Miter saws: bevel, stand, &vibration
THE BEVEL QUESTION
I am starting to get serious in my hunt for a sliding miter saw ( dont really need it but how can I live without one!!). I know the topic of which saw is best has been beaten to death, so it may be best to stay away from that. I am debating whether or not to spend the extra money and get one that bevels both ways, or just to the one side. If money wasnt an object of course Id go with the dou-bevel. What do you guys think/ feel. At work have used both duo and single bevel sliders, been about a year since used the double bevel so I dont remember how nice it was.
THE STAND QUESTION
If Im going to get a new saw, Im gonna have to get a new stand setup. Previously, Ive built my own stands, but the Dewalt stand looks mighty nice. I need some convincing not to get that, or should I blow the hole horse and get a new stand with the saw.
THE VIBRATION QUESTION
Has anyone ever used those anti-vibration discs on your miter saw or table saw? Did you notice any difference. The one I saw was a metal disc ( about 3″ dia. and 1/8″ thick) with a rubber o-ring on it. You mounted it next to your saw blade through the blade arbor nut. Supposedly, it is supposed to absorb vibration from the saw motor and stiffen the blade some. The end result being a cleaner cut.
Thanx for any input,
M2akita
Replies
I've been using a Makita compound 10" slider for about 10 years...a great tool, but have wished for a double bevel saw when doing crown. Couldn't afford a real stand, but I recently bought a folding work table that matches the folding plastic sawhorses that were a good investment.
Used a card table before.
Would love to get the one in Tool Crib for small table saws to bolt to, it folds down and you can roll it around.
The anti-vibration thingy sounds like a good idea...helps to have a quality blade in there like a Freud.
Jen 8)
I own a dewalt and porter cable compound saw but I have never owned a sliding saw. Used one once and liked it but the funds are not here to buy one. I have stands for both of my saws. The dewalt has a dewalt stand and the porter cable has a universal delta stand with wheels. I personally love the stand for quick set up and the carry around ability without taking up much room. I also bought the independent roller stands to help hold the long trim. I have never used the anti vibration disc because I never have had a problem with the blades vibrating. The freud is a very good blade but if you want to pay a little more and get something better, go to a local saw shop and get a systematic blade. They last longer, cut better and can be resharpened several times.
JAMES
Saw tables
http://trojantools.com/catalog.htm
bit
I have the Dewalt stand and I have to say it was one of my best buys last year . The main reason I bought the dewalt is that it folds up alot smaller than the other stands so I don't have to take it out of my van to haul cabinets or plywood or whatever. The extension arms are not seperate pieces also , so it,s a compact kit. The whole thing tucks into the uppr corner on a couple of shelf brackets. Also you can cut off the 'De' part of the brand sticker and call your stand 'Walt'.so you don't look so branded if yer use other yellow tools. ; ) cheers Rik
The Saw: I have the Makita Ls1013, great saw, mostly I tilt to the right, but do use the left tilt mostly for crown moldings. If you think out your cuts you can get by with the single tilt.
The Stand: I have the Stablemate cost $100.00 at the time, compact, light weight easy to use. Use with a couple of roller stands for 16' material, the newer model has built in extensions at $140.00. Have used the Dewalt stand didn't care for the way the saw attaches. It slides in from one side seemed very awkward and hard to do with a 12" saw that is heavy. The other way to go is 2 folding plastic sawhorses an old hollow core luan door, build some outfeed supports that clamp or screw to the door for the long material or some roller stands. Not high tech but cost is under $75.00, and the door makes for a good work bench on site.
The Stabilizer: Never use one but sounds like a good idea.
Jeff
For a saw stand, I use a pair of Rugged Buddies lagged under a 9' LVL, lo tech 40 bucks, 12" dually DeWalt on top.
I've got a 4" Forrest stabilizer. It helps a lot on tablesaws. Use it on a Unisaw in the shop, and Dewalt in the field. Makes for a lot less sanding/jointing, sometimes none. Used it for years on the 10" portable Delta, too, and it even made that piece of throwaway poo poo run smoother. It does limit the depth of cut. Tried the combo blade/stabilizer with the rubber o ring from Lowe's, took it back, I need smooth cuts 'cause I hate sanding. I do think it was the blade, not the stabilizer, though. EliphIno!
I've had the Hitachi 10" dual slide, bevels both ways and wouldn't want to be without it. Saves time and makes life easy. Well worth the extra money
Have it bolted to a Delta collapsable stand with big ole 13" wheels. Goes anywhere, has adjustable outfeeds on either side, adjustable stop for repetetive cuts, feed table extension, legs adjustable for various working heights, and brackets on back fo
r wrapping an extension cord. Downside, assembly took awhile.
Use 4" discs on table saw blades. Saw is a 24 year old Sears Craftsman and cuts smooth. Been using the discs for so many years don't remember how good or bad it cut before.
hope this helps.
Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Ive made a few different style stands for my miter saw. Some better than others. What really attracts me to the Dewalt stand is the portability and compact storage size. Im pretty happy with the set up I have now ( similiar to the one Gary Katz describes in his book "Finish Carpentry") but when adding up the price of all the parts to make it, the Dewalt stand doesnt seem so expensive.
I was planning on getting a stabilizer disc for my table saw. One complaint Ive heard from a couple people about the 12" Dewalt slider was blade wobble. Wonder if a stabilizer disc would take care of that. I was thinking of getting the one at Lowes but may now go with the one by forrest.
M2akita
I don't think that blade wobble on the 12" saws comes from the saw, I think it's the blades. I've worn out a Makita, and now have the DeWalt, and have had the best cuts with non thin kerf blades. I'm using a CMT right now that I like, but my favorites are the Makita blades. I need all the cut I can get out of my miter boxes, a stabilizer on there would be a pain. EliphIno!
So you have adjustable legs on that delta huh? Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
The other...proper application of risk.
good mornin rez,
On the end of the legs are leg extensions that are held in place by 2 bolts per leg. These can be repositioned to give you a total of 3" in up or down adjustment in 1" increments. Not an adjustment you'd want to make every day but once you've got a comfortable working height it probably won't be changed often. Hope that clarifys "adjustable legs". Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
Ya, you must have a newer model. I've never seen that feature. Did your Hitachi bolt right down or did you have to custom fit it?Half of good living is staying out of bad situations.
The other...proper application of risk.
Hey rez, Yea, I had to drill holes in the top ,(smooth finish composition board 21"x14"x3/4"),to match the mounting holes in my saw but that was it. Bolted that sucker down and away we went. I've got to start a 2nd floor trim job in the next couple of weeks so that will be my first stair climb up a full flight of stairs. Maybe I'll convince DW to push from the bottom just in case. LOL on that one. Harry's Homeworks
Rhode Island
have used 10 inch delta single side compound for years, recently bought dewalt 12 inch single side non sliding miter saw. i install a lot of prefinished crown molding for kitchen cabinets and the dewalt 12 is flawless, perfect angles, perfect cut with a 110 tooth freud
blade stabilizers are the best thing invented for table saws. i use the large ones from Lee Valley Tools on my 10 inch shop saw and the smaller ones on the site saw(8 in side kick delta) well worth the investment never tried them on a chop saw, has anybody? is the arbour long enough?