was going to be taking on more projects, I'd just build a nice/sturdy 2x4 bench.
Elder User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 963
Likes: 1
From: wichita kansas
Even the Skil or other lower priced stands are worth it even for a homeowner. I've got one of my saws on a piece of plywood so that I can take it where I need it and just clamp it to some table and go on. However having a stand makes it a lot easier and pleasant to do a project and probably will make you more inclined to doing more than if you had to jury rig everything. The HF stand if it is anything like the stand I bought with my Sears radial arm saw might not be a good investment. Just wasn't very sturdy to me.
Senior User
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 118
Likes: 0
I have a table I made from leftover plywood and 2x4s, held up with saw-horses.
Not very fancy, but I never have to worry about ruining it. If I'm cutting siding, I can make myself a guide for the skilsaw. When I need the chop saw, I can screw it down to the table, and nail down some scrap pieces of lumber to hold the boards level while I'm cutting. It's also handy to bring on jobs because you can stand on it, or keep next to you when you're working under the hood of your truck.
I don't have a lot of room, so when I'm not using it, I put the sawhorses and the tools on the shelf, and lean the table top up against a wall.
Not very fancy, but I never have to worry about ruining it. If I'm cutting siding, I can make myself a guide for the skilsaw. When I need the chop saw, I can screw it down to the table, and nail down some scrap pieces of lumber to hold the boards level while I'm cutting. It's also handy to bring on jobs because you can stand on it, or keep next to you when you're working under the hood of your truck.
I don't have a lot of room, so when I'm not using it, I put the sawhorses and the tools on the shelf, and lean the table top up against a wall.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Even the Skil or other lower priced stands are worth it even for a homeowner. I've got one of my saws on a piece of plywood so that I can take it where I need it and just clamp it to some table and go on. However having a stand makes it a lot easier and pleasant to do a project and probably will make you more inclined to doing more than if you had to jury rig everything. The HF stand if it is anything like the stand I bought with my Sears radial arm saw might not be a good investment. Just wasn't very sturdy to me.
"Mifflin Clay"
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,177
Likes: 4
From: Mifflin, PA
I have the Hitachi 12" bevel miter saw, and it's a heavy little bugger. I just set it on the table saw when I want to use it, and set it on the floor if I need the table saw. The table saw is on casters, so I usually roll it outside to use, with or without the miter saw....
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 9,653
Likes: 3
From: in the adirondack mts
I went ahead and bought a Skil bench (similar to the ones posted). It works well. I cut a couple of 4x4's this afternoon. After weighing spending the extra ~$60 on the bench vs. wasting an entire afternoon building a bench, I just opted to buy one.
This is fine for a hobbyist. If I was going to be taking on more projects, I'd just build a nice/sturdy 2x4 bench.
This is fine for a hobbyist. If I was going to be taking on more projects, I'd just build a nice/sturdy 2x4 bench.
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Yeah...that's where I am at the moment too. I think it's a good buy for the money though. I just balked (initially) at the thought of spending $100 on a bench.
Another thing....if anyone is considering getting a mitre saw. Go with a 12" (if you've got the dough). That I could tell after less than ten cuts. I had to tilt the outer edge of the board up to finish a cut (2x6). Will a 10" get most homeowner jobs done? Yes. (I used a borrowed 10" to do my floor) However, a 12" will make some jobs quicker/easier.
Another thing....if anyone is considering getting a mitre saw. Go with a 12" (if you've got the dough). That I could tell after less than ten cuts. I had to tilt the outer edge of the board up to finish a cut (2x6). Will a 10" get most homeowner jobs done? Yes. (I used a borrowed 10" to do my floor) However, a 12" will make some jobs quicker/easier.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,612
Likes: 2
Yeah...that's where I am at the moment too. I think it's a good buy for the money though. I just balked (initially) at the thought of spending $100 on a bench.
Another thing....if anyone is considering getting a mitre saw. Go with a 12" (if you've got the dough). That I could tell after less than ten cuts. I had to tilt the outer edge of the board up to finish a cut (2x6). Will a 10" get most homeowner jobs done? Yes. (I used a borrowed 10" to do my floor) However, a 12" will make some jobs quicker/easier.
Another thing....if anyone is considering getting a mitre saw. Go with a 12" (if you've got the dough). That I could tell after less than ten cuts. I had to tilt the outer edge of the board up to finish a cut (2x6). Will a 10" get most homeowner jobs done? Yes. (I used a borrowed 10" to do my floor) However, a 12" will make some jobs quicker/easier.
FTE Stories
Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!
Joe Kucinski
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?
Brett Foote
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026
Brett Foote
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time
Joe Kucinski
Ford Super Duty: 5 Things Owners LOVE, 5 Things They LOATHE!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2026 Ford Truck Engine RANKED from WORST to FIRST!
Michael S. Palmer
The Best F-150 Deal of Every Trim Level (XL through Raptor)
Joe Kucinski
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Cost. I didn't see a bench in the ~$100 range that had rollers.
Edit: Rollers would be nice...especially when you're trying to nudge a heavy piece of wood (i.e. 4x4) over ~1/4". I kept moving it 1/2"+ at a time back and forth. That was a bit annoying. lol.
Edit: Rollers would be nice...especially when you're trying to nudge a heavy piece of wood (i.e. 4x4) over ~1/4". I kept moving it 1/2"+ at a time back and forth. That was a bit annoying. lol.
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 6,473
Likes: 4
From: Lafayette, IN
Jason
Thread Starter
|
Elder User
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 709
Likes: 0
From: Virginia
Thanks for the pointer. I'll give that a try tomorrow. I'm working on putting in a playground for my kids in the backyard from hell (VERY uneven ground where it's going in).
John
Oh....that's nice.
