Posted originally in the general discussion section:
I recently purchased a bosch 4412 and my initial impression was that this was a very well thought out saw. I’ve since run into some issues which have been very disappointing. I would like to mention that I am a cabinet maker and finish carpenter by trade and have been using my saw all day everyday for a week and a half now.
Issue #1: the dust collection design is non-effective. The dust shute does nothing to channel dust away. Not only this but most of the dust ends up on the sliding rails, and subsequently is starting to work itself into the rail housing and bearings. I have seen a significant decline in the smoothness of the sliding action.
Issue #2: there is significant runout apparent on every 5 to 6 cuts (as much as 1/32). Issue #3: I’ve had to realign my fence twice (not counting the initial alignment) in the last week and a half.
Has anyone who has used and /or owns this saw run into similar issues? These issues have been very surprising since most publications have called this the best SCMS on the market right now.
Comments? Does anyone with another brand slider have similiar issues?
Replies
Issue #1. It just sucks period. I have plans on trying to fix this but haven't had time to do anything about it yet. I was looking at hooking my DC to it somehow but once again am unsure about how I am going to go about this.
Issue #2. There are two set screws on the housing that the sliders pass through. Mine where set but not locked in place with the lock nut. Once I tightened everything up have never had a problem with play.
Issue #3. Never had a issue here. It could be that your fence is not sitting flat on the base and therefore not fully supported. See if everything is in line and properly tightened down.
As for the saw I haven't had an issues with it. It has been lugged around to several jobs and still holds all of its setting from the day I set it up.
Scott C. Frankland
Scott's WOODWORKING Website
"He who has the most tools may not win the race of life but he will sure make his wife look like a good catch when she goes to move on."
Thanks for your response,
On DC, I called bosch and spoke to a tech, they also recommended duct collection. This however is not practical on job sites. I will try the set screws in the rail housing. I am really concernd about the rails sliding smooth. I tend to think this is a problem that will only get worse. I have even thought of taking it back and getting a dewalt.
I went through two of the older Bosch 3915 SCMS's over the past 7 years and loved them, even though they only tilt one way. When i burned out the motor a few months ago on the second one, my stress over having to replace it was offset by my anticipation over getting a 4410. Although i like the 4410, it has lots of bells and whistles, i almost wish i had just gotten another 3915. It is just a simple and straight forward accurate work horse. I miss the crown mold cutting angle info on the back of the saw, and i don't care much for the split fences that have to be slid back to bevel cut. In part i was just so used to the old saw, that i have been stubborn about establishing a relationship with the new one. Don't get me wrong, i like the 4410 a lot, and it does have some nice improvements. Unfortunately Bosch hasn't been great at dust collection on any of their tools, of which I happily own quite a few. I have the 4410 in my shop at the moment building a reproduction of an historic front veranda railing. It is hooked up to a 2300 CFM dust collector. I put a rubber plumbing reducer on the saw to step it up to 3" right off the saw and then up to 4" back to the DC. I am sorry to report that dust collection still sucks, literally, not figuratively. I have also run it into a fein vac with no better success. In part dust collection from any SCMS is difficult, and I think the only way to improve it is with a hood that has dust collection. I don't think you will be any happier with a Dewalt. regards, daniel
Im no cabinetmaker expert, but I was looking at the sliders a few months ago and a Stairmaster wrote that a 12" is going to be less precise than a 10" do to wobble/vibration at the edge of the blade... so I went with a 10" and lost a bit of distance.
I ended up getting the 10" Hitachi FSH, but the Bosch was a big contender. The guy that wrote the article said that he had a Hitachi for years, the new one was great he was a bit disappointed with the Bosch, but it had some good features, but he also said that if it was just going to be in a shop he would seriously consider the Ridgid 12". I couldnt see carrying around the extra 14 pds because I travel with my saw.
I wouldnt figure that you cabinet furniture people would expect to get the perfection out of a slider anyway... figure you would use a radial arm saw or something?
Both Dewalt and Bosch's guards are lifted on a small roller on the material you are working... heard they tend to get hung up on crown and complex trim.
Edited 12/12/2004 8:35 pm ET by zendo
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