Building a cedar deck: Need advice on best circular saw & miter saw combo

Hey all, planning a 12x16 cedar deck this spring. I need to cut 2x6 joists, 5/4 decking, and some 4x4 posts. I've got a budget of around $400 for a circular saw and miter saw (sliding preferred). I want the cuts to be dead-on precise, especially for the decking miters. What do you recommend? Heard DeWalt, Makita, and Bosch are good, but I'm leaning toward brushed vs brushless? Help!

Cedar deck, nice! That'll smell great. For your budget, I'd snag a Makita 5007MG (magnesium circ saw) and a DeWalt DWS715 (non-sliding) or a sliding one if you can find a deal. The Makita is lightweight and accurate. But if you want sliding miter, maybe go with a Bosch GCM12SD on sale – it's a beast. Just remember to sharpen your blades before starting; cedar is soft but cheap blades burn it. Don't forget an 8' level and a chalk line, newbie! 😉

I built my deck with a cheap Ryobi combo kit and it's still standing 5 years later. Honestly, for a weekend project, don't overspend. Go with a brushed circular saw from Ridgid (lifetime warranty) and a sliding miter from Hitachi (now Metabo HPT). Under $350 total. The precision difference is minimal if you use a good guide. Just take your time.

Hold up before cutting. What're you using for dust collection? Cedar dust is nasty. I'd get a shop vac with a HEPA filter. Also, make sure you get a saw with an electric brake – safety first! For circular, I'd go with a Skilsaw worm drive (like the 77) for power, but it's heavy. For miter, a DeWalt DWS780 is amazing but over budget. Maybe find a used one on Craigslist. And always wear a mask and eye pro. Deck looking good though!

Thanks guys! Larry, I like the Makita idea. Rick, good point about guides – I'm getting a Kreg rip-cut. Gary, I've got a dust collector setup but I'll get a better mask. I think I'll go with Makita 5007MG and a DeWalt DWS715. Now I just need to decide on the stain... maybe transparent or semi? Anyone tried a natural oil on cedar?