Hi Birch
This is a hard one,,, It's almost as hard as asking what router to buy
.
I like a 12" blade setup,some are real loud and it's hard to tell that in the store,I have two, one is a 10" Dewalt and the other is a 12" Rig.
In this case the more you can put out the better the saw, like most tools you get what you pay for.
And the compound miter saw you want it to be dead on because what you will use it for.
You don't want any play in the saw at all that's to say when you pull it down or across the saw must be dead on, the blade will do what you ask of it but if the saw is off by .010 you will not be happy with it.
Good Luck, you may want to check out your mates saw and put your hands on it and cut some stock that will help alot. (hands on thing )
Bj
Bj