Thread: Sliding compound mitre saws?

I think you will find Bosch, Makita, Hitachi trade quality tools all very good and the owners of these brands rarely have problems and will sing their praises as will the owners of a Kapex. Only minor feature differences between the B, M and H and similar/ballpark pricing. Probably depends on what colour best matches your other tools as to which one you get.

I personally couldn't justify the cost of a Kapex over a Makita but I could justify a Makita over a Ryobi/Ozito/GMC based on obvious build quality differences. Definately a personal choice and no black and white answer.

The biggest consideration is where you would use the saw. If you are taking it out to job sites all the time, a mitre (non slider) is a better choice as it will be lighter and more durable. For 99% workshop use the slider is fine and more versatile.

Have a search in this forum for each of the brands or SCMS and you will get a heap of info as this is a popular topic.

good luck spending Kev's money

I have used this one an like it because it doesn't take up so much
space on the work bench. A very smooth piece of equipment.

Some need a lot of space to the rear, and I mean a lot!!!

http://www.hitachipowertools.com/sto...h=1,12,63,p191,

First thing I would look at is the deck height, especially if there is some home renos on the cards ( u know cutting posts).

I really like my Elektra Beckum 300 mm SCMS. Sufficient grunt and the quietest saw I have ever used. Problem is the deck height is around 65 mm from memory. Not complaining cause I rarely cut anything thicker, but for some it would be a pain in the ....

Something worth considering in my opinion.

Originally Posted by Papa

I have used this one an like it because it doesn't take up so much
space on the work bench. A very smooth piece of equipment.

Some need a lot of space to the rear, and I mean a lot!!!

http://www.hitachipowertools.com/sto...h=1,12,63,p191,

I have the same saw and love it.

from Papa's link "

• Highly efficient dust collector attachment, collects 100% more dust than previous models
• Splinter guard, prevents material from splintering and increases safety"

I would take these with a grain of salt, the splitter lasted about 2 seconds and was pretty useless. the dust collection may be 100% better than the previous model, but it still misses 99% of the dust. OTOH I expect this is common to all these saws

regards,

James

Gday,

I bought a Bosch GCM 12 SD about a month ago with the GTA 3700 workbench and cant fault either purchase.

I've used to cut pine and vic ash, plaster cornice and alluminium and it cuts everything like a hot knife through butter.

Two big reasons for buying the Bosch were having all the mitre and bevel controls at the front of the machine, no reaching round the back to loosen a knob to change settings and the other was the 60 degree cutting ability.

Hope this helps,

Ross.

Another vote here for the bosch. I've had mine (gcm10sd) for a couple of years now and it's great. The front mounted controls are a great idea and the extended cutting angles can be quite handy.

I just got a Makita 12". Couldn't be happier.

Originally Posted by Geoff Dean

I just got a Makita 12". Couldn't be happier.

Completely agree with Geoff.

Graham

love my Bosch too. Few years of commercial use and still going strong.

AD

I just got the new Hitachi today. They sure do need a lot of room at back, but that's ok. At least I was prepared for it (Thanks Papa!) Roll on Shed Day!!

cheers
Wendy

Over the past year th prices of slide saws have dropped a fair wack, the main ones that we seem to sell in the shop are the dewalt dw718 & the metabo kgs305 12" slide compound both for $950+gst at the moment & they come with 3 year warranty. The metabo comes with a 80t saw blade as apose to most other 12" saws coming with 40-60t.

if you have a bit to add to mr k's grant i would go the festool kapex, the rolls royce of slide saws

Cheers,

Team VEK TOOLS
www.vektools.com.au

hi beer is good, i use dropsaws every day of my life, i have used every brand you can think of, my current dropsaw is on its lasts legs, i have give it a good work out over the last 12 years, (MAKITA LS 1013).

i will be replacing it very soon, my next dropsaw will be......wait for it, MAKITA LS 1013!

there is not much to dislike about this saw, dust collection is good, ok, not as good as my festool kapex but good enough for site work.

easy to adjust miters, angles.
easy to set depth gauge, i find with some other brands, no thought has been put into the design of the saw at all. seems like they just stick things on at the last minute.
i would not recommend a saw with lots of plastic, stay away, buy metal.

my advice is to check the little things on the dropsaw, such as depth adjustment, setting saw to cut angles and mitres, and also make sure the weight is right for you, i find the makita's are around 20kg, thats about right for me, as more often than not, i have to climb 6 or 7 flights of stairs.
saves me going to the gym!

if you saw will sit in a workshop permanently, i would recommend saving a few more dollars and buy the festool kapex, leaves all the competition in the dust....so to speak...

regards, justin.

Another vote for the Metabo KGS331. I bought one of the older green ones a year or so ago, having used my bro-in-law's a while back. They're now blue (Elektra Beckum) but exactly the same saw. Cost about $1000 and got the 3 year extended warranty.
Very very quiet, good blade brake, quick to get to speed. Smooth operation, solid and precise.
The dust chute behind the blade will eventually fill up if you don't use a sucker on it, no different to any others I suppose. At least have a look at one (and a listen), that's my advice.

EDIT I initially put KGS305 here but did a search and found mine is the KGS331, http://www.justtools.com.au/prod798.htm - sorry, don't know whether this suits you. I'm impressed with it anyhow.

Makita saw has a great advantage in the way the depth stop can flick out of the way. Meaning you can leave a depth set, flick to a full cut then go back to that depth - priceless. Also very accurate out of the box.