I want to get new miter saw for trim work. I will be doing large crown. I have looked into the Bosch 12″ slider and also the Hitachi 15″. Any thoughts? I have used the Dewalt 12 and it is okay, but wanted to know what trim guys are recommending? Is there anything to the sliding being less accurate?
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Replies
That would have to be the Bosch. Much better table and the controls and settings are far more user friendly.
RELAX... The work can wait... The fish might be biting...
What makes you think Bosch is the answer?
Have you ran a DW or Makita slider?
Timothy
I didn't say it was the answer. I threw away a Makita many years ago and rarely use mt DW. The Bosch is nicer.RELAX... The work can wait... The fish might be biting...
he gotta get his hands on each one in person to test ...
I have 2 buddies ... one with the bosch ... one with the DW slider ...
when I work with the DW guy ... my 12" cms stays in my van.
when I'm working with the guy with the bosch slider ... my 12" cms comes out. I don't like the bosch at all. Feels clumsy to me.
I did have chance to work along side a guy with a big makita ... real nice saw .. till I got to spend lotsa time with my buddies DeWalt. That's the one that's gonna end up in the back of my van sooner or later.
Jeff Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
Hey guys,
Thanks for all the imput. I guess I don't have a reason for choosing the BOsch. Have heard about it. The Hitachi 15 I see in Fine Home Building at times. I have two guys who own the dewalt 12 scm. So I have used them. I like them. Just wanted to see what others thought.
You've asked an often asked question and will probably get many different replies. How big is big when you're talking big crown? If you're able to still stand it up and cut it the old way, upside down, then get a large blade saw like the Bosch, Dewalt or Hitachi 15". If you need to cut it on the bevel, then get a 10" slider. As to the brand, it's whatever you feel comfortable with. I've used them all and they're all good,they all have their good and bad points. I have owned the Dewalt 706 for almost a decade and that saw is such a part of me now that I know how to make it work miracle angles. It may not be everyone's choice but for crownwork, it's the only saw I want. Remember, when it comes to tools, (let alone skill and technique), that crown work, finish work, is not just about the saw. Buy a top of the line low angle block plane (Lie Nielson, Veritas), keep it razor sharp, get some high end cabinet rasps from Garret Wade, maybe some chisels that are so sharp you have to register them with the police. Look into getting a shoe for your jigsaw to cut the cope with. I just bought the Easy Cope jigs for crown and they work just great. If the crown is stain grade non fj, then be very selective when you choose it, read the grain and become a fuss budget at the yard. They know at the yards to leave me alone when I'm coming for expensive trim lumber. Anyhow, I digress. The top most popular brands for saws are Makita, Bosch, Hitachi, and DeWalt. Large crown, I would say large blade.
Nice post but could you please hit return about every five lines or so? It makes it much easier to read.
Dewalt is for large crown because of the high back fence. The 12 inch slider is awsome as it will stop at a half degree easily and lock down. Too many user friendly items to list. Makita is right up there with it in their slider. Both saws are dual compound and have competed against each other so they have a lot of features. Those two sliders are smoking every thing else in my opinion.
You asked and those are the caddilacs. And you know how heavy caddilacs are ? No one lied about that either.
Edited 3/25/2005 7:56 am ET by TIMMOONEY52
Mr Mooney.
In regards to your smoking. There are members of the DEA that would like to have a word with you.
Sir. The Bosch will reform you.RELAX... The work can wait... The fish might be biting...
Wel, Mr MOWser, Ill take a close look at one if I ever find one for sale to look at or if anyone ever buys one in this town that I know. Ive never seen one anywhere.
Probably the reason Im biased if thats true is that we have a Dewalt Service center here and every store that sells tools carries Dewalt as first line tools . Some carry Dewalt exclusively. No store here carries Bocsh tools as a line . We have no dealers . The only way I could buy a smcs is off the internet. Then there would be the service problem , because we get parts in one day on Dewalt. Switches are known culprits in DW tools , but the service center stocks them.
Timothy
It must be a real bear to be backed into a corner. I do not envy you.RELAX... The work can wait... The fish might be biting...
Hi Tim,
Ever since B & D/Dewalt bought up Porter Cable/Delta, parts and repairs for all have become a nightmare. Stock up on your parts now, because they are going to be closing many service centers.
The is no company that offers better customer service than Bosch. Believe me, I deal with these people on a daily basis.
"There is no company that offers better customer service than Bosch. Believe me, I deal with these people on a daily basis"
If they're good, why the daily contact? ;-)"If 'tis to be,'twil be done by me."
Just happens to be that I was looking at this type of saw today. Looked at three different makes, DW. Ridged and Hitachi. Of the three I liked the looks of the Ridged the best. Has a good solid base and fence, slids nicely and the adjustments seemed to be easier to use. The depth gage on the DW has a wing nut on it that would require a pair of pliers to loosen up. The Hitachi has a laser light to show the blade position in relationship to the cut line. It wouldn't matter which one I buy I would have to send it off for service do to my location. I am thinking of buying the Ridged.
A question that I have for all of you is this: Can this type of saw be used for cutting anything other then molding and such sort of things? I ask this question because I am thinking of buying this type of saw first instead of a table saw. I know that I wouldn't be able to cut sheet or rip with it, but am thinking I could do that with a circular saw for the time being.
DaneI will always be a beginner as I am always learning.
I liked the looks of the new Ridgid too, though I love my Makita...
As for other uses, except for dados/rabbets (door jambs, half laps, etc.), not really
I used to own an Inca radial arm saw, cool tool but not suited for production casing work...
yup....we are doomed........god help us if milkwaukee sells out....
DW!!! yur killing me Tim...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
Thats right , youre wanting a Bosch table saw I know . You got plans for a scms in dark blue?
Hey, have you used a DW slider ? They rock Im tellin ya , hahaha.
Timothy
MEDIC!!! MEDIC!!!! ROAR!!!!
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just Roar!
I guess Ill have to look over this Bosch dealy thingy.
Im still very impressed with both my DW s. Its hard to beat the 12 inch chop saw also. I haul and use the 12 inch chop saw with a portable stand most of the time. Slider stays in the shop and itll proably last the rest of my life.
You still plannin on comin down here?
Timothy
what stood out the most was it wasn't as reliable as the Bosch or Milwaukee... Like you said , switches and arbors...
The Bosches and Milwaukees never repaired in a commercial application were we did several million LF over a 5 year period... it was delivered in 100K LF lifts..
DW and Makitias were repaired...
PC, Ryobies and Hitachies were replaced...
Both my saws were used when I started and they are still in use now... no repairs..
BTW my T4000 out lasted them all and seemed to be the saw of choice to use even by the owners of other makes...
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Edited 3/27/2005 12:22 pm ET by IMERC
I have the 12" DW SCM saw and right now I'm doing 8" base molding which doesnt fit under the blade so I simply took a piece of 4x4 and clamped it to the fence to bring my work out further.
Works like a charm.....just something to consider.
Be well
a...
The secret of Zen in two words is, "Not always so"!
When we meet, we say, Namaste'..it means..
Makita 12" sliding dual bevel compound miter saw.
Aint met a moulding it couldn`t handle.....from either direction.
Payed way too much for mine when it first came out......$800.00 IIRC.....it was the first dual bevel. To this day, worth every dime.....and you can get `em much cheaper now. Check out Amazon.....last time I peeked, they were offerin` a free cordless tool when ya bought the Makita.
ATTENTION FELLOW BREAKTIME MEMBERS:
If you`d like to discuss topics other than home building, come on down to the Woodshed Tavern. Great bunch of guys and gals letting off a little steam about everything and anything. Its not a special club, but.....as of Monday, March 14, the Tavern folder will go behind an access wall. Only those who request access to this folder by contacting [email protected] will be able to view and participate in discussions there.
I like Makita tools. You're tempting me.
Gotta be honest.....the model I have is probably ten years old. I can`t comment directly on the current model, but as far as Makita tools go, I`ve never had any complaints. Well....`cept for the electric plane.....but that would be the exception proving the rule. And, truth be told once you`ve worked with the Porter Cable Porta-plane....any other feels like a childs toy.
ATTENTION FELLOW BREAKTIME MEMBERS:<!----><!---->
If you`d like to discuss topics other than home building, come on down to the Woodshed Tavern. Great bunch of guys and gals letting off a little steam about everything and anything. Its not a special club, but.....as of Monday, March 14, the Tavern folder will go behind an access wall. Only those who request access to this folder by contacting [email protected] will be able to view and participate in discussions there.
I just came up from the shop. I've been stripping down my Bosch 3915. It was screwing me up today, I could have gotten a better cut with an axe. The saw is about 5 yrs. old. I use it a lot. At one end of the drive arbor is a nice large sealed bearing. At the other end is a little 1/2" needle bearing cup. The saw blade has been wobbling and the cut has reached the point where I can't use it for trim work. The problem is the needle bearing, which is the last part after pulling everything else.
I have liked some parts of the saw and hated others. The blade guard has always been a pain. The dust bag has some issues and aligning the fence and the extension has never been right and still 90° to the blade. All of these things I've had to alter to make them workable. The slides have been very stable and smooth. I really have liked the detent lockout feature which is the most important part for the work I do. I owned two Hitachi's before this saw, one 8" which was one of the first available and a 10". They both had issues also.
I've had the chance to use a Dewalt 12" on the job. I haven't been able to put it through the paces with large pre-finished crown and some more critical applications. So far I've been impressed with basic cuts. The one thing I question is the detent lockout. It seems a bit fussy when you just want it off a half line. I'm going to get a little more time on it next week until I fix the Bosch.
If I have to buy a new saw, sooner or later from the look of it, I'm going to look more carefully at the guts on the schematic. I don't think it's going to be a Bosch. It will be a slider. I think chopping action only, wears out blades too fast especially if they are 15". A chop doesn't have the capacity you need for wide base, stair treads and mitering skirts. Most of the time I am adding wood fences so that would diminish the chop saws capacity too. Sliders are plenty accurate for trim work. When it comes to serious cuts, chops aren't up to it either. You have to use sleds on the table saw.
Beat it to fit / Paint it to match
I have a fair amount of time with the Ridgid 12" slider, and it's a pretty good saw. Did a lot of wide crown with it, upside down and backwards, and was very satisfied. Have also heard good things about almost every other saw. The best thing to do is hit the JLC show or another tool show and try them, or visit a few dealers that stock them.
Using a non-slider saw is a PITA for me now. I'm in the habit of sliding it out to align the blade with my mark. I wouldn't own one.
That is SO true.
I had to use a DW nonslider yesterday to cut some shakes for a starter course. I kept trying to pull the damn handle before I plunged..funny how those tools train us.!
Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks
"Sell your cleverness, Purchase Bewilderment"...Rumi
I have the 12" DW SCMS. I have had no problems with it and it gets used alot. Though I am becoming a Bosch fan(and user), I thought I read on this board that some guys were having problems with the 12" Bosch SCMS. I dont know if the problem has been fixed or not.