Next purchase..Mitersaw or router table?
JohnT8
| Posted in Tools for Home Building on
Hi, my name is John and I have a tool problem. If I go for too long without buying a new tool, I start to suffer withdrawl. The $1.99 utility knife didn’t do the trick. I can already feel the shakes coming on.
New miter saw or a router table? And I know some of you are going to suggest: Make the router table and buy the miter saw. That is an option too, but time is just as tight as $$, so I’d need a good router table plan.
If I opt for a new miter, I want this one to be a 12″. I noticed HD had a 12″ Dewalt for $399 minus $50 rebate. I’d rather not go over $400 and less is always good (price wise).
Miter and/or router table suggestions?
jt8
Replies
What kinds of work do you do most often?
remuddling and occasionally a small woodworking project. Looking for something heavier than a $70 B&D, but I don't need a $1k super-dooper one.
The 12" Dewalt was about the level I was shooting for. But if Bosch or someone else makes a better saw, I'm open to suggestions. I don't care what the brand is as long as the tool works well. Maybe $400 or so.
If I go for the router table, I'd probably shoot for $300 or less.
jt8
Edited 10/21/2004 5:45 pm ET by JohnT8
Well, the brand question will certainly elicit endless debate. I have the DeWalt SCMS and am very happy. For router tables, I have the Bench Dog, which is very nice and a cheapo Vermont American from Borg Central which is acceptable for the price (think it was about 150 bucks). Seems to me for the kind of work you're describing the saw will be more useful and maybe getting a cheap but not garbage router table for the odd small project. I'm sure plenty of others will chime in.
Paul
Well, the brand question will certainly elicit endless debate.
I'm assuming that the PC/DeWalt/Bosch fan rivalry is currently distracted by Democrat/Republican 'stuff'. Otherwise they tend to sound like the Ford/Chevy rivalry.
I have the DeWalt SCMS and am very happy.
Looks like 4 votes for miter saw. 3 for DeWalt and 1 for Hitachi. If performance is comparable, I'll go by price.jt8
you knew what I was gonna say without ever posting
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!
I would go with Hitachi for the mitre saw and make the router table and put in a PC or Bosch router. If you had to pick one or the other, get the saw. I think you will get more use out of it for what you are doing. Then if $$ is tight, buy a router and then make the table when you have time. You can do it fast and cheap and it will be better than store-bought.
I have a serviceable router. My router skills could use improvement, and I thought a router table might result in more consistent results, especially when I'm running through several long pieces.
Although responses so far all seem to lean towards getting the miter. I think Lowes had a Hitachi on display, but I didn't have time to look closely at it. jt8
The Hitachi at Lowes#1 was a 10". If I get a chance I'll check Lowes#2.
But they did have a Hitachi cordless 4 pack on sale. Circ, drill, light, and recip. I think it was $180 regular $300-something.
jt8
John,
Go for the miter saw. As others have said, you can build a router table. I upgraded to the DeWalt 12" Dual Miter saw earlier this year. I didn't go with the slider for one main reason -- space; secondly, for the types of work I do I rarely, if ever, need the capability of a slider. I've been very satisfied with the DeWalt so far. I replaced the blade that came with it -- got a Freud crosscut blade that's heftier than the original.
As to router tables, you'll hear opinions all over the chart and rightfully so. I built my first one based on a plan in Wood Magazine a few years ago. The one I'm using now is built into the Jet tablesaw I bought earlier this year. If I had the space for a dedicated, rollaround router table, I'd build the one that Norm did on NYW a while back.
Good luck!
Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
I upgraded to the DeWalt 12" Dual Miter saw earlier this year.
Sounds like you may have purchased the one I was looking at:
DeWALT12 In. Double-Bevel Heavy Duty Compound Miter SawModel DW706
I didn't go with the slider for one main reason -- space; secondly, for the types of work I do I rarely, if ever, need the capability of a slider.
The thought of a slider appeals to me, but considering I don't know how often I would utilize the slider, the extra $200 scares me off. My table saw could probably handle those slider cuts just as well.
If I had the space for a dedicated, rollaround router table, I'd build the one that Norm did on NYW a while back.
I think I've seen that one. I think they sell the plans for it, and also have featured various people's modifications/pics. That one was also mentioned a couple times on Knots. While I freely admit that my work would never come close to that of Norm's... I always wonder at his frequent use of MDF products. Since most of my contact with MDF is in renovations, I don't usually have 'happy' thoughts about it and even if someone were giving it to me free I don't know that I'd use it.
Thanks for the comments, Bill.
jt8
Edited 10/22/2004 12:17 am ET by JohnT8
John,
Yes, I have the DW706. I replaced the DeWalt 12" 60T thin kerf blade that came on it with a DeWalt 12" 80T blade with a negative hook angle. I get flat miters with the heftier blade.
Here's a link to Norm's router table if you don't already have it: http://www.newyankee.com/getproduct3.cgi?813
By the way, I wouldn't buy the video with the plans. It's just a copy of the TV show. You can tape it yourself for the cost of a blank tape.
You mentioned the use of MDF also. Norm uses a lot of MDO plywood in shop cabinets, etc. It's a good choice for those applications since it's an exterior-grade plywood with a resin-treated fiber overlay that is ready for paint.
Regards,Bill Arnold - Custom Woodcrafting
Food for Thought: The Ark was built by amateurs; the Titanic by professionals.
Don't think I've used MDO, but I do like using plywood. I'm trying to learn to like OSB, but I haven't gotten there yet (I'm trying). Too much bad particleboard in my youth. MDF I despise...and will continue to do so, no matter what you call it or what you cover it up with.
The only good thing about MDF is that its easy to rip out so that you can put ply down.
And yes, that is the NYW router table. Nice looking table. Might order that to see plans.jt8
I vote miter saw.
I have the DW 705?
work horse of the trades.
great saw.
the dual bevel would be even better.
Buy a coupla clamps for the router stuff.
see if tool crib thru amazon has the dewalt on discount as a reconditioned tool.
I try to get all my stuff factory reconditioned.
Jeff
Buy a coupla clamps for the router stuff.
That's pretty much what I'm doing now. Clamp a guide board and run the router along it. Or just clamp the workpiece down. Small pieces can be a bit tricky.
But it bothers me when I can't get 2+ 8' pieces to all look identical. Even if I'm the only person who can tell the difference, it still bothers me.
But almost all of the replies to this thread are suggesting a new miter, and the logic makes sense, so I'm really leaning in that direction now. I don't want one that has had the crap worked out of it, but I don't mind reconditioned or clearance.
jt8
aw what the heck buy you a real nice router table, then build you a miter saw! take a old skill saw screw it to a couple 2x's, then attach a old pc of plywood,your ready to go. lol larry
Buy the miter saw. Buy Norm's New Yankee Workshop plan for the superb router table. Probably ten bucks plus postage.
Then use the miter saw to help build the table.
HD had that 12" Dewalt for $399 minus $50 rebate. Guess how much Lowes had it priced at when I wandered in there today? Yup, $349. Same price to the penny. Kinda neat the way that works.
Looks like you have already decided on the miter saw over the router table - good choice
As for Saws - I really like the Makita 1013
Slide is good for more than just wide stock - very handy to slide the blade right to your pencil mark before ever turning the saw on - very accurate
Several places have had a deal on the Makita where you get like a $50 rebate or a free impact driver recently - might be just the incentive to put you over budget
Edited 10/22/2004 5:47 pm ET by Shoeman
If the rebate is from DW, not HD, won't HD be obligated to beat the Lowe's price by 10%, net $315.10? Worth an ask.
John,
Makita just sweetened the pot by offering a free 12 v impact driver with the purchase of a 12" slider. See http://www.internationaltool.com/makitamiter.htm and check the Makita homepage for offer particulars. The Makita seems to always do well in head to head competition.