Does anyone here have experience using the budget mitre saws? There is a Ryobi one for $100 that is battery powered, and another one around $100 that has a cord.

I want something primarily to cut a large amount of 5.25 inch baseboard moulding. Thanks.

Thanks. Ally good point about the battery issue.I was also skeptical of that. I have a sawzall that runs on a battery and it can barely perform any tasks before I have to recharge. Eventually I bought a cord powered sawzall to use instead.

I'm going to keep looking for the right and maybe spend more if necessary.

I doubt the saw you were looking at can cut 5-1/4" moldings.

I have the Ryobi 18-volt mitre saw. If you use the smart electronic high amp-hour battery, the brains of the battery will cut off power when it get's to around half power. No good. I end up using the regular dump 18v lower amp battery's to get the saw to work. It is only good for dry wood. Wet wood will stall it out.

I have another six mitre saws, 7-1/4", 8", 10", 12" and above. Some are sliding mitre saws that are a dream come true for larger longer woods. But as the saws get larger they also get heaver and harder to move/travel with.

"Can I use a table saw to do trim/mitre cuts?"

Yes, if you make modifications on the table to create the desired angle of cutting.

We bought a Ryobi and it worked great. Lasted us through about six projects before something burned out and it wouldn't shut off.

We now have a DeWalt. Watch the sales--I think we paid $300 for it and then used the 11% HD rebate match to lower the price even more. If you think you'll be doing multiple projects...well, you get what you pay for.

J,why do you need 5and a q him uarter

J,why do you need 5 and a quarter inch base,what's the matter with regular. All my small tools are battery,the 18 volt are better,more power.If you still insist on 51/4"then the corded one.Most batteries and chargers don't last ,like they should.Ive cut a lot of mitres on an 8"table saw,Sears and Roebuck for 50 [or so years you have to take it a little slower

And a little more careful..............charlie.....................................

You're going to be happier with a corded compound miter saw than a battery one. I have several of them starting with a 7 1/4" up to a 14" including Royobi, Makita, Rigid, Dewalt & Harbor Freight. You need to check their cutting capacity at 45 & 90 degrees with the stock laying flat as well as on edge. If you're planning on using it for installing 5 1/4" baseboard, a saw that can cut 45 degree miters with the stock standing vertical against the fence will be the easiest & safest for you to use. Most of the 12" saws should be able to do this. Make sure that you use a decent blade & check the saw for accuracy by making several test cuts when you first get it.

The 12" harbor Freight saw we only use for cutting aluminum gutters. I doubt that it would be accurate enough for decent finish work. The 7 1/4" Royobi is used mostly for cutting 2x4 & 2x6 framing stock and as a loaner to friends who want to borrow a saw. It does an OK job for paint grade work but I won't use it for stain grade work.

IMO even though you could use a table saw to cut base it would not be practical. You could use a skill saw with a decent blade & a cross cut guide to do the same thing.

My personal favorite saw for all types of finish work is a Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter saw with Forrest 72 tooth blade.

"why do you need 5 and a quarter inch base,what's the matter with regular."