Replies

1. 
   [email protected] | Jan 03, 2009 02:36am | #1

   I think that the lasers are greatly overrated gimmicks. 

   You can get as accurate cuts by just setting the blade down onto the work piece while it isn't running, and then lifting it up slightly to start the saw.

2. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jan 03, 2009 03:38pm | #2

   In the case of a miter saw, I agree with Jigs.....

   Although a laser is a neat thing, and for some tools quite useful, a miter saw has the advantage of letting you touch the blade to the work before you pull the trigger. So, make your pencil (or knife) mark, then set the blade down on the piece.

   Make sure that the kerf will be on the correct side of the pencil mark, then cut away.

   I do understand, however, that there are some types of work in which the miter angle gets drawn on the board, without actually knowing what that angle is in degrees -- some types of pattern work come to mind. If that is your case, then a laser might be very helpful. You could make the angled mark, then line up the laser sights with the mark, then make the cut. (Eliminating the use of -- and possible errors from -- a protractor.)

   Having said all that, I'll also say that I investigated buying a Laserkerf a few years ago. Although I didn't buy one, I was impressed with their design, and their customer service/sales folks.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

   
   

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   Edited 1/3/2009 7:40 am ET by YesMaam27577

1. 
   forestgirl | Jan 04, 2009 07:38pm | #7

   "some types of work in which the miter angle gets drawn on the board, without actually knowing what that angle is in degrees...."  Such work showed me an unexpected advantage to a sliding miter saw, in that you can roll the blade along the mark with power off and see the blade and line diverging, then make the needed adjustment.  Sweet.forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

1. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jan 05, 2009 12:31am | #8

   >>"...advantage to a sliding miter saw, in that you can roll the blade along ...."Absolutely true, I do that too when needed -- like sometimes when correcting the coumpound miter on crown due to a non-90 corner.

   Politics is the antithesis of problem solving.

3. 
   USANigel | Jan 03, 2009 05:35pm | #3

   Best thing about the laser is it tells you where the blade will be. To give you an idea, my son likes the laser because he knows where the cut line is and to make sure his hands are out of there!

   A better system is the new dewalt shadow system. This is a light for the work area and a shadow is made where the blade will cut. Shows both sides of the blade too. Most laser systems are "one" sided.

4. 
   bones | Jan 03, 2009 07:18pm | #4

   I will jump in on this from the stand point of lasers in general not that particular brand.  I have the Kapex SCMS.  It has lasers on both sides of the blade.  At first I was sceptical till I owned it.  I love that line showing my where exactly the blade will hit.  Mine has the laser on both sides so I can get a true read no matter which side of the saw the bade hits.  If its on only one side i.e. the left, you will have to cut the stock on that side to get a dead on reading.  The biggest thing I would check is will it stay on with the blade not spinning.  I know some of them used the force of the blade spinning to turn on, that would not be very practicle.  You don't want to be lining up the cut with that blade spinning.  As for me I love mine would think of being with out it now.  Good luck on the decision. 

   Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases:
   If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
   And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
   
5. 
   RalphBarker | Jan 03, 2009 07:29pm | #5

   Although the after-market laser guides might be useful in many cases, I tend to lean toward thinking we're over-lasered, as-is.

   I'm waiting for the variable-powered laser unit that will make the cut itself. POOF! ;-)

1. 
   knuts | Jan 03, 2009 09:03pm | #6

   The LaserKerf is a little different in that it sits behind the blade and is focused to the blade width. I use it for crown molding, but for flat cuts I just leave the switch off and lay the blade down to the line.