Deck building saw recommendations? Circular vs miter vs table saw

Hey all, I'm about to start building a 12x16 deck for my backyard. I have a basic circular saw but I'm wondering if I need something more specialized. Should I invest in a miter saw for the railings and trim? Or is a table saw going to be more useful for cutting joists and decking? I'm on a budget but want to avoid buying a tool I'll use once. Thanks!

Dan, for a deck, your circular saw will handle the bulk of the work, but for those railings and balusters, a miter saw will save you a ton of time and give you clean, accurate angles. I've built a bunch of decks and a 10" compound miter saw is a game changer. You can even do compound miters for the top rail if you want a more finished look. It's worth the investment if you plan on doing any trim work later. Also, a table saw is great for ripping the decking boards to width if you need to, but you can usually have the lumberyard do that for you. So my vote is miter saw for this project.

I agree with Bob, but let's talk precision. For decking, you want straight, consistent cuts. A sliding compound miter saw can handle wider boards, but if you're on a budget, a good carbide blade on your circular saw and a guide (like a straight 2x4 clamped on) will give you perfect cuts every time. Also, don't forget about the miters on the fascia boards – they need to be exact or you'll see gaps. If you go with a miter saw, get one with a laser guide, it helps a ton. And for the joists, you might need to notch them for the ledger – a reciprocating saw is handy for that, but if you're not doing that, stick with the circular saw. Just measure twice, cut once!

I'm a restoration guy, so I love old-school methods, but for a deck? I'd pick up a used miter saw from a pawn shop or Craigslist. You don't need a fancy one, just a solid 10" that has good detents at 45 and 90 degrees. I've built decks with just a circular saw and a speed square, but it's way more work and you'll end up with some wobbly cuts that you have to shim or cover with trim. If you do get a miter saw, make sure to test the fence for squareness before you buy. Also, keep in mind that pressure-treated lumber is wet – it'll shrink as it dries, so cut everything slightly long and let it settle. That's what I've learned over the years. Good luck with your deck!

Thanks for the input, everyone! I'm leaning towards getting a miter saw now. I found a used one on FB marketplace for a decent price – a Dewalt 12" sliding compound. I'll test it like Dave said. And Chris, I'll definitely use the laser guide if it has one. Now, another question: for the decking boards, should I use screws or hidden fasteners? I know that's a bit off-topic but I'm in the middle of planning! Any advice?