Thread: Quiet SCMS

Carl,
I have probably used pretty much every trade model SCMS on the market (and a few no longer made) and all of them are loud enough to warrant hearing protection. Once you are wearing hearing protection it's a bit academic which is quieter although I suppose it may affect those around you (ie your neighbours). I doubt however that it's going to be a noticable difference. If noise is the governing factor I suggest you look at a SCMS with an induction motor, ie Elektra Beckum. An induction motor is great for a stationary machine that runs constantly or consistently (like a table saw) but not so good for a portable tool that stops and starts constantly as it is heavier for the same power output and takes much longer to get up to speed. One chippie I know swears by the Hitachi as his Makita blew up its bevel gearbox and it was an expensive rebuild. I had my old Makita SCMS for 11 years (sold it, still running) and never had any problems. I have had the newer model (with the angled gear drive) for about 4 years now with no problems. I do however have a Hitachi 12" dropsaw that I use for all the heavy, rough work so this saves a lot of wear and tear on my SCMS.

Mick

the electra beckum (aka metabo) direct drive induction motor machine is exceptionaly quiet even while cutting.

cut a pine stud with the standard blade & still hear the radio.

no belts no gearbox.

a very nice machine.

however
limited depth of cut about 65mm

wont please a gung ho builder boy because it doesn't lurch up to speed fast enough.

& you cant bash it thru a hardwood stud with all the strength your fore arms will muster.

I have one & like it & have 3 mates who use them.

generaly SCMS anr much quieter than they once were.

but the EB still takes the cake.

I have the Bosch and love it (other than the next to useless dust collector). It's not too noisy and has a host of great features too - especially the ability to change the bevel from the front of the saw rather than reachine around the back. Worth a look at.

Hello All,
I've used most of the SCMS and I reckon the Dewalt 300mm ( I think its the DW708 ) is a cracker, belt drive, light for its size and pretty well priced. A lot of thought has gone into this machine, big comfortable handle, smooth action ( some saws have an awkward or lumpy action ) and large clear angle indicators.
I have no use for one at the moment so I use a 216mm CMS, but when the time and minister for finance wants something built that justifies it, I will buy one.


ps. One thing to do when looking at a SCMS is to fully extend the rails/cut and pay attention to any sideways movement, this can be an annoying trait if their not running true.

I have used all of the different types of SCMS on the market over the years. Started of with the ELU until I fully realised its limitations , depth and width of cut. then moved up to a 10" makita now on its second set of gears [older style with motor horizontal to the table] noisy as well. I also have the 10" with the motor on the angle . This is quieter as the gears are bevel cut. If I was going to get another one it would be the 12" hitachi as it gives a better depth of cut. Yes it is also belt drive but it also has gears. This is how they get the extra depth of cut and not as much backlash on the gears. the motor and gearbox sit higher than the rest with the belt down to the drive spindle. By having the belt drive it takes the sudden load of the blade away from the gears so runs quieter. Another advantage of this system is if your blade jams only the blade will slip and not jam up the gears which causes you to break the teeth in the gerbox. A belt is a lot cheaper to replace than an armature and gear.