Thread: Triton saw or Makita ?

Hardcore Triton devotees will probably tell you to spend the extra money and get the Triton because "it was designed" for the WC2K.

Everyone else will probably say go for the Makita. I have a Makita at work and it is a great saw. Also the deal with the blades is really good too.

I have both saws here at home. The triton in my W/C and the makita for hand use. I think the triton is a great saw as its built for the WC but I reckon there ar plenty of users out there that do and just may do as good work with another brand of saw in their W/C. The main reason I have 2 saws is that the triton is heavy for the hand cuts I do from time to time.

Just remember in the first WC2K video that George Lewin(sp??) did he used a hitachi circular saw. (yeah I know the triton saw was not out then but still...)

Yep true woodbuther I agree with you. I also look that you can have the best tools available, its how they are used that can make all the difference. i do admit though my triton saw has made life a lot easier since owning it.

Originally Posted by Wood Butcher

spend the extra money and get the Triton because "it was designed" for the WC2K.

correct answer

Guess you need to put the specs side by side, and decide what is important to you. Not knowing the Makita, I don't know about their reliability etc, but I'm sure they are pretty reliable.

Don't think the blades are a selling point - depends on their value. A cheap blade is worth nothing to the deal. If they are $100 blades, well, that is something to think about!

What's the GMC saw like? I was looking at them today, because I'm using a tiny Hitachi saw and getting sick of making two cuts for anything thicker than a piece of paper. The GMC actually looks like a cheap version of the Triton in many ways and seeing they're only $89 at Bunnies at the moment, and I can't afford the Triton (and can't see myself having that extra cash either), it looks like a good option.

Richard

Okay, just found the thread further down talking about this very subject. Thanks boys, I'll be buying the GMC and sorting out any inaccuracy with the thicknesser (you can do that boats )

Richard

besides, I can't afford the GMC really, so the Triton is REAAAALLLLLYYYY out of the game

I have had the Triton saw now pretty much permanently attached to my WC2000 as it is a beast of a unit to use hand held - I am currently looking around for a lighter saw to use freehand. I have not had any experience with fitting third party saws to the table, but the Triton just fit perfectly (as if it was designed to fit I have friend who have other brand saws in their table and have no problems.

Graha.

Makita make quality products.

The 2 features of the Triton that the Makita may not have are:
Simple micro adjustment of the blade angle. You will only need to use this once, when setting up the saw for the workcenter. Some Makita saws have a grub screw for this that is located underneath the base plate. (I have one of these) To adjust the setting for zero, you have to constantly take the saw out of the chassis, turn the grub screw and put it back.

Check the location of the micro adjustment for angle trim.

The other feature on the Triton saw is the ease and accuracy of height adjustment. If you have a height winder kit though (Highly recommend) these features become less relevant.

The alignment cams in the Triton base are a bit of a double edged issue. Personally I find it easier to align the saw without them. Then again, I have aligned hundreds of them. THey are a bit like training wheels. Help to get you moving, but once you don't need them, they tend to get in the way. IMO.

Steve

P.S. as for weight, if you are describing yourself as an old fellow, even the 235 Makita will not be used hand held for long, unless you plan on getting younger. I have a small Makita for hand held use. Great for that and light enough to use single handed.

Perhaps the 185mm Triton would be more useful? Smaller blade, but a lighter, quality unit.

The Makita is a great saw - Big / Heavy (not as heavy as the TSA) and bucket loads of grunt. The major downfall...it was never, and still is not, designed to be hung upside down by its base plate. The weight of the motor etc, and the light bracketing fitted cause the motor to pull the blade over, and cause what we refer to as 'saw slump'.

An easy fix, is to fit the Triton saw stabiliser bracket to the Makita, to support the weight of the motor and prevent slump - and by the time you add this to your purchase price....your could have brought your Triton TSA. The bonus is that (as stated by others) you have the advantages of Micro adjustment and purpose built machine (that will also be able to be used as a fantastic hand held 9 1/4" saw - with the aid of friends to lift it).

In short (and IMHO)...mount the Triton with a good quality Triple cut CMT or Triton blade and forget its even there. Buy yourself a mid range 7 1/4" for handheld use and finally hide the credit card statement...(works for me!)

Dohboy

Thanks for all the advice, I have bought the 235 Triton allthough Bunnies now have the Makita at $266. Thought seriously of the smaller triton but need the depth of cut. Nearly bought another saw bench comes with the small saw for only $10 more than the saw on its own, the only difference I could see was the one in the bench dosent have the laser sight on it.
Now I have to find something (its called cash) for the maxi table.
Cheers
DD

Originally Posted by glynhouse

Thanks for all the advice, I have bought the 235 Triton allthough Bunnies now have the Makita at $266. Thought seriously of the smaller triton but need the depth of cut. Nearly bought another saw bench comes with the small saw for only $10 more than the saw on its own, the only difference I could see was the one in the bench dosent have the laser sight on it.
Now I have to find something (its called cash) for the maxi table.
Cheers
DD

Good move.

Now build a cross cut sled and you might find you don't need the maxi just yet.