I am about to purchase a sliding compound saw and have narrowed the decision down to two; the Dewalt DW708-XE and the Makita LS1212. I have a leaning toward the Mikita but would appreciate any feedback that you can supply.
Ian
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I am about to purchase a sliding compound saw and have narrowed the decision down to two; the Dewalt DW708-XE and the Makita LS1212. I have a leaning toward the Mikita but would appreciate any feedback that you can supply.
Ian
Hi Ian
I am also contemplating purchasing a Sliding Compound Mitre Saw (SCMS) and have been reading many reviews for the past fortnight, for my needs I have (I think) settled upon the Makita LS1013, I don't think i'll use the extra 7mm depth of cut the LS1212 has, length of cut is nearly the same.
I have been put off of the DeWalt models by my reading of some reviews, Noise levels being one concern for me (Neighbours) but I'm sure there are many DeWalt owners who are very happy.
I hope this link will be of some assistance.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_To...iding_Compound
Good luck with the decision making.
Mark.
I have had the LS1212 for about 5 years now & it is a very nice piece of workshop equipment. I have also used the Dewalt & found it to be a good machine. I went for the Makita simply because I have 25 other pieces of Makita and it NEVER lets me down! Very happy with purchase & often wonder how I ever did without one! I have noticed that friends looking at buying SMCS all seem to end up with this same model!
"Do yourself a favour".;)
Hi ianK, SANDMAN and Tankstank,
Well wouldn't you know someone somewhere else in the world is coveting a new SCMS right here in Digby, Nova Scotia.
I agree with Sandman on the Makita powertools, They're built to exacting standards with solid materials. I've had friends borrow my 1/3 sheet sander and come back exclaiming that they didn't know you could buy a sander that didn't vibrate after ribbing me for paying $100 CDN. (on sale now $64.99)
Lots of tools are cheaper, made almost entirely of plastics, noisy and shake the lifr right out of your hands!
The LS10!3 is selling here today at $679.00, Hitachi CF10FSH $699.00
DeWalts are near $1000. tax in. I really like my friends Hitachi, another finely built Japanese tool. You can't go wrong with the 1013 Ian, it also has a stop bolt to limit the depth the saw will go down to the table so you can cut any tenon or shoulder.
Good luckand enjoy your new Christmas present.
Best wishes for the holidays to you all!
Tony
I have the LS 1013 Have had it for years and its done a heap of work cutting timber mostly though I have fitted out trailors and shelving for garages in Aluminium with aproprate blade, and the unit has never missed a beat, Blade change is less than 1 minute and accuracy is good
I went with the LS 1013 rather than the LS 1212 cause being a backyard woodie I thought I wouldn't need the bigger unit, + it was on special and came with a folding table
If your going in cold the LS1212 is proberly just that bit better though blades will be more expensive to buy and sharpen and initial cost is higher
and is heaver if you are going to carry it.
Rgds
Ashore
Makiata rates as one of the quietest saws available. We all know that most saws scms or cms are usually screamers.
Was in the local toolshop on Saturday, talking to a mate who works there. Their no 1 selling saw for both DIY and Contractors/cabinetmakers is this saw. I assume its available in Aus as its a recent comer here in NZ.
But the saw I will buy is the induction powered Hitachi.... Belt drive and whisper quiet.
Main reasons for buying this saw are, smaller footprint than the makita which means I dont have to change my saw table, very quiet so I dont disturb elderly neighbours, or church on Sunday. Well supported brand (as is makita).
Is approx $200 cheaper than the Makita. I drool over it every time I'm in Placemakers. :D
The Hitachi doesn't have an induction motor. Have a look at the photo again. There are brushes clearly visible (the black dot at the top of the motor).
The Hitachi machines have a belt drive which is quieter than a gearbox, but obviously not as durable. Of course, changing a belt is no big deal.
If you really want an induction motor SCMS you will need to buy an Elektra-Beckum KGS 301 (http://www.elektra-beckum.com/eb/com...03001145.html).
Be aware that the depth of cut is very limited however. They are a good machine though. My younger brother had one. He has since tried my Makita LS1013 and said that is what he will buy to replace it. He has also tried our other brother's Hitachi (similar to the C10FSB). There's nothing wrong with the Hitachi, just a preference based on usage.
As far as I know, the Elctra Beckum 301 is the only scms with induction motor. Its absolutely whisper quiet, however, it doesnt have a trench cut facility.
EB are planning to introduce a version of the 301 next year with trenching facility which will raise its appeal significantly.
beejay1
http://community.webshots.com/user/eunos9
did anyone else notice that the original post in thsi thread is 2 years and 4 months old. compound mitre saws have come a long way in that time.
its pleasing to see that new members are searching instead of just asking tyhe question again but after that time period in the rapidly progressing world of the powertool, its doubtful if the modern responses have any bearing on what the original poster eventually purchased.
Why drag up old posts with no current relevance??
I have the Makita LS1213. Its the same as the 1212, but the japanese version.
Its solid, smooth, not much plastic on it. I dont own any dewalt, but have noticed a lot of plastic.
My Makita (and Ive heard many other folk say too) came almost perfectly set-up out of the box. It can handle big and small stuff, no worries. Ive cut thick stock, and small hardwood picture frames on it. Its spot on. You wont have to replace the blade either. The blade that comes with it is a good blade.
Ive heard the 10" is even better than the 12", but I havent used one so cant comment.
Gary.
Do'oh No I didn't or wouldn't have posted :oQuote:
Originally Posted by doug the slug
Ashore
I prefer it. It bring old threads up to current times, which of itself is good in the rare cases when they're still on-topic and adds to the collective wisdom without adding yet another similarly titled thread for the search engine (and end user) to chug through. Sure, it may not be immediately relevant to the original question but I seriously doubt whether many original answers would've been either. :DQuote:
Originally Posted by doug the slug
I'd rather have one cupboard in my shed for all my tools than a seperate cupboard for each...
it would be interesting to hear back from ianK telling the group what machine he ended up choosing and why.
I bought the 12" Hitachi and mounted it on the Dewalt stand. The Hitachi stand i didn't think was as good. The unit is gem to use but i will say i'm redsigning the the back stop to be more useful. You can buy a new backstop here in Melb for about $360 i think and its not bad but i have a couple of ideas i want to try out. I have acces to all the NC machinery under the sun so i'm going to try a couple of different ideas. Apart from that the saw is great.
I bought the 12" just for that little extra cutting capacity. I think there all pretty good and if i had to buy again it would be a toss up between the Hitachi and th new Bosch.
One thing to look at is the Makita and Hitachi work slightly differently. The Makita is stiffest when then blade is at its max reach where as the Hitachi is stiffest clsed up if you like.
Sinjin