I’ve just recently purchased the DEWALT DW717 Sliding Compound Miter Saw so I don’t have a lot of experience with it yet. This is also my first sliding miter saw, so many of my observations may be true of other sliders. I’m not a professional carpenter, I’m a proficient amateur in the middle of an extensive renovation of my Victorian.. read Lots-O-Trim. My previous saw was a 15 yr. old Delta compound miter saw which is still serving me well… I just need more cut capacity.

Good:
1) Accurately adjusted right out of the box
2) Relatively lightweight/compact. Even though this saw has a much larger cut than my previous saw, it is roughly the same weight and can be folded into a reasonable size. My old Delta was made of cast iron instead of aluminum.
3) Nice big bevel scale.. my 45 yr old eyes often had a hard time seeing the scale on the Delta in poor light with safety glasses ..or maybe I just need reading glasses.
4) LED light does a nice job. When used indoors, my Delta would cast a shadow on the cut line. This does not “project” a line like a laser, it casts a shadow of the actual blade. Note that the blade must be lowered to project a clean shadow. It essentially allows you to do a “touch alignment” very quickly and does not require any adjustment as you change blades or cut on either side.
5) Nicely portable, just as easy (or hard) to carry as my old saw.
6) Huge cut capacity. I had thought I would need a 12″ slider to build my upper kitchen cabinets but this 10″ has more than enough capacity.
7) Nice big fence (as compared to the Makita)
Nice detent controls
9) Dust collection works well when connected to my Fein vac. Others have complained about poor collection with the bag. I needed to add a little band clamp to strengthen and tighten the mounting point. The nice thing is that it fits the Fein without requiring an adapter.

Bad:

1) LED installation was a PIA. They are trying to keep the packaging small which made connecting the tiny wiring harnesses difficult. While installing the light you need to hold the guard up while trying to connect and conceal the tiny wires without pinching them. Seems like this could have been engineered a little better. Since this is a one time problem I did not deduct any points.
2) Blade change seems clumsy compared to my old Delta. Gaining access to the arbor requires you to partially unscrew a hold down bolt until you can move the blade guard down to expose the arbor. It takes a little fuddling to figure out how far to unscrew the bolt. My first attempts were rather frustrating several times resulting in a “jammed” mechanism. I don’t change blades on a miter saw very often so it’s not that huge of a deal. I should get the hang of this over time.

Neutral:

1) Splintering of the top surface when using the proper pullout-plunge-push method of cutting. This seems to be an issue with all sliders since the blade first cuts the wood on the underside. If you plunge first and then pull the problem goes away, but this technique it not considered safe since the the blade can “climb” the wood. With my chop style I always put the good face up, placing the good side down or standing the piece makes the problem go away.
2) Smaller table than the Makita, but a better miter scale position and more compact as a result.. it’s all about the trade-offs.
3) More dust escapes from the left side of the saw.. not a problem just an observation.. keep your soda can to the right.
DEWALT DW717 10-Inch Double-Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

DEWALT DW717 Sliding Compound Miter Saw Review is a post from: Power Miter Saw

I’m not a professional, I’m just a homeowner who appreciates quality tools, but it seems they got all the details right on this saw. Miter and bevel were perfectly aligned out of the box, which I checked with my triangle and with some test cuts. Getting it out of the box was easy too, thanks to the carrying handle on the saw head which is very solid and close to the center of balance. (Usually with big items like this you have to figure out how to get your hands underneath it and then hold the box down while you get it out.) The locking pin which keeps the saw head down when you’re carrying it can be slid in and out easily but has no problem supporting the weight, while the spring that raises the head prevents the pin from sliding out accidentally. There are also good hand holds on each side of the base with rounded edges so they don’t dig into your hands.

Bevel stops at 0 and 45 degrees make it easy to switch between common angles, but can be slid back after loosening a screw to allow a few more degrees either way when you need to compensate for other cuts that were a little off (made by someone else, of course). There’s also a flip-out stop for 33.9 degree bevel which is also solidly made. The bevel locking knob-thing is nice and big, making it easy to grip and turn. The adjustable fence can be quickly adjusted with a single knob, but is still very sturdy when tightened down.

Miter adjustment is rock solid. The quick detents have no wiggle room at all, and the detent override makes it easy to adjust to any angle. The simple push-down miter lock is easy to use, and once locked I was unable to force it slip to either side.

The dust bag collects a bit over half of the sawdust, and as a result fills up pretty quickly. I’m planning to get an adapter so I can connect my shopvac to the dust outlet. If you’re wondering, the dust port is 1.5″ O.D.

Everything about this saw is sturdy, and all the adjustments can be made with very little effort. It’s also a little quieter than I expected, which is nice. You can’t go wrong with this saw.

The DeWalt DW715 Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 12-inch Compound Miter Saw comes with a powerful 15 Amp motor capable of 4,000 RPM operation for extended power and durability. With bevels at 3 to 48 degrees for increased cut capacity, this saw comes with an exclusive precise miter system and machined base fence support that maintains fence alignment for accurate cuts and an adjustable stainless steel detent plate with 11 positive stops for repeatable accuracy and work site durability. Four hardened steel bevel stops at 0, 33.9, 45, and 48 degrees deliver versatility and ease of use at commonly used bevel angles. This saw cuts 3-1/2-inch crown nested vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity and cuts 3-1/4-inch base vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity. Also featured is a 0-to-50-degree left and right miter capacity for added versatility in miter cutting. Its miter cam lock system provides increased ease of use and quick and accurate miter table positioning, and a horizontal main handle provides increased comfort during use.

This saw also comes with a tall sliding fence that support crown molding up to 5-1/4 inches nested and base molding up to 6-1/2 inches and easily slides out of the way for bevel cuts. Its arbor size is 5/8 inches. The DW715 weighs 42 pounds and is compatible with the DW7187 adjustable laser system.
DEWALT DW715 Heavy-Duty 15-Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw

DEWALT DW715 Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

I use the DEWALT DW713 Compound Miter Saw on the job a lot as a pro trim carpenter. I work for myself so I have to buy tools that will last and pay for themselves many times over before having to be replaced. This one is no exception and I am very pleased with it.

I also own a 12 inch double bevel Dewalt and that is a great saw too. I user the ten inch one for most of the trim in normal house. The twelve inch is better for crown and stair work.

This saw has adequate power and does not bog down unless you really try to rush it which is a bad idea to start with. I cut plenty of hardwood with it and have had no problems.
The saw is very accurate, mine was perfect out of the box.

You should add the laser and a better blade if you want to use this to it’s full potential. Well for trim anyway, the blade on it is ok for general use.

I do precision work and this saw does good for me (With a better blade than comes on it). I would recommend it to anyone looking for a good ten inch saw.
I like the Dewalt miter saw stand too, it works well with this and all Dewalt saws.

I recommend this as a pro carpenter, it is a good tool.

The DeWalt DW713 Heavy-Duty 10-inch Compound Miter Saw comes with a powerful 15 Amp motor capable of 5,000 RPM for extended power and durability. With bevels at three to 48 degrees for increased cut capacity, this saw comes with a machined base fence support that maintains fence alignment for accurate cuts. An adjustable stainless steel detent plate with 11 positive stops is also included for repeatable accuracy and work site durability. This saw cuts 3-1/2-inch crown nested vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity and cuts 3-1/4-inch base vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity. Also featured is a 0-to-50-degree left and right miter capacity for added versatility in miter cutting. Its miter cam lock system provides increased ease of use and quick and accurate miter table positioning, and a horizontal main handle provides increased comfort during use.

This saw also comes with a tall sliding fence that support crown molding vertically and easily slides out of the way for bevel cuts. Its arbor size is 5/8 inches. The DW713 weighs 35 pounds and is compatible with the DW7187 adjustable laser system. This saw comes with a built-in carrying handle for increased portability.

DEWALT DW713 Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

The DeWalt DW718 heavy-duty 15 amp 12-inch dual bevel sliding compound miter saw comes with a powerful 15 amp motor capable of 3,600 RPM for extended power and durability. With bevels at 0 to 48 degrees for increased cut capacity, this saw comes with an exclusive precise miter system and machined base fence support that maintains fence alignment for accurate cuts and an adjustable stainless steel detent plate with 10 positive stops for repeatable accuracy and work site durability. Four bevel stops at 0, 22.5, 33.9, and 45 degrees in both directions permit the user to flip the saw and not the material.

This saw miters 60 degrees to the left and 50 degrees to the right and cuts 3-1/2-inch crown nested vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity and cuts 3-1/4-inch base vertically for increased vertical cutting capacity. Also featured is a 0-to-50-degree left and right miter capacity for added versatility in miter cutting. Its miter cam lock system provides increased ease of use and quick and accurate miter table positioning. A horizontal main handle provides increased comfort during use. This saw also comes with a tall sliding fence that supports crown molding up to 6-5/8 inches nested and base molding up to 6-1/2 inches vertically against the fence while easily sliding out of the way for bevel cuts. Its arbor size is 5/8 inches. A built-in exclusive back fence design cuts up to 2×16 dimensional lumber at 90 degrees and 2×12 at 45 degrees. This saw weighs 53 pounds and is compatible with the DW7187 adjustable laser system. This saw comes with a built-in carrying handle for increased portability, a carbide blade, a vertical material clamp, a dust bag, and a blade wrench.
DEWALT DW718 Heavy-Duty 15 Amp 12-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw

DEWALT DW718 Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

A serious tool capable of making a wide range of cuts, the DeWalt DW716 double-bevel 12-inch compound miter saw makes use of a 15.0 amp, 3,600 RPM motor to ensure the power, durability, and versatility that professional craftsmen and women need. Eleven positive stops on the adjustable stainless steel detent plate and a cam lock miter handle with detent override make all the most frequently used miter cuts easy to achieve. Furthermore, DeWalt’s exclusive back fence makes it possible to cut two by ten dimensional lumber at 90-degree angles, and to cut two by eight lumber at 45 degrees, while the unique double bevel design allows you create both left and right bevels from 0 to 48 degrees. Positive stops in commonly used positions make it easy to change the position of the saw instead of flipping the material to give you more complete control.

A machined base fence support helps guarantee accuracy, while the innovative engineering behind the gearbox and belt-drive increases vertical cutting capacity. In order to help you take advantage of this capacity, the saw’s extra-tall fences leave space to cut nested crown moldings up to 6-5/8 inches and base molding up to 6-1/2 inches in a vertical position up against the fence. And you don’t have to worry about these fences interfering with bevel cuts, because they slide neatly out of the way. This fully-featured miter saw is relatively lightweight at just 44 pounds, and it offers a built-in carrying handle that makes it easy to move from job to job. It’s also noteworthy that this saw is designed for use with the DW7187 DeWalt adjustable miter saw laser system (NOT INCLUDED), which makes the cutting path visible for improved accuracy and easier handling. Included with this saw is a durable carbide blade, a blade wrench, and dust bag to get you started.
DEWALT DW716 15 Amp 12-Inch Double-Bevel Compound Miter Saw

DEWALT DW716 Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

I’ve cut my share of board feet while squating in front of my miter saw while it was on the floor. As I get older, this was going from being inconvenient, to a real pain in the back. (Literally!) There was no way to support the ends of the board other than shimming with scrap lumber prior to each cut. I tried mounting it on top of my B&D Workmate, but supporting the ends of the boards became even more of an issue. I knew I wanted a mitersaw stand, but which one?

I liked different features of the different stands I reviewed, like large wheels, heavy construction and additional work supports. Some looked like I could copy their design and weld from square tubular steel. Weight would be a consideration. Combine this with the weight of the saw, it could be over 160 pounds. Getting it into and out of my SUV without trashing my bumper (and my back) would be a trick. Using aluminum rectangular tubing would be lighter, but really pricey! After looking at the others, I decided on the Dewalt DW723 miter stand. I am glad I did! Most of the others come in kit form, the 723 is fully assembled. It folds into a compact package, is relatively light, very sturdy, made from high quality components, and it is one of the most professional looking stands around (especially when mounting a matching Dewalt miter saw on it!).

Most bolts have Allen-wrench heads. Any that are adjusted often (such as the extention arms and supports) have large T-handles. All nuts are the type that have nylon lock-washers to keep from vibrating loose. The saw brackets attach (and detach) quickly from the main beam. There are rubber feet attached to the brackets so the saw can be used alone on a bench (or on the floor…) if desired. The arms will support 99.5% of the lumber I will be chopping without sagging. When I want to throw an 8′ 4×12 on the stand, it will require supports (2x2s will do) clamped to the arm, extending down to the ground. Other stands have these extra supports already attached, but are unneccessary for the vast majority of my cuts; and will only add to the weight and complexity of break-down for transport.

By folding down my rear seat of my SUV, I can get the stand to fit with ease. The saw is detached, and placed next to it. I will probably attach a pair of 10″ pneumatic wheels to one end for easier portability around a job site. I like the table saw extension the Delta folks have on their stand (model 50-155), and will incorporate a small extension similar to theirs on the Dewalt DW723 miter stand. There are some cheaper stands around, but they were either too heavy (up to 90 lbs for the stand alone!) or too flimsy (for mounting a DW708 12″ compound sliding miter saw). The package arrived in fine shape with no damage to the stand.

I highly recommend this stand. Now that I have one, I wonder why I didn’t get one sooner. I’ll never go back to squatting on the floor again.
DEWALT DW723 Miter Saw Stand

DEWALT DW723 Miter Saw Stand Review is a post from: Power Miter Saw

From the second you wrap your hand around the Elastomer grip and beam the laser light of the Hitachi C10FCH onto your cutting surface, you’ll be hooked. The 15-amp motor powers you through 8/4 oak like butter. Cutting crown molding vertically is no chore here, with a large extended fence that goes up to 4 inches. Even the table surface is bigger on this saw. It’s not a perfect world, especially at the corners, but your miters can be perfect with 0 to 52-degree range both left and right to compensate. The detents at all the common angles are easy to manipulate, too. The gauges for both the miter and bevel cuts are clear and easy to read, something you don’t find on every saw. The swivel is smooth and the blade travel is beautiful.

Yet this Hitachi stands out from the others for two more great features: weight and laser-line accuracy.

You’ve hefted enough tools out of the back of the pickup to appreciate this: For all its power, it weighs only 27 pounds, an impressive accomplishment for Hitachi. But hands down, the coolest feature of all is the laser cutting line. It’s factory-set to the included blade, but it’s a cinch to recalibrate it to whatever blade you choose. We’ve yet to use a Hitachi tool that we didn’t love, but this one’s by far at the top of the heap.
Hitachi C10FCH 15 Amp 10-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser

Hitachi C10FCH Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

Hitachi’s 15-inch miter saw is a heavy-duty tool ideal for people who need to cut big post and beam stock. It has a powerful 15 amp with an electric brake to match its sturdy construction, and can cut material as thick as 4-3/4 inches and as wide as 7-1/2 inches at 0 degrees, and as wide as 5-15/32 at a 45 degree miter. It also comes with a clamp nearly hefty enough to be called a vise for holding the material tight to the fence, and has built-in extension wings to make work with long boards easier. We really like the convenient thumb-operated blade guard lifter that makes it easier to work with big boards that might otherwise cause the guard to hang up. The miter gauge is riveted on, but the numbers and markings are not in relief, so it may need replacing in time as the paint wears off, although the riveted connection will make that replacement a tougher job than it should be. This saw has a vertical handle, like all the Hitachi miter saws, rather than the horizontal configuration many people prefer. In all, this is a truly reliable miter saw that’s designed and built tough enough to remain accurate under demanding job site conditions.

The only 15-inch miter saw in the industry, the Hitachi C15FB is built to handle tough jobs and cut through wide stock, including various wood materials, plywood, decorative veneer, soft fiberboard, hardboard, and aluminum products. Its superior depth of cut and powerful motor allow for optimum material handling, and its 11 miter stops make the C15FB a precise tool that’s incredibly easy to use.

The C15FB runs off of any standard 115-volt power supply and features a robust 15 Amp single-phase motor that spins the 15-inch blade at no-load speeds of up to 3,400 RPM.

To get the motor going, use the trigger switch that’s located on the comfortably designed handle. A lock-off button provides safety by locking the trigger when the saw is not in operation. When the trigger switch is released, an electric brake will stop the blade rotation to help prevent accidental cuts.
Hitachi C15FB 15 Amp 15-Inch Miter Saw (No Bevel)

Hitachi C15FB 15 Inch Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

Hitachi has just raised the bar with the revolutionary new C12LCH 12-inch miter saw. With its patented LCD Miter and Bevel angle LCD display, you can precisely determine any compound angle. The C12LCH also offers a laser cutting guide to ensure perfect blade position on every cut. A powerful 15 amp motor with external brush access delivers maximum power. The comfortable horizontal handle design has a soft elastomer grip and the positive stops are thumb actuated. This tools comes complete with a dust bag, carbide blade and wrench.

The tool gauntlet has been thrown, and sawmongers — us included — couldn’t be happier. When we saw the specs on this beauty, we couldn’t wait to give it a run.

First off, expect to make adjustments out of the box to the fence as well as the tilt LCD reading, but adjustments are simple and then you’re ready to go. We absolutely love the LCD readout! It computes your miter and bevel angles for you, without your having to do the hunch-and-squint over a hard-to-read gauge. It’s about time someone came up with this, and it doesn’t surprise us that it was Hitachi.

Laser cutting guides aren’t the novelty they were a few years ago, but it’s still a nifty feature, and this one’s clear and bright. One caveat: If you’re cutting molding vertically, your workpiece can actually block the laser because of where it’s positioned. We mention this only because the large pivoting fence raises your fence height to 5-1/8 inches specifically for cutting crown molding vertically. It’s not a huge drawback, we don’t think, but something you should be aware of. Aside from that, we found the laser to be dead-on accurate. We’re partial to a horizontal handle, and this one’s exceedingly nice to grasp because of a soft, comfortable grip. The table’s plenty big and offers great stock support, and unlike other saws in its class, this one has a neatly geared tilt mechanism to take the strain off the user.

This is a great, accurate saw perfect for the job site, the professional’s shop and especially the home woodworker, who will especially enjoy the LCD bevel and miter display. We bet you’ll be seeing more of these on the market, but remember you saw it here first.
Hitachi C12LCH 15 Amp 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Laser and Miter Bevel Digital Display

The Hitachi C12LCH 12 Inch Compound Miter Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw

The Hitachi Band Saw Carries on the Company’s Great Tradition of Power Tools

Hitachi makes some of the best power saws in the world, and the Hitachi band saw would be worth every penny that you will spend buying it.

Founded as a small electrical repair shop in the early 1900s, Hitachi has grown into one of the largest companies in the world. Hitachi now makes various products, but its core ones are still electronic devices.

Nowadays, Hitachi is known as one of the best makers of power tools in the world. Among Hitachi’s exceptional line of tools is the Hitachi band saw. Right now, two of the most popular Hitachi band saws are the CB6Y 10 inch Tilt Head saw and the CB75F saw.

CB75F Hitachi Band Saw:

Built with a powerful 15 amp motor, the CB75F saw is perfect for those who are looking for a high performing saw for heavy-duty work. Its maximum cutting height is 11.8 inches while 10.24 inches is the full cutting width; such cutting height and width is a blessing for woodworking since both offer increased work piece capabilities. There is no problem accommodating large work pieces with this Hitachi saw. It has a very spacious table measuring at 20.67 inches x 19.29 inches.

When working with a heavy machine, one of the main priorities is safety. After all, the bulk of band saw accidents happen with huge stationary ones. As a precaution, the CB75F band saw is equipped with a hand brake.

Aside from safety, one thing that woodworkers demand is accuracy. Hitachi knows this. They have been in the business for too long not to know this fact. The CB75F is equipped with rack and pinion fence that helps in ensuring accuracy and smooth operation. Another thing assists woodworkers in making precise cuts with this saw is the miter gauge groove, which can be utilized as a reference for linearity.

Despite its bulk, the CB75F saw is very versatile. With the employment of particular narrow blades, it is possible to perform curve cutting with this machine. Also, angled cutting is an easy operation with the CB75F Hitachi for it has a 45 degree table tilt system.

Tilt Head Hitachi Band Saw:

Not all homeowners can accommodate bulky stationary saws of this kind. Some have limited workshop space; others simply do not do heavy-duty work. For those who feel that a huge stationary saw would not suit their needs, the best alternative is the Tilt Head Hitachi saw. With just a 4 amp motor, the Tilt Head saw can be easily accommodated in a workshop.

Despite its small size, the Tilt Head Hitachi comes with big features. It is perhaps the only band saw that is capable of tilting its head. This tilting head feature allows a work piece and base to remain flat while the whole head of the saw tilts to the desired angle, which ranges from 90 to 45 degrees. Such flexibility can help a woodworker to make difficult angled cuts.

The Tilt Head saw also comes with a solid cast iron base that withstands vibration. And that is a very important thing. Unwanted vibrations may cause woodworkers to make wrong cuts. With this saw, erroneous cuts due to vibration do not happen.

Other special features of the Tilt Head Hitachi band saw are: LED work light to improve visibility of cut line, a locking paddle switch to avoid unauthorized use, a built-in dust collection system, and a miter gauge grooves for easier ripping, re-sawing, and cross cutting.

Greg has been writing articles for over 4 years. Please visit his latest website about power tools at Band Saw Review, with information about the Hitachi Band Saw, as well as ideas and discussions that any DIY enthusiast would be interested in.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Parsons

Hitachi CB75F Band Saw is a post from: Power Miter Saw