Replies

1. 
   RW | Sep 08, 2003 03:27am | #1

   If those are the only two in the running, get the Mak. No the laser doesn't run when the saw doesn't on any saw. I'm not dissing the Hitachi, but the Mak is a great saw. Arguably the best 10" slider commonly available, but I won't start that fight.

   "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

1. 
   IMERC | Sep 08, 2003 05:57am | #2

   You have a change of heart? 

   Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....

1. 
   RW | Sep 09, 2003 01:09am | #7

   Heck no. There were only two options being considered. Nobody asked about the 12" Bosch, so I kept my jaw shut. If I were looking for a 10" slider, since I've used most of whats out there, you'd be hard pressed to steer me away from the Mak. Its a dandy, and with Menards putting it on sale all the time, I could grab one for about $425. "The child is grown / The dream is gone / And I have become / Comfortably numb "      lyrics by Roger Waters

2. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 08, 2003 04:19pm | #3

   RK

      I have the old style Hitachi without the laser. It has a plastic guide block just behind the fence you cut into with the blade and you know exactly where the blade will make contact either the left or right of blade. I cannot comment on the laser.

      I have used the Mak. Either choice by your dad will be a wise one. Both get the job done and accurately. I went Hitachi as I got a great deal on close-out and the fences will adjust separately. If you have ever had a mitre with a one piece fence that was not aligned, it is a hassle shimming it to get it where it should have been to start with.

      Bottom line is: Mak and Hitachi are pretty dead-on out of the box. Flip a coin. ha..ha..

   sarge..jt

1. 
   Elcoholic | Sep 08, 2003 10:57pm | #4

   Both are excellent saws, although I had to go with the even more excellent 12" Mak #LS1212.  It'll crosscut close to a full 12" width with a 3/4" aux fence.  I didn't care too much for the supplied blade right of the box.  It's a good blade but thin kerf and it was flexing a bit when I was cutting compound angle scarfs in 6" wide 4/4 beech baseboard.  I switched to a 100T FS tools blade and am very happy with it.  The saw has plenty of power.  I have cut 8/4 QSWO 8" wide on it all day with dead on accuracy and no burning.  One of the nice benefits of a slider is that you can drop the blade down and manually roll it across your line, not as fast as a laser, but even with the laser you still need to see your line.John O'Connell - JKO Handcrafted Woodworking

   Life is tough.  It's tougher if you're stupid - John Wayne

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 08, 2003 11:53pm | #5

   The laser has a separate switch and runs all the time. Has nothing to do with the running of the saw. My opinion is the Hitachi is the better saw, but ya know what? It's your money, and you're the one spending it! 8^)

   Don

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Sep 09, 2003 12:40am | #6

   I have the Hitachi 10" slider that was "upgraded" to the newer laser model. I don't know if the newer laser-equipped model is substantialy the same, or different. They look VERY similar -- but I read a post from someone who seemed to think that the similar looks were decieving.

   My slightly older model is by far the best-made power tool I've ever owned or used. It was dead-om accurate right out of the box, requiring no adjustments for square in either direction. The miter-presets were also dead accurate.

   I have now had mine for about six months. During that time. it has spent about half it's lif in my shop, and the other half on the back of my pickup truck. I'm a handyman that does a lot of trim work. It seem to be taking the bouncing and beating very well -- still not adjustments needed.

   If you check with the guys over at the Breaktime forum (see the link at the top of this page), I think that most will agree that the older Hitachi is the best, and the most widely used by trim carpenters. Although it lacks the laser, the accuracy is worth it.

   And note that power saws without lasers have been in use for about a hundred years or so now. I doubt the real need. Especially with a slider. You can move the head and drop the blade onto the workpiece before starting the saw. Looking at the point of a single tooth, and comparing its location to a marked line, is probably more accurate than a projected line of light from a $5 laser. (How thick is the laser line, compared to my 0.5mm pencil? If it's like any of my laser levels, it's about 5 times thicker.)

   I'm fairly sure that the older model is still available from Amazon/Tool Crib. About a month ago, it was still in their catalog priced at $479, with free shipping.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
1. 
   RANGERP75R | Sep 09, 2003 08:34am | #8

   YM

       I agree with your assessment. I got the older Hitachi 10" slider when the "blue box" cleared it for the new laser model. They sold it for $239. Now, thats a deal. Cross-cuts almost 12" and I do little cross-cutting on the TS anymore, even though I have a slider on it that gives me a 18" cross-cut. Can just leave the rip blade on an go to that dependable Hitachi for the cross-cut.

      As in your area, most trim carpenters in the Atlanta area prefer it. The ones that don't have usually got the Mak. Was it worth the $239 investment when I already had wide cross-cut ability. I think you already know the answer. ha..ha..

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

     

4. 
   Len | Sep 09, 2003 06:26pm | #9

   Sounds like your Dad's a gaget guy. My Dad is too.

   Both are good saws. I've used both. Not enough to form a preference. I have a Dewalt 12" SCMS at home.

   So here's my 2 cents FWIW.

   Ask Dad which one he likes. If his eye's twinkle a little when he talks about the laser then get the Hitachi. Make him happy. My Dad wanted a cordless nailer. My gut said get a compressor and gun. I bought him the Senco AirFree. He was so happy with it and that's what counts.

   BTW. Thanks to all who gave me a rec on the cordless nailers.

   Len

1. 
   riverr1 | Sep 09, 2003 06:43pm | #10

   I would add that the laser is more then a gimmick. It is right on, and will save a lot of time for the casual saw user, but even the daily, finishtrim carpenter can save 10 or 15 minutes a day. Add that up by the week, month and year, and that's real moneytime you're saving.

   Don

5. 
   rkkelly36 | Sep 09, 2003 08:59pm | #11

   Thanks to everyone who has replied. I'd heard plenty of good about the Makita; it's good to hear likewise about the Hitachi. We looked at both yesterday; there were things we liked about both machines. (I actually still like the Makita better; it just feels better in the hands.) Curiously, the Makita has a yellow tag with a c on it at the big orange box, which usually indicates a clearance item. Hmm.

   At some point he'll make up his mind. The thing is, i'm almost certain he's buying this tool for one project, after which it'll sit for a few months in his basement, after which he'll say, "Why don't we keep this in your shop?" To which i will grudgingly reply, "Well, if we have to, i suppose i can make the sacrifice and ditch the old non-sliding 10" craftsman i have in favor of this more accurate saw with greater capacity." It is, after all, the least i can do.

   Thanks again for all your input.

   Peace,

   kevin

   Philip Henslowe: Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
   Hugh Fennyman: How?
   Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.
6. 
   rkkelly36 | Sep 10, 2003 03:28am | #12

   Well, we were back at the big orange box tonight to have some keys cut, which of course happens right there next to all the saws. The long and short of it is, they cut a hundred bucks of the price of the makita, and so Daddy bought it. Thanks again for all y'all's help.

   Peace,

   kevin

   Philip Henslowe: Strangely enough, it all turns out well.
   Hugh Fennyman: How?
   Philip Henslowe: I don't know. It's a mystery.