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Discussion Forum

Portable table saws

PaulGC | Posted in Tools for Home Building on November 7, 2010 05:41am

Well I’m trying to decide what brand of portable table saw to buy but from reviews I’m read lately, I’m still undecided. FHB had a review of them a few months back and there was, if memory serves me correctly, a problem with the Bosch saw. I believe the Makita saw was picked as best choice, but I could be wrong. The 2011 tool buying guide gives top rating to the Bosch saw. I found a site online that gave the top choice to a Dewalt saw. That site also said they had a problem with the Bosch moving while sought up and being used.

I’d rather ask you guys, people who have these saws and are using then frequently.

 

Love to hear what any of you have to say about either the Bosch, Makita or Dewalt saws.

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Replies

  1. oldhand | Nov 07, 2010 08:35pm | #1

    makita saw...

    I've had a makita for about 7-8 years that has served me well.

    With a sharp blade it will rip full depth in   oak without bogging,  though I wouldn't want to make a habit of it.

    Despite a fair amount of rough use I've never replaced anything but blades.

    My only complaint is the  fence. Advertised as "semi self aligning" if irc, it  ain't never gonna happen. Once in the habit though you can  align the back of the fence with the scale and the front with a tape pretty quick. That's real ol' timey.

    Wouldn't surprise me if this problem has been adressed in newer versions.

    1. Lbnailz | Feb 18, 2011 10:40pm | #23

      I have had bad luck with my makits 10" table saws burning up.I have a after market stand with a nice fence and not sure I want to replace it with a makita.

  2. Shep | Nov 07, 2010 09:52pm | #2

    I recently bought the smaller DeWalt table saw. I've used it quite a bit already, and am quite happy with it. It has enough power to rip 2x material, the riving knife is a nice feature that I leave on, its light enough that I don't mind taking it in and out of my van.

    the fence is solid, but it does take a little getting used to. there's a lever on the side of the saw to lock and unlock the fence adjutment, and a knob to turn to adjust the fence.

    I thought about getting the bigger DeWalt or Bosch, but this saw works very well for my needs.

  3. MGMaxwell | Nov 08, 2010 12:23pm | #3

    Portable table saw
    DIY here, but I used the Bosch saw to make all the trim for the house I finished in NC. Cut 4 x 12 Port Orford Cedar for porch rails and cherry slabs into flooring with it as well as all the sundry other stuff. Good fence. Never bogged had a problem with the motor or switch.

    Did cut my thumb to the tune of a few thousand for repair, but that was my fault. Nice cut too with no run out! LOL

    I haven't used any other saw except an old beater Delta so I don't have anything with which to compare it.

  4. slykarma | Nov 09, 2010 10:36am | #4

    Bosch...again

    I just had my Bosch fail last week. Made a few cuts, went to do another... nothing. Blew out the switch and motor, bushes are 3/4 worn but not altogether gone. Needed that saw right there and then, so went and bought another Bosch. The old one is sitting in my shop waiting for further investigation. If it's really toasted then the stand goes under my thickness planer for more years of service.

    That Bosch saw lasted 7 years of hard labour, made a lot of sawdust with it. Under $100 a year for 'rent' of a saw is a pretty sweet deal. It was adjusted perfectly parallel blade-to-fence out of the box and stayed that way for its life. It got an annual-ish lube,cleaning and air in tires, otherwise a life of hard work. Hence no hesitation buying another. The stand is the best in the business.

    1. calvin | Nov 18, 2010 06:39pm | #15

      Mine went down Aug09

      My long time supplier and who I bought it from took it in, found the arm. bearings needing replaced, new field and brushes, new spped control..

      Teardown, parts and assembly-160.00  (120.00 parts, 40 labor).

      I just had occasion to contact Bosch about the MM blade/adapter offer and took the time to ask about the problems the 4000 and 4001 model saws have had.  They put me in touch with the US Benchtop Product Manager.-he answered that the 4001 problem was found and taken care (presumably with customer satisfaction)  I have not heard from him yet on my model, except there might have been some adjustment on a case by case basis.  You might want to give them a call.  

      When mine "went" it started to run slow and sounded like a coffee can full of nuts.

  5. andybuildz | Nov 09, 2010 09:44pm | #5

    I've had the Ridgid a few years now and it's a real good saw..especially for the money!

    Let me say this though more importantly. I bought my saw on Black Friday and saved $200 off the usual price at Home Depot. That was one of the deciding factors in my purchase and it really is a pretty good saw.

    My point here is..Black Friday is right around the corner!

    1. Snort | Nov 10, 2010 05:36pm | #6

      Hey Buddy!

      Is black friday some religeous holiday? LOL

      To the OP, I had a DeWalt for 9 years, great saw... when I finally killed it I got the new Bosch w/ the gravity rise stand, it's a greater saw, and easy for these old bones to move around.

      1. calvin | Nov 10, 2010 06:03pm | #7

        Hey beautiful.............

        where you been?

        1. Snort | Nov 11, 2010 08:00am | #8

          Hey cal,

          Goofin' around according to Mrs 'Snort. LOL  It's hard to come here anymore and see this hollow shell of a once vibrant community... still kinda like a train wreck, tho :)

          Say hey to Joyce for us!

          1. calvin | Nov 11, 2010 08:07am | #9

            Rot Repair

            not while you wait-tho that does happen.

            But, BECAUSE you waited...............

            That's been my bread and butter lately-with a sprinkling of more creative work mixed in.

            Joyce yells down-HEY! to the Hollie's.

          2. Snort | Nov 11, 2010 08:21am | #10

            Rot Repair

            Ha, that's what they need around here. Ya can't guilt trip me, either LOL I hung around... but the point of diminishing return here is crippilling... like dan's last please help us fix it thread... there's actually real funny joke sites on the web LOL

            I still love you, tho, big boy!

          3. calvin | Nov 11, 2010 06:19pm | #11

            Sweet jeezus............

            I have no idea what you were commenting to, but I guess I can heartily agree.

            Guilt trip? 

            moi?

            Never in a million years.

            If it wasn't for a couple yanked shots, a little water, a tree branch and a low hanging pine....................I'd a been somebody this aftn.

            oh yeah, some good chips mighta helped also.

            But I digress.

  6. Kmeister | Nov 16, 2010 08:26am | #12

    I recently went with the Bosch saw and am pleased with it. You can throw out the blade that comes with it though, it's a really bad, dangerous piece of junk.

  7. User avater
    Homewright | Nov 17, 2010 06:53pm | #13

    You'll find two schools of thought here

    Bosch or DeWalt...  I'm a fan of the DeWalt for one reason only.  The fence.  That rack and pinion fence will let you adjust half a hair in next to no time and saves a world of time over the life and use of the saw itself.  I think overall Bosch makes better equipment but in this one instance, that feature on DeWalt's saw wins.  I'm not real crazy about its exhaust port so I just removed the cover plate under the saw and let the dust drop out the bottom instead of clogging up inside against the blade.  It's a joy to use every time I fire it up...

  8. glacierfergus | Nov 18, 2010 06:05pm | #14

    Bosch for me

    I have the bosch and LOVE it.  It is not as nice as my Father-In Laws big cabinet saw, but it is very portable, easy to setup, has a very solid fence, and I really like the toolless guard assmbly.  It will also handle a dado blade with the purchase of a different insert (also toolless to change inserts).  The cuts are clean and I have been amazed at the power it can generate for a 120 volt saw.  They are pretty spendy, but very nice!

  9. deafbob | Nov 21, 2010 08:52pm | #16

    also have the makita... and i have the same problem with my fence. when locking down fence you always have to check front to back of blade with tape.

    would not buy this saw again, knowing now.... best of luck.

    1. toolpouchguy | Jan 29, 2011 06:40am | #18

      I have 3 makita saws you need to get the stand the saw fits into not on ,makes a world of difference ,large out feed large fence 

  10. Lateapex911 | Nov 27, 2010 02:07am | #17

    I still have the original Bosch. I really can't complain, it's only cost me $30 in parts over the years, and it's made a lot of cabinets, among a zillion other things. It's exceeded my expectations.

    It's failures: The end bearing that supports the outer  end of the motor shaft fails, heats and can melt the plastic housing. They are cheap to replace, but onece you melt the housing, you're a bit further up the creek. I've been lucky and investigated immediately when it seemed "off".  I spoke to the development engineer about this at a show, and he says the new models have fixed the issue.

    Secondly, the dust extractions doesn't. Clogs frequently, and even when clear, there's still more blowback than I'd like. I use a fein vac with an intermediate canister auto switched. Again, they promise that's been improved.

    The successes: Accuracy of table/fence/arbor etc. IT's all good and the cuts show it, IFF you use a good blade. (Goes without saying)

    Dimensions are a good balance.

    THe gravity lift stand is awesome.

    The extended table opens an area that invites use. I made an insert, under which I mount a router base. Then I made a fence overrider, and viola! Shaper table! The engineer I spoke with eyes lit uup when I told him about it and was very interested in how I did it and my experiences/wish lists. As of March 10 it was being worked on as an optional feature. I bet they can come up with a really neat one. Not sure if it will make it to the real world or when, but the table still allows you to do one easily.

    All in all, great saw. I far prefer it to the Makita and Dewalts I've used, but that possibly a personal preference, those tools aren't junk either. In a way, I wish mine would fail to give me an excuse to get another, LOL

  11. renosteinke | Jan 30, 2011 09:59am | #19

    IMO, there's no debate: Sawstop. Let's look at the 'good' and the 'bad.'

    The 'bad' is that it lacks a fancy wheeled cart, and costs 3x some models.

    The 'good' is that you get to keep your fingers. Wait - there's more ...

    A 'table saw' isn't just the thing that spins the blade. You need extensions for handling larger stock, a good fence, and good guards. You need to keep the dust out of your face. The Sawstop does pretty good at these things ... for the cheaper models, you very next expense will be a fence - and that can cost as much as the base unit.

    More important is that you ask whether you really need a table saw. A lot of 'tablesaw' work can be done easier -and safer- with a tracksaw.

    1. [email protected] | Jan 31, 2011 07:27pm | #21

      Not really a obsite saw though

      The Sawstop Contractor's Saw is a great macine from what I've read.  But, I wouldn't consider it a jobsite saw, anymore than I would any of the other "Contractor's" saws. 

      The motors on the Contractor's saws weigh more than many of the complete jobsite saws do.  And, I can't imagine lifting a contractor's saw into a truck with less than two strong healthy young men. 

      And, despite what the lawyer convinced the jury, the direct drive mechanisms on a jobsite saw are not readily adaptable to the sawstop technology. 

      1. Piffin | Jan 31, 2011 10:57pm | #22

        "I can't imagine lifting a

        "I can't imagine lifting a contractor's saw into a truck with less than two strong healthy young men. "

        I mounted a couple of lawn mower retractable wheels on my Grizzly contractor model. I *CAN* move it alone, but it has stayed in th shop for 5-6 years now since I go tmy DW Jobsite saw .

  12. sawdust63 | Jan 31, 2011 01:07am | #20

    I got a dewalt and love it.Done alot of trim and never let me down.Handles heavy stuff real good and the fence is always true.

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