!44: How to Choose a Sliding Miter Saw and the Best Saw Stand Combination

!±8± How to Choose a Sliding Miter Saw and the Best Saw Stand Combination

If you are like me purchasing a new Sliding Miter Saw and the Best Saw Stand combination is a major undertaking. Looking at all the home improvement and wood working places raise more questions than they answer. Read on and you will discover the time tested methods to make the purchase decision that is best for you.

Any time I need to have a brain storming session I give my good friend Don a call. Don is a fellow handyman who would rather talk about tools than eat when he is hungry. Combining both meal time and a conversation having to do with tools, well it just can not get any better than that as far as Don is concerned. So with that in mind I gave my good friend a call and asked if he would like to have lunch, my treat. To which Don replied, Hell yeah, Bob Evans at 11:30 today.

OK Mike, what is on your mind? I know you. You do not just offer to buy my lunch without something important on your mind, thanks by the way. Yeah you are right, as always, there are no free lunches around here. I need to purchase a new trim saw and saw stand. What do you think about all the different brands and models available out there?

It is funny you should bring that up. I was in the tool section of one of those big box stores yesterday to pick up a new saw blade when a guy came up to me and asked if I worked there. What does that have to do with what we are talking about?

The guy, by the way his name was Fred, wanted some information on a miter saw and stand set up. He had been looking online for information and just wanted to put his hands on something he could get a feel for.
You said his name was Fred?

Yeah, Fred.

Why did Fred need your help? Fred was confused about all the bells and whistles, you know, what was hot and what was not. OK, so what did you tell Fred that would help him make it easier to make the right choice for him? I thought you would never ask. Remember this always: 'KISS' (keep it simple stupid).

Be honest with yourself and answer these 3 simple questions.

1. What do I need?
2. How will I be using this tool?
3. Do I want good quality or cheap junk?

That sounds good in theory, but reality is something all together more complicated. No, I beg to differ, take the first question and answer it honestly. Ok, what do I need? I need a new trim saw I can use to cut everything from trim to rough carpentry with a good, stable, easy to use, durable stand. That is a good start, now answer the second question.

Alright, how will I be using this tool? Like I already said, I will be cutting anything from trim and molding to framing materials. Yes you did, but, what you did not say was if you were going to have the saw in a stationary or portable stand.

Ok, I need a portable saw stand. Now we are getting somewhere. Ask yourself the third and final question. OK here goes, do I want good quality or cheap junk? You already know the answer to that question; quality, of course. Now take that information and go to your favorite online tool store. Place your order and just wait for the delivery driver to leave your new tools at your door.