It's very handy for crown moulding, picture frames. Good saw is the Hitachi Compound Miter, with 8" blade. Otherwise, you may never need two angles.

It is not necessary to get a dual bevel saw. I'm a DIYer just like you and I've used my craftsman 12 compound miter a ton and it only bevels one way. You can flip your piece over and get the same results as a dual bevel saw.

Actually my miter saw is my most used saw. When I bought it, I thought I would use it occassionally for moulding etc, but you'll end up using it like a chop block etc. I wish I bought a sliding compound saw. A sliding compound is real handy cutting large boards like floor joist. Since you plan on building a shed, I'd look at one. Sears has a 10 inch sliding saws that won't break the bank.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sears 10 inch sliding compound

Having used my 12" compound miter saw extensively for various DIY projects during the past few years, I have to agree with comments made in the last post - and wish I had bought a sliding unit. But - thought it was too much $$ at the time. Prices have really plummeted.

Another regret is not selecting a dual bevel saw. It's a pain having to flip your work and reset cutting angles when mitering both ends of a piece, or even making compound framing cuts. I recently added an addition to my home and being the type who never designs anything mediocre - the design involved some complex roof and wall angles. This necessitated repetitious repositioning of work and resetting the miter table angles with each cut.

However, even if you select a basic unit, you will find this tool to be one of the most used in your basement/garage workshop.

A compound saw is handy with crown molding, picture frames and a number of other cuts which you may never use.

A sliding miter saw will allow you to accurately cut wider pieces of wood than you could normally do with a regular miter saw.

A laser, I believe, is one of the important issues, wish I had one.

This looks pretty accurate compared to the other after market solutions. Irwin (and probably others) makes one that attaches to the arbor against the blade. It puts out a beam not exactly in line with where the cut will be, but it will get you pretty close.

The dual miter saw is easier to use, but as a home owner, a single is easier to use. I am the owner of Pacific West Mouldings and I only use a single miter.. so either can be done, and I specialize in crown moulding

good luck,
Pacific West Mouldings

Here is a link that might be useful: Pacific West Mouldings

My Son is a Builder , has done Cabinets and Trim etc. As Pacific has said with a little experience you can cut and apply Crown with a Simple Mitre Saw. A Dual Mitre would be over kill unless you intend on routine usage . A sliding Compound Mitre is a good investment over the typical Chop / Mitre . I guess it depends on the amount of use to justify the additional cost ? I'am No Carpenter but in short order could accomplish and apply Crown Moulding with my Cheap Mitre Saw , it just was a little slower and took a little practice and guidance from my Son lol .