Thread: Flip Saws

Hello fellow workworker in cyberland. I'm new here - so no fancy web stuff - just a basic communication.

I have a couple of Triton Workcentres - one of which houses a Triton router (does anyone know who makes this machine? I understand it is from Taiwan). The other Workbench has a 235mm Makita saw in it.

But I am getting interested in the Elu TGS173 or 273. Or maybe even the Dewalt DW742. The Elus would be at least 6 years old (273 model) or maybe 10-15 years old in the case of the 173 model. I believe the Dewalts were available until very recently - so maybe they would be less than 5 years old.

I do recycling of old hardwood for building purposes - and on occasion, some funriture - when I get time. So there is a fair bit of ripping and cutting of old timbers to get them into shape. Some of this timber is big and tough - like 100x100mm Bluegum (30 YO).

I recently purchased a small GMC SCMS for mitre and cross cut work - but this just got me wanting something better.

I like the idea/specs of the Elu/Dewalt saws as I believe one of these would replace the GMC (fro mitre work) and even do a better job than my Triton 2000/Makita combination for ripping down large timbers to managable sizes.

I would be looking for a 2nd hand saw - probably.

So here are my questions.

1. Who has experience with Elu/Dewalt flip saws - and any comments about them?

2. Do they have enough power (1650watts versus my Makita with 1750watts) for ripping hardwood. I also have a Skil 2200 watt saw - but I've never fitted it to the Triton (it's my replacement when the Makita falls over).

3. Is the belt-drive a problem in over-loading the induction motor?

4. What's the spare-parts situation? Available (from where) - expensive?

5. I have seen on eBay an Elu copy from TWM. These machines go for around $330. Does anyone know who TWM is - which country? Company website so I can check them out? Are these machines any good? Do they have the nice (quiet) induction motor? Are they a nicely finished product - like most of the European tools - or the usual 'Asian' finish.

I like the idea of the Elu as it's manufactured in Europe (France, Switzerland and Italy) - as European stuff is usually pretty good. (Although I have a couple of Skil tools from Holland - not too impressed with them).

Any ideas and input on where to purchase an Elu - apart from on eBay would be welcome.

Thanks
Len