I bought a Bosch 4000-09 portable table saw because of all the great reviews. I’ve gone through two in the last three weeks. Apparently there is an electronic circuit board that keeps frying. Anyone having the same problem? Any recommendations for a different saw?
Thanks.
Replies
Try the Rigid if you're looking for a change. I've had mine for about four years now and I still love the thing. It's built like a tank, has a fantastic fence, and all the goodies most of the other bigger jobsite saws have now. On board blade and cord storage, the cart works great, 24" rip capacity, out of the box dead on and still haven't had to adjust it.
Awesome, the store is giving me great service and keeps replacing the saw. But I'm getting a little fustrated with the downtime. I'll look into the Ridgid.
I'll second the Ridgid.
I wish someone would make a decent table saw that didn't weigh over 100lbs.If you have any poo, fling it now.
I have had my Bosch for 4 years and love the thing. Only adjustment I have ever had to do was after some scaffold ends fell on it in the truck. Tweaked it a little and cuts as good as new. The plastice is a little broke in places lol. DanT
I love my Bosch 4000 too. The only issue I have is the dust collection.
I don't like the bag that comes with it. I seem to spend a lot of time blowing the sawdust out so it doesn't blow back in my face.I do know of someone that had to replace the bushings in the motor after a few years but that was an inexpensive quick fix. Well, if you do it yourself.Richard
Thanks for all the info. The store is offering to replace the Bosch with the new Makita. I think I'll try it. But first we are checking on the electrical service at the job site. It seems the Bosch is very sensitive to the possible amp drop between the temporary power service and the location of the saw.
Perhaps you fine folks could give me some suggestions on temporary electrical setups? Right now we have the service split into a 40 amp 220Volt side for heating and a 30 amp regular voltage for the saws and lighting.
Oh, nice router insert there Julian. Great job!
Thanks.
WTB low volts ...
that Bosch has "needs".. like a dedicated 20A circut...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
Never blown a fuse with mine and rarely have it on a 20amp dedicated circuit.Needless to say though - if I use a xcord, it's a 12 or a 10.JT
didn't say dedicated...
pop 15's and heavily shared 20's and never burned up a board...
I try to br careful...Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->
WOW!!! What a Ride!<!----><!---->
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
D, Do you know anyone who has the rigid 12in mitre saw? it looks pretty sturdy too.
-LMC
Go Phillies!!! (yeh right)
I don't Lou, but it looks like a decent saw too. IIRC, I read a tool review on it awhile back and it did really well, I recall something about it having a really large footprint and being heavy, but performance was top notch.
Rigid's warranty program is tough to find fault in as well. That's something to think about too.
I just checked that tool review I was talking about and the Rigid came in second overall by the reviewer. Here's a link to the review, check it out:
http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/articles/showarticle.asp?articleID=2173&position=2&type=article&partID=1View Image
Not so sure about praising Ridgid's warranty just yet... Have you heard any warranty success stories?One thing's for sure - I've heard a lot of not so good repair stories - still at the shop 6 weeks later, parts not in from Ridgid, Parts out of stock, bring the entire Bandsaw in cause there's a defect in the small angle bracket part, etc..I'm staying away from them for that reason alone, not to mention all of that stuff is ugly orange and made in China.JT
I've had good luck with all of my Ridgid tools. I have the table saw, 10" miter box, compressor, 18g brad nailer, 5" RO sander, and shop vac.
I've never needed any warranty work, and most of my tools have been used daily for 2-3 years.
I don't care what color they are, but most of mine are the old gray color scheme. Either way, I've never lost a job, because the customer didn't like my orange compressor.
Not all of their tools are made in China. What major tool manufacturers aren't producing some of their products in China?If you have any poo, fling it now.
I should add that I own the 13" Planer, the OSS sander and the 14" bandsaw. My comment are mainly based on the newer line corded and cordless powertools, and the new warranty procedures and switch-arounds that have been implemented since their introduction.I'm no fashion tool bug, but I just hate orange... Don't like the Hitachi green stuff either...JT
I don't own any of their stationary power tools, or cordless stuff.
If you have any poo, fling it now.
Just another data point...
I've had my Bosch 4000 for a few years now. Of course, I've had situations where good voltage wasn't available, and the wood was wwet, etc, and have popped many a breaker. Never an issue...starts right up when it gets power.
I too made a rounter insert table. it's a natuaral, sits right in teh opening, and the movable fence just needs an extention, and maybe even a vacuum box as shown. Nice looking rig..mines plain old mahogony, LOL.
Dust collection isn't wonderful even with a vac. Too many openings under there to allow it to tilt easily ...I've designed a solution n my head, but actually building it is another thing!
I've heard no recurring reliability issues...just the dust collection and the T slot are the issues.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
a shame you can't get a good one. Best of luck on whatever you get. I'm glad to say I didn't get a bogus bosch, mine performs well.
A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
there is a new makita out there that looks pretty sweet. i own the bosch no problems...
there was a $50 mail in on the ridgid...
http://www.makita.com/menu.php?pg=product_det_pic
The new Makita looks sweet -- finally with a decent fence and a standard miter slot. I have the 2703 in a Rousseau stand and it works great. Powerful motor and nice depth of cut.
Billy
I've had my Bosch for 5-6 years now I think, and it has served me well. Of all of the saws at this level, I think the Bosch is the only model that offers factory outfeed supports as an option. I have the rear outfeed support and the left side extended support mounted to mine.They slide in close to the saw when in storage and slide out when in use. The rear goes out about 16-18" or so and the left side support, maybe 12-15".Having them has become very handy in actual use - half the time, I use them as a temporary resting place for stock to be ripped or stock already ripped, etc. They also are very helpful when cutting large sheet stock. I've actually ripped 4x8 sheets of 3/4" plywood with my saw by myself a few times - had to put a couple sandbags at the front though...About the only thing wish my saw had was a t-slot miter guage - that would be very handy.Check the forum archive - many folks, including myself have created router table inserts for use inbetween the extended table and the main table. I'm sure the same could be done for the other saws somehow, but I know it's easily done with the Bosch. Here's a few pics.My saw has the aluminum finish top - the newer versions have a teflon-like coated top.I have mine mounted to the Ridgid folding wheeled stand - works great. It's got good sawblade holder that'll hold 4-6 blades on the saw andthe miter guage is pretty decent.I was just looking at the Ridgid, and aside from the ugly color - Bright Orange!, it does look nice and the fence might just be a bit better than the Bosch, but the switch on the Bosch is bigger and in a better position - the Ridgid's seemed a bit hidden.Based on Makita's history with benchtop saws - I'd suggest looking closely at theirs as well, might be a gem.JT
Edited 4/18/2006 11:09 pm ET by JulianTracy
Julian:
Great idea on that router table! I've got mine sitting in the space made by the left side extension. I like yours much better. Thanks for sharing. So far I wouldn't trade my Bosch for any of the other saws out there.Tim
Thanks, but I can't take full credit for the way mine ended up - copied another Breaktimer's idea for that. (Course, I made it prettier...) Years ago, I had made a half-butt router insert for the 4000, but was not happy with it and tossed it. Then I came across this latest version and built it a few months back using a Woodpecker insert. Works great and it's nice to have it all in one package. Otherwise, I probably would not be keeping my router table in the trailer all the time and would go without one for most of the time. The only other thing I'll mention about the saw is that some folks have had problems with the blade rising threads could get gooed up with sawdust and possibly damage the gear (plastic) if forced. The solution/prevention is to keep the working blowed out every once in a while - no problems then.JT
Edited 4/19/2006 8:54 am ET by JulianTracy
I really like what you did to that saw.
What is the material you used? Laminate over ply?
Since my new saw is on the way (thanks to your keen heads up) I may as well plan ahead.
Let us know when Amazon runs a good special on routers will ya?
Eric
[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
It's laminate over 3/4" baltic birch plywood.The "table" is supported by two pieces of Oak 3/4" boards, approx 1x2 that have been narrowed in depth slightly at the ends to fit into the grooves of the fence rail. They were then cut at a slight angle at the opposing corners to allow for an easier tight fit angled insertion.The table is a bit narrower than the widest opening of the fence to allow the fence to clamp it in slightly. It'd lift up it you tried but the weight of the router helps to keep it seated.JT
I found out about Julian's set-up a few months back, and built one for my Bosch.It is very slick, and works every bit as good as a conventional router table. I used a Rousseau plate, only because that's what I have on my other router tables. Works just fine.However, instead of using the saw fence as the basis for a router fence, I opted for the Rousseau fence (about $80). That way, I can still do rips with the saw, without disturbing the router set-up. this comes in handy when you are doing smallish moldings from a larger board, allowing you to rip the molding with the saw, and then start all over again. ********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
How are you attching the fence to the table? Can you post pics?Thanks,Julian
I must be the last guy around here without a digital camera; so pics are not possible. Here's the Amazon link to the Rousseau fence:http://tinyurl.com/knugpI drilled two sets of holes in the insert plate, and the fence attaches with carriage bolts and thumb screws. This gives a reasonable amount of flexibility. If I need more I could always use the saw fence.As you can see, the fence is also set up for a vac attachment. It just semed a whole lot easier to spend the $80 than the time to make something to fit over the saw fence. Plus, there have been one or two operations where I used the Rousseau fence on one of my shop router tables.********************************************************
"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
There is some voltage drop so we replaced all the temperary power lines with heavier wire. In the meantime the store has replaced the Bosch with the new Makita 2704 with stand. I really like it.
Thanks for the tip, and nice quote too!
Eric[email protected]
It's Never Too Late To Become What You Might Have Been
No problems with my Bosch in two years of heavy use, hardly ever trip a breaker even. I like it.
Ridgid is too heavy for me. Makita does sound good though.
I spoke too soon, cooked some electronics in my Bosch 4000 today and had to run back to the shop & load up the spare Craftsman. I'll get the Bosch in the shop next week and find out what went wrong and if it is covered.
Bosch is a very good brand so the odds that your -09 had two bad boards in a row is low. Did you check the supply voltage you were feeding the saw?
I'd concur with this one. Check your source voltage. You might also want to find a power conditioner that boosts voltage when the source voltage drops due to load. They also cut out voltage spikes that tend to damage modern electronics. I've had one for 20+ years and use it whenever I suspect power problems. Regarding the Bosch TS4000, I have one and have never had a moment's trouble with it. And like others, I avoid buying anything made in China. Not into supporting junk makers.