New mitre saw suggestions...

[davyowen]

Since taking my first sliding mitre saw to the skip yesterday I've been looking for a replacement. Besides accuracy and the usual requirements, I really need it to be quiet - well as quiet as possible anyway.

I've heard very good things about the Makita LS1013 but can anyone suggest a mitre saw with an induction motor? Axminster do 2 but for the price they are asking I just don't trust them to be accurate and to last more than a year.

It won't be leaving the workshop and I won't actually be cutting that many mitres with it. It's main use will be for cross cutting at 90 degrees which made me consider the Dewalt DW720K radial arm saw. Is it a stupid idea to replace a SCMS with a RAS? The price difference isn't that great considering the extra capacity...

Any suggestions?

[andy]

I use this one

The main reason I bought it was the induction motor which is quiet. the dust extraction works well 'ish'

It has served me well for about 4 years now and when it comes the time to replace it I think it will be the Festool one

I also have the DW720 ras and my regret was not buying a bigger one


They both have their uses and I wouldn't be without either

[staffie]

My first sliding mitre saw was a cheap one and I had endless trouble with the accuracy. Like you I dumped it. I replaced it with a old DW1250 RAS and with the help of members here got it set up and squared.

The good points about it is that it can be used for more than one function if required (Sanding, routing etc) but it still has the accuracy needed. The one thing I did was to replace the blade with a negative rake 60 tooth blade. works like a dream.

So I would say replace it with the RAS.

Jock

[davyowen]

Thanks guys, I'm very short of space and money (damn you Felder ) so as much as I'd like both I'll have to make do with one.

Regarding the DW720K, can you rotate the arm past the 45 degree point so that it is parallel to the front? The reason I ask is I'm wondering if I could incorporate the RAS into the new workbench I'm making so as to not take up any more floorspace.

[dom]

Not sure what you mean Davy.

I know you said the arm but do you mean the saw body for rip cutting.

If for rip cutting, don't do it it's awful and dangerous.

If it is the actual arm, just to keep it out of the way, why? You will need a table almost as deep as the arm anyway to safely use the full width of the draw.

[davyowen]

I'm talking about the actual arm that the saw body rides along. If it can be rotated so that the saws travel is from left to right instead of back to front, then I could incorporate the RAS into the new bench I am about to build. When the RAS isn't needed I could just swing the arm around and it would leave me with an almost unobstructed work surface.

[dom]

I see, well I owned one for many years and don't have an answer. there was never a reason to swing it that far.
Sorry mate, just ring a supplier.

[Stree]

Davy, I think I know what you mean, and the answer is yes, with the locking dogs for 45% and 90% disengaged the arm assy can swing full circle, only limited by the power cable etc.
I used to do this for various reasons with my old 1250 such as making room to replace the work area top, cleaning and so on so you could indeed store it parallel with the fence when not in use.