Thread: What do mitre saw wood handling specs REALLY mean?

Sounds right for the LS1040 based on a quick web search.
Perhaps you need to spend another $600 and go for a sliding compound mitre saw such as the LS1013 ....

• Max. Cutting Capacity - Blade Diameter: 255mm
• Max. Cutting Capacity - at 90 degrees: 91x305mm
• Max. Cutting Capacity - at 45 Degrees: 91x215mm
• Continuous Rating Input: 1,430W
• No Load Speed: 3,700rpm
• Overall Length: 760x520x625mm
• Net Weight: 21kg
• Power Supply Cord: 2m

I agree with sir stinkalot I used a std cms now I own a dewalt sliding compound saw & have not looked back now. I can cut a wider board without getting the table saw up & going. Would not go back again. I have have mine nearly 6 years now & not had a prob. Buy a reasonable unit to start with. I went down to bunnings & mitre 10 & a few other stores to check each one I could afford out. Just check for side movement on the slide with the saw fully extended as some can move up to 1mm which affect the cuts
Good luck
Regards Michael

sir stink has got a great point...i would never buy a saw that doesn't stretch out. i have the makita and elu, i have had the hitachi and dewalt. i had a bad run with my dewalt but i'm sure they are a better unit now than they used to be. the hitachi was very heavy and folds up bulky, it would be good in a workshop in a permanent location. we had a radial arm set up for a bit...by far the best results on a full time work bench, but expensive. my vote now is what sir stink and coffenup says. it also is a mobile thing if you need it to be. just in case you need to put it on the floor for a big heavy peice or a very long peice. or have it mounted on a bench with rollers, slides and a mounted tape measure. very universal, very acurate and very reliable. their not as bad for noise as they used to be either.
glen boulton

Well, a slider would be nice but it would be too big, too heavy, and (for a quality brand) too expensive for my budget.
On the other hand the DeWalt DW713-XE can take 4x4 and 2x6 with a 255mm blade (but unfortunately needs 15A power?), and even a Maktec MT230 is specified as able to cut 75x130, also with a 255mm blade (unfortunately with a noticeable movement sideways of the blade etc when some pressure was applied).
The Bosch GCM10 (254mm blade) is listed with a "cutting capacity" of 89x95 mm - but with a "cutting width" of 144 mm. The cutting width is greater than the capacity?

As your stock gets thinner the width it cuts get bigger something to do with geometry. most will cut 140 x 19 i seem to remember my old old dewalt used to almost manage a 175 weatherboard.

Of course. I should have realised that, but the bald statement "capacity 90x5mm" made me wonder if the Makita had some weird limitation..
Now, all I have to do is to wait for a good price - eg when Mitre 10 has their next 30 or 20% off days.