Replies

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 24, 1999 07:40am | #1

   *
   I used to have a Makita. It's a great portable saw with lots of guts. (Unfortunately, someone else liked it and it was stolen off the job site.) My only complaint was the fence. Most of these little saws have those annoying fences you need to tweak three or four times to get parallel to the blade. Fast forward three years-my wife saw me drooling over the new DeWalt saw and got it for me at Christmas. This saw is GREAT! The rack and pinion fence alone makes this saw worth the extra bucks it costs. I do lots of on site custom cabinetry specialty work and wonder how I got along without it.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 24, 1999 08:02am | #2

   *I have checked out the available group of small table saws. As my workforce grew I needed to have one of these as well as a slide compound saw for each crew. One thing to consider is if you need to rip 4 x 8 sheets. If you don't I would stay away from the aftermarket table accesories. They are good if you only own one saw but I cut sheet goods in my shop on a uni saw. The table accessories detract from the potability and an 8" table saw with a thin kerf blade isn't the best thing for sheet goods.If you don't absolutly need a 10" saw stay away from it. The blades are so much more expensive(same with compound mitres) A thin kerf 7-1/4" blade will rip 2x4's all day long as well as siding, paneling, etc. When it is dull or needs cleaned just throw in a new one.I currently have three older type Makita 8" saws and one of the new ones. One of the older ones has a router mounted under it. The table on the new one is larger but no provision for router mounting. The best thing about the newer saw is the quick locking fence.If you rip a piece of plywood the same size as the table and mount the saw to it you can quickly clamp, screw or nail it to saw horses. You can also carry it like a suitcase and set it down on edge. For portability and performance I would reccomend the older type Makita for as low as 249.00 {Costco}I had the chance to rip a few boards on a Dewalt. It looked interesting but I really didn't use it enough. It is more saw than the Makita but did't look as portable.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 06:21am | #3

   *I have a shop and run a trim carpentry business. Got a unisaw in the shop, and just put a DeWalt in the field. It is the nicest portable saw I've used. Hope it holds up. I used to use 7 1/4" blades on my cheapo portables, they cut a lot smoother. Just 'cause it's a 10" saw doesn't mean you have to run a 10" blade.

1. 
   Guest_ | Apr 28, 1999 06:57am | #4

   *ditto BB on that