Replies

1. 
   Graybeard | Apr 21, 2003 05:19am | #1

     Depending upon your situation,  time & finances, you will be happy with either one. When I got my Milwaukee sliding compound, I needed a stand that was stable, maximum of 8' long to fit my truck and into most remodeling jobs plus cheap. I built my own from 8/4" mahogany, it's a little heavy but impresses the customer before I start the trim work. I set it onto a pair of steel folding horses, the setup makes for a nice stable base with enough extra space for the various types of trim I am using.

2. 
   DavidxDoud | Apr 21, 2003 07:04am | #2

   here's one to which I treated myself - - I'm not familar with the brand you mention,  this is a relatively inexpensive unit,  but well designed - - I have nothing but praise - clik the link and it will take you to the 'what tool did you buy today' thread - http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=20001.449

3. 
   NickNukeEm | Apr 21, 2003 01:00pm | #3

   There was an excellent review on the portable jobsite miter saw stands late last year.  I'll be hung if I can remember which magazine did it, though.  I'll keep digging...

   I never met a tool I didn't like!
1. 
   DaveRicheson | Apr 21, 2003 02:54pm | #4

   I have had the American Design.... Saw Helper for about 14 years now and am on my second saw with it. Having never used any of the others, I don't know how they compare. Mine is light weight, sets up easily, fits in an 8' pu truck bed, and self aligning once tuned in on intial set up. I set up outside when I can on remodel work to keep the mess out of the custimers house. I like the adjustable legs on the extension table for uneven ground.

   Dave

1. 
   Sethbenjamin | Apr 21, 2003 05:59pm | #5

   I'm starting to think yours might be the way to go. Does the initial purchase get you the positive-stops and tape measure? Not interested in those without. If it does, then this is the more economical option, to boot. (One online source - I don't have it in front of me - offers the table with 1 8' table and one 5' table for about $390.

   Thanks (all) for the input!

1. 
   DaveRicheson | Apr 21, 2003 07:57pm | #6

   Yes.mine has a 5' and 8" table, and I think I paid more tham $400.00 for it.

2. 
   FramerJay | Apr 22, 2003 12:53am | #7

   Nick, it was the Journal of Light Construction, August 2002

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Apr 22, 2003 02:34am | #10

   You're kidding.  I don't even get that magazine.  I could swear there was a review in TOH or FHB.  Maybe in another woodworking mag I get, but I cannot find it.  (I use Woodworker's Guide, a CD that lists all the articles in all the woodworking mags, but not the home improvement mags.)

   Must have picked up JLC and have forgotten about it.  Or I'm losing my mind, which isn't a stretch.

   Thanks.I never met a tool I didn't like!

1. 
   TrimButcher | Apr 22, 2003 05:19am | #11

   You're sane.  One of the woodworking mags did do a miter saw stand review recently, but of course I can't find my copy and can't remember which mag.  They didn't test either of the miter stands asked about by the original questioner - I noticed they stuck to the "big" manufacturers.

   Of the stands that they did test, if I recall correctly, they selected the Delta as their favourite, with Ridgid, DeWalt and Milwaukee all receiving kudos too.

   Regards,

   Tim

1. 
   NickNukeEm | Apr 22, 2003 05:32am | #12

   Thanks.  It's nice to know I'm not losing it all just yet.  I'll continue to search while scratching my head.  BTW, I don't remember much about the article, so you're probably right about the units tested. 

   I never met a tool I didn't like!

4. 
   RW | Apr 22, 2003 01:09am | #8

   My 2 cents if you look at it - the Iowa stand that looks like it started life as a sawhorse is one of the least expensive out there. Pros - sturdy as sin, compact, easy to take saw on and off in seconds, good arm length, folds into a tight little mass (easy storage). Cons: don't think much of the stop system. Doesn't tend to be reliable enough for trim work. Took a couple of hours to assemble and had some parts that required creative thinking above and beyond the call of duty.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

5. 
   jayzog | Apr 22, 2003 02:07am | #9

   I hav the American Design- it is accurate,light. easy to set up, and expensive.

   Money well spent.

6. 
   Shoeman | Apr 22, 2003 06:29am | #13

   I have had the American Design for about three years now and would reccommend it.  Looked at many others, but like the stop with tape on the American Design.  You can call out lengths to anyone helping you, and they can get it the right length the first time.

   Took a little while to set up on saw initally, but well worth it.

7. 
   JDRHI | Apr 22, 2003 03:51pm | #14

   Just my two cents....then I`ll go away.

   Not knowing how often you use your miter saw nor the type of work you do in general, I suggest you consider foregoing the prefabbed stands. Although I admit I`ve considered grabbing one myself in the past, I can`t remember a job I`ve done that didn`t require a benchtop at one point or another. (Especially trim jobs where my miter saw gets most of its workout.) None of the stands on the market today set up faster than a pair of saw horses topped with a homemade benchtop. Using this method I`m able to create an entire "work station" on my projects. The materials stow below the bench on the saw horses and the top allows me to cope, glue up, clamp, route, jig and a myriad of other tasks necessary on a daily basis.

   Not trying to talk you out of something you need....just think its worth considering.

   J. D. Reynolds

   Home Improvements

   "DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"

8. 
   gusmeyer | Apr 22, 2003 08:46pm | #15

   Have you looked at the DeWalt (DW 723 I believe) stand?I have one, it is great for molding and finish work, it is light, folds compactly, can span about 16 feet, has plenty of room to stand comfortably. It has a simple length stop. No complaints, does not have a tape built in, but then I measure each cut separately. If you do heavy contracting, the anything made of square steel tubing would be required. I had an old Delta stand and it was horrible.