Thread: help deciding on 12-inch SCMS...

I don't suppose you have considered the new Hitachi at all? Definately top of my list when I upgrade my scms!

Basic things like being belt driven as opposed to direct driven (less noise and vibrations) and the ability for the carrige to move with the rails through the base (as per a normal scms) or to lock the rails to the base and slide the carrige along the rails (meaning you can still have full travel, but have the saw unit right up against a wall as opposed to 500mm away), handy if shop space is a concern.

http://www.hitachi-powertools.com.au...?ID=33&CatID=6

no hadn't considered the Hitachi basically because none of the shops i have been too stocked it...

I have noticed though that Milwaukee has the rails sliding in/out of the base and the bevel swivel attached to the end of the rails (think the Makita is like this as well).
Where as the Bosch and Metabo have the bevel swivel attached to the base and then the rails on top sticking out the back.

Im startking to lean towards the Milwaukee.
I like the Bosch but dont like the swivel handle trigger and all the painted parts (usually easy to scratch) and the Metabo seems a bit too simple for the $$.

Not knowing much about Milwaukee are they well represented in Aus in terms of parts and warranty etc?

Originally Posted by colze

Not knowing much about Milwaukee are they well represented in Aus in terms of parts and warranty etc?

I wouldn't have a clue. To be honest I didn't even know that they existed until about 2 years ago! I have only seen the Milwaukee scms in a catalogue, not in the flesh, so I can't really offer up much of a comment on that one. I agree with the Bosch, it does seem a bit wanky with the colours and plastic knobs all over it. I have used a Makita a lot when I was still in tafe, and it was brilliant. Having said that, it was around 10 years ago now. I did have a bit of a play with the Makita and Hitachi at the tool shop as I had a few pieces of scrap timber in the car (they were rather reluctant, but I said there was no way I'd be spending that amount of money on a tool unles I could try it first, or return it if I wasn't happy!).

I was just a bit more happy with the Hitachi, mainly due to how well everything was though out (in my eyes anyway) and the rail system, as spacing a scms 2' out from a wall has always given me the $hits.

Thanks for the feedback.
Still like the Bosch but definately have to make an effort to look past the crappy colours.

Think i will have to let price decide.
Seems the cheapest i can get the makita for is a bit over $1000 and thats with no stand.

Can get the Milwaukee with free stand and free 100tooth additional blade for $1050.

Im hoping i can get Bunnings to price match the Bosch with Sydney Tools price.
ST want $849 so iff Bunnings will match minus 10% means should come in at $764.

But yeah, like the Milwaukee but am concerned with parts/warranty.

Hi Colze,

Let me try to swing you in another direction. The additional cost of buying a top quality saw such as the Makita 1212 when taken in the context of the cost of building or even just fitting out a new house is simply quite negligible.

I'm not pushing any particular brand and I can only report my own experience. I have an LS 1212 and have used same daily for about 10 years for workshop work that includes making many thousands of cuts of squares for commercial wood turning. That includes heaps of 100 x 100 black wood and lots of 300 x 75 and 300 x 100 blanks for bowl turning.The saw is permanently bench mounted with a 2.4m fence on the in-feed side and 1.2 m fence on the out-feed side. It took me nearly 3 days to get that lot built and shimmed to that standard. I've never had to adjust it since I built it.

That machine will still cut the 2H pencil line in half all the way round blanks of these sizes with no trouble at all.All cuts still end up with a polished finish. I have my blades (only own two) sharpened by a commercial service about every 4 weeks and I have yet to cut my first piece of second hand or dirty timber in that saw. It's worth mentioning that i don't cut furniture timber to length before milling either with the concave side of the rough- sawn boards to the fence. The forces when the cut finalises put enormous strain on the saw spindle plus it's quite dangerous if the saw decided to come back to you which it usually does.

The Makita 1212 isn't a purchase: it's an investment.

Cheers Old Pete

Thanks for the advise old pete.
I agree 100% and thats why ive been looking at a new saw.
But at the same time i wont be using it every day. Probably not even every weekend which makes it hard to justify. But i do understand what you're saying.

I suppose i was trying to get something of good quality at the lowest price or with the most accessories which negates the need for me to then purchase those items (ie a free stand etc). Something which will provide good results in the context of my weekend use (decking, simple framing, cedar lining etc) ie wont be used every day like a tradie.

But maybe its best to just buy the top end for a few hundred extra and be satisfied that i wont be let down over the 10+ years ill have the saw.

Bunnings won't match Sydney Tools, I've tried! Basically because the ST price is ex freight.

The longeviety of the Makita is great, like I said, I used one in tafe, in a class full of mainly dickheads who wouldn't knoe the first thing about using a tool properly (most of the class was stoned 24/7!). If it can handle that, you'll probably end up giving it to your grandkids one day!

Bunnings do however sell a nice scms stand though. The bosch green stand. I haven't seen the bosch blue in the flesh, only in a pic, but the green looks exactly the same! And it comes in at $167.

Originally Posted by socratous

Bunnings won't match Sydney Tools, I've tried! Basically because the ST price is ex freight.

.

Bunnings price matched my Makita LS1214 from Sydney Tools. I think you just got to be firm with them.

Originally Posted by colze

like the Milwaukee but am concerned with parts/warranty.

Milwaukee is owned by TTI, who also own AEG and Ryobi.
Milwaukee stuff have a 3 year warranty (most others have a 1 year) and parts are easy to get provided you go to a REAL tool store.

Never used a Milwaukee saw, but have used both the Metabo and Bosch 10 inch versions. While they are both good saws, neither hold a candle to the Makita which is an absolute dream to use.
Save your pennys and get the LS1216, you won't regret it.

Personal opinion on the saw stands that everyone sells now. As a carpenter whos used them on site I reckon their overrated. A bigish piece of timber on one and they get the wobbles up, add abit of uneven ground and they get annoying to use.
Two good saw stools, an old extension ladder section plus a few bits of scrap timber and ply screwed together make a far more sturdy and versitile saw stand. Granted it's not as compact as the saw stands, but the stools and ladder have other uses too.

Tool stores have the Mak on sale time to time for under $1000.
If your still not sure then head down to a proper tool shop like Total Tools and check out their range.

Originally Posted by colze

Im hoping i can get Bunnings to price match the Bosch with Sydney Tools price.
ST want $849 so iff Bunnings will match minus 10% means should come in at $764.

I'm betting Bunnings will only price match Sydney Tools if you live in Sydney, as you would have to add freight to the total price.

Haven't checked whether it's available in Australia yet but this new Bosch 12" mitre saw seem pretty nifty.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I10K3N-UCnY"]YouTube - GCM12SD Glide Miter Saw Video.wmv[/ame]

Colze,

I'm like Old Pete. I have the LS1212 and it's done everything I've asked of it for the last 9+ years. The only problem and is a problem in general (except for the Kapex) is dust collection is nearly non-existent on SCMS. They spray it everywhere.

It's still as accurate as day 1. It's permanently mounted to the bench.

If I had to buy another SCMS today it would still be a Mak (can't kill 'em).

It's an investment as Old Pete says.

Have a look at Hitachi c12lsh and associated C12 lch model, I have one of these saws and find it to be an excellent saw. It was supplied by Sydney Power Tools.

Regards

Mike

Thanks guys.
Was looking at the LS1216 last night.
it was netx to the Bosch and Milwaukee so got to play with them all side by side.
The Makita definantly has a more robust feel then the Bosch.
Front controls on the Bosch are pretty nifty.
The bevel controls at the back of the LS1216 seemed difficult to use. However this might be something that you get used to once you use it more?

What about the dual rail system? can you not lock the bottom rail?
When i was sliding it back and fore it seemed that one rail would slide to full extend then "clunk" into the next rail which would then slide which didnt feel very smooth at all.

No sure if this was becuase it was a display one thats been slid back and fore a million times.

So basically iv gone off the Bosch and will probably choose between the Makita and the Milwaukee.

The Milwaukee seems to have the similar robust feel of the Makita but in my opinion is much easier to use. Not saying its a better saw at all but for my type of use (weekend warrior) it my be a better choice. But yeah still need to decide. Will depend on what deal i can get.

That new Bosch saw looks the goods, and has been getting fantastic reviews in the US.

I emailed Bosch Australia to see if/when it is likely to turn up in Oz. Doesn't help that they've given it exactly the same model number as an existing saw (with traditional slide rails) that we already get here....

Will post if I hear back from them ......