12" Slide/Cut-off Mitre Saw....what do you like?

[Norske3]

Cut off saws were talked about in the past...but Search Function is malfunctioning...what are the negatives to avoid in this type of saw...I am looking to buy. smile.gif

[ 10-24-2002, 08:32 PM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Rob H]

OK, take a look at the DeWalt model 708. We have one at the shop and like it just fine.

[Roger Stouff]

Me too. My Dewalt 12" sliding compound miter is a great tool.

[Norske3]

THANK YOU ROB & ROGER smile.gif

[WFK]

OK, so I guess I have to be the black sheep, and although it may sound a bit picky, I think for good reason. I've used the Dewalt in question, and personaly, I don't care for the detents when the saw falls into place at "zero". If you want to cut something just under 1 degree, the saw does'nt seem to allow for such small adjustments without falling into the "zero" mark, and believe me, you need that adjustment. I have 2 8 1/2" and 1 10" Hitachi sliding compound saws and I wouldn't trade 'em for any other brand.

Bill

[Norske3]

HELLO MR. WFK...Does 10inch Hatachi have a model number?.how old is yours?.I am thinking of a 12 in, but the 10" may do....

OOPS..ITS TIME TO TUNE INTO THE NZ RACES....9:00PM

[ 10-24-2002, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Pete Dorr]

I got the Dewalt a short time ago and like it. I'm finding I use it more than I thought I would.

[B. Darrah Thomas]

DeWalt DW 708 is an excellent tool.

[WFK]

I think it has to do with preference. Looking at the price I see why people go yellow, but personaly I've used them both a lot and I think the locking mechanism stinks on the Dewalt compared to the Hitachi. Looking in the new "tool cib" catalog, Hitachi has a new 12" sliding compound saw, I'd take a hard look at that bad boy.

The serial # on my 10" is #C10FS

Bill

[JimConlin]

For boatbuilding, save perhaps furniture in something big, these don't look like useful tools.

[wolfietuk]

A 12" slide compound saw is a very useful tool. I have an Elu (european version of DeWalt), and I have used the Hatachi 10". Both are wonderful tools. And yes Hatachis adjustments are a little easier to use for getting that 1/2 degree off the dentent. When using the 12" you have to be careful fo vibration. The blade will vibrate slightly until it starts cutting. This is solved with a good blade. I prefer an Amana or a DML. You wont find them at Lowes. Order it from a mill supply shop, about $140 for the 12". Keep the blade that comes with it for rough stuff.

Rick

[Dave R]

It already seems to be almost unanimous but I'll throw in another vote for the DeWalt. I had mine for about three years and really like it.

[Norske3]

Thank You All
Rob & Roger,Wolfietuk, J. Conlin, B Thomas,
P. Dorr, WFK....... smile.gif smile.gif

[ 10-25-2002, 08:17 AM: Message edited by: Norske3 ]

[Billy Bones]

Ditto WFK, Hitachi is Best-of-Breed.

[trull]

Another vote for DeWalt 708

[RGM]

We've got, or had all of the above mentioned saws in our shop recently, plus one more that hasn't been mentioned, Makita. It's the 10" slide dual compound model. It's tough, accurate, versatile and dependable. Has a 13 amp motor. It flops left or right for any cuts. The big work table is great for laying and marking your cuts before making them. We started building a new house (from the main deck up)for a 125' steam powered passenger ferry (www.virginiav.org) with 3 "miter" saws, the big Dewalt, a Porter Cable and the Makita. The only one left standing by the end of the job was the Makita, the other ones didn't make it.

[Ross Faneuf]

I have the old Makita 12", and it's served me very well. I bought it 7 years ago, before either the DeWalt or the newer 12" saws were out, so its details are not quite as good as the newer saws (including the newest Makitas). But it's still an excellent saw, and has done lots of good work for me.

BTW fussing around with locking any saw within a degree or 2 of a detent is wasting time. If you need to make that kind of adjustment, you are much better off using shims between the work and the fence. I have to do this all the time, to deal with joints that aren't quite perfect or stock which isn't quite perfect (or my technique, which isn't always perfect either). With shims, you can adjust the angle of a cut within .01-.02 inches across the maximum width the saw can handle. You don't have a prayer of doing so fussing with swing lock.

[Ed Harrow]

Originally posted by Ross Faneuf:
...you are much better off using shims between the work and the fence. ... With shims, you can adjust the angle of a cut within .01-.02 inches across the maximum width the saw can handle. You don't have a prayer of doing so fussing with swing lock.Oh god, my "secret" is out...

[Joe ( Cold Spring on Hudson )]

I got a Bosh 10<= Slide Compound Miter Saw
Model 3915 no complaints
http://www.boschtools.com/SBPT/Bosch/images/image_packs/3915/web_1/3915.jpg

[Noah]

I love my Hitachi 8 1/2" compound Slider, and I have put a couple of them through some serious abuse and they still work great and cut very accurately.

[Ron Williamson]

Makita LS1013,like RGM says.The 12"(LS1213?)was way nicer for waaay more money.
R

[tsunami]

iM A WOODWORKER BY TRADE AND i HAVE OWNED HITACHE, bosch,and makita and my new makita Ls1013 is sweeeet.Totally a valuable tool in any shop

[WFK]

BTW fussing around with locking any saw within a degree or 2 of a detent is wasting time. If you need to make that kind of adjustment, you are much better off using shims between the work and the fence. I have to do this all the time, to deal with joints that aren't quite perfect or stock which isn't quite perfect (or my technique, which isn't always perfect either). With shims, you can adjust the angle of a cut within .01-.02 inches across the maximum width the saw can handle. You don't have a prayer of doing so fussing with swing lock.
Sorry Ross, but thats pure nonsence. My advice, save the Makita for square cuts and buy a Hitatchi! ;)

[Bruce Hooke]

I've got the Bosch 3915 and I've been quite happy with it. I think a large part of this comes down to what you will be doing and how much of it you will be doing. For example, the 12" saws may be great if you need to cut larger pieces of wood a lot -- I don't, and so the extra cost did not make sense for me. Also, being able to use the same blades on my tablesaw and my compound miter saw was a big plus. So, I settled on the Bosch because it was a good value for my needs, and it has worked out well. That said, I mostly do small boat stuff, furniture, and similar things, so it's rare that I need to cut anything that big. Also, IIRC I looked at the Mikita and the Bosch and since at the time the Bosch was a good bit cheaper (I think it was on sale) I decided that the extra cost for the Mikita was not justified for the kind of use my saw would get since the two saws seemed pretty similar. However, your needs may be different...

So, how will you be using this saw...can you justify spending, say, an extra $100 to save 20 minutes in a 40 hour work-week, or is this for lighter weekend and evening use, in which case the extra $100 might better be spent on sawblades, other tools (or groceries :D )?

[ 10-28-2002, 12:04 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Hooke ]

[Bruce Hooke]

As to the debate about shimming versus adjusting the bevel angle of the saw -- I think both methods have their place. Shimming is great for a one-time cut, especially if you are trying to tweak an already cut end to get it to fit against something else. You can cut, check and if it's a little off push the shim in or out a bit and recut. On the other hand, if you need to repeatedly cut the same "off" angle, as I sometimes do, then it makes a lot more sense to set the angle once using the saws bevel settings, rather than messing with a shim each time. FWIW the Bosch saw has an override that allows you to stop the dentent from catching.

[John B]

I've got an electra beckum. I think it gets sold branded as a metabo as well?. The thing is , it has an induction motor and just sits there and hums. none of this screaming skull stuff you get from the brush motors. Great tool.Love it.

[imported_Spissgatter W-9]

Norsk3,
Do you have a norske boat. If you are interested, you may see her at: http://home.attbi.com/~gboggs8/annamarie.html. What kind of boat do you have?

[Bruce Hooke]

I think the correct URL is http://home.attbi.com/~gboggs8/annamarie.html

[ROWE BOATS]

We have a 10 inch Hitachi and a Makita 1013 in my shop, and everyone prefers the Makita. I understand that the new 12 inch Makita is much better than the old model, however I ghink you get too much deflection in the 12 inch blades. I would stick with the Makita 1013.