Looking to purchase a sliding compound miter saw and a table saw this week. They will just be for home use, but I am still looking for higher end items. Leaning towards the Dewalt DW718. Does anyone have any experience with this miter saw? Suggestions would be appreciated. Still up in the air on table saws so suggestions there would be great as well. Thanks
Miter Saw and Table Saw Recommendations
- Thread starter bobr338
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ChrisF250
Well-known member
yup use them both all day everyday, excellent and I mean an excellent tool. Super durable, takes a lot of abuse. If your going to spend that type of money on a miter saw this is the one. The dual bevel is very convenient and the 12 inch blade with the sliding motion allows you to cut very large stock. Also use the dewalt table saw every day, another terrific tool though not as tough as the miter saw. Im not really a huge dewalt fan either, but these two products are awesome.
Any "New" saw that you don't spend over $1000 for (read: Festool Kapex) will not give you any kind of performance
I'd save your money, and wait until one of these comes up:
Properly set, this will do both functions of miter and table saw for home use, plus take up less space, and add a lot of cool factor.
Just my 0.02
Casey
I'd save your money, and wait until one of these comes up:
Properly set, this will do both functions of miter and table saw for home use, plus take up less space, and add a lot of cool factor.
Just my 0.02
Casey
I have the Dewalt 12" dual bevel sliding compound miter saw, I don't know the model number off hand but it's around 7 years old. It's a great solid unit. A bit on the big side but cuts are accurate and will handle pretty wide boards like shelving. Seems to have enough power, I've never bogged it down. The only thing I don't like is the dust collection bag, it's useless.
For a table saw I'd recommend the Rigid or Bosch if you're looking for a protable unit. Those are the two top rated ones. I have the Rigid, got it since the table top was larger and the fence seemed to be better to me. It's good for most around the home projects, I've even used a 8" stacked dado in it and it had enough power.
For a table saw I'd recommend the Rigid or Bosch if you're looking for a protable unit. Those are the two top rated ones. I have the Rigid, got it since the table top was larger and the fence seemed to be better to me. It's good for most around the home projects, I've even used a 8" stacked dado in it and it had enough power.
You could do what I just did, although pricey I think its the best of all worlds. I bought a festool kapex mitersaw (almost went with the new bosch axial glide), a festool TS 55 track saw (can not say enough good things about it) and the new bosch GTS1031 compact table saw. The kapex speaks for itself, unless you have a full blown cabinet saw and the space to use it the track saw runs circles around any jobsite table saw for full size sheet goods. For doing smaller work the bosch compact is fantastic and the ability to throw it around effortlessly makes it a win for me. If I was going to keep it set up all the time in one place I might consider the larger bosch but so far I have been super happy with the small one. I have run plywood, hardwood and aluminum through it and it cuts them all with ease. I also just clamp my bosch tablesaw in a rockwell jaw horse which is super convenient. I do installation work so having my stuff mobile is a big priority, I can pack all this stuff up pretty quick and be on my way. The biggest thing I can say is I do not feel like I have compromised from a cabinet saw or radial arm. The accuracy is there in these tools and the ability to take them with me in a lot of way trumps the traditional woodshop tools.
justanengineer
Well-known member
Forget the Chinese tools on this one. The rigidity of the saw directly relates to its ability to cut the wood instead of tearing it. What you want is a good old heavy iron saw.
I see the old Unisaws sell for $2-300 about once a month, and IMHO you cannot find a better saw. With any luck you will be able to find an original owner who has all of the attachments, as they were a few dollars more back then instead of the ridiculous amount they are today.
I see the old Unisaws sell for $2-300 about once a month, and IMHO you cannot find a better saw. With any luck you will be able to find an original owner who has all of the attachments, as they were a few dollars more back then instead of the ridiculous amount they are today.
pattenp
Well-known member
I suggest Jet for a table saw. http://www.woodcraft.com/Product/20...with-30-ProShop-Fence-System-Model-JPS10.aspx
scott37300
Well-known member
For the miter saw I have a bosch and really like it. I've used/had them all. The kapex is by far the best but way out of the ballpark for the average homeowner. The bosch, dewalt, milwaukee, and even the ridgid are all good saws.
For the table saw you need to figure out what you are going to use it for. Do you want a cabinet style or a portable style? I have the bosch 4100 and it is a great saw and I like how portable it is. But someday when I have the room I would like to get a cabinet style that is more sturdy and can do more specialty cuts with.
The festool track saw is amazing. It doesn't do everything a table saw can but it can do things a table saw can't. But they are expensive, think around 600 last time I checked.
For the table saw you need to figure out what you are going to use it for. Do you want a cabinet style or a portable style? I have the bosch 4100 and it is a great saw and I like how portable it is. But someday when I have the room I would like to get a cabinet style that is more sturdy and can do more specialty cuts with.
The festool track saw is amazing. It doesn't do everything a table saw can but it can do things a table saw can't. But they are expensive, think around 600 last time I checked.
cdncowboy
Well-known member
For the SCMS I'd skip the DeWalt and go for either the Milwaukee 6955-20 which is a fantastic saw, I do own this one and am slightly biased, or go for either the Bosch axial glide saw or a Festool Kapex unit.
For the table saw on a budget get a Ridgid TS 3650 contractor's saw if you can find one, or go for a General / Jet / Powermatic unit if you have a bit more in the budget.
For the table saw on a budget get a Ridgid TS 3650 contractor's saw if you can find one, or go for a General / Jet / Powermatic unit if you have a bit more in the budget.
Cl is full of Emerson built Craftsman and Rigid cast iron rugged table saws. $150-250 gets you a saw to last a lifetime. I wish Cl had existed when I bought my brand new Rigid 2424L. Could have got the same saw, possibly with a good aftermarket fence for less than half price.
Mike14k
Well-known member
I bought a Ryobi 10" compound, sliding miter at a Tool Outlet. Seems like it was sub-$200. Works quite well for home use, I'm doing nice cabinet work with it. Laser guide
A great table/cabinet saw is the Grizzly. Delta knockoff, my Grizzly 10" cabinet saw was $799 15 years ago and well worth it. Heavy, cast iron table/wings, not really moveable unless you get a wheeled base (if you need a saw that moves, buy a contractor saw). It's 220VAC so you need a bit of planning.
A great table/cabinet saw is the Grizzly. Delta knockoff, my Grizzly 10" cabinet saw was $799 15 years ago and well worth it. Heavy, cast iron table/wings, not really moveable unless you get a wheeled base (if you need a saw that moves, buy a contractor saw). It's 220VAC so you need a bit of planning.
For miter saws, decide what you'll do with it. 10" models tend to be more accurate than 12" models. 10" is good for trim work, crown, etc. If you're into framing, deckbuilding, etc... some 12" saws can slide nearly 13" but those big blades deflect during the cut more easily. Also takes more power to spin a 12" blade.
For table saws... yeah, go big or go home. New saws, "Pro-am" or serious hobbyist level saws start around $700-800, minimum! Jet, Grizzly, Shop Fox are good brands. All Chinese. Powermatic is good new USA stuff. Over $1500. Same with SawStop. Used, you want a cast iron top and a belt drive motor. Craftsman saws with models starting 113.xxxxx are made by Emerson in the USA. 10-50 years old, though.
Personally, I would buy a new miter saw as they are easier to knock out of square, especially sliders. I'd be ok buying a used table saw. Table saws are a lot easier to true up than a miter saw.
Spend $60 each on new blades for the saws. Blades make a huge difference.
For table saws... yeah, go big or go home. New saws, "Pro-am" or serious hobbyist level saws start around $700-800, minimum! Jet, Grizzly, Shop Fox are good brands. All Chinese. Powermatic is good new USA stuff. Over $1500. Same with SawStop. Used, you want a cast iron top and a belt drive motor. Craftsman saws with models starting 113.xxxxx are made by Emerson in the USA. 10-50 years old, though.
Personally, I would buy a new miter saw as they are easier to knock out of square, especially sliders. I'd be ok buying a used table saw. Table saws are a lot easier to true up than a miter saw.
Spend $60 each on new blades for the saws. Blades make a huge difference.
Duker
Well-known member
For a table saw, if price is no object and safety is a concern, nothing beats this... http://www.sawstop.com/
It is a great saw and worth every penny ( and finger.)
It is a great saw and worth every penny ( and finger.)
Greatbear
Well-known member
I have a DeWalt DW705 12" non-sliding miter saw I bought years ago, it's been a great performer. I needed a sliding saw recently for cutting larger items and at the time I heard Bosch was coming out with their new GCM12SD axial glide saw. I am glad I waited, the Bosch is a fantastic performer and compact to boot. As for a table saw, I've been very happy with my old Delta 10" contractor's model I bought back in '89. There are better saws out there, namely the Unisaws, new and old. This one has been a trouble free trooper for all these years.
In addition to my kapex I also have a 12" Milwaukee (which I kind of forgot about, oops). The Milwaukee is surprisingly a great saw. Personally I like it better then the dewalt and bosch sliders, however I bet I would like the bosch axial glide better but I am not sure.