DEWALT DW746XB 10" Woodworker's Table Saw with 30" Fence
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $1,200.00
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Editorial Review

The heart of any table saw is the fence, and DeWalt's smooth-sliding, unique double-cam action fence locks down tight and always travels parallel to the blade. The fence face shifts forward, too, giving you the option--if a cut requires it--of extra fence area in front of the blade. The fence can also drop flush to the table for ripping laminates.

In fact, this saw is loaded with great, user-friendly features. There's an oversize, left-side on/off switch that lets you bump the saw off with your knee if you run into trouble while making a cut. It's exactly this sort of attention to detail that wins a lot of people over to DeWalt products. The blade-elevation crank is also set lower on this saw than most, so there's plenty of hand clearance for making blade-height adjustments. Again, this might seem like a minor touch, but think about how frustrating it is to bang your knuckles on a table bottom every time you want to change the blade height. This table's sturdy metal bevel scale is nice, too; it's easy to read and much burlier than the mere stickers found on a lot of other saws.

The saw's inboard 1-3/4-horsepower induction motor is quiet, cuts down on vibration, and makes this saw considerably more space-efficient than outboard motor saws, a feature you'll appreciate if you work in a small shop or have to take your saw through doorways. And at 254 pounds, this saw has plenty of heft, a big cast-iron trunnion, and a sturdy steel base. There's also an integrated dust port if you want to hook the saw up to a dust collector. Available in a few different configurations, this model--the DW746XB, with its 30-inch fence and free mobile base--is a smart buy for a woodworker with a small shop. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Cast-iron trunnions and sturdy steel base minimize vibration
• 1-3/4 horsepower induction motor offers more power
• Double cam-action fence for reliable accuracy
• Integrated dust collection system
• Easy access shut-off switch

Reviews (20)

Great Table Saw
I just got back into woodworking recently and purchased this table saw.I have a friend who is a contractor and he said it is very important to have a solid table saw with a good fence for accurate cuts.I did a lot of research and found this to be the best saw.It has a wide arbor mouth that makes it easy to change the blade.It is left tilt which is more stable, and the motor is induction type, which is the safest and least likely to burn out, and the on/off switch is right next to your left knee so you can turn off the table saw easily after a cut.

I've used this saw for miter projects by adjusting the blade to 45 degrees and they've been dead accurate.You really don't need an expensive Biesmeyer fence or other aftermarket fence.The one that comes with this saw is more than sufficient.You should get a different miter for cross-cuts.I recommend the Rockler adjustable miter.It's more than good enough for a hobbyist (no need for sliding tables or expensive Incra miter).You will need to get some decent saw blades.I picked up a Freud ripping blade and cross-cut blade and they've been fantastic.You'll also need a set of dado heads.I got a nice set for about $80.With this I would strongly suggest the dado head arbor plate, or you can use a zero clearance plate - I did this and used 1/2" dado head setup which is the one I use the most.This makes for extremely smooth dados and rabbets.

I also highly recommend the mobile base that is available.I did not find it necessary to purchase the cast iron extensions.The sheet metal extensions are fine for me.I'm just a hobbyist and don't have the extra space anyway.

Nice Saw but not very Portable
I have owned my DeWalt Woodworkers Saw for about two years now.If you plan on moving this saw from job to job like a contractors saw then think again.It may be called a hybrid but it is heavy enough to require at least two people to move it with all the rails and wings removed. It is lighter than a Unisaw that takes four people to move.
I replaced my oldDelta Contractor saw that the roofer broke by throwing a 10' 2x6 off the roof endo. It broke the cast iron table in half.
That saw was old and tired anyway.I had been using a Unisaw for the past three years for a job saw doing fine woodworking on high end homes.When I first used the DeWalt I noticed that it did not have the power of the Unisaw but it did have a precision fenceand a smooth vibration free feel similar to the Unisaw.
I had to shim the fence a hair to make it flat.Squaring the fence to the table was an odd procedure but seemed to work and the fence has remained square since then.The fence locks down securely without deflection at least as good as the Biesenmeyer fence.A nice feature is that the face of the fence can drop down to the table for ripping thin sheet goods so the sheets won't slip under the fence.I have been using the saw for all my finish carpentry in several fine new homes.I also use it for heavy ripping of salvaged wood that I use for exterior trim.I am very happy with this saw.Considering that I have to move it occasionally to a job it is a good comprimise between a heavy cabinet saw and a contractors saw.It can be hooked up to a vacuum for dust collection with success and that is not an option with a contractors saw.I think DeWalt has listened to woodworkers and came up with a lot of innovative features that make this saw a pleasure to use.

A few gripes, but I would still buy it again!
As with most woodworkers, I thought long and hard before buying this saw.I have owned mine now for about 4 months, and have been using it frequently, so I feel I can make a credible review.
My saw arrived quickly and packaged perfectly.Everything was intact and went together quickly and easily.The instructions leave a bit to be desired, but they are adequate.The fence was tough to adjust, more on that later.The table is flat, and the stamped steel extensions do their job, but I am going to upgrade to the cast wings soon.

The fence.And here's the rub.As noted by other negative reviewer's, a saw is only as good as its fence.Apparently Dewalt made some of these with bum fences, so if you call dewalt with a fence complaint, they will immediately offer to send you a replacement for free, which I did.The first fence had a slight bow in it with the middle pushing in toward the blade slightly.I'm talking about maybe 1/64th over the full 31" length.Also, the way the fence is designed, you are supposed to square the fence to the table by pushing it sideways and tightening the torx screws.Well, in order to get mine square, I had to push pretty hard, but I did eventually get it squared to the table...at least when I checked beside the torx screws.At the far end of the fence, it was still out of square about 1/32.Square at one end, not at the other...yep.It's twisted slightly."How do you fix that?" I thought, and called dewalt.My new fence arrived quickly, and...exactly the same.Still slightly bowed and twisted when aligned.Bah!I was frustrated with Dewalt for a few days there.

Then it occurred to me as I was building a custom fence for my miter saw.In order to get the fence perfectly aligned I was shimming it with playing cards and paper to get it perfect."That's how you fix it.You shim it!"Duh.I went to the saw, loosened the 3 T-knobs that hold the fence face on (not the torx screws, this doesn't change the parallel to the blade), and with a single playing card torn a few times and some paper, I had the fence dead perfect in 5 minutes.Perfectly straight, perfectly square.Ahhh, bliss.

Sure, it isn't fun to have to shim your equipment to get it right, but there are very few saws out there that are truly perfect, especially in this price range.It's an easy fix, so shim it and shaddup.Most folks will want to build a sacrificial fence anyway, so just shim it when you put it on.Dewalt is kind enough to use a piece of MDF in the packaging that you can use... (and I did!)

Last thing on the fence.Except for the above issues, this is really an excellent fence.Mine stays parallel to the blade dead on.I don't even have to use my tape measure, I just set the fence and cut, the results are perfect and completely repeatable.Now that I have the face aligned, it truly is a dream to use.

Dust collection.Comes standard with a 90 degree elbow on the dust port that a few people have commented on.If you take this off, dust shoots a few feet out of the back of the saw making a huge mess.If you leave it on, it stacks up on the floor under the saw in a relatively neat pile.Hence the elbow.If you want to hook to a dust collector, remove the elbow and replace it with any 2" to 4" adapter.It fits perfectly, takes literally seconds to install, and works great.No complaints on the dust collection.

Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase, and would do it again today.I am replacing the standard throat insert with a zero clearance.Do NOT buy the dewalt dado insert, as it rattles and is basically a waste of money.The miter gauge isn't great, but decent.I don't trust it for miters anyway, because that's what the miter saw is for.Mine came with a free mobile base from amazon, which is super high quality, tough as nails, and a breeze to install and use.

Why four stars?The fence, of course.It has its problems, but they aren't fatal flaws.If there wasn't a reasonable fix for it, I would have to go 1 or 2 stars, because I agree; A saw is only as good as its fence.Well, with this saw, a few shims and a little patience, you'll be chuckling every time you hit the start button. ... Read more

Asin: B000077CP6
Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Table Saws    3. Stationary Table Saws    4. (Tablesaws)   

Forrest WW10407100Woodworker II 10", 40-Tooth Blade for Table Saws (3/32" Thin Kerf)
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $156.00 -- our price: $99.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• No more cutting 1/16-inch oversize to allow for resurfacing
• 10-inch by 40-tooth, 3/32-inch thin kerf
• Rip, combination, and crosscut blade
• No more scratchy saw cuts
• No more second-step finishing

Reviews (28)

Fine blade, slow service
A very fine blade as others have noted.I have used mine for about a year and noticed a few chipped teeth (my fault, since I frequently resaw old lumber).I looked up the Forrest site, printed out a work order and sent the blade in for sharpening.I used U.S.P.S. Priority Mail ($11.70) since I wanted quick turnaround.Blade was received by Forrest two days later.I waited around for a couple weeks and then Forrest calls me up to get the "security code" from the back of my card - which I provided.I asked when the blade would be shipped back.They stated either that day or the next.NOT.I received the blade a week later and the shipping label indicated they had not shipped until 3 days after I spoke with them.Turn around was 3 weeks.

In the meantime, I purchased a cheaper ($39.95) thin kerf Freud blade.It is just fine and I can buy 3 of them for the cost of 1 Forrest WWII and one sharpening.The Freud thin kerf cuts just as quickly with a nice finish.

Forrest sharpening cost:$20.00
Outbound shipping: $11.70
Return shipping: $7.00
Total:$38.70

It is a good blade.Is it worth 2 or 3 times the cost of the Freud?Not to me.

Outstanding Saw Blade
After upgrading my saw blade from a Dewalt off the shelf from Home Depot to the Woodworker II it is like night and day. I have cut 4/4 and 8/4 hard maple at a very nice feed rate with my 3HP cabinet saw and it cut beautifully. I tried it on some 8/4 and 12/4 poplar and it was like cutting butter with a hot knife. I was however, most impressed with the glass smooth edge that it left. Very little work was needed to make the edges ready for gluing.

I would highly recommend this blade.

Best blade out there - I now have two!
I have used this blade with the stiffener for years and have found it to be exceptional under all conditions.I have cut everything from Lignam to pine, from MDF to Plywood and the results are uniformly excellent.In fact, my jointer has dust on it because I use it only for flatening boards on very rare occassions. No more jointing edges.I know of at least three people who have sold their jointers after using this blade!Lastly, I see this blade as economical as it has reduced the number of blades I have, frequency of sharpenings and failures.I have never had a Forrest blade loose or chip a carbide tooth.Can't be said of any other blade I have ever used.

So here are what I see as the strengths:
- Excellent noise reduction, especially while cutting
- Accurate and exceptional build quality
- Great ripping - I will admit, when I don't use a featherboard and on long stock, I can get very minor blade marks... negligable on glue joints and very minor on finish edges
- Perfect cross cuts
- Excellent Customer service
- Great performance with the Forrest Stiffener(actually, I find no or very little difference in quality of cut without it, but there is a noise reduction which I find interesting and welcome.)

It is now time to get my blade sharpened and I have purchased a second Woodworker II while my first is getting sharpened.Lets see $200-$220 for two blades that will last 10-15 years (or more) or my old method where I was buying lesser blades that over the same time period would cost me the same or more and with lesser cut quality.Is it really that expensive after all?
... Read more

Asin: B0000223VR
Sales Rank: 553
Subjects:  1. Blades    2. Table Saw Blades    3. 10-inch Blades    4. (Tablesaws)   

Delta 34-184 Universal/Deluxe Tenoning Jig
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $119.99 -- our price: $99.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Sure, you could spend a day in your shop building your own tenoning jig. Or you could spend the day making furniture with this one. Your choice. We know what we'd choose, that's for sure. Delta's universal jig fits any table saw that has a 3/8-by-3/4-inch miter slot and adapts to right- or left-tilting arbors. You'll get top-quality craftsmanship with the microfine-thread adjustment knob, allowing you to adjust width-of-cut settings to a hair for the snuggest possible tenon fit. We particularly like Delta's redesign of the handle. Most tenoning jigs we've used have one handle, sometimes up too high to offer good control. But Delta's replaced that with two, positioned at the jig's base, just where we always thought they ought to be. Another good innovation is the thumbscrew that lets you quick-release the hold-down clamp support. As for accuracy, it's hard to do better than this. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Adjustable 0-45 degree work piece support accommodates thicker, wider stock
• Universal, fits all table saws with a 3/8-inch by 3/4-inch miter slot
• Micro-fine-thread adjustment knob for precise width-of-cut setting capable of 4/1000"
• Two ergonomic handles designed fro excellent operator control ensuring the smoothest cuts
• Quick-release course thread with a push of the button for fast set up

Reviews (11)

Engineer/Woodworker
I purchased this jig despite the negative reviews published on Amazon.com.The fine woodworking magazine recently rated this jig as the best overall value.The jig is made in China, and the casting meets all expectations of an inferior casting.If you buy this product be prepared to tap all of the screw holes, otherwise it cannot be assembled.It is too bad that Delta management is moving production to low cost countries.It's time for me to fine a new reputable manufacturer of woodworking tools.

Not up to Delta standards..or maybe it is
I'm a pretty patient guy, but this tool really pushed the envelope. Disassembling and cleaning was no big deal, had some problems with screw holes that had some pretty bad burrs on em, took a couple of hours to clean, and reassemble. As soon as I mounted in my miter slot, I noticed it rocked pretty badly, thought maybe the guide was out of whack, but it turned out that the base was no where close to flat. It was almost a 1/8th of an inch out. When you would press down on the blade side of the guide, the outboard side had an 1/8 of an inch space between it and the table. I double checked the instruction manual, but couldn't find any way to "adjust" it out. Called Delta, no joy there, they said it must be my saw table top. I have a Dewalt 746, have had it for a few years now, and my table is flat. Turns out the base was incorrectly machined, the bottom side is not flat or parallel to the top of the base. Called Delta again and they had no answer other than return it and get a new one from the store. Took it back to HD, they weren't very receptive to replacing it, wanted me to wait while they returned it to Delta and got it fixed. One of the "tool" guys told me they have returned a number of these jigs...guess that is why they were on sale. At any rate after more than an hour of hassle, I demanded a refund and took my business elswhere. I went to my local woodworker store (where I should have gone to begin with), they have about 5 differant jigs in stock and they took the time to show me the good and bad about each one they carry. I ended up buying the Shop Fox D3246. It cost 10 bucks more than the Delta, but is heavier built and has more features. I have quite a few Delta tools in my shop, and I am pretty much satisfied with their performance, but this makes three Delta tools I have returned in the last few years because of shoddy workmanship and pretty bad customer service. I also think that HD has seen the last of my money for anything. Wouldn't recommend this tool to anyone.

Roughly Made Jig
I bought this after using the older model and was very disappointed in the quality of the castings and the hardware. The old one, which is still available at a lower price, is a better made piece of equipment. The "deluxe" version is sloppier in its movements and reminds me of the junk we used to see out of China several years ago. Of course the simple operations required of this jig may not require it to be sophisticated but its still disapointing. I sent it back and bought the cheaper one from Delta which works great and I like the handle placement better. ... Read more

Asin: B00006S7C7
Subjects:  1. Jigs    2. Tenoning Jigs   

Freud SD2066" Professional Dado
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $137.90 -- our price: $84.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Freud's 6-inch professional dado set delivers a very smooth flat-bottomed groove. This stack, when used on table and radial-arm saws, cuts slots, grooves, dadoes, and rabbets in hardwood, softwood, or plywood with the same high level of finish quality. The blades are resharpenable. They've also been laser-cut and sport carbide tips. In addition, this stack has a feature that limits the amount of bite a tooth can take, reducing the risk of kickback--for this reason, in fact, Freud suggests this set for underpowered saws. We tested this stack along with Freud's 8-inch stack on our 3-horsepower Powermatic model 66 (plenty of power) and found the results satisfying: smooth, with very minimal splintering. Shims are also included in this set to help you microadjust your width. This stack is a great tool for the home hobbyist who prefers not to spend a lot of money but still wants quality results. --Dori Anvinson ... Read more

Features

• Anti-kickback
• Negative hook angle makes flat bottom grooves
• Splinter-free cuts
• two outside blades, carbide, five, two-wing chippers
• Ideal for underpowered saws

Reviews (123)

Freud is top shelf in my book
Excellent tool with superb craftsmanship.Freud is top quality in my book.

I recommend paying extra for better
I used to do all of my ratteting and dado cutting with various size straight/rabbet router bits and a homemade jig/guide fence system.I figured I'd bite the bullet and buy a dado blade.After doing some research and getting over the sticker shock of the average $200-$250 price range for most dado sets, I figured that I go for the SD208 for only $90.I figured that since it is from Freud, it can't be all that bad, no matter how much cheaper it is than the other models.Overall, I think the SD208 is a good buy COMPARED to all of the other dado sets and their prices of 2-3 times more than the SD208.More specifically, here are my thoughts:

POSITIVE:

1) The storage/carrying case is great.Durable plastic with an arbor-like post to mount the blades on.

2)Price.As I said, this blade is a comparatively good deal compared to other sets in the $200-$250 price range.

3)Shims are included.From what I've been told, some sets don't include shims.I can't verify that, but this set does indeed include shims.I believe there are 5-7 differenly sized shims.

NEGATIVES

1)My biggest gripe with this set is that the bottom of the cuts are far from being flat.Whether using the outerblades by themselves, or using them with different configurations of chippers, each cut bottom has multiple ridges/blade marks.

2)Shims aren't size labeled.Freud gives a great little chart showing what size chippers and shims are needed for differentcuts.However, the shims aren't labeled at all.They are merely blank circular cuts of metal.However, as any woodworker knows, you should always run your own test cuts for any job...so I'm in no way livid with Freud.It would just be a little nicety if they could label the shims.

As I said, I think the SD208 set is comparatively a great blade for its price, when viewd against other sets.However, I would recommend not skimping on price and upgraded to one of the higher-end Freuds or a Forrest set.

Try to get it sharpened
I run a small woodworking shop and I purchased the Dial-A-Width Dado.I think it is a great dado, but it has a -12 degree grind on it.Every sharpening shop in Denver cannot sharpen it without buying an expensive computer program for their machines and they will not buy it unless they can make enough off the sharpening to pay for it.I called Freud about having them sharpen it and they said they are not in the sharpening business.Buyer beware. ... Read more

Asin: B0000223O8
Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Blades    4. Table Saw Blades    5. Dado    6. (Tablesaws)   

Delta RS830 10" Radial Arm Saw
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $942.44 -- our price: $699.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

This was one great saw even before the Delta designers took it back to the drawing board. But the improvements they made, along with Delta's trademark quality, make this saw one of the kings in the radial arm world. The new design will have you cutting up to 16-inch widths of 2-inch stock at 90 degrees. Miter cuts have greater capacity now too, to 10-1/2 inches at 45 degrees left and 11 inches at 45 degrees right, all powered by a 1-1/2-horsepower motor. Among the nicer changes are the new depth-of-cut control handle and locking levers, which Delta positioned above the table for easy access. Whenever you buy a radial arm saw, you're going to have to spend some time setting it up and calibrating it, but this one seems to hold its adjustments better than most, and the cast-iron track, column, and column support offer rigidity and continued accuracy. As you've come to expect with better saws, an automatic brake will stop the blade in seconds. The table's a good 27 by 44 inches, providing plenty of stock support. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Powerful 1-1/2 HP capacitor start, capacitor run motor
• Increased miter cuting capacities in nominal 2-inch thick stock: 10-1/2 at 45 degrees left and 11 inches at 45 degrees to the right
• New depth of cut control handleand locking levers are positioned above the table for easy access
• Cast iron track, column and column support for rigidity and continued accuracy
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Reviews (6)

Never use it - wish I hadn't bought it!
I bought this radial arm saw to use as a dedicated saw for dados. The pressboard table warps with every change of the weather, requiring frequently releveling. I generally just change blades and use the table saw instead. I wouldn't buy it again.

rating the radial
I am a female, and thought a woman's point of view helpful. I had considered ordering a more expensive radial, but the shipping was out of sight, so I thought long and hard about this one. I am glad I went this route. The saw was easy for me to handle, and assemble. The directions were clear and precise (once I could figure them out) and most worked well for accuracy aligning. I was able to get it aligned without any problems. The table is hard to level, and I find the arm control lever at the back hard to reach to lower or raise the saw. The guard is hard to manuever and is rigid. The table was not nearly high enough so I have it on sitting on boards (works great). I wish there was more cover with the guard, but it is okay for now. The saw is quiet and seems efficient. I cut a little higher fence for thicker boards. Mine will only be used for dadoes, and I think I am going to be glad I went with this particular model. I have been happy with Delta tools in the past. The price is reasonable, and shipping and delivery were great. Didn't take long to get it put together. It will get a lot of use with my projects.

Some Good - Some not so good
The market for Radial saws is very limited in the $500.- $800. price bracket. I basicly had two choices a Delta or Ridgid. I purchased the Delta because it had a cast iron arm instead of stamped welded steel. The saw went together easily with the exception of leveling the table this took 3 attemps to get it right. The instructions for adjusting the saw were very clear and all the adjusting screws & bolts had a solid quality feel. I feel that this saw will hold its settings.The blade guard binds when it is rotated and must be jiggled to move it.( a little sanding may smooth things out.) The controls for adjusting the height and all other adjustments work very smoothly. The blade & motor unit was a little hard to slide on the arm and had to be adjusted. ( still not as free & smooth as the Ridgid but not a problem ) My first cut was right on the money
a solid 90 Deg. A nice feature is a switch on the motor to change from 115 V to 220V. I have not used the saw much but the more I use it and become familiar with it the more confident I become that I made the right choice. Cross cutting wide lumber is what ths saw is all about & that it does well. If the blade guard moved smoothly I would have given this saw five stars. ... Read more

Asin: B0000789HI
Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Radial Arm Saws   

Grizzly G0555 The Ultimate 14" Bandsaw
Average Customer Review:


US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• 1 HP motor
• 2 speeds
• Cutting capacity/throat: 13-1/2"
• Maximum cutting height: 6"
• Optional Riser block kit (H3051) available.

Reviews (32)

Five Plus if I could!
This is the ultimate bandsaw for the money. No pund intended. I looked at the Jet Models and compared horse-power, number of spokes per wheel, construction and cost. I looked at all the woodworking dealers in my area and you will not find a better band saw for the money. Not only that it comes with a fence and miter, extra on other models. The fence is a godsend.

The unit will take some time calibrating. Well worth the effort. I like the quick release for the blade. The cast aluminum parts concern me because you have to be careful not to over-tighten things. Get a mobel base for this unit if you plan on moving it around, it's heavy. Don't buy the one from Fox (I did and don't like it at all).

Great Deal On A Bandsaw
I looked at all the options for a home woodshop bandsaw, and I think this saw is definately the best bang for the buck. Delta is selling a similarly priced model at Lowe's, and Rigid is selling a similarly priced model at HD, but I don't think there's any comparison in quality -- you just get more for your money with the Grizzly. You certainly get much better blade guides with the Grizzly, but I also think the overall construction, fit, and finish is better.

I got the 6 inch riser kit and installed it right away. Assembly was easy. The manual is well written, and is actually very useful. After assembly I checked to see if the upper and lower wheels were co-planar, and they were out by .090". Inserting a .090" thick washer behind the upper wheel quickly brought it into alignment (this is all covered very clearly in the owners manual).

The only small issue I had was with the fence. The main fence rail was a little warped, so the the fence would bind up when sliding along the rail. Grizzly customer service was pleasant, helpful, and had a new part on my doorstep in a couple of days. Not bad for one phone call. No complaints there -- Grizzly customer service rates a 10 in my book. The new fence rail works like a charm.

Wonderful bandsaw
Truly the ultimate bandsaw for the small shop. I am constantly impressed by the quality of this saw and the other Grizzly products.Buy it and you will not be disappointed.Make sure you have some help for unloading and setting up the saw; it can be challenging, although possible, for only one person to set it up. ... Read more

Asin: B0000DD0AC
Sales Rank: 2294

Delta 17-965 16-Speed 16-1/2" Floor Drill Press
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $471.22 -- our price: $399.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If your projects require you to drill with big bits or if you find yourself attempting to drill with precision under questionable circumstances, this heavy-duty 16-1/2-inch drill press from Delta will help you get out of your, um, hole. Running off a 3/4-horsepower motor that can be wired for either 115 or 230 volts, it gives you an impressive deep plunge length of 4-7/8 inches and holds up to 5/8-inch-diameter bits. Solid cast-iron construction and a 3-1/8-inch column give it the industrial feel and durability we look for in this type of tool. You'll enjoy the rotating work base--which bevels, of course, 45 degrees each way for drilling angles--as well as the depth stop that can be set quickly and easily with microadjustments and a locking mechanism, great for repetitive drilling. While other models sometimes place hard-to-read speed and belt charts under the top cap, Delta uses a wide, clearly legible chart to explain how to configure the belts for each of 16 speeds (215 to 2,720 rpm). And, thanks to the smooth, cool-running induction motor inside, you're not likely to find yourself shopping for a drill press again for an extremely long time. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• 3/4 hp induction motor for powerful, smooth running operation
• 16 speeds from 215 to 2720 rpm for drilling a variety of materials
• 5/8-inch chuck for use with a wide variety of drill bits
• Two-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Reviews (39)

Excellent machine
I recently purchased the Delta 17-965 based on comments and several reviews in magazines. I must say I'm very pleased. This machine runs smooth and fairly quietly. It appears well made with a fine fit and finish. The measured runout, to the best of my abilities, appears to be about .002" on the chucked drill bit's shaft. I found it on sale in the tool crib catalog cheaper than the JET, with which I bought a magnetic base lamp. This drill press will probably outlive me. Its always nice knowing you'll never have to replace a peice of equipment again.

I highly recommend this machine.

Nice tool
I've used this tool a lot since purchasing it last Nov. I've had no problem with it. Be sure and have help in lifting the head up onto the column, strong and tall help is best. My only complaint is the plastic belt cover tends to vibrate. If the resulting hum could be eliminated, it would be a very quiet machine. It's not real loud, just an annoyance which I should be able to fix in some way. Nicely finished and easily adjusted. The depth stop is a great improvement over what has been the "norm" in the past. Quick, tool less adjustment which stays put.

Think Twice Before Buying
I ordered the Delta 17-965 from Amazon which was suppose to come with a mail in offer for a mortising kit. Imagine my surprise when I did not receive the paperwork for the mail in offer and I learned from Amazon that the offer was a misprint which they would not honor. To make matter worse they want to charge me return shipping which is almost $400! Think twice and buy locally. ... Read more

Asin: B00002266L
Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. Stationary Drill Presses    3. (Drils)   

Delta 17-924 Mortising Attachment with Four Chisel and Bit Sets
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $73.95 -- our price: $64.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Converts drill press into accurate mortising machine
• Includes chisel holder, base, fence, hold down bracket, and four chisel and bit sets for a complete kit
• Allows the drilling of square and rectangular holes (mortises) for creating strong woodworking joints

Reviews (19)

Get a Bench Top Mortiser if you can afford one
I've been using this attachment for a couple of years now. I recommend it only if you cannot afford a bench top mortiser.

First, attaching the fence to my 16 1/2" Delta drill press is not easy at all. In fact, it's a real pain in the keester. You would think this would be easy because it is a Delta drill press but it isn't.

Second, the workpiece holddowns are cheap and difficult to work with. No matter what you do, the workpiece moves when you don't want it to move, or it stays put when you want it to move. It's not a good design.

Third, the chisels do not drill perfectly square holes. The auger bits are just a hair bigger than the chisels. So, you end up with a circle with square corners. This effect is more pronounced the bigger the chisel/bit.

I finally ditched the table accessories and built my own table jig (which works surprisingly well and looks cool too). This solved the first two issues. If it is really important to have perfectly square mortises, I cut them by hand. This solves the final issue. (Note: the mortises are OK for most joinery because you have a shoulder on the tenon to hide the slightly out of square mortise.)

fit???
i am still in iraq, i ordered this to go on my drill press, the dp-200 i know delta doesnt say that it fits, below some one said it did all in all ill just see if it doesnt someone let me know and i can send it to them for 10.00 less then amozon. i only gave it 3 stars for now but will update later

Good tool, but not worth buying
I bought this tool with my drill press a couple years ago and have hardly used it.There is nothing wrong with it, but I find that there are several things that stop me from using it more often.The first is the setup.It takes too long and is too awkward.Personally I'd rather pop in a forstener bit into my drill press and make several passes to achieve a very good mortise - although this doesn't work if you are doing a through mortise.

PROS:
* Does the job it states
* Much cheaper than a dedicated mortiser

CONS:
* Much too time consuming to set up
* Has a very hard time cutting through hardwoods
* Chisels seem to dull quickly ... Read more

Asin: B0000223B4
Sales Rank: 738
Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. (Drils)   

Freud FC-107 7-Piece Carbide Forstner Bit Sets
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $154.95 -- our price: $85.49
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Are expensive bits worth the extra cost? If the bits are these high-speed steel forstner bits from Freud, we think the answer is yes. Technical features--most notably the micrograin carbide/titanium tips--ensure these bits cut cleaner and stay sharp longer than any other forstner bits we tested. Although these bits performed exceptionally well on soft and hard wood, along with plywood and a few other composite materials, we were most impressed when our test cuts came up smooth and clean on both plastic-laminate and melamine--results generally unheard of with standard steel bits. These bits hold their own in hand drills as well as in any drill press, and we suspect they'll outlast other bits in our shop several times over. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Carbide bits
• Center locating spur
• Excellent for overlapping or pocket holes
• Wood case

Reviews (4)

Have them sharpened first...
I love Freud cutters and saw blades. They are usually ready to go out of the box. I have a set of Freud HSS Forstner bits, and they are very good. I recieved this set as a gift and even though I already have these size's I was pretty excited to get a set of carbide bits. I work with a lot of hardwoods and you have to be careful about the pressure you use with HSS bits, so you don't burn your workpiece or overheat your bit.
I chucked up the 3/8 bit to bore some holes for decorative plugs and noticed that the bit was not cutting a very clean hole, seemed like I had to apply too much pressure also. I pulled it out of the drill press and upon examining the cutting edge, I noticed it did not have that bright, shiney edge you normally associate with a sharp tool. I examined the rest of the bits and they looked the same. So I carried them down to the local saw shop where I get all my blades and cutters sharpened and ask them to take a look at the bits. Their opinion was that the bits were very dull, looked like the last two steps in sharpening them had been overlooked. So $30 and an hour later I was on my way home with sharp bits. Put the 3/8 back in the drill press and tried again. This time the results were what I had hoped for.The bit cut thru the Padauk very nicely and left a nice clean hole. I cut another 19 holes and each was excellent. Cutting the last hole was as easy as cutting the first. I have noticed no wobble in any of the bits and other than the sharpening problem have had no trouble with this set. I do think my HSS set does a little better job in soft wood and plywood, but it is a close call. Wish I could afford some larger ones in carbide...3"-31/2" would be nice for clock making.
These are the first Freud cutter's I have had that were'nt sharp out of the box, so I won't let it influence my love of Freud blades and cutters in the future. I rated it 4 stars because of the sharpening problem. Still recommend Freud blades and cutters.

Top notch bits
I have been using the bits for several months.I have had very good results working with soft woods on my small drill press.The bits are very straight compared to the junky Irwin bits I got at Home Depot.The carbide bits are very sharp and cut a very true hole.The only problem I have with this set is that it is missing several handy sizes such as 7/8", 1-1/8" & 1-1/4".I tried to purchase the Freud 1-1/4" carbide bit on Amazon, but they appear to no longer stock them.Instead I went with the 1-1/4" Freud steel forstner bit.The steel bit seems to work just as well as the carbide bits.If I had to choose between the Freud carbide set and the Freud steel set, I would probably go with the steel, because it has 9 more bits.Buying forstner bits individually can get very expensive.

Disappointing
This is my second experience with Freud cutting tools. The first was their 8 inch super dado set.It had to be exchanged due to
several chips in the carbide cutting edges.The replacement has performed adequately.This forstner bit set produced disappointing results for the money.The surface of the workpiece had burrs where the bit first made contact and the interior of the hole showed a torn surface on the end grain side as opposed to a smooth cut.Overall the quality of the grinding on the carbide cutting tips and the body of the bit was uneven and poorly finished. My twenty year old hand sharpened steel bits produced better results. For the money I expected more and returned these bits. ... Read more

Asin: B0000225ZL
Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Drill Bits    4. Drill Bit Sets    5. (Drils)    6. Forstner Bits   

JET 708457K / JJ-6CSX 6" Woodworking Jointer
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $679.00 -- our price: $599.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

When it comes to jointers, there aren't a lot of differences among the leaders in the market. Like other manufacturers, Jet uses heavy-duty cast iron in the fence, jointer base, and infeed/outfeed tables and offers a three-blade drum and built-in 4-inch dust port. Their design, however, features a couple of innovations that changed our "jointers are jointers" mindset. While the infeed tables in other models can only be raised or lowered with a rod or lever system, this machine's design allows you to adjust both of the feed tables by rotating smooth, industrial-style hand wheels. This feature lends itself to easier tapers and gives you more control when you need to take off precise measurements, like 1/64 of an inch, a setting that can frustrate woodworkers lifting the arms up or down on other machines. The fence glides extremely smoothly throughout its range of motion and tilts both ways, but, where other brands offer fixed stops only at 45 and 90 degrees, Jet's jointer adjusts to quickly reproduce multiple cuts at any angle you find necessary. Driven by a 4,850 rpm, 1-horsepower induction motor completely encased in a welded steel stand, this jointer comes prewired for 115-volt outlets and can be converted to run off 230-volt sources. As a final touch, Jet designed the industrial start switch with holes behind the button for locking with a readily available Master Lock to keep coworkers or family members safe from accidental injury. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Built-in ledge for cutting rabbets
• 1 hp, single-phase, 115/230-volt motor
• 46-inch cast-iron bed with precision-machined finish ensures accuracy
• Fence tilt two ways and features 90- and 45-degree positive stops
• Easy-to-use handwheels accurately adjust the infeed and outfeed tables

Reviews (35)

Excellent machine
Picked one up a couple months ago.

Everything was right on.Assembled it according to the instructions and it cut like a dream.I tested it out with some scraps of oak I got at my wood supplier.Great finish and perfectly straight after running them through a couple times.

Machine has little vibration.Not too loud.Plenty of power.

Like every machine that has the typical 'fan belt', the vibration can be reduced with a link belt, along with a reduction in noise.Hearing protection is a must with any wood cutting operation, just as important as safety glasses.

I went a long time without a jointer and have greatly increased the quality of my work with it.If you are looking to add a nice piece of equipment to your shop to help you produce better results, I would recommend this jointer.

This machine has all the right features.First thing to do is coat the fence and table surfaces with Slip-It or a non-silicon wax.It's a night and day difference when the wood easily glides across the table and when you have to force it.

For a 6" jointer it was the Jet or the Delta.For me, the Jet had the edge with the hand crank adjustment of the infeed and outfeed tables.

Update:Did some rabbiting cuts with it and it worked great.Seemed alot easier and safer than using a router.Finish on the cuts was excellent.Hogged out about 1/4" in a single pass in hard maple with no problem.

Hope this helped.

Perfect jointer for the home shop
After doing considerable research on jointers, I knew that I wanted to purchase an excellent one for the money.My requirements were that it had to come from a reputable manufacturer, be reliable, solid, and powerful.

My research led me to this Jet jointer and I haven't been disappointed since.When you power it up, the silky smooth hum of the motor belies it power.It seems to be saying, "time to rock."Dust collection is very efficient, the supports are dead-flat, and the motor is incredibly powerful.I mean I face jointed 5.5" 8/4 hard maple on this puppy...

Everything about this machine is just right:the feel, the look, the reliability.There are some things that can't be expressed in words.So if you have access to one, give it a try.Or just save yourself the time and just buy it.

Great Jointer And Tough As Nails
Have had mine for over 5 years and still runs like a top. I take it out to jobsites often and even after being knocked around and all over it still purrs like a kitten. In fact it once fell out of my truck and the only thing that happened was I broke the outfeed table adjustment wheel ( not that I ever move it ) and a couple of scratches. The only tinkering I have to do with it is when I change the knives. Other than that, turn it on and go! ... Read more

Asin: B00006ANS5
Subjects:  1. Jointers    2. Stationary Jointers   

DEWALT DW733 12-1/2" Portable Thickness Planer
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $718.00
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

DeWalt's sturdy four-column planer is a great addition in any workshop--and, because it's easily portable, transition to the job site is always an option. Thanks to the largest material support table of any portable planer on the market and a tight-locking cutterhead, boards feed through effortlessly with minimal snipe. We also liked how easy it is to measure precise cuts with the turret stops (set at 1/4, 1/2, and 3/4 of an inch). There's also a calibrated depth crank that adjusts 1/16 of an inch with each full rotation. Unlike other portable planers, DeWalt's provides an easy-to-read gauge of how much material each pass removes as well as the amount left over on the original board. Rather than using double-edged knives, this model takes two big M2 high-speed steel knives with single-surface cutting areas that deliver an impressive 64.1 cuts per inch. Changing knives took us a mere 10 minutes (and we were new to this design) and--better yet--they can be resharpened multiple times rather than discarded after one use. Powered by 15 amps with a no-load speed of 10,000 rpm, DeWalt's easily transported planer is a nice combination of high performance and convenience. Each planer ships with an extra set of knives, magnets, and wrenches. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Magnetic gauge holds knives in place, making changing knives easy
• Includes an extra set of knives and dust hood, an $84.99 value
• Four-column head lock secures cutterhead to eliminate snipe
• Extra long infeed and outfeed tables provide 33 inches of material support
• 15 amp motor rotates the cutterhead at 10,000 rpm, making 64 cuts per inch

Reviews (126)

If a woodchuck could chuck wood
I like this planer just fine.However I must admit that this is the only one I have ever used.I had a friend who had a maple tree fall in his yard.We went our and ripped about 40, 12" x 30" x 3" blocks with our chain saws. (without a ripping chain).The blocks were in terrible shape.I have run these through this planner and now have 40 pieces of 1" x12"x30 beautiful marbled maple.I had to run each piece through about 20- 25 times to get all the chain saw marks out.So I would guess that is about 2500 board feet of nasty rock hard maple.NO PROBLEM.This thing is like a ginsui knife,I took one of the pieces and ran it through to see how fine I could finish it, a buddy of mine needed a custom size cutting board for his kitchen cabinet.I hardly need to sand it when I was done.The one problem I had was when I bought it the screw that holds the handle on was not long enough and I stripped the hole, but it stays on with gravity just fine. I Also would like two speeds, as with most of my reviews this is my fault for not spending the money.

Great Litte Machine!
You will be hard pressed to find a planer that will do a better job than this DW733.Set up was a snap, maybe an hour to remove from the box and double check all adjustments.If you do the basics - keep knives sharp, in and out tables adjusted properly and provide support for long pieces - this machine will give you great results.Snipe is minimal to non-existant. The dust hood & my 650cfm dust collector eliminates 95% of all chips.

Excellent Product
I bought this planer 10 months ago and just got around to using it.I am impressed!Set up was easy right out of the box.The planer makes super smooth cuts with no snipe.Dewalt has upgraded to a 3 knife model, but it is hard to see how they could improve on this one.The dust hood does a good job with my shop vac attached with very few chips ending up on the table.
The only negative I have found so far is the carrying handles.If you don't carry it level the planer can shift on the telescopic handles and pinch your hand. ... Read more

Asin: B00004OCHZ
Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Planers    4. Bench-Top Planers    5. (Planners)    6. (Plainers)    7. (Surface Planers)    8. (Portable)   

Delta 50-345 Universal Mobile Base Kit (Wood Not Included)
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $68.40 -- our price: $49.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Of all the mobile bases we've seen, this is the king. The sturdy corner brackets, wheels and casters, foot pedal, and all the hardware are supplied; you supply the hardwood. We like this deal because you make the stand to fit your needs, all the way up to 30 by 30 inches and 300 pounds of load if you build your rails of oak. In a small shop or a garage shop that has to accommodate your cars, put together a couple of these and roll your tools out of the way when you're done working. With other bases we've looked at, you have to tip up your tool and waddle carefully. With this Delta, just unlock the foot pedal, engage the third-point caster, and you're off. The wheels and casters are quality, and they move like a dream. We wouldn't limit use to just tools--this base could come in handy for moving appliances, too. A nice back saver at a great price. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Universal mobile base kit--can be custom fit to many machines
• Holds up to 300 pounds for use with larger tools
• Easy bolt-together design--just add your own hardwood rails (not included)
• Smooth gliding wheels and foot operated raising and lowering lever for easy use

Reviews (43)

Better engineered than the saw I bought
Looked at all the options, including building my own lift-jack contraption, and decided on this one for my new Delta TS350 Table Saw.I think it's great.

The instructions were a little vague on one point:You take the length and width measurements of your tool and then add 1/2" to BOTH to determine the lengths of your wood pieces.Also, and it says this in the manual: be sure to allow clearance for the wheels at the end of the wood.I was 1/8" off and had to remove four bolts to cut the wood shorter, not a big deal as it was past the bolt holes.

I used a drill press to drill the holes and ended up drilling a bigger hole than I thought I needed, in order to get the alignment thru the brackets.The bolts are 5/16", so I tought a 11/32" would be enough, but ended up drilling 3/8" holes.I used hard maple 2x2s, scrap from another project.I should have chamfered the corners slightly as that would have made for a better fit.

I also used a 12" c-clamp in places to flex the sides of the brackets where they wrap the wood to get the bolt thru and threads started.And I got to use my air ratchet for the first time since I bought it a year ago.

Hope these assembly tips help, and I recommend this mobile base for just about all spplications.

barely works on my floor
The is a great idea and basically serves the purpose I needed out of it.But I must say that I am disappointed.The caster wheel only lifts the rubber feet up about half an inch.This is fine if your shop floor is perfectly flat.But mine is not - it has a sloped curvature that leads into a drain.So the rubber feet drag a little whenever I roll the machine near the drain.Sometimes I feel like I'm dragging the whole thing with the "mobile base" providing minimal assistance.Again, this is probably not a problem if your shop floor is perfectly flat.I can probably jury rig it somehow with a little thought, although I am busy on so many other shop projects at the moment.

Oh yeah - assembly was quite an ordeal.The product itself is simple enough and the instructions are fine, but keep in mind that you are probably dealing with a heavy piece of equipment.The instructions have you lifting and moving your equipment on and off the base several times for measurement and fitting, which is not fun if you're working alone.I suggest you either have a few friends around, or think intelligently about how to tilt your equipment on and off the base without hurting your back.

Good if you need a custom footprint light-duty mobile base
I did not see the reviews when I bought this as it was an accessory I saw next to the Delta table saws when I bought my 10" Delta TS at Lowe's on sale a couple weeks ago. I did not find buying exact dimensioned wood hard other than stomaching the cost of four-square surfaced oak at Home Depot prices. For my saw base which measured about 28" by 26" at the feet I appeared to need four2x2 ~30" length pieces and decided to use oak for strength/stability. They sell these for about $10 a piece at the local Home Depot by me, so the net cost of the base doubled to nearly $100. Still, it's a very solid thing and should hold up fine. I also happened to buy a 2nd base a Shop Fox G7314 which costs about $70 and requires no additional wood when I bought my Grizzly 14" band saw a week or so later at the Bellingham, WA store, so I can compare those two products. The Shop Fox doesn't require additional wood or marking or drilling. It's all pre-drilled and metal and takes maybe an hour to assemble - the Delta base took me 2-3 hours to completely assemble, including some hard tamping with a hammer to get the carriage bolts threaded through my not totally precisely aligned 5/16" holes in the wood (by the way the directions tell you to drill 7/16" holes but the included hardware make it obvious that they must mean 5/16") and a 2nd trip to Home Depot for wood. If you have 1-1/2" x 1-1/2" squared wood close at hand and need a really odd or custom table, this base for $50 is a good deal. But this base doesn't come with lock washers like the Shop Fox does and I wonder how long before I need to do something about the hex nuts through the rails starting to loosen and come off (if they do maybe I'll just slip a little epoxy in the threads and reseat them - ain't enough space on the bolt to space a lock washer anyway.) The Shop Fox is heavier duty and it accomodates the dimensions of the tool stand/table you are mounting on it and need the heavy duty (400 lbs - 600 lbs load), it's IMHO a better fit for most large tools/cabinet stands and comes with lock washers space for them on the bolts. The one thing I like here is the convenience of the foot pivot brake release. The Shop Fox uses a dual adjusting knob on each of front swivel casters that you have to bend down and loosen /tighten each time you want to lock / unlock it from fixed base position. I might check out the HTC2000 or possibly the one that General if I can find it somewhere else as those seem like kind a "best of both worlds" hybrid possibilities for what I liked best about this one (the foot brake) and the Shop Fox (fast assembly, flip lock brake, all metal pieces included, no additional wood or drilling time needed). ... Read more

Asin: B0000223CL
Subjects:  1. Mobile Bases    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)    4. Drill Presses    5. (Drils)    6. Jointers    7. Shapers    8. Table Saws    9. (Tablesaws)    10. Universal Bases   

DEWALT DW705S 12" Heavy-Duty Compound Miter Saw
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $573.00 -- our price: $279.00
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

For a burly saw with a big blade, DeWalt's 12-inch compound miter saw is surprisingly lightweight (40 pounds) and portable. This saw makes smooth cuts through the thickest of stock, crosscuts a two-by-eight with ease, and--with its extra-high adjustable fence--miters crown molding up to 6-5/8 inches nested vertically against the fence (a timesaving feature that's reason enough for some trim carpenters to buy one). The fence also slides away for bevel cuts.

What impressed us the most was the weight and balance of this saw: the blade lowers easily into the cut, bevels are easy to set, and the miter gauge swivels smoothly. The saw's nine positive miter stops (detents) let you lock into the common angles quickly, but you can still dial in a 1/2 degree off the detent without the gauge dropping back into the stop. The detent plate is made of sturdy stainless steel, too, so it's hard to imagine it developing any slop even after years of use. The gauges are easily accessible and easy to read (what's more frustrating than having to lean around the saw to set on angle?). The saw miters up to 48 degrees on both sides and bevels left to 45.

Unlike some of their competitors, DeWalt mounted their saw with a burly blade guard that retracts smoothly and doesn't interfere with your line of sight. DeWalt's D-handle design favors right-handers, although the trigger's wide enough to use fairly easily with your left hand when cutting left-side miters. The saw doesn't have a safety switch--which, frankly, is fine by us, since some safety switches can be downright dangerous--but it's something to consider if you're doing residential or remodeling work where children might stumble across your tools. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Features tough ball-bearing construction, and weighs only 40 pounds
• 15 amp motor features an electric brake for quick blade stop. Bevels 0-45 degrees to the left
• Stainless steel miter scale with 9 positive stops for cutting common angles
• Extra tall sliding fence allows 5-1/4" crown to be cut standing vertically

Reviews (63)

10 years of use without so much as a hiccup but now Dead
I bought this saw back in 1995 and have used it nearly every day since with no issues. All I can suggest is buy a quality regular kerf saw blade as I have found that a 12 inch thin kerf has too much flex and your accuracy will suffer (when doing fine work such as jewelry boxes etc.) It provides me with dead on accuracy.

UPDATE:
I originally posted this 2/05.Three months later the tool is DOA.First the electric brake made weird noises then stopped working and shortly later the motor lost power to the point it where stalls if I do not lower the blade s l o w l y .

Can I complain?Well it was 10 years old did get used a lot.Not as much as it would have if I was a frame carpenter.but in 1995 this saw cost me $499 at a big box retailer (remember HQ?).This is my second tool I've totally killed, the first was a DeWalt 5" ROS so I'm begining to wonder about DeWalt.So I guess I'm not totally thrilled and would deduct a star from my initial rating if Amazon would let me.

****MAKE THIS 4 STARS!

Someone doesn't know how to use their saw!!!
I work at a used tool store and have been contemplating buying the 12" compound miter saw.I read mostly the negative reviews on the saw; most complain about a problem with the table raising when you crank the knob.Well I conducted a little test with the six DW705's we have in stock.You'll be glad to hear that every single saw table did raise the harder you turned the knob.I was really disappointed since I could get a new saw for just $35.Then I thought, "How tight does that knob really have to be when cutting an angle other than a posi-stop.I hooked up a in/lb torque wrench to the knob and all be darned if it took less that 30 in/lbs of torque to very stoutly hold the miter in place!!!

I positioned a machinists square against the fence and found not even a smidgen of a gap.Then I attached a old fishermans scale to the knob and pulled all while starring at the sclaes reading waiting until the miter position overcame friction and slid into a posi lock position.It took 33lbs of pulling pressure to slide the miter off its original position.ALL WITH ONLY 30IN/LBS OF TORQUE!!!

So to all those people wandering if the table raising problem is as bad as some of these people say, it is; if you crank on that miter knob like a Gorilla!!!If only everyone had their own tool store this would of never been an issue.

Oh yeah, I just built a beutiful sleigh bed for my girlfriend in an arts and crafts style and made every cut I had to make with my new miter saw.It is an absolutely fabulous tool!!!

Horribly engineered - accurate only for simple tasks
DO NOT BUY THIS SAW.The lock-down mechanism for the miter table is designed so it produces *upward pressure* on the leading edge of the table, which causes the table to move out of square with the miter fence!

This is a stupid, stupid design that even a 1st year mechanical engineering student would know to avoid.I should have sent this saw back, but since I got a good price on it, I ended up carefully grinding a new profile edge on the front of the miter table, so the locking mechanism presses *downward* against it.Scary, but it worked.I can now make accurate compound cuts, where before the cuts were totally off.

It was such a simple fix that I even put it in my CAD software and mailed the solution to DeWalt, no strings attached, for them to improve the design of the saw.I got a form letter back saying "thank you for your interest in our products, but at this time we do no wish to purchase your invention".Huh?I was GIVING them the solution, for free.These folks are clearly unmotivated and disinterested in their product line.

Needless to say, this is the last DeWalt product I'll ever purchase. ... Read more

Asin: B00004YNWW
Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Saws    4. Miter Saws    5. (Mitre Saws)    6. (Mitersaws)    7. (Mitresaws)