I have to replace my old 8″ makita table saw. I can’t make the bladeguard work on anything thicker than 3/4″. Boss says we need to have them on the saws period. This is not a shop saw, not a “contractor” saw, but the smaller “benchtop” variety. I’m not looking for cheap, I’m looking for quality. My makita is at least ten years old and gets a lot of use. Only maintenence has been burshes.
I’ve used the DeWalt, nice saw but not as light as the trusty Makita with add on Ruosseau table. Don’t care whether it’s 10″ or 8″ truth be told I’d probably prefer the 8″ but that’s another discussion.
So, what do you use, and what do you like/dislike about it? what should I buy?
Woody
Replies
Why don't you first check with Makita to see if the bladeguard from the 10" saw can be adapted to your saw.
Hate to replace a decent working tool....might save you some bucks.
Gord
I love my 10" bosch...I can rip PT on it and have a bic lighter sitting on the other side of the fence, it won't topple. Smooth starting, strong, and light weight for it's size. Super accurate. About 500 bucks with collapsible stand. Everyone who has used it loves it.
Mak 2703 w/Rousseau stand. Got one recently and love it. I don't own a truck so weight and size were a consideration. I can easily lift the saw into the trunk and the Rousseau goes into the back. If you liked the performance of the 8 1/4 Mak, you'll not be dissapointed with the 10" 2703.
Carl
I'm leaning towards the Makita again, with the rousseau table setup. Probably the biggest thing swaying my decision is 24 pounds less weight for the Makita. The only real question I have about it is attaching the saw to the table. How is it done? does it just drop in loose? and if so is the fence as accurate as the one I have now attached to my old style Makita? I will not attach the saw to the table permanently this time but will use it as you do. This is a different set-up from what rousseau could mfg. for the old saw.
And of course the blade guard question. Does it work decently? Do you use it?
Now, for the rest of the comments and questions. I too have a blade guard for the old saw that's almost new. It doesn't work. (and like many of you I'm not looking forward to using a guard whenever possible) They've changed the design of the saw and I'm not going to mess around with stuff that's not made for the saw. I'm not real fond of blade guards and haven't had one on my saw for more than a couple of hours. But the truth is that we're getting pressure from insurance companies who give discounts for active and working safety programs to start complying with reasonable safety standards. I know a fellow who is missing his left thumb because his boss didn't believe in blade guards on hand held saws. I know at least ten guys who have run a thumb or finger into a table saw. None lost a finger, but all considered themselves to be lucky and most said it happened so fast they weren't sure exactly how it happened. Guess how many had a guard on the saw? None. (I'm one of the ten, about fifteen years ago) So, don't throw out the idea of getting the guards on your saws guys, everyone who's lost a finger "had been cuttin' for years without a guard" before that one day when something went wrong and they cut it off.
Woody
The Mak 2703 drops into the Rousseau stand and lifts out just as easily.
When you order the Rousseau for the Mak, it comes adjusted just for that model and it fits perfectly. The rip fence on the stand in dead-on; and after calibrating the measure tape to use for rip cuts, they too are dead-on - not a fraction proud or shy of selected measurement. As far as the safety guard, I opted not to install it as I find them cumbersome. I understand your issues regarding insurance, as well I respect and don't usually defeat any safety feature on a tool-------except a table saw. One other feature of the Mak 2703 is its ability to cut 4X stock with single pass - this is very useful. I had to rip 4X4 decorative deck posts on a play house last week (pilaster) to fit against the house. Very handy to achieve this with one single pass. And this saw has guts.
If you're not interested in a drop-in Rousseau stand, I'd consider the Bosch or Dewalt or Porter Cable with their wide adjustable rip fence feature.
Good luck, Carl
Has anyone used the portable Rousseau stand below? If so, how well does it work compared with the non-wheeled Rousseau?
Billy
Rousseau 2750 PortaMakRousseau
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Never used the portable model but not unlike a Moen faucet - buy it for life---already got my 5 yr old's name on mine.
Carl
I own the PortaMAK with the 49" rip capacity w/router table insert. I spent a good amount of change on the saw and stand, but now I think I have the most versatile bench top saw out there.
You mount the saw permanently in the stand, so if you just need the saw to make a few small rips, it might be a pain as you have to cart the whole assembly around. Otherwise, I think it's tremendous. The only time I have to lift the saw is to get it into the van. The wheels will climb stairs with some effort. As others have said, the fence is a great improvement over the OEM.
You can buy a wheel kit for the regular PortaMAX, but it costs an extra $100 or so and the setup seems to be longer (what I can tell from the pictures).
All in all, I would recommend the PortaMAK over the PortaMAX
Jon Blakemore
Jon,
Thanks for your comments. Do you use it with the Makita?
Billy
Yes. AFAIK, the Makita saws are the only saw that fit.
Jon Blakemore
I have a Ryobi which is nice for my home shop but I would not recommend it for site work. The blade raising and lowering mechanism is too easily jammed by chips of wood.
Is your guard on the 8 1/4 broken? I've got one that's brand new. I took it off my 8 1/4 Makita the 1st day because it wouldn't stay up out of the way. My 8 1/4 is about 8 years old. You're welcome to it if it will solve your problem.
DeWalt 744. I have used the Bosch extensively but at the end of the day I like the fact that the DeWalt rack & pinion fence is 100% accurate when set to the scale, and is never out of parallel with the blade. I couldn't say that about the Bosch so I got the DeWalt. I'm not in love with the tilt mechanism but it works.
Actually, I dislike all portable saws because I spent so many years with a 12" Powermatic (10HP and a Biesemeyer fence) but I can't talk about that without getting choked up. If you could only take a saw like that to the job...
i just bought the bosch- haven't used it yet.
bought it on account of the fence.
partly anyway- you're saying it ain't great?
won't use mine till middle of next week...?
i have had the bosch for about 2 months, replaced a makita
8 1/4. the bosch is heavier but manageable. the fence is great. i have had no trouble at all. one of the previous posts mentions smooth-it is. my partner has the makita 10". he likes the bosch too. good luck, think you'll love your new saw. paul.
don't worry ...
I'll bring the DeWalt when I drive out ....
I'll even bring the blade guard ... somewhere in the back of the van ...
"like new" condition ..... little old lady and such ....
for what it's worth ... aside from a high dollar/well engineered in shop blade guard ..... I think most are more dangerous on than off.
JeffBuck Construction, llc Pittsburgh,PA
Artistry in Carpentry
first thing i remove.
i wanna see the blade
My makita 8" is 16 years old and still going strong. I bought the Rousseau table and outfeed for it about 6 years ago and this setup is without a doubt the most reliable machine I carry, the portability can't be beat. I would stick with this setup, but if you decide otherwise, I hear the Bosch 10" is tops and the Dewalt a close second.