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I’m a carpenter/maintenance worker at a large ski resort in Vermont. Our crew works out of a base shop with stationary power tools but once in a while we have to set up on top of the mountain (ski lift access only). Formerly we’ve used an 8 1/4″ Makita portable table saw for these projects. It’s beaten, it’s old, we’re ready to replace it! We like the looks of the new Dewalt saw (10″ blade) because of the larger blade, increased rip capacity, rack and pinion fence, and weight. Can anyone tell us if we’re headed in the right (or completely wrong) direction? Any suggestions of other saws to consider?
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I just purchased a saw yesterday. After looking at the beautiful new Dewalt with all the great features, and it's 1000.00 pricetag (here in Canada), I grabbed the 15 amp, 10" Makita that was buried in the back store room for 525.00. It hasn't got that great fence, but the guts look surprisingly similar...even blows the dust out the back like the dewalt, and comes with a stand. With the beatings my guys give tools...I just can't see the extra money.
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I have an older model Makita 10" saw with a sliding table. I believe it is out of production but if you can find one I recomend it. It is the most portable accurate saw I have ever seen giving me years of high quality performance. The only draw back is that the sliding table pivot must be kept clean to prevent slipping. A new nut with a serated lock washer would help but I work at keeping it clean. The saw has 24" to the right ripping with a fence that it extremly accurate and the motor is powerful, just keep the blades sharp. The saw weighs 75 pounds which is my limit but it also give stability. If you make some extension tables or roll outs you can build anything.
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Lawrence the dewalt is only 788 at homer duhpot.
I'll be getting one as soon as able.
*Only 739.00 at Smith Lumber, Plus the 170.00 for the stand, plus taxes,=$1040.00, no thanks, you will be surprised how similar they are.
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Last summer I bought a Hitachi C10RA portable table saw for approximately $300.00. This is an awesome saw, especially for the price. Its all metal construction (body and legs) have convinced me that I will still be using it 20 years from now. It has a very powerful motor which can slice through 1 inch oak like butter. I bought the Hitachi due to the perceived higher construction quality over the DeWalt (not to mention the lower price). Mine came with the sturdy metal legs as well, which I beleive are now additional. Excellent saw!!! I highly recommend it!
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I assume you guys quoting prices on the DeWalt saw must all be talking Canadian dollars. In Ohio the saw costs only $470-500 at Lowes or Home Depot. I've got one and even though it's heavier than the others, I wouldn't trade it for any of those other saws. The rack & pinion fence is better than many stationary saws. I recommend this saw for anyone!-John
*Have a cheap delta with a trogen(sp) table. Portable saw with these and you have a set up that is portable and let's have "cabinet saw" at the job
*I like the Makita. There is one big trade off in portable saws: weight vs. features. If you get the big motor, the great fence, and the great arbors, the darn things are so big and heavy that you need a Tommy Lift to unload the thing and a separate stand to operate the saw. So here is what we do:If you truly need a full size table saw at a job site for an extended period of time, then we just load up the big Delta Contractors Saw and go for it. One person can load or unload it with a Tommy Lift. Its got the cast iron table, outfeed rollers, Beseimer Fence and stand.If your needs are a 1 day temporary table saw for ripping or handling sheet goods, then the little Makita is fine. 1 person can carry it, and we set it up on a garbage can or a couple sawhorses. No big deal.
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I bought my dewalt from Home Depot last summer for $392 plus tax. Lowes had them on sale for $425, so I bought mine at HD and asked for their 10% guarantee. I have been very satisfied, that fence is what sold me) but just the other day I noticed that the table is not quite flat, I am not sure if it was always this way or if it recently warped. I have not used it in a couple of weeks so I do not know if it still performs well. I would buy another one
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Another vote for the DeWalt. Getting a Makita ( and I do love their stuff) up to DeWalt ripping capacity, bumps the price to around 700 bucks.
Make your own stand and out feed table.
BB
*I bought the dewalt 6 months ago. I pulled the passenger seat out of my truck and that's where the saw lives now. It gets constant use and I have no complaints.I bought the stand for $35 with the saw and was out the door for $750 at coastal tool in Hartford CT. see them at"coastaltool.com". they always beat the depot around here.
*P.S. how about some lift tickets for all who responded
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Thanks for your help.
*Shopper's dilemma: the DeWalt and the 10" MakitaThe DeWalt has the beautiful fence and wide rip capacity. It costs $470 around here without a stand. The stand is another $75.The DeWalt draws 13 amps and spins slower than the 15 amp Makita. Does this matter? Who knows. The Makita can be had for $325 with a stand. It has the usual rip capacity (around 2'). It has an average cam-lock fence which you have to wiggle around and check squareness each time.The Makita has a nice, geared, blade angle adjustment. On the DeWalt, you have to freehand it and lock. Kind of clunky. And the Makita cuts 1/2" deeper than the DeWalt at 90 deg and deeper at 45 deg as well. That's the difference between ripping 4-by stock in one pass or not. The Makita is smaller and somewhat lighter, which seems like a mixed blessing. For me, with limited storage space, it sounds like maybe a plus. What a bunch of trade-offs! Why can't someone put all the features in one? Makita, where's your rack and pinion fence? DeWalt, where's your geared bevel adjustment and the extra 1/2" cut depth? Is the DeWalt worth nearly twice the price? I wish I could decide.
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I swore I would never again have a table saw, and here I am caving again. I think I will go with the Mikita with a Rousseau fence and table system. If you include the stand, you can get by for the same price, and have a system that is portable and light. At Menards, you can get a DeWalt for 449, or Lowes a Mikita for 325. Rousseau stand 239 wheels 87.95 at Tools on Sale, no tax, no shipping. Leave off the wheels, just about the same price. Also, as I only do finish work, thinking of the 8 1/2. Cheaper blades, less torque required, faster, cleaner cutting probably. Also, if you get the extension with a router plate, you can use the fence with appropriate modifications for an edge jointer that has the advantage of carbide blades. FWIW. Good luck, and I am sure that once you use either, they will both work just fine.
Dennis
*Here's an update. Makita 10",(came with stand), first cut. 3 year old pressure treated pine 4x4 post with a wicked twist, bone dry since it was stored in a garage the whole time.. I truly believe my shop saw (220 v delta), would have choked on it. Ran it through in @ 5 seconds. The motor didn't even slow down. No popped breaker, UNBELIEVABLE! This is the strangest sounding saw I've heard, quiet and spits the dust out the back just like the Delta.I am impressed. And for you folks a witness...Stubby, he's working with me.
*That's nice to know. Just saw one at Lowe's - $299.Dennis
*This topic sure seems to come up a lot, i was going to stay out this time, but you know how it is. I bought the new 10" Makita a couple of months ago, and have not ever wished I'd gotten the DeWalt. The Makita is real strong and it is also real light. Saving up now for the Roussea? table, then I'll have it made. I have a big heavy dinosaur saw in my shop.
*who is this guy i don't know him. Just kidding the rice burner is a good saw it would be great if it had the dewalt fence I wonder if you could order one from dewalt. The blade that came with the makita is the best part thin kerf and shavings like a plainer(sp)I dont like the dust port flying out of the back it gets caught in the wind and into your face a 90 elbow might fix that.
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I don't think you can ever go wrong with a Dewalt product. The slightly higher cost is well worth it when you know you have a tool that will last for many many years, if you don't blatantly abuse it that is. All of my power tools are Dewalt. I just won a new Bosch 12" compound miter saw, so I will have to see if my loyalty sways. I doubt it will. We've had Makitas and Delta table saws on our jobs and the fences always break and fall off. The Dewalt is the way to go, it is worth it.
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I'm a carpenter/maintenance worker at a large ski resort in Vermont. Our crew works out of a base shop with stationary power tools but once in a while we have to set up on top of the mountain (ski lift access only). Formerly we've used an 8 1/4" Makita portable table saw for these projects. It's beaten, it's old, we're ready to replace it! We like the looks of the new Dewalt saw (10" blade) because of the larger blade, increased rip capacity, rack and pinion fence, and weight. Can anyone tell us if we're headed in the right (or completely wrong) direction? Any suggestions of other saws to consider?