Replies

1. 
   zorrosdens | Jan 21, 2006 11:00pm | #1

   If you are talking about a battery powered unit, no, they use those button batteries; if your saw has a brake they last a fair while and if NOT they won't last too long; I tried them and they helped for a while then went weak and intermitent.  But anything powered by the saw's source is a Godsend, it speeds your cutting so much you will never want to go to anyone's saw with out it, especially when you tune in with it (even judging the blade thickness off it to cut a mark on the other side of it, even on a miter to boot when you geit really tuned in with it...by eye....you can still do it but you really will know how much you are missing it.  You will become a cutting machine if you are cutting for someone else and they are nailing.

   ---

   Edited 1/21/2006 3:02 pm ET by zorrosdens

   
   

   ---

   Edited 1/23/2006 8:07 am ET by zorrosdens

2. 
   Kleck | Jan 22, 2006 12:19am | #2

   I just recently upgraded from a 12"CMS to a laser equipped sliding CMS (Makita). I wasn't sure the laser was worth the extra cost until I plugged it in. :) I just wish it was a twin laser. I ruined one board already, by forgetting to move the laser to the opposite side of the blade for a particular cut. There is a small knob on the blade housing, to move the laser left and right. Twin lasers project a beam on either side of the blade which is more convenient.

1. 
   jergrimes | Jan 22, 2006 11:43pm | #5

   Thank you for the input.  I bought a 10" Makita SCMS 1013L yesterday.  I am using it to build a workbench to set it on - so far, it's working great.  The laser has been helpful - thanks for letting me know about the button to switch from right to left hand blade use.  I wasn't aware of that and I've just been using the laser as a starting point - since it's currently set for the right side rather than the left which I've needed on all of my cuts so far.

    

1. 
   Kleck | Jan 24, 2006 09:40pm | #6

   You are most welcome! You can use a small Allen wrench to adjust the position of the laser relative to the blade, on both sides. The factory setting was a little too far away from the blade for my tastes so I moved it flush with the blade edge. That way I can align the light with my pencil line--the result being the line is just barely cut away, which is how I like to mark and cut.

3. 
   Crocusboy | Jan 22, 2006 08:33am | #3

   I don't think I'd bother investing in one just yet, as the technology appears too immature to me right now.  That having been said, I was impressed with Hitachi's laser scms.  The laser is fully adjustable, is rock-solid and lays a tight line on both sides of the blade's cutting line.  However, I don't know if it is worth the additional $100 they ask for the laser option.  Nor do I know if the laser is adequately visible in high light conditions.

   I should mention that I have a laser-less 10" Hitachi scms, and I have no difficulty whatosever figuring out where the blade will cut.  I simply draw the blade down to the board to see if I'm on the mark, then return the blade back to its resting position before pulling the trigger and making the cut.  Works dead-on, every time.

   On the other hand, it may be like cruise control on a vehicle: once you've had it on a vehicle, you'll never want to do without it.  Time will tell.

1. 
   Kleck | Jan 22, 2006 08:43am | #4

   What on earth are you talking about? Immature right now?? A bright red line next to the edge of the blade is not rocket science! They work fine; I just wish mine was a dual laser.

4. 
   tommyp | Jan 25, 2006 03:35am | #7

   have the pc 12 laser and its great the first time you use it you will say wow