Replies

1. 
   IMERC | Jul 09, 2005 07:08am | #1

   yup and yup....

    

2. 
   Timuhler | Jul 20, 2005 07:41am | #2

   Go with the new Ridgid.  We have 3 of the Bosch saws (bought after we reviewed them for JLC) and not one of them held up for more than 6 months without problems.  We've been using (abusing) a Ridgid for JLC since December with really good results.  Since then, each of us has bought one (4 on the crew) and love them. 

   Much better thand the Bosch as much as I hate to say it.  I was pretty excited about the Bosch direct connect and it's garbage.

1. 
   JasonMI | Aug 03, 2005 01:44am | #7

   Well thanks Tim. Based on YOUR review, I went and picked one up (I told myself the next time I had to cut over 50 rafters, that was it). Got that bad boy home, and it just didn't look right. Sighted along the base; it's warped probably an inch and a half over it's length. No apparent damage to box. What's up with that? Returned it unused. Guess it's time to check them at the store, but I wouldn't have expected to see that. I've never been real happy with HD, but it was a real downer.

    

   Take the dive again?

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 03, 2005 02:24am | #8

   While Tim and I pretty much always agree on tools.... this is probably the only one where we don't agree....

   Buy the Bosch wormdrive..... I love them to pieces.  I've got three and they are absolute work horses.  I've been using them since they came out a few years ago and haven't had any problems with them.  If the adjustments get sticky, I give 'em a quick shot of silicone and that's it.  No other maintenance and no broken or bent parts.  Pick up a Bigfoot "Universal Handle" for it and you'll be in heaven. 

   Actually that's not true..... we did run over one with the forklift this winter.  BUT.... the motor is still good.  I have plans on converting it into another 10" Bigfoot when I get around to it.

   I would buy a corded model for sure.  That direct connect feature didn't work very well on my Dad's hedge trimmer 30 years ago.... and it still doesn't work. 

   Other than that....... it's good to listen to Tim about tools.  He's got pretty good taste......

    

   For a West Coast framer that is.   ;)

1. 
   Timuhler | Aug 03, 2005 02:58am | #10

   Thanks for the compliment :-)

2. 
   IMERC | Aug 03, 2005 07:50am | #13

   and all this coming from a guy that likes Fords... 

1. 
   dieselpig | Aug 03, 2005 01:05pm | #14

   I like Fords by default dude.

2. 
   IMERC | Aug 03, 2005 04:43pm | #15

   the default is all yurs then..

    

   Edited 8/3/2005 11:51 am ET by IMERC

3. 
   dieselpig | Aug 04, 2005 12:35am | #17

   We've been through this before.... there is no perfect truck under my 40 -45K budget...... and that's a pretty fair budget.

   I choose the devil I know.  GMC's disentegrate at 75K and drop trannies early.  (I think you agree on that)  Dodge have tranny issues as well along with other mechanical issues.... besides, they're ugly.  Ford's Powerstrokes admittedly have their problems, but I've had great luck with all four of my past Fords... other than this last Powerstroke lemon.  To be fair, the '00 Powerstroke I had was fantastic.  Wish I coulda had that motor in the truck I have now.  Hoping for the best of both worlds when the '05 is delivered.

   I know you don't like the 6.0 liter, but I've heard some pretty good things about it with the exception of the '03 first run.

   Someday one of the big three will get it all right.  I hope.

4. 
   IMERC | Aug 04, 2005 03:11am | #18

   the newer the Ford... aaaarrrrggggghhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!! 

2. 
   Timuhler | Aug 03, 2005 02:57am | #9

   Jason,

   That's a bummer.  I did notice that my saw (personal) compared to the saw we tested for JLC was different.  I don't recall now what was different, but some small things.

   So far I am more than happy with the Ridgid.  My major gripe with the Bosch is that it is hard to get it to bevel to 45 and then 50°.  We just got done siding a house with Hardi and put a Hardi blade on Jasen's Bosch.  It worked great for siding :-)

   http://pic9.picturetrail.com/VOL293/2163851/4215098/106870194.jpg

    View Image

1. 
   JasonMI | Aug 03, 2005 03:48am | #11

   Well, I have to admit that I listen to Tim quite a bit too. That's why I went with that. I guess that I understand that there are certain defects that occur in manufacturing, but I'll also admit that I'm 'frugal' (okay....prolly just plain old cheap); I generally don't buy any new tools until the old ones die, and my old PC sidewinder has been refurbed twice. I've been, well, dieing to get a worm-drive saw (don't see very many of them around here), and torque it up. So it was quite a bummer to be waiting for a couple years and then have it be, well, unusable.

    

   But what the heck. I've got a new one coming to me right now. And I'm looking forward to cutting some rafters. I know a lot of people do it, but cutting rafters with a sidewinder kind of blows. We get some pretty questionable lumber here (let's just say that when I put up a timber-frame kit in 97 here, shipped from Maine, I really thought they'd made mistakes; their 'studs' were better than our finish trim), and cutting jacks is real hard on these saws.

   I've been kind of out of the business since 2001, been doing mostly rehabs on red-tag houses I buy in Lansing, so not a lot of customer stuff; to be honest, I'm looking forward to really swinging a hammer again.

   Tim; thanks for the response; and thanks for the articles.

1. 
   Timuhler | Aug 03, 2005 04:01am | #12

   Thanks for the comments and I hope you have a lot of fun cutting rafters :-)  That's my favorite part by far

2. 
   JasonMI | Aug 04, 2005 04:53am | #19

   Thanks everyone.

   Picked one up today. Must admit that it's weight (about what; nearly twice as much as my PC sidewinder?) at first kind of had me a skeptic, but I gave it a shot.

   Unfriggingbelievable. That extra weight is great. Keeps the saw right on line, easy to use, it literally glides through wood. Where the ol double-refurbed PC whined through stuff, this just cuts it. And quietly. No problems with close-to-end blade-guard hang-ups. Saw hook is sweet. Sheesh; can't believe I used a sidewinder for 15 years before getting one of these. So far, I'm impressed; it simply is easier to cut with this tool than the old saw. On Friday I'll be cutting and laying a bunch of rafters; that's when we'll really see how it performs; those long bevel cuts off the existing roof will give it something to chew, I'm sure.

   Hey; here's a quick question; this saw has a diamond pattern center hole; the PC and other sidewinders have a round one; I simply have never noticed; but are blades easy to find?

   And yeah, I drive Fords, too. At one point, I had 7 in my fleet. When I went private (that is, stopped building), I went down to the one that had the least miles; 130K. Might have to actually tune it up pretty soon.

   Thanks again, Tim. I'm real happy with the saw, and impressed by your recommendation.

3. 
   Timuhler | Aug 04, 2005 06:53am | #20

   Jason,

   Any 7 1/4" blade should work.  You just punch out the diamond peice on the blade.  The saw that we tested shipped with a Freud Diablo blade and I really like that blade.  Bought a 12 pack a few months ago and they seem to stay sharp a long time.  Marathon blades are good too.

   I'm glad you like the saw:-)

    

3. 
   earl06 | Jul 20, 2005 03:23pm | #3

   Is that for the corded or the DC? If it's the corded one, I'm there. Probably the crapola DC, though.

   DCS Inc.

   "He who xxxxs nuns will later join the church." -The Clash

    

4. 
   Ryan1 | Jul 20, 2005 04:36pm | #4

   Just my HO, but I would not buy the Bosch unless I could get one without the direct connect system.  I just don't like it.  It looked nice at first, but the more I thought about it, the more I didn't like it.

    

1. 
   GoldenWreckedAngle | Jul 20, 2005 07:33pm | #5

   The problem with the Bosh Direct Connect is that you always have to find the one extension cord on site with an end that actually fits it. I finally just bought a new 20' 12 Ga. that stays plugged into the saw like a permanent cord.  

   Still, even factoring a new cord in, $140 is a good price for a Bosh worm drive. 

    

   If we fail to catch a cosmic fish it may be a trillion years before the opportunity comes again

1. 
   Ryan1 | Jul 20, 2005 10:29pm | #6

   You sir, have an excellent point.  At that price, you could afford to have a dedicated cord.   I guess I didn't pay attention to the fact that the saw is marked down about $60. 

    

5. 
   caribouman | Aug 03, 2005 05:15pm | #16

   I special-ordered one when they first came out, $220.00. 

   Positives:  So quiet it was almost dangerous, when new.  Lays over to 50 degrees easily.  Has a huge amount of oomph for cutting.  Shoe on my saw is dead flat (shoe on my 77 always had a bit too much arch).  Has a rafter hook standard.  Very light, even lighter than the Mag77.  Blade guard doesn't get stuck cutting thin material/ sharp angles (77s get stuck often). 

   Negatives:  Only 3 years old and motor bearings seem to be crapping out.  Hard to set the depth of cut.  Depth of cut is less than PC sidewinder.  Top handle not quite as versatile as the top handle on the 77's.  Has a xxxxty little 6' cord (when the good folks at authorized rebuild center rebuilt my HD77 they put a 20' cord on it, which I absolutely loved).

   Safety Note:  If you are unfamiliar with worm-drives, they twist to the side when turned on and off, putting your leg in danger if the guard isn't in place.

   Conclusion:  It's about the same, over all, as my HD77, with different trade-offs.  The  big negative, which ought to be under warranty is the bearings.