Replies

1. 
   SgianDubh | Jun 06, 2003 09:24am | #1

   Dog, manufacturers generally suggest a retail price to their wholesale buyers. The wholesale buyers decide for themselves how thin a margin they are willing to live with when it comes to selling the item to retail customers. Not many retailers sell the product at the manufacturers suggested prices. Most resell at something less. Slainte. 

   Website                                            The poster formerly known as Sgian Dubh

2. 
   robkress | Jun 06, 2003 03:12pm | #2

   Hit the fine wood homebuilding tab and read the discussion over at the breaktime forum (same question over there).

   I own the makita and love it.  Wouldn't ever consider another saw.  And the stock blade is very nice.

   Rob Kress

1. 
   dday8911 | Jun 06, 2003 07:00pm | #3

   My Makita 1013 gathers dust in my trailer. I use and recommend the Dewalt 706. It is a non-slider, but will cut 6+" standing up and to both sides, 50°.

   Non-sliders are much more efficient at cutting crown in place and the DW706 is the saw of choice among finish carpenters right now.Derrell Day

   Dayco Construction, Inc.

1. 
   JDorn | Jun 06, 2003 11:39pm | #4

   i've got a Dewalt 705 non-slider in my shop, and it works very well too, just without the dual bevel ability of the 706.

   JD

1. 
   dday8911 | Jun 06, 2003 11:57pm | #5

   The DW705 doesn't have as much throat clearance as the DW706. The 705 has the motor "arbor" mounted as opposed to belt driven with the motor well in back of the saw as in the 706.

   I have one of both and the 706 is a different saw altogether.Derrell Day

   Finish Carpenter

   Dayco Construction, Inc.

1. 
   JDorn | Jun 07, 2003 12:09am | #6

   I learn something new every day :)

   I hadn't looked at the 706 in depth when i got my 705 last year, i was between the 705 and the Dewalt Slider (model number escapes me) but the 300 dollar price difference and my style of usage were more suited to the 705.

   JD

3. 
   YesMaam27577 | Jun 07, 2003 12:13am | #7

   I have the Hitachi 10" slider, and I love it. Fresh out of the box, with no tune up, it cut perfect 45's for some cabinet trim I needed in a hurry.

   And for me, the best part was that when my old miter saw died, the big blue box store was closing out last year's models (the one without the lasers) for about 1/3 off. Got it for $340 out the door.

   And I'm not even convinced that the lasers on the new model are a good idea. Unless the laser is very good (translates to VERY expensive), the edges of the projected line will be blurred. For accuracy in woodworking, no blur is acceptable -- even a 64th of an inch can be disastrous.

   Vast projects should not be founded on half vast ideas.
1. 
   riverr1 | Jun 07, 2003 02:58am | #8

   The laser is fine, no problems with the line. What I have found though is the adjustment for it can change over time, so you need to keep an eye on that, but it's no big deal. This is also the first soft start tool I've owned. That took some getting use to.

   BTW, I've only had the saw a little over a month. Mine also was dead on out of the box.

   Don

1. 
   SCFrankland | Jun 07, 2003 04:37am | #9

   I have been looking at the Porter Cable 3802 with the double laser sight and a Detla 12" radial arm saw.  I have a older DeWalt radial arm now and my Delta chop saw bite the dust in a job site accident.  I use both alot and cannot decide which would be the better investment.Scott C. Frankland

   "This all could have been prevented if there parents had just used birth control"

1. 
   riverr1 | Jun 07, 2003 06:08am | #11

   Scott,

   I think you've answered your own question. It doesn't seem likely you'll be having any jobsite accidents with the RAS. I have seen some on sites, but it's very rare.

   I only have experience with the Hitachi laser, and not really a lot of experience yet, but for me it's not a gimmick option. It's very accurate, and lays right on a pencil mark, and no lowering the blade to find the line. The double laser does seem like a good investment. It will allow for cutting either side of a pencil line, or between them to be on the line. I assume that is the idea anyway. I've never used one. I have my saw usually set up to feed stock from left to right, but there are times I reset the laser for right to left feeding.

   Don

1. 
   MSDMSD | Jun 08, 2003 07:11am | #14

   Don,

   Monday, I am going out to check out the Hitachi... I have a feeling that I will be bringing one home.  Thanks again for the info.

   Dog

2. 
   riverr1 | Jun 08, 2003 08:21am | #15

   Dog,

   Best of luck, and I think you'll like it. One thing I like about it that I didn't mention is when locking down on non-positive, indented stops there is no slight sliding one way or the other. A lot of saws do that so if you want to lock the table down you have to go a little before or after the the desired degree because as you draw it tight to lock down, it will move. Hope you're following me on this. I'm currently putting a new roof on my 160 year old shop, and the building is built as a parallelagram (sp?). My property line is not perpendicular to the street so the sides of the building follow the property line, but the front and back are parallel to the street. I've got 2 80 degree corners, and 2 100 degree corners opposite of each other. A lot of unusual cuts to the roof and the saw locks down right at what angle I'm going for. Of course the dual compound is not necessary, but it sure is convienent. The one thing I wasn't sure about with the saw was the 12 amp motor. I scratch my head often over how some of the power of tools are rated, but this 12 amp motor, however it's rated, sure is not going to leave you thinking it is under powered. This is also a belt drive saw and my first. Never realized how inconvienent the position of the direct drive motors can be sometimes.

   Don

   Edited 6/8/2003 1:24:51 AM ET by Don C.

3. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 08, 2003 11:23pm | #16

   Don

      I spoke to 10 or 12 trim guys locally and about 8 of 10 in this area (Atlanta) go Hitachi. I've heard the Makita and DW are good also, but that Hitachi is sure accurate. I have no reason to switch.

   Have a good one...

   sarge..jt

4. 
   emerckx | Jun 07, 2003 04:58am | #10

   I've had the Makita LS1013 for several years and it has worked like a champ.  In that entire time I've only had to make adjustments once.  Clean cuts, accurate mitres what else could you need?

5. 
   RANGERP75R | Jun 07, 2003 06:44am | #12

   Dog

      I bought the old Hitachi C10FS on a close out at the blue box also. Dead on out of the box. It does not have the laser. It does have a block in back of the blade that your blade cuts into so you know exacty where the cut will be.

      The newer SCMS has a larger fence with flip and easier to read scale. I eliminated that difference by making the flip with phenolic and high-lighting the scale with the tip of a red flourescent marker. Got it for $327. Don't know about the laser as haven't used one, but the Hitachi with the cut block in back and a Freud 60 tooth 5* degree negative hook blade is a piece of nice work.

      Agree with Richard about retail. The lower price is because they can buy bulk and get a better deal to pass and compete. Kind of like HD or Lowes as opposed to the mom and pop hardware store. Profit is derived by high volume.

      BTW, have also heard good about the Makita. I just prefer the Hitachi as I have their SE service and parts center about 4 miles from my house. When I drop by for questions or parts, these folks are super.

   Luck...

   sarge..jt

1. 
   MSDMSD | Jun 07, 2003 05:53pm | #13

   Sarge,

   Thank you so much for the info -- I think I'll be purchasing the Hitacki, I'm going Monday to check it out

   Thanks

   Dog