Funky Miter Saw Design

[Stuey]

Craftsman MiterMate Miter Saw Intro (via ToolGuyd)

We're currently working on a review of the saw on ToolGuyd, and I wanted to take a break and ask for you guys' impressions of it.

My first impression was simply that the saw was curiously and unconventionally designed. Thus far it appears to be performing solidly and impressively.

So... what do you think? Do you welcome such a shift in tool design, or is the saw an abomination?

Edit for those that don't check out the TG post: Instead of the saw blade being adjusted for miter cuts, the fence pivots to create the approrpiate angles.

 

[tonydanzah]

i dont see what that funky about it?

wait the outers move to determine the angle instead of the table, meh i hardly ever cut any angles so im indifferent.

 

[bchee]

I see no problems with innovative designs. They just have to be time-tested to make sure they work. I read the toolguyd description, but I would definitely have to check one out in person at the store, to be able to see what it is capable of

 

[tonydanzah]

that same saw will be rebaged masterforce and cheaper at menards soon enough.

 

[Stuey]

Yes, for miter cuts, the fence pivots about the base, rather than having the saw blade be adjustable.

So far, it appears that the saw is every bit as capable as standard miter saws, but with added efficiency and convenience. A colleague of mine is handling the review, and he seems to be thoroughly impressed with the saw.

Tony, I don't think that this saw will be rebadged anytime soon - it's prided as being one of Craftsman's innovative tools, and as such they will (or at least should) try to keep it exclusive for as long as possible.

 

[tatra]

chances are craftsman just bought the rights to the design..........wonder who the oem is ?

 

[Mickey O]

Don't like, don't like it at all. You want to cut a miter in the middle of a long piece, what do you do? Cut it straight and then go back and miter it?

 

[sk farmer]

Don't like, don't like it at all. You wand to cut a miter in the middle of a long piece, what do you do? Cut it straight and then go back and miter it?

i agree. there is also the odd occasion where you may need the other end of the remaining peice for the mirrror image of it. to many moving parts to keep accurate.

 

[MalibuLX3]

Don't like, don't like it at all. You want to cut a miter in the middle of a long piece, what do you do? Cut it straight and then go back and miter it?

I agree. I was just putting up some crown molding, at it would have been a huge pain to use something like that. Instead of leaving the wood where it was like I do and just move the blade, I guess I would have to rotate the base, then find some way to support the piece I'm cutting. I can see this saw leading to many non-precise cuts in the future.

This is what I've been using and don't imagine myself switching over to this new style saw anytime soon. But then again, it's all what one's used to.

 

[Stuey]

Don't like, don't like it at all. You want to cut a miter in the middle of a long piece, what do you do? Cut it straight and then go back and miter it?

Depending on the size of the material, the opposite fence can be slid open to allow the workpiece to extend through.

i agree. there is also the odd occasion where you may need the other end of the remaining peice for the mirrror image of it. to many moving parts to keep accurate.

Actually, that's the primary design consideration of the saw - for perfect matching miters. Cut one piece along one fence, then a second about the other fence, and the miter joint *should* be perfect.

 

[sk farmer]

i have a 12 inch dewalt single bevel and love it. not much of a carpenter so it does me fine. a friend has that same setup as yours malibulx3. it is much nicer. i fail to see how trying to support a long piece of trim at an odd angle can be easier, more efficiant or more precise

 

[sk farmer]

i went to the website to look closer at it. i see it has some sort of measuring tool with it to set the angle. i wonder how that works. i did not see any specs. is it just me or does it look like 45 degrees is the max cut. two of the three raters mentioned difficulty with long pieces although one gave it high mark anyway. i think cramped quarters or a small shop would prove to be challenging. you need to either move the saw or the supports to change angles. to be truly accurate on anything over 2 to 3 feet long i think you need to support the end. i may be wrong as i have not used it but i don't think this will be the new standard.

 

[l_bilyk]

Don't like the idea at all. Craftsman constantly brings out these new innovations for the sake of doing something different rather than better. I don't need an electric hammer either!

 

[ears]

I never knew there was a problem with the usual way. This thing seems very awkward to use, cutting long pieces you wil have to set up in the middle of a room to keep a big swinging radius all around. It definitely will never make it out of the homeowner gadget tool market.

 

[speed bump]

I think it would be great for perfectly mitering corners. Bring one piece in on one side, cut it and repeat on the other side.

 

[rsanter]

interesting idea, but I just dont see the advantage of it.
thed only thing I can see is that the non-mechanical person may be able to better see the concept of what they are doing verses a regular mitersaw.
one thing is what do you do when you want to cut 10ft off a 20ft piece?
the other sides fence will be in the way. you will have to make a straight cut and then the miter cut.
sears will have them on sale, some wanna-be home improvement people will buy them and then sales will fall off. sears will clearance them and some will end up at yard sales.
IMOP-just another flash in the pan idea

bob

 

[djjsr]

I understand it, but I won't buy it. Too many extra cuts. Take the time to really fine tune the stops on any decent miter saw and you'll get perfect miters.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Am I the only one who copes inside corners? Coping is the way you're supposed to do it. Anyway, I don't like it because of the need to swing the trim all over the place, when it is hard enough to find a long straight area to cut all the trim in a room.

 

[mossyboy6]

I would rather have one square fence, than two that can get out of balance.


I would not buy it.

 

[djjsr]

Am I the only one who copes inside corners? Coping is the way you're supposed to do it.

Back in the day of wood miter boxes that was very common. Unless you were REALLY good, you had to use a coping saw to get a joint with no gap. Power miter saws have just about made that a thing of the past for most people.

 

[allapanoo]

I still cope everything too.I dont care what saw you have they all flex and move somewhat.I use a digital bosch angle finder and cope inside corners so tight you can barely caulk them.

 

[Major Ramifications]

Back in the day of wood miter boxes that was very common. Unless you were REALLY good, you had to use a coping saw to get a joint with no gap. Power miter saws have just about made that a thing of the past for most people.

I understand that mitering is quicker, but coped inside corners don't open up like mitered ones do. Plus, coping is kind of fun. You get to work on your "coping" skills.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Left a message there, but I am wondering how tuneable is it? (adjustments made to get any slop out)

I also wonder why the miter finder is thought of as innovative by them? Angle finders/dividers have been around for some time.

Also, it appears MORE then the fence moves (from the photo), it appears the base moves with the fence. Is that correct? How the heck do you use it (and the bolt holes) with a stand?

 

[bry@n]

Seesm gimicky for me. I have a Dewalt sliding compound mitre saw that I got a screaming deal on and couldn't pass up. I am sure that is all I will ever need in my life.

 

[Stuey]

Left a message there, but I am wondering how tuneable is it? (adjustments made to get any slop out)

I also wonder why the miter finder is thought of as innovative by them? Angle finders/dividers have been around for some time.

Also, it appears MORE then the fence moves (from the photo), it appears the base moves with the fence. Is that correct? How the heck do you use it (and the bolt holes) with a stand?

There do seem to be adjustments for squaring up the blade and tuning the angles, but I will double check.

There are three fixed mounting points on the saw.

Seesm gimicky for me. I have a Dewalt sliding compound mitre saw that I got a screaming deal on and couldn't pass up. I am sure that is all I will ever need in my life.

Apples and oranges. If I had the choice between a MiterMate and a Dewalt sliding miter saw, I'd go with the Dewalt with my eyes closed. But this saw is not intended for those that have Dewalt on their short list. It's more for DIYers, although there may be a market for casual pro users as well.

 

[jbbies]

I think for the DIY that doesn't want to measure angles and only need it occasionally the saw would be great. I just don't see it being used much in the professional home building world. Many of the pros are set in their ways... so hey why fix what's not broken. JMHO

 

[Stuey]

Our full review is out: Review of MiterMate via ToolGuyd.

Are there any other opinions or questions about the tool? It's due to be returned to Craftsman soon, but we're trying to squeeze as much hands-on testing and evaluation as we can to see what else we can learn about it.