I just bought a 12″ Dewalt miter saw and love it. I went on Dewalt’s website just to see what accessories are available for my saw. I noticed that I can get an add on laser for my saw. I had a 10″ miter saw for years and it worked fine without a laser. I’m curious as to what some of you think about these add on lasers.
Paul
From building boxes and fitting face frames to installing doors and drawers, these techniques could be used for lots of cabinet projects.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
The laser tells you where the blade will cut. (Thats the idea anyway)
Dumbest thing is almost all are single beams, so you can set it to the left or the right of the blade but we all make cuts with the wanted piece to the left and right. i.e. crown molding.
Irwin make a replacement "washer" with the laser built in and comes on when the blade spins. No adjustment and works well. dewalts version looks involved to install but I would bother if it showed both sides of the blade!
My son liked the idea of the line showing where the blade would cut and missed it when the batts went flat!
Just looked at the Irwin laser and the packing says that it will not work with the Dewalt 12" as well as most other 12" saws.
Thats odd because thats whats on mine! works fine.
I just read what is written and pass it on. Nice to know that the Irwin works on the Dewalt 12".
I bought the Irwin and didn't like the imbalanced feel it created on my DW. I also have the original PC "LaserLoc" saw and love it.
Anyone wants the Irwin, pay shipping and it's yours...used once, still in carrying case. Shoot me a PM.PaulB
None of the finish carps I'm aquainted with use them since they don't show both sides of the blade and are a bit coarse.
A buddy has a Hatachi with a nice fine laser line, although it rarely gets used.
If you enjoy gadgets then by all means get one since they are neat, or perhaps for framing or other less precise uses it would pay for itself, but most carpenters and all DIY'ers would be better off to take the savings and invest in other tools. For the cost of the Dewalt lawer buy a Lie Neilson block plane. :-)
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Laserkerfs makes an aftermarket one that looks good, cheap too. Lots of setup. (shows both sides)
I have a Laserkerf on my Bosch 4410 CSMS.Takes some time to set up, but I find it helpful. Since it installs behind the sawblade, it shows the actual path of the blade (comes in 3/32" and 1/8" beam width). You can look from behind and see the blade gullets lighted up red.On high profile stock there are shadows on the lee side of high points, of course, because it emanates from behind the blade, not the center, but it has the safety advantage that you can line up your cut before running the blade. http://www.laserkerf.com/BruceT
I have a Makita 10" SCMS. Great saw.
Installed an "Irwin" after maket laser. A great toy (only shows one side) but I don't / won't depend on it for starting my cuts. I can't get away from just dropping the blade and moving the work to the tooth. Too easy!
But the laser does impress the neighbors....... and it makes me feel like I'm up to date technology wise!
Impressing the neighbors----- Priceless
Accuracy -------- worthless
Dick from Omaha
Edited 3/18/2007 5:09 pm ET by rwjiudice
My makita ls 1013 has one, I like it. It only shows one side of the blade, but my main use of it is to get real close before I put the blade down. On trim work I still use the teeth of the blade to line up. On siding, I probably won't, if I'm cutting on the left of the blade.
zak
"When we build, let us think that we build forever. Let it not be for present delight nor for present use alone." --John Ruskin
"so it goes"
I bought one of the add-on washer-type lasers at a tool show for my old Dewalt 705 after a very convincing demo at the show... real world - the thing didn't work worth Sh*t. Oh yeah - and you had to get their blade for the special arbor size or knock out or something... 100+ dollar lesson learned.
I have since switched to the Delta 12" Twin Laser and love it. Two lines that straddle the cut line. Lets me cut shy or proud of my mark (always second guessing) if necessary and it's pretty visible even in moderate sunlight when working outdoors.
Bottom line as far as I'm concerned... add-on bad, built in good.
wouldn't recommend the Irwin add on...it'll only get you close. It is handy for the wife though...she can see where it'll cut before cutting...and for framing it's almost ok. Only good thing...free blade w/ purchase.
Rip
Don't have one myself but I wonder about their suitability with different blades. Will/can they adjust for different blade and tooth widths? Seems of little use if it would only work with the factory-supplied (usually minimal toothed) blade.
Not to step on Paul's answer, but...
I know the Delta TwinLaser has adjustability to account for different blades. I haven't had to do it yet, but if I recall, it's just an allen screw or two for each of the lasers to adjust the alignment.
In my line of work the laser is invaluable. I install kitchens daily, and the crown mould is cut differently that regular crown. Since my marks are at the back towards the fence and I have to start my cut on the high outside edge of the moulding, I can't do test cuts to check my accuracy. The laser allows me to cut my miters right the first time without having the shave the cut. Shaved miters are usually innacurate, especially in hardwoods.
The other advantage is when cutting material slightly offsquare. (Shelving, stairtreads) or off standard mitres. I can draw my line and orient the adjustable mitre to the line without doing test cuts. It also helps when cutting material wider than the 12" or so. I can line up the finish cut after flipping the material around.
I use the Hitachi 10" C10FSH by the way and love it. Used daily for two years and hasn't lost it's settings or accuracy. My only wish would be for an adjustable double laser to show both sides of the blade.
I bought a Porter Cable 12" 3 or 4 years ago and it has the built in laser on both sides of the blade. I love it. Easy to adjust either side. When I first took it to the jobsite, I was razzed a little about my saw. After everybody used it for a couple of days and I took my saw home, all I heard was groaning from the old guys that the saw they had to use didn't have any lasers.... When set up properly, it's dead on accurate. I just wish my saw bevelled both ways.
Bagtown
EnerGreen Builders Co-op
Sackville NB
Canada
Bagtown, my saw bevels both ways, Dewalt716. It's a "refurb" though my tool store said that they bought a bunch of these saws from the factory. Apparently the saws were used as demonstrations at tool stores such as Home Depot. Most of these saws were never used. It sells for $499 here in Canada but I got it for $349. I got it from Rideout Tools here in Newfoundland. There's one over in Nova Scotia in case you wanna get one.
Paul
Hey Paul,I know Rideout Tools very well. I've known Chris Rideout from the Dartmouth store for 15+ years in my other life working in machine shops. As a matter of fact I talked to him just last summer about being a sales rep for him in a new store they were going to open here in NB (Moncton), I sent him my resume and I never heard from him again.... I haven't seen the store open in Moncton either. Maybe it's time I gave him a call. We bought the same (I think) DeWalt saw in Moncton and they threw in the free stand (nice stand) and a free 12V DeWalt cordless drill. I still like my PC though.... Sometimes it just comes down to what you're used to.BagtownEnerGreen Builders Co-op
Sackville NB
I bought that PC clearanced for 99$ and keep it in the trailer and leave the Dewalt dual bevel at home.
Don't cut much trim but when needed it sure is handy.
Do you have trouble with the laser switch as that is my only gripe?WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Hey Andy,No problem with the laser switch on my PC at all. Of course I usually leave my on all the time though...Bagtown
EnerGreen Builders
Sackville NB
Buy that and I'll sell you my DW miter saw dust bag and throw my porta cable detail sander in with it !
http://WWW.CLIFFORDRENOVATIONS.COM
I've used a couple of them, didn't like them. They weren't dual-beam, and the laser line was thick enough that I might as well have marked my cut with a piece of blackboard chalk or a felt marker.
That said, I can see how they'd be handy for checking the angle on a wide piece to be cut slightly out of square. But I'd still check my pencil line against the teeth before I cut.
I find the lazer very useful on my Hitachi 10" SCMS. Very helpful viewing the long end of miter/bevel cuts. For rough cuts where you're only concerned about close, they speed up production. Not sure about retro-fits.
Carl
Most responders seem to be hooked on the "shows only one side" aspect. Once you get a feel for the saw and the laser together through repeated use, a beam on one side of the blade will prove more than adequate. The laser is adjustable, and really needs to be to enable you to compensate for blade thickness and the peculiarities of your personal saw.
I have learned to estimate where the limits of the cut will be in respect to the beam's location. One beam is just fine, and very useful.
Even if you don't trust the beam's position for a close cut, you save time by placing the workpiece more quickly into position. Then you can go to your previous methods if you don't want to go to the trouble of adapting to what the beam can do.
I agree. Everyone who poo-poos my Hitachi laser comes to like it even though the beam is only on one side. It's fine enough for most work, and speeds up rough placement of boards. It's especially helpful on angled cuts, scribes, and any sort of weird cut, as well as making sure square cuts on wide boards track true.
"This is a process, not an event."--Sphere
And I'm a legitimate certifiable Tool Whore.--Dieselpig
I was pleased to find out how much easier it is to make 45 degree cuts on baseboard, casement, and other irregular profiles when the board is standing up as opposed to laying flat. You can usually figure out where the blade is going to cut and succeed on the first try.
I've tried two types on my 10" DeWalt. The first type is like a thick washer that replaces the washer that holds the blade on. I had to remove that; something wouldn't clear the washer. IIRC, it was the arm that raises the blade guard.
The second type I tried was like a tiny flashlight that mounts on the blade guard. It was constantly going out of adjustment, so it's gone now. It might work ok for you if you never take your saw out to job sites.
George Patterson, Patterson Handyman Service
I've got one on our newer DeWalt slider...I like it a lot for getting close quickly. Doesn't work well in bright sunlight, and we've got to keep it adjusted...let's us know if the power's working, too<G>
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees.
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding,
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me.
I've got the newer Dewalt slider too and bought the laser attach cause they made a mistake and sold it to me for $25.Haven't had a chance to calibrate it yet - not easy to do without the instructions....JT
It ain't rocket science, but, I'll see if I can find mine<G> Outside of the gates the trucks were unloadin',
The weather was hot, a-nearly 90 degrees.
The man standin' next to me, his head was exploding,
Well, I was prayin' the pieces wouldn't fall on me.
Thanks, but I do have the manual - just commenting how impossible it was to try without it...Actually haven't had the chance to calibrate it yet even though I have the manual describing how.JT