Sliding compound mitre saw

**ch!ppy** · 1st September 2012, 01:54 PM

32 Kg is a fair heft to get out first thing in the morning and then again when your in slow down mode packing up after work...drop saws/ mitre and now days compound mitre saws are always the last thing to be packed away, everyone tries to avoid it, leaving it for the other bloke to pick up, either that or the new guy gets told thats his job

and thats with the 20 Kg or there abouts machines, 32 Kg is really going to peeve some blokes off LOL

i would be very tempted to give the bosh a try though if i was in the market for a new one, but then i would have to remember i have often tried the new machines (many brands) when they come out with new tech, only to eventually be disappointed and end up back with Makita, they just last and last, work well and feel about right, if and when you eventually wear em out they are usually relatively quick, cheap and easy to fix but you have to have put them through some serious work to wear em out, i have saws here that are various years old, some decades that still get used, for cutting steel (or is that abused!) but if cleaned up etc and a new blade they would work fine for accurate timber work

i like the idea of the Bosh arm for its compactness (if thats needed its a big plus) but i would like to get the 'feel' of it to be sure though. i dont much like machines with horizontal handles, i prefer the vertical type on makita's by a long way (less cramped or something) but maybe i am just used to that. capacity is good but the makita has proven to be fine for a variety of work for me over many years, used every day all day long and it hasnt been left for wanting more. as heavy as the bosh is i'm not sure i like the look of the base and i've had some problems with bosh gear before so that would put me off, a lot. i have used the Hitachi and have some of their older models too (they still work too although a few have bits have broken off them), i find them good, have good strong motors but i prefer the ergonomics and feel/balance of makita

cheers
chippy

**ClintO** · 6th September 2012, 10:15 PM

As a matter of principle, if accuracy is critical, are you better off getting a 12 inch Compund Mitre saw rather than a smaller SCMS which takes up more real estate and has more moving parts

**Bosham** · 11th June 2013, 02:50 PM

[QUOTE=campbellw;1527675]G'day All.

I know there has been a few post about this already but I would like an updated opinions from some of the members.

Best SCM saw for around the $1000 mark.

- dual compound wanted
- quality machine that is accurate and long lasting

Hi Will,
I can now join in on this thread as I have sorted through a mass of info on Compound sliding ,mitre saws in the last few days since SWMBO decided that her animal 'shed' which was 'taken out' by the strong gale gusts of last week .....was to be repaired. Hurried gathering of drawing board and tape measure .... sales job on that fact it would have to be a new build!! for which of course I would need a mitre saw.

Borrowed friends ancient, bashed about "Dunga" and pointed out it was hugely dangerous and that the best way was to buy a new one....( morphed it into a proper saw for three or four cabinet jobs I have on the job list for her china collection!!) and settled down to sort out which was going to be best and if I could get it under $1,000. (Reckoned if it was over SWMBO would not loosen the purse strings).

I have to say that prior to the present situation I just could not see that a compound sliding mitre saw would be of a lot of use to me. Having now been thoroughly into its workings and use how in the heck I have managed without and not lost a few digits in the process beats me.

I had it in my mind that DeWalt would be the chosen machine as I went through buying a thicknesser and learnt a lot doing that and the top model of DeWalt would be the machine to have .. in the end I went for a 15" Chinese job!!!

... great buy.

Anyway the local Mitre 10 had a Makita 12" on the floor which was too pricey even at the special price of $1270 and big. I also read that several blokes had stalled the blade and stuffed the motor as it is a direct gear driven model. Can't see how they did that other than misusing them but having had a problem with such a happening I took note. The Hitachi looked good and had an innovative slide and I could download the operating manual for it from their website...excellent point.
Bosch also looked good but I have an excellent orbital sander from them but the hook sander pad has worn out and to buy a new pad is half the price of a complete sander ... not a good point. Then there were the also ran's which just do not have the quality. So it came to the DeWalt DW717 10" which is quite big enough for my needs and I figured will have the accuracy needed on smaller jobs such as frames for cabinets and the like. Everything on it goes clunk click with satisfactory precision, the feel is most satisfying. I also like the LED light on the blade and the shadow of the blade it casts on the wood to be cut ....by far the best arrangement of any of the saws. I also got it under the NZ$1,000 mark. So its on its way and I can't wait for it to arrive. Then we will see if I have done the right thing .... it had better be better than better or else SWMBO will never ever let me hear the end of it.

Can't believe I have got away with it???

**Bosham** · 13th June 2013, 08:34 PM

Oh boy .... the DeWALT 10" sliding Compound Mitre saw arrived this afternoon ..... I AM IMPRESSED.

While I waited for them to bring it through from the delivery room .... like an expectant Dad

I went and had a fiddle with the Makita 12" on their shelf ....just to have it in my mind for ensuring I had made the right choice ..for me that is.

Having got the box home and lifted the DeWALT out .... solid engineering .......... just the look of it was reassuring, love the yellow .... releasing the mitre lock and swiveling it round either side of zero ....s m o o t h...... equally so the beveling ... neat.

It extends further than the Makita, considerably so which surprised me and mine is a 10".

The material clamp is substantial.

All in all so far so good ....no doubt in my mind now ...this is a good buy for me.

Now to set her up on her designated bed.....plenty of good ideas for that in this Forum...thanks everyone.

**Bosham** · 8th July 2013, 05:16 PM

Having had the DeWALT 10" Sliding Compound Mitre Saw DW717-XE for some weeks now and exercised it a fair bit I cannot fault it. Very glad I chose this instead of the Makita as I reckon its just that much stronger and more solid than the new Makita. I am a fan of Makita I have to say but in this instance I am very happy with my choice.

In some forums people have said that the cut is not clean ..... well so far I have cut 4 different types of wood including a treated Pinus Radiata which is not exactly dry dry although its been stored indoors. That cut as clean as a whistle and its the bog standard 40 tooth blade that came with the machine.

Love the tight smooth action in setting the angle. I was a little disconcerted at the angle marker but on looking and thinking about it for a minute or two then trying it find it is accurate and works fine...just believe it.

I have been pondering on getting the LED light which seems to be much more logical and precise than the Laser. I like the idea of lighting the worksite and it would also appear to be more accurate. But as I have had no problem siting the blade I am marking time ... apart from which DeWALT don't seem to have the LED in the country.

So far so good.

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Its arrived ..... Stork couldnt carry it though!!!!

The DeWALT 10" saw.....great

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