I’ve had my Dewalt 12″ dual bevel miter saw for a few months now and love it. Today I’m cutting crown for the first time on it. I see Dewalt have lasers for their miter saws and I wondered if I should get one. I think they’d sure be great to have when cutting crown as I can see exactly where the cut will come down across the crown.
Are these lasers any good? Are they accurate? Do they need to be readjusted every once in a while?
Paul
Could a building code update make your go-to materials obsolete?
"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
I have the old PC "LaserLoc" chop saw and love it, so I tried adding the Irwin laser to my DW SCMS. Didn't like the Irwin, it induces a wobble in the saw that I found...disconcerting. Used it once, put it back in the case. If you want it, it's yours for postage. Just shoot me your address.
PaulB
I think you are referring to the DW718. I have it and like you love it however, the laser is a different story. I have the laser but it is very hard to line up with the kerf and the line projects on only one side of the kerf. I believe the old PC slider (the one Norm uses) has a double laser which shows on both side of the kerf. If you manage to get your laser aligned to the kerf there is no guarantee it will stay that way if you were to move the saw. I use my laser just to get the initial idea however, always verify by lower the blade to the cut line before doing the actual cut.
LB
I have the PC 10" miter saw with the double laser and I love it.
The saw is light enough to carry around and the double laser is a true benefit.This saw is in my trailer full time and so takes some extreme abuse yet the laser has been very accurate for 3 years straight.
What i like about a laser is if things aren't perfectly square you can visualize with the laser before you cut. Another plus is you can make a small mark and find it with the laser without having to sight down the blade and you can follow the laser with the cut which is helpful if you have to remove just a hair or notch.
I haven't used my big Dewalt in 3 years since I got the PC.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
I've been using the makita SCMS with laser for a while now. I actually don't use the laser very often. I do alot of trimwork so the laser line is just not accurate enough to cut in the 1/64 tolerance range. I do switch it on when cutting things like framing lumber or when trying to match an angle.
BTW, did a bunch of framing the other day using the laser. I was inside and it was sort of dark. After making a good number of cuts in a row, my eyes started to ache. Made me wonder if looking at a laser line will ruin my eyes.
gk
I bought the bosch 10" scm dual bevel saw, IIRC I paid $50 extra for the model with laser. Once I read the warnings on the laser package, I didn't want to put it on. Never have, in fact.View Image “Good work costs much more than poor imitation or factory product†– Charles GreeneCaliforniaRemodelingContractor.com
I have the 718, and the laser that mounts to it.
Although it's a royal pain to setup, once done - it's very helpful.
I was starting a staircase job and took the time to set the laser perfect and I'll have to admit that it really helped in quite a few situations and I used it every single time - very accurate.
BUT, like was said above - you move the saw a few times and the laser gets offtrack and I still haven't taken the time to get it back on track.
If I was starting a large trim job, I'd take the 10 minutes needed to set it up perfect and use it, but for regular Ole jobs, I'll probably not bother.
Is it worth $69 - I'd say probably not, but I paid $28 for mine when HD screwed it up one day and it was definately worth that.
JT
Anything wrong with a sharp pencil, and a framing square?
Yeah, they are not as cool.