Replies

1. 
   dperfe | Dec 10, 2005 06:39am | #1

   Just sold my Dewalt 708. The blade was not parallel with the rails. Drove me nuts so finally got rid of it.

2. 
   stevo_wis | Dec 14, 2005 12:04am | #2

   Hi Joe,

   I am very interested in replacing my 10", but didnt have the room behind that the sliding units needed. I saw an ad for a Hitachi that slides differently and doesnt need room for the rails behind. Thats the one I am going to look into.

   Stevo

1. 
   mudman | Dec 15, 2005 07:28pm | #5

   Grom what I understand Dewalt redesigned their line of saws. The new models mirror the old ones but have a "1" in the model number; ie. 708=718, 706=716. Numerous small improvements were made that has put Dewalt at the top again (my opinion). The New 718 has been redesigned so the the slide rails don't go as far back. So it might fit in you space.

   Mike

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 15, 2005 09:57pm | #6

   "The New 718 has been redesigned so the the slide rails don't go as far back."  This seems to be the next movement in sliding compound miter saws.  I was the local tool store a couple weeks ago, and he had another model (not DeWalt) that had this space-saving design.  Hitachi??  Sorry, can't remember, but I'll betcha within one or two years, all of the big companies will have a version.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   mudman | Dec 16, 2005 07:45pm | #7

   Interesting. I guess that it has been a problem.

   Mike

1. 
   forestgirl | Dec 16, 2005 08:22pm | #8

   "I guess that it has been a problem."  Well, the 'problem' was that the darned SCMS's were taking up so much space!  I've never had the pleasure of owning one but have heard people gripe about how much space they take up in back due to the rails.  This new design push is aimed at alleviating that disadvantage.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)Another proud member of the  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

3. 
   AntzyClancy | Dec 15, 2005 12:37am | #3

   I don't have direct experience, but I was at the wood show in Sacramento where a vender was using a Bosch 4412 in his demonstrations. I forgot what he was selling, but is wasn't the saw so I assume he was honest. His opinion was that it was super accurate and he had no complaints. The saw was well used, of course, traveled quite a bit.

   I am also in the market, and will most likely get the Bosch or the Rigid, as it to has up front controls, and if I don't like it, Home Depot has a good return policy.

   Good luck,

   Todd

1. 
   famosrichit | Dec 15, 2005 06:56pm | #4

   I've the Makita LS1212 for a couple of years now and have been very happy with it. It comes with a good 90 tooth blade also

4. 
   scribefit55 | Dec 16, 2005 08:32pm | #9

   I've had the Ridgid 12" sliding saw since January of 05 and have been, for the most part, happy with it. When i buy tools, i look for large, easy to operate handles and graduations. They're just much more user friendly. this saw has a lot of that. It is a stout, well built saw and adjusts to cut truely rather easily. My gripes are that it has awful dust collection, and the depth of cut adjustment is terrible, however I don't use it that often. It also has a long slide. I hope that my review helps your decision!!!!!

   - todd

   
   

   ---

   Edited 12/16/2005 12:33 pm ET by foxxiemoxxie

5. 
   Joe in VA | Dec 18, 2005 11:57pm | #10

   I did a LOT of research over this choice - Internet - Magazines - Everbody I knew. Then I bought the Bosch 5412L (Bosch's newest model). It's absolutely an incredible saw. Solid as a rock. All machined, heavy duty, metal parts. All the controls are up front. Accurate to the Nth degree - right out of the box. Laser guide a plus. Great User Manual - Extremely clear. Used it to trim my kitchen and my wife couldn't have been happier over the $$$ I spent. It's "top end" for miter saw, but well worth the price. I also bought the T3B Track Rack Portable Stand with wheels. Again, solid as a rock. What a combination. I expect to get years of use out of both.

    

1. 
   Idahojoe | Dec 19, 2005 07:58pm | #11

   Thanks for your thoughts.  They help in my evaluation.  One challenge I've had in looking at the Bosch.  No dimensions on anybodys web site and no retailers nearby.  Would it be possible for you to jot down the rough unit width, depth @90 and depth @45 measurements?  I would be appreciative. 

1. 
   mudman | Dec 21, 2005 09:26pm | #12

   Everything you ask is on their web site.

   http://www.boschtools.com/tools/tools-detail?H=175981&G=54931&I=64803&T=1

   click on the specifications tab.

   Mike

2. 
   tinkerer2 | Dec 22, 2005 09:14am | #13

      Workbench magazine came today with a writeup on the new Hitache C12LHS.  It claims accuracy unmatched by it's competitors.  For what that is worth.

6. 
   kandrewk | Dec 22, 2005 11:47pm | #14

   I have a Makita slider & I love it. But I have relatives who are trim carpenters and would not have anything but a hitachi.

7. 
   BigK | Dec 26, 2005 11:35am | #15

   I bought the dewalt 718 to replace the 708, set it up with their laser. Dewalt made more than a few minor changes for the new saw. It crosscuts 13 1/2" out of the box, can cut 16" with a couple of quick changes (the reason why I had to own it). The new laser is hardwired, no batteries, and brighter, and adjustable. Accuracy is second to none. I must admit that I own a lot of Dewalt, but that being said, their service center beats the other yahoos hands down. Before you decide and lay down your hard-earned money I suggest that you look at whether they have a service center in your area just in case. The waurantee is next to worthless if you have to pay to ship a damaged tool somewhere for service. Shipping and packaging would be out of your pocket. Also take a good look at the ergonomics of the toools in consideration. Things like vertical hand grips can get very uncomfortable in a hurry with repetitive use. Personally I know 2 buddies who bought the Makita 12" slider after much consternation but got rid of them after only a couple of months. Something about 2 button triggers and short back fences, and issues with the vertical grip for one of them. Another buddy had the Ridgid, developed problem with the pivot while under waurrantee, nearest service center was 180? miles away. He would have to make the round trip twice, and we live in Denveras versus out in the sticks. He was pissed. So good luck with your choice, wish you the best.

1. 
   mudman | Dec 27, 2005 07:54pm | #16

   Thanks for the info on the new saw. I like the changes they have made, but will not be replacing my current saw yet! I'll second the comment about the service center. They replaced a 9 month old battery with no questions. Same with a radio that blew its speaker. They didn't even check the radio, just gave me a new one.

   Mike

8. 
   Elcoholic | Dec 28, 2005 03:05am | #17

   I have the Makita LS1212 and it's great, especially with the heavy duty 100t FS Tools blade.  I didn't much like the 90t thin kerf blade as it would deflect a bit on compound angled cuts.  There's a newer Makita 12" slider which looks to have the same slides, but a bigger table.  Bosch and Hitachi didn't make a 12" slider at the time, but they do now.  Hitachi and Makita have long been considered the gold standard for serious trim carpenters and are definately worth serious consideration.

   John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   The more things change ...

   We trained hard, but it seemed that every time we were beginning to form up into teams, we would be reorganized.  I was to learn later in life that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing confusion, inefficiency, and demoralization.

   Petronious Arbiter, 210 BC

9. 
   RobN | Dec 28, 2005 08:29am | #18

   I have just replaced my Makita 10"  LS1011 with the Dewalt 708.  I am a film carpenter and have used the 708 in many shops.  These are the saws of choice in these shops.  They are undergoing heavy use.   However moving this saw around is more cumbersome than some smaller saws.  For location builds we take smaller saws. In my opinion it is still far superior.  It has excellent cutting range and adjusts easily.  The bevel guage could be better but it appears that DeWalt has looked into this with their new version of the saw.  The only downside to the 12" is the blades cost more.

   Rob

   Do it right.  Do it once.