Thread: What's the best Compound Mitre Saw on the market right now?

I don't know how the depth limit is set on Kapex - but there is probably some pin that is goes against some surface, so one can try to clamp some piece of metal to that surface to raise the top limit?

Been looking to buy a CMS or a SCMS.

I refuse to buy a Kapex after reading this thread. Seems they are grossly overpriced - like all Festool gear.
another point is if they don't do all you want without the messing around WHY BOTHER?!

I've had a look at Makita and Bosch, especially the ones that bevel both ways. Bosch has a model that has
micro adjustment on the mitre angle. Looks to be the go!!!

Also has all controls AT THE FRONT!

Originally Posted by artme

I've had a look at Makita and Bosch, especially the ones that bevel both ways. Bosch has a model that has
micro adjustment on the mitre angle. Looks to be the go!!!

Also has all controls AT THE FRONT!

Do you know the model number of the Bosch saw?

Originally Posted by artme

Been looking to buy a CMS or a SCMS.

I refuse to buy a Kapex after reading this thread. Seems they are grossly overpriced - like all Festool gear.
another point is if they don't do all you want without the messing around WHY BOTHER?!

I've had a look at Makita and Bosch, especially the ones that bevel both ways. Bosch has a model that has
micro adjustment on the mitre angle. Looks to be the go!!!

Also has all controls AT THE FRONT!

I didn't like my Kapex at all, however some users are full of praise. In my opinion it's a severely flawed execution of an otherwise good design. Tellingly, my local tool repairer is now getting a lot of them in for repair currently. His opinion? A cheaply made saw of fairly fragile construction: worth perhaps about half the price currently charged.

In my experience it's capacity & performance is eclipsed by alternative designs. Makita and particularly DeWalt are currently the tradesman's choice in site saws.

I believe that Radial Arm Saws are still the definitive choice in workshop cross cutting and trenching saws.

Wot he said.

Well I've just received my brand new 10" DeWalt DW717 XE SCMS and I think it is fantastic. I considered the Makita 10" SCMS and took the advise of a couple of local tradies who prefer the DeWalt. It did not need calibration and worked straight out of the box. The depth stop is positive and firm. De Walt don't make the laser lights for them any more. I wish I'd got it sooner but didn't have the bickies.

TT

The Festool isn't a site saw, like Aussie builders treat their site saws. It's an interior fitout saw, to be carried in a van, not a ute. Hence the breakages, I suppose.
It's the most accurate saw out of all of them after a few months use, and the mitre locks are the most accurate. The bearings are bronze, not alloy on plastic, and it's made to last a while when treated well. I don't have the space for an RAS in the workshop at home, and still do site work, which my old Makita was making a trial of for fine timbers. So, it was the best compromise I could come up with. I would have liked an RAS, and you can pick decent second handies up for $500 but a good tablesaw bridges that divide.


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Cava, I saw the saw on a video when I looked up Bosch SCMSes. The model I am referring to is available in the States
but no one in the tool shops here has heard of it.

It has a micro adjustment on the mitre but no the bevel.

Certainly looked like a great product.

Try the Bosch site. I think that is where I saw the beast.

How many in Oz cut and fit the large crown mouldings like they do in the US? Very few is my guess. Over there those boys work in a different world; they lay their mouldings FLAT on the table and use very obscure-to-us mitre and bevel angles to achieve their compounds; and using the saw's adjustments differently too. By and large, that's unheard of here, we just don't do it. Which makes me wonder why we need the same gear?

Artme, Bosch USA has unique model numbers for it's tools due to their unique voltage characteristics (120v 60hz). It's fairly obvious really when you think about it.

That they likewise use unique numbers for cordless offerings, even skins, is less obvious. However they do. I'm confident there' a 230v 50hz version of the same tool available under a different number. It is sort of a German thing. Metabo (and probably others) use a unique numerical suffix for the type of international power plug attached to the end of their cables to identify the correct selling market.

Originally Posted by dakotax3

How many in Oz cut and fit the large crown mouldings like they do in the US? Very few is my guess. Over there those boys work in a different world; they lay their mouldings FLAT on the table and use very obscure-to-us mitre and bevel angles to achieve their compounds; and using the saw's adjustments differently too. By and large, that's unheard of here, we just don't do it. Which makes me wonder why we need the same gear?

Originally Posted by Ratbag

Artme, Bosch USA has unique model numbers for it's tools due to thei unique voltage characteristics (120v 50hz). It's fairly obvious really when you think about it.

That they likewise use unique numbers for cordless offerings, even skins, is less obvious. However they do. I'm confident there' a 230v 50hz version of the same tool available under a different number. It is sort of a German thing. Metabo (and probably others) use a unique numerical suffix for the type of international power plug attached to the end of their cables to identify the correct selling market.

Thanks fellas!! Appreciate all you say!!

I think the compound angle feature is great!! Think of box making and toy making.

Cheers, artme.

Originally Posted by artme

Cava, I saw the saw on a video when I looked up Bosch SCMSes. The model I am referring to is available in the States
but no one in the tool shops here has heard of it.

It has a micro adjustment on the mitre but no the bevel.

Certainly looked like a great product.

Try the Bosch site. I think that is where I saw the beast.

Do Bosch manufacture for the world market with 120-240V products like Festool?

If they do, and the SCMS has selectable voltage, perhaps consider importing one?

There's no selectable voltages in power tools. There are some DC tools out there, such as the Swiss range of dedicated 70v oil rig tools (I forget the name, but it's the same mnfr. That made a range of saws, router & planers for Elu).

Metabo make some selectable AC/DC tools in a different voltage again for offshore rigs. Then there's Mirka's Ceros sander with a DC low voltage outboard converter.

The rest are available in AC only in nominated voltages only for their respective markets.

If I am not mistaken, and I stand to be corrected, the Festool Kapex 120 is voltage selectable.