Building a 12x16 deck - what saw(s) do I actually need?

Hey everyone, first time posting in the Saws section. I'm getting ready to build a 12x16 ground-level deck on my house this spring. I've got a basic circular saw (old Craftsman hand-me-down) and a cheap miter saw from Harbor Freight. Do I need to go buy a worm drive or a big sliding miter for this, or can I get away with what I've got? Trying not to drop $700 on tools for one project. Any advice appreciated.

Welcome Dave. Short answer: your current tools will technically cut the wood, but you'll hate your life by the end of it. For a deck that size you're making a LOT of repetitive crosscuts on 2x6 and 4x4. A cheap miter saw will struggle with 4x4 posts and the cuts won't be square. If I were you I'd at least upgrade to a decent 10" sliding compound miter. Doesn't need to be a $600 DeWalt. Also check your circular saw blade - if it's the stock 24T ripper you'll get tearout on your deck boards. Get a 60T finish blade for the visible cuts. Precision now saves you re-doing boards later.

Carl here, 22 years framing decks. Dave, don't overthink it. A good 7-1/4 circular saw and a 10" miter saw is 95% of what a deck needs. I run a Skilsaw worm drive because I'm cutting all day, but for one deck a sidewinder is fine. Save your money for the structural stuff - joist hangers, proper Simpson hardware, and GOOD lumber. A $200 saw on $4000 of lumber is not where your problems come from. One tip though: buy a speed square and use it. Most 'bad saw' complaints are actually bad marking. Also rent a big slider for a day if you're doing a lot of 45s on the railing, cheaper than buying.

I built my 14x20 last summer with basically what you have. Old circular saw, Ryobi miter. It worked. Was it fun? No. Did the wife notice a couple slightly gappy miters on the picture frame border? Yes. Yes she did. If I did it again I'd spring for the sliding miter just for the 4x4 cuts alone - my little 10" non-slider couldn't cut a 4x4 in one pass and that got old FAST. Pro tip: cut your 4x4s with the circular saw and finish with a handsaw, or just get the slider lol.

One more thing Dave, whichever way you go, get a Diablo or Freud blade. The blade matters more than the saw for cut quality. A $90 used circular saw with a $25 Diablo blade will out-cut a $250 saw with a garbage blade every single time. That's the rule I wish someone told me 15 years ago before I spent money on the wrong end of the equation.