Replies

1. 
   roscoe | Aug 04, 2004 03:31pm | #1

   Mike, sorry about your loss, I am sure it held a special place in your heart

2. 
   Dave45 | Aug 04, 2004 03:36pm | #2

   Would a new Makita 10" work for you?  If you liked your old one, that seems like a good place to start looking.  Otherwise, there are several brands on the market.

3. 
   bill_1010 | Aug 04, 2004 04:52pm | #3

   Look at the Bosch.

4. 
   Steinmetz | Aug 04, 2004 04:54pm | #4

   Mike, We have a dewalt 10" and it is great.

    Perfectly accurate from the get go. No need to fine tune. 

   Has a fence that can be switched from left to right in mini seconds or removed and replaced just as quickly.

   Best feature is the 'flip over' bar which enables you to cut wide stock by supporting any 'Overhang'  No metal top to rust . I reccomend it highly .    Steinmetz

5. 
   ASK | Aug 04, 2004 08:50pm | #5

   Mike,

   I agree with Steinmetz. Used the Dewalt for about 6 or 7 years with no complaints. Last winter I upgraded to the Dewalt Hybred.

   ASK

6. 
   CharlieD | Aug 04, 2004 09:31pm | #6

   In a recent review (I have forgotten which mag) they liked the Rigid (go figure) and the Bosch. Rigid for value, Bosch for top quality available.

   Charlie

   I tell you, we are here to fart around, and don't let anybody tell you different. --K Vonnegut
7. 
   RickL | Aug 07, 2004 10:49am | #7

   http://www.mafell.com/produkte/prod_saegen_fr.htm

   http://www.triton.net.au/products/cst_2.html

   http://www.norsaw.co.uk/index.htm

   http://www.rousseauco.com/

   http://www.popularmechanics.com/home_improvement/tools/2001/10/benchtop_bonanza/print.phtml

   Just a few other saws and accessories you may not know about. The Norsaw is quite the tool.

   
   

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   Edited 8/7/2004 3:54 am ET by rick3ddd

8. 
   jazzdogg | Aug 07, 2004 07:13pm | #8

   Mike,

   I have the Bosch and am very happy with it. It was important to me that I be able to install a dado set, which ruled out several of the other portable saws. I also like the outrigger-style stock supports that extend from the side and back, and the included stand.

   As soon as I bought it I installed a Forrest Woodworker II blade, so I can't comment on the factory blade.

   Good luck,

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

9. 
   SRToolguy | Aug 08, 2004 05:36am | #9

   Mike, the Bosch and the Dewalts are excellent but I still favor the Makita's. The Model 2703 is the 10" version of your old saw. Theres not a lot of bells and whistles and they've fixed that finger smashing blade tilt mechanism. You can run a set of Dado blades on it and if you combine it with the Rousseau XL2000 series tables you have a very nice and dependable job site setup.

   Its best attribute is the lack of standard options like the other brands have. There is not much that can get screwed up hauling it in and out of the truck and it is only slightly larger than the original. The weight is also about the same which means at the end of the day, it still is easy to pick-up.

   Cost is also below the others by about 100.00 on the average and in my honest opinion it's well worth every dime of the asking price.

   P.S. I still have my olive drab green Makita 2711. Its held together with a lot of JB Weld but its still cuts as well as the day I bought it.

   Sincerely;

   The Tool Guy

    

    

   
   

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   Edited 8/7/2004 10:38 pm ET by Tool Guy

10. 
    nikkiwood | Aug 08, 2004 05:53am | #10

    I am not familiar with saws in the Makita line, but I notice everyone so far has been touting one or another of the 10" bench top models. Would you want to make room in your van for one of these large (and heavier) saws?

    In my circle the Bosch is winning out over the Dewalt, but I think both are fine saws. I know 3 people who bought the Ridgid, mainly for the price and the nifty rollered stand. But all three are now sorry they bought the saw -- partly because of performance issues, but also because the saw/stand is just too big (for doorways) and too heavy (for one person to lift into the truck/van).

    For my part, I bought the Bosch and I can tell you it is a terrific machine. However, after lugging it around to job sites for the last 3-4 years, I would also say I am sorry I did not investigate the smaller, lighter Makita saws. I never use my saw for sheet goods, and I am guessing the Makita would do very nicely ripping the kind of stuff I work with. Moreover, I like the various stands for the Makita that are available from Trojan and Rousseau.

    Have you been satisfied with the 8" Makita? What type of work do you do with it mainly?

1. 
   fartherhome | Aug 08, 2004 06:47am | #11

   Thanks for the reply. I was very happy with the Makita. it was compact, durable and cut easier than some 10' saws ive used. I bought a small craftsman saw .Theres a sears near the job im doing and Makita dealers are somewhat scarce here.  Ill let you know how it works. Ive never bought  a Craftsman power tool before.

      I used my saw for ripping stock,extension jambs, etc.Making rabets,sills, all the usual stuff.size and weight are a premium for me. the DeWalt ,bosch, etc are not quite portable enough for a job saw.