Replies

1. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Apr 04, 2000 03:33am | #1

   *
   I picked up the new model PC and pretty much like the way the toolless blade change works on it; although ,I've really never compared it to any of the other brands.

1. 
   Barry_Miller | Apr 04, 2000 03:22pm | #2

   *MD,Thanks. I'd forgotten to look at PC.

1. 
   James_DuHamel | Apr 05, 2000 03:29am | #3

   *Hello Barry,I've got two of the Dewalt's, and I wouldn't trade them for anything. The blade change is effortless, fast, and the saw uses every brand of blade I have tried so far. This little baby will cut lengthways through 2 x PT lumber (Southern Yellow Pine) like butter. It has a lever on the lower left hand side that allows 3 separate rocking motions for the blade. This allows the saw to be used for thick, tough to cut lumber.Also, it has a built in blower to keep the saw dust away from the front of the blade. This helps alot, especially since I can't see worth a crap anyway.Just thought I'd give some info based on experience using the Dewalt. James DuHamel

1. 
   JRS | Apr 05, 2000 04:01am | #4

   *Hi James,I'm ready to buy a new saber saw and was considering the DeWalt. Glad to hear you like it so much. There's a few guys here who like to trash DeWalt, but the ones that I own are great tools. I have their R.O. sander, 12 volt cordless saw, circular saw(which I've had for 8 yrs. now) and my favorite tool ever , the portable table saw. Haven't seen any reason why some guys are so hostile towards them.John

1. 
   bkunkle | Apr 05, 2000 04:23am | #5

   *I defenitly hostile only because my dewalt tools have failed and I have to pay to replace them.I do believe however if your gentle with them and the only one using them they would be o.k. But they have not held up against bosch or portercable in the same enviroment.Im glad youve all had success but unfortanatly i havent .The sabersaw listed above is the same modle that broke after 14 months with us our bosch is 5 years old.I do know when tools are shared they get abused .The dewalt was used by one man and the bosch by everyone Go figure.Am I the onley one fustrated???? Good luck Boyd

2. 
   Luka_ | Apr 05, 2000 05:27am | #6

   *> "The dewalt was used by one man and the bosch by everyone"I'd give that man a raise(He obviously does more work than all the rest of the crew together. LOL)

3. 
   Frank_"Mad_Dog"_Maglin | Apr 06, 2000 05:30am | #7

   *Hey Boyd,I'm a one man operation, and though I don't baby my tools I do take good care of them. I've had some bad luck with DeWalt switches. Have a 615 router that switch went bad. Waited 2 weeks for replacement. Broke depth adjustment knob clear off same tool and waited 6 weeks for a part that cost under $2.00. Just recently had switch go bad on DW 705 CMS. Waiting for switch replacement on it which is still under warranty. I pretty much like the CMS ; however, have a few suggestions for improvement. First they should make the motor quieter, second they should also give the motor a soft start feature like Makita has. When you switch the saw on there is so much torque jolting that if your stock is not clamped down it will sometimes move the piece you're cutting off the cut line. Hey DeWalt, ya writing all this down?

4. 
   Barry_Miller | Apr 06, 2000 05:43am | #8

   *Thanks to all for the comments. My last saber saw was purchased twenty years ago -- I'm not a carpenter, just a DIYer -- and I'd been praying for its death ever since. It bucked, broke blades, and everything else a cheap Skil tool will do. Out of desperation for a new saw, I decided to rip a two by six with it. What a relief to hear the drive snap. Since the new one won't be used every day, or even every week, I'm more interested in its features than in its brush life. (I note that the Makita I looked at can allow easy brush replacement). Also don't mind those in the $150 range, as I'm at the point in life where I can afford to buy the "last" one I'll ever buy. Still not sure what to buy yet (will ask wife for her favorite color, maybe), but it's been a good dialogue.

5. 
   lonecat | Apr 06, 2000 11:30am | #9

   *Why not the Bosch?

6. 
   Chuck_Martonicz | Apr 14, 2000 10:20pm | #10

   *Barry,I've got an old Makita (18yrs) and it still works great, although I'm on at least my 4th allen wrench for the blade change! Got a Dewalt and a Bosch, both with keyless blade change, both great tools. Personal preference is using the Bosch, although the dustblower on the Dewalt is a great feature(ditto to James!)

7. 
   Jason_Kennedy | Apr 30, 2000 12:49am | #11

   *I can't agree more with James. I use the Dewalt to cope crown almost daily and could think of using no other.

2. 
   Barry_Miller | Apr 30, 2000 12:49am | #12

   *
   Has anybody experience with the keyless blade holding system on the Dewalt saber saw, notably the 321? I'd like to get a new saber saw, able to use both blade types, and this and the Makita top handle are leading the running. In fact, experience with any tool-free blade system would be welcome -- open (and empty) mind at this point.