Just scored a new miter saw - what should I build first?

Hey Tool Discount Club fam! Just pulled the trigger on a DeWalt 12" sliding compound miter saw from the weekend sale. Got it all set up in the garage and it's purring like a kitten. The laser guide is crisp and the dust collection actually works decently for once lol. So stoked to put this baby to work - but now I'm staring at it like... what's the first project? Thinking maybe a simple workbench or some shelving? What would you guys tackle first with a new saw like this?

Nice grab OP! That DeWalt will serve you well. First thing I'd do is make a proper crosscut sled for it - game changer for accuracy. Use some 3/4" birch ply and get those runners dialed in perfect. After that, build yourself a rolling miter saw stand with fold-down wings. Makes cleanup way easier when you can roll it outside. Pro tip: wax the runners on the sled monthly.

Congrats on the new toy! I'd skip the basic stuff and go straight to something fun - build a Adirondack chair or two. Perfect project for a miter saw with all those angled cuts. Use cedar if you can, it'll last forever outside. Just watch those compound angles on the arms - test cuts on scrap first unless you like wasting good wood haha. My first project with mine was a little potting bench for the wife, now she wants one in every color...

Ooh shiny! I'm with Paul on the furniture route - but if you want something quicker, how about a simple picture frame display shelf? Great practice for precise 45s and you can make it as fancy or simple as you want. Use that laser to line up your cuts perfect. My first miter saw project was crown molding in my living room... let's just say there was some "creative caulking" involved on the early attempts 😅