Replies

1. 
   Rarebreed | Feb 12, 2003 02:58pm | #1

   Not only does it get easier to use, but you can adjust the amount of "clamping" pressure of the lock by tightening or loosening the screw under the locking lever.

   I have found it fairly easy to set angles 1/4 or 1/2 degree from the detents when needed. One side note. Try to stay away from thin kerf blades if possible. They seem to deflect when cutting crown and making bevel cuts.

   TCW Specialists in Custom Remodeling.
1. 
   m2akita | Feb 13, 2003 02:19am | #2

   Tim,

   Thanks for the info.  That's just what I wanted to hear.  Every time Im in Lowes ( only place that carries the Dewalt where I am) I play with the detent over-ride, seeing if I could get used to it, trying to put it a 1/4 degree out.  They must have the tension on the one in the store cranked up there, becuase it is incredibly hard to offset it.  I even tried using clamps to see if they made it better.  One of the attractions to me was/is the vernier scale.  I use the one on my Dewalt 12" non-slider a lot.

   Ive heard that about the blades

   Thanxs,

   M2akita

2. 
   andybuildz | Feb 13, 2003 02:23am | #3

   I tap the turning knob with the heel of my hand to get it where I want it and then tighten up the handle screw....hasnt been a problem at all. I love the saw

   Be incrimented

                      Namaste

                                  andy

   "Attachment is the strongest block to realization"
   http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   m2akita | Feb 13, 2003 02:57am | #4

   Hey Andy,

   Im a little confused.  Is this on the Dewalt 12" sliding saw or the non-sliding your talking about?  The Dewalt 12" sliders that Ive seen have more of a lever locking mechanism.

   M2akita

1. 
   andybuildz | Feb 13, 2003 03:52am | #5

   sorry......leave out the twisting part...thinking of my other chopper. My DeWalt though....I do kick it over with the heel of my hand to get it to where I need it then lock down.

    I usually have two choppers side by side on a lot of jobs and I keep using my Makita circa 1987ish for the simple stuff....that one has the screw down knob.

   I do like the DeWalt alot.....weight is an issue but then again sometimes you need the weight.....other times I use my old Makita...other times I use myold fashioned backsaw in its miter box

   a"Attachment is the strongest block to realization"http://CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM

1. 
   LEIGHMORGAN | Feb 14, 2003 03:30am | #6

   Just so you guys know on the DW 708 slider DeWalt infringed on someones patent and had to remove the quarter turn detents on the bevel and had to replace the bevel tightener in the back. the new one sucks. the old one and the quarter turn detents are available from Dewalt as replacement parts.        leigh

3. 
   goldhiller | Feb 14, 2003 06:12am | #7

   Gotta tell ya that I'm really attached to my 708 and you'd best come well armed if you intend to take it from me.

   Since you've already gotten the scoop on the detents…….. I'll offer this to you, for what it's worth, before you purchase. I had a short-lived, but nonetheless frustrating experience when I purchased mine something like 18 months ago. I don't know if they had a bad batch or what, but the arbor shaft bearing in the first one I brought home wasn't seated properly and caused the blade to wobble.

   To make a long story short, I'd advise the following ………If the store will allow, I'd pull the saw from the box, remove the blade and it's mounting collar. Look at the bearing to see if it looks truly centered/properly mounted on the shaft. On the defective one I had, you could plainly see the ball bearings exposing themselves on one side as the bearing had been forced onto the shaft in a crooked manner. The result was that the blade wobbled 30 thousandths at its perimeter.

   I returned it and found another in the same condition. Third saw was perfect for all practical purposes (I checked the runout at the bearing collar with a dial indicator right in the store)……..result with blade mounted was 3 thousandths runout at the perimeter. That's good enough for me.

   I took half an hour to tweak the fences into perfect square with the table via a few strategically placed pieces of paper. No big deal at all.

   Love that saw. Its accuracy just makes me grin most every time I use it.

   Knowledge is power, but only if applied in a timely fashion.