Replies

1. 
   Piffin | Jul 10, 2005 12:37am | #1

   If you'll be moving it a lot from job to job, pay attention to the weight and balance for carrying.

   I have the Makita 12", and it is fine, but cumbersome to reach across to the flip lever fopr the bevel angfle. The Bosch keeps all the controls in front. The DW is less money, but my DW tools don't last as long - poorer metals and engineering, but still a decent value for the money

    

    

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2. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 10, 2005 01:59am | #2

   There are three brands that seem to receive the highest marks around here -- Makita, Bosch, and Hitachi. Some like the Dewalt 12" slider, with the cautions suggested by Piffin.

   Overall, I would say the cabinetmaking crowd prefers either the 10" Makita or Hitachi, and the construction people seem to like the Bosch.

   There will be others who will laud their saw, if not one of the above, but from my reading of these various threads, the consensus forms around those above.

   ********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   mikegagne | Jul 10, 2005 08:58pm | #3

   nikki, measured advice for sure. My personal preference is the Hitachi but the Makita and Bosch are very plentiful. My Hitachi requires less fiddling with than the other two. The Makits is accurate when set up properly and the Bosch is the fav of the construction guys. Aloha, mike

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 10, 2005 09:22pm | #4

   So why do you think the Bosch is preferred by the construction crowd -- the up front controls?I have fiddled with a Bosch in the store, but never actually used one.********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

1. 
   mikegagne | Jul 10, 2005 10:40pm | #5

   They make a heavy pitch to the tool users in a couple of ways 1) undeniably the best readily available jig saw, hand held power planer, and now, portable table saw. 2)They have a serious presence in tool stores (like makita used to, like PC used to, like BD used to. 3) They have a 15% off deal every August on everything in the line. Some of their not as good items get purchased for the lookalike effect on the buyer. Dont be thinking that all their products are the best of breed however. That new slide saw with upfront controls is replacing one that was just okay and didnt quite capture and hold the market. It had a couple of quirks in the compound mode that they have improved in the latest offering. So, as always, caveat emptor. I have fiddled with that one too but, like you, never cut anything with it. That remains to be discovered for me
   I am personally after the new fold up all in one portable table saw for site use. It'll be cheapest next month. Aloha, mike

1. 
   nikkiwood | Jul 11, 2005 01:22am | #6

   <<"I am personally after the new fold up all in one portable table saw for site use.">>I've had that saw for 4-5 years, and it is a great tool. Unfortunately the fold-up stand (with wheels) wasn't available when I got mine, so I have used their collapsible stand. But that's not so bad, since I haul my stuff in a van, and the saw/stand takes up less space. If you are using a trailer, the new stand is way better. I would urge you to get their outfeed support, since one person can easily manage ripping 1X or 2X stock without any other support -- like a roller stand. If you ever have to use the saw indoors, you'll find the standard dust port fits a 2 1/2" hose from a vac, and it does an amazingly good job of containing the dust. The weak point on this saw is the plastic gears they use for the trunion. The gears get gummed up pretty quickly with sawdust -- which you'll notice when you raise/lower the blade -- and if you don't keep them reasonable clean, you can do some serious damage to the machine. I keep a regular acid brush with the saw, and brush out the gears every day or two, depending on how hard the saw has been used.********************************************************
   "I tend to live in the past because most of my life is there."
   -- Herb Caen (1916-1997)

3. 
   TimLoupe | Jul 11, 2005 03:33am | #7

   Herb,

   I have used just about every saw out there and I own a 12" Dewalt with a forest blade . I also have a 10" hitachi ,cuts nice but the pointer is a little vague and also a little cumbersome to adjust the bevel. The Bosch seems like it would be good , but in practice the controls  didnt work real smooth.Makita is pretty nice ,but again the bevel adjustment is a liitle hard to see and adjust . I have to say I have been lookin at the Ridgid it has nice smooth controls ,lifetime warranty and a nice stand, but I am a little leery of the store thats selling it. The smaller saws cut better but you lose the depth of cut capacity. Most saws will still cut about 12' across the table. The smaller saws blades are cheaper to buy and sharpen , not so many teeth . So ask yourself what your going to useing it for most. I personaly need the depth of cut. Blades make a HUUUGE difference  and the bevel on all of saws isnt as good  they should be . Just my opinion

   Tim

   
   

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   Edited 7/11/2005 8:19 am ET by Tim