Delta TP300 Shopmaster 12" Portable Planer
by Delta
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware (01 October, 2002)
list price: $275.37
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Why buy a planer? Well, it lets you reduce the thickness of your workpieces to exactly what you want them to be. It creates a flawlessly flat second surface, essential in good woodworking. Why buy this planer? Here's our list of why we like it: It has a fantastic 12-inch wide by 6-inch deep capacity to tackle large jobs. The patented cutterhead system raises and lowers on four large, precision-ground columns. Depth of cut can be adjusted in a wink with a top-mounted handle. A patented cutterhead lock stabilizes the cutterhead for total rigidity and superior snipe control. Double-edged--meaning reversible--high-speed steel knives double your cutting life. Adjustable infeed and outfeed tables and a stainless-steel base provide a smooth surface for moving stock, and the tables fold in for storage in minimal space. The prices on these planers have come down quite a bit in the past few years, and this one, with its quality and many features, is a great buy. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 15-amp motor for maximum power
• Feed rate adjusts under load for optimum planning
• 12-by-6-inch capacity to tackle large planning tasks
• Adjustable, folding extension tables for easy storage
• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories

Reviews (10)

Cheap, easy, lowCPI, snipe, uTables, uLife Blades
I was looking cheap, just to clean up some rough-hewn boards.The bottom-end Lowes had was the TP-305 (12.5" vs TP-300 12.0", otherwise EXACTLY the same) for $199, so I got that.

Into and Basics
First off, the TP-305 is single speed.Fine for my purposes.As someone else said, if you're doing "fine woodworking", you'll sand with high-grit before calling it done.

Everything is metal, and the handle on top doubles as a foam covered transfer roller.It's very solid and stable, you know, for a "portable".

The belt drive is about 3/4", versus about 2" for the Hitachi and DeWalt.Conversely, the belt on the Delta is fiber reinforced black rubber, like a fan belt, rather than being clear, plain rubber.

There is supposedly a chain-drive for gear reduction, but I haven't dismantled it yet to lubricate them.

Setup
Second, it was a snap to prepare.I pulled it out of the box.It's maybe 75 or 80 pounds.OK if you lift right, or 2-person lift otherwise.It included the planer assembly, a dust chute with 2 fasteners, a hex wrench which fits in a slot on top, a magnetic blade tool, and a crank handle with hex-head fastener.

I put it on top of a table.No LRF support, and there was a little flashing on the bottom, so don't unpack this onto a nice table.Something like this should be bolted down.The deck holes are 1/4", one on each corner.I used some washers and deck screws and that was more than enough to keep it stable.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
You NEED earplugs.Yes, it is "quiet" compared to some shopplaners/jointers, it's still loud.Earmuffs should be OK, but I opted for spongy/expanding 33db earplugs.No problem there, but I was definitely deaf to the world.

Also, goggles are a must.These two things are silly and simple, but just in case you didn't know.This might not be so important if they ever get immunology and organ cloning down, but since you're limited to one set of eyes right now, best protect them from flying debris.

If you want to reach, adjust, oil, or perform ANY maintenance, unplug your machine."I thought I was safe but something fell and flipped the switch" wouldn't quite cut it with your friends.

ALWAYS operate with the dust chute in place.The motor blows air into it and it sends the chips out the back.Without it, A) You'll be covered in vertically launched curls, and more importantly B) The top of the cutter head will be exposed, which is very not safe.

Keep distractions and horseplay away from this machine.This is not a toy, it's an 8000 RPM spinning blade of doom.No playing.Period.OK?JUNIOR!?!?!Are you LISTENING TO ME!NO PLAYING.Ok.Good.Serious machine.

SNIPER, NO SNIPING!
As a portable planer goes, the fold-out tables are fairly small.I tried using Skill brand roller stands on each side to help hold the workpiece, but this planer loves to snipe on ingress.

Tilt your board down into the planer about 5 degrees, and don't cut deep and you'll limit it.Even so, every board has a 2-3" spot that's maybe 1/32" thinner than the rest of the length.

Egress snipe is alleviated by lifting ever so slightly on the workpiece for the final stretch.If you don't get it, you'll hear the motor change speed as it chews into the end.It's really just the design of the rollers.I think you'd probably get snipe even if you made your own full-length table flush with the input.

With 12" boards, snipe was not very noticeable, whereas with 4" boards, it was always very noticeable.

Blade Lifespan
The blades that came with it do well, but it's only 2 blades. It goes through them fairly quickly.Newer wood is fine.I made several passes on both sides of rough hewn cedar.All was well. I sent through some 12" rough cedar with 25 year crusty paint, and it wasn't really happy with that.

It's 2mm per turn and on 12" stock with fresh blades you can do that.When you get to 1/3 turn and it still drops the RPMs significantly, you're past the life of the blades.

I got to this point after removing 3/16ths from each side of 40 feet of 4" wide cedar, and about 1/8th from each side of a 6' long 12" piece of paint encrusted cedar.It seems that the wider board heats the blades more, especially the old, rubbery paint, and once they heat up, the edge fades MUCH more rapidly.

Signs your planer blades are dull
The machine emits dust and not curls.
The machine leaves roller rubber on the workpiece.
The wood peels along the grain in very thin strip.
The motor slows down, but there is no output.
The rollers stop feeding.
The workpiece becomes polished, even glassy.
The workpiece is noticeably warm to the touch.
Running the workpiece through a second time at the same setting till slows the motor.

Blade Replacements
I'm thinking I'll see if I can design the same at http://www.emachineshop.com out of something harder under heat, but you know, since I don't REALLY have the skill for that, I picked up a couple sets of spare blades when I got the planer.The spares were $26/set and made of "High Speed Steel".I don't know the specific grade, but truly, they went south REALLY quickly on the wider, painted boards.

Blade Swap procedures
The swap is fairly easy, though they are initially installed with an impact wrench.Breaking the screws the first time gave off sparks on three.Freaky.Anyway, you access the six screws by:
A) Unplug the machine.Yes, UNPLUG IT.Switches have been known to fail in this universe.Don't risk it.
B) remove the two thumbscrews on the top.
C) Remove the dust chute
D) Turn the head with "the tool" such that you an access one side of the head. Adjust the machine height, or rotate the head such that the tool clears the handle/rollerbar.
E) Loosten the screws such that the black plate ALMOST comes loose.Test one screw for proper sizing.I think this is about a 16th of an inch.
F) Use the little split magnet tool to scoop under the blade, lift up off of the retaining pins, and pull out.
WARNING The blade may be hot if it's recently been used, especially if it's really dull.
G) spin the blade.
WARNING The sharp side of the blade is SHARP!I know this seems like an idiot thing to say, but if you aren't careful, I will mock you for your bloodletting experience.Yes, I'm secretly watching you.
H) Slid in, align such that it drops down properly (ie, the retaining pins are in the holes).
I) Tighten the screws, starting with the ends and working your way in.In generaly, thumb-tighten all of them, then torque them down afterward to make sure alignment is good.
J) Repeat for the other side of the head. (ie. always swap/replace BOTH blades at the same time).

Miscellaneous
Check your belt shroud, a burgundy curve of plastic on the top right of the machine.Mine had too much flashing in the channels and didn't seat properly.I didn't notice until it had been carved/sanded away severely.

The deck plate is polished steel.You can see the cutter head and rollers clearly in it.It's really cool, and might come in handy should something jam or clog.REMEMBER NOT TO TOUCH THE HEAD WITH YOUR FINGERS UNLESS YOU WANT TO BE CUT.

Yes, I used first and second person in a review.

Despite the warning that this is not a toy, etc., it's VERY fun, or at least satisfying, to see what a machine like this can do.

SUMMARY
This is cheap. Snipe will happen.Rollers, an assistant, or a full-sized and aligned table are greatly helpful.Blades dull quickly on older wood with old rubbery paint.

All things being equal and relevant to the task at hand....
...this is an excellent piece of equipment for the small shop or any woodworker on a tight or limited budget. Well packed, minimal assembly, easy-to-follow instructions. The handles are a bit spartan and initially awkward to grab but once you lift this planer up a few times and move it about, they get easier to grab and hold on to. As for actual operation, I planed one side of a fairly rough length of 12" Douglas Fir plank into a nice, flat, and smooth surface using just 5 passes. I took my time and used a light touch on the depth of cut adjustment with each pass so as not to bog down the rollers and cutters. Everything worked very well, first time out of the box. Smooth, steady movement of the stock under the rollers and through the planer, relatively low operating and cutting noise, negligible vibration and very good chip deflection out the rear. You won't believe how much "chip" comes out of this planer and, unless you have a collector attached to it, onto the shop floor. But that's another reason why I have a shop vacuum. Looks like the factory did a reasonably good job of adjusting the cutting blades too. Of course, you wouldn't opt for a compact low-priced unit like this one if your budget is bigger or if your usage is regular or heavy. Pros will no doubt pooh-pooh this unit as sub-par but, for the money, this is a remarkably efficient and well-made portable planer with a decent capacity. Just remind yourself that you shouldn't use a Volkswagen Beetle to pull out tree stumps or a Derby thoroughbred to pull a beerwagon.

12" Delta Planer
This planer is decent for the money. I bought it at Lowe's for $199 and it has served me fairly well.

It's getting harder to find the knives for the planer locally so I now need to order them from the Internet, which is fine though if you need a replacement set it's nice to know that you can go and get the blades locally.

The planer doesn't have a height lock so the vibration from the machine will make change the height after planing several boards. Snipe is minimal if everything is in aligned correctly. ... Read more

Asin: B00006K00T
Subjects:  1. Planers    2. Bench-Top Planers    3. (Planners)    4. (Plainers)    5. (Surface Planers)    6. (Portable)   

Bosch 4000-07 10" Worksite Table Saw with Folding Steel Stand
by Bosch
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
-- our price: $499.00
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Bosch's 10-inch Worksite table saw might just be the best of the current bunch. Benchtop table saws--which weigh 60 to 100 pounds and are light enough for one person to carry from the truck to the job site--have increased in popularity in recent years. They set up easily on a workbench or sawhorses and generally feature stable components that make them great for pros and serious hobbyists alike. Although at 60 pounds the Bosch is lighter than any other saw in its class, this saw is no lightweight. It sports a die-cast undercarriage and powerful 4.4-horsepower, 15 amp motor--burly components that make it a serious, albeit slight, contender. Conveniently, the Bosch comes ready to use right out of the box; we were making cuts about 10 minutes after the UPS delivery. Plus, it's the only benchtop table saw with an arbor lock, so mounting the blade is a one-wrench affair (less chance for busted knuckles). The wrench--like all those that come with Bosch tools--is forged, rather than stamped, and so there are no sharp edges that dig into your hand during blade changes. It's a small detail, but one that matters and one that's typical of the attention to detail paid by Bosch engineers.

A flip of the paddle-style on/off switch initiates the soft-start electronics, which ramp the blade up to speed quickly without any disturbing jolt. The electronic feedback, popular on many saws today, keeps the blade turning at a constant speed, no matter what the load. The fence is the heart of any table saw and we found Bosch's to be a beauty. It's well machined and locks securely and accurately to the table. The cam-lock handle is padded, seats flush, and feels good to use. Like the comparable DeWalt saw, the Bosch features an extendable fence that makes it easy to rip four-by-eight panel material. It feels solid and slides smoothly, and the scales are easy to read. (There's even a built-in magnifying glass to cut down on the squint factor.) As with all the new Bosch tools, wrenches and removable items store nicely onboard the saw. The fence snaps into a holder on the side of the saw and stays put, and the miter gauge slides into a slot on the front of the tool--yet another small detail that we appreciate. The bottom line? The Bosch is a powerful saw that handles big stock without bogging down. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• Large tabletop measures 29 by 21-1/2 inches (width by length)
• 4.4-horsepower 15 amp motor delivers excellent power
• Soft-start technology ensures smoother start-ups and quieter performance
• Precision rip fence with Square-Lock technology delivers precise cuts every time
• Response system senses torque demand and instantly delivers more power to the blade

Reviews (117)

THE Best portable table saw EVER
I have been a carpenter for over 20 years.I have never used a portable table saw as nice as this one.Very Happy

Excellent saw but now having problems
I've owned my saw for almost 2 years and I do finish carpentry along with some general carpentry and I am always loading and unloading this thing from my truck. I love the acurracy, smooth start and steady power. I have always had problems changing the saw blade because the inside blade gaurd gets in the way when taking the blade on and off. I've had to grind the corners off the gaurd to eliminate this problem. More recently the mechanism that tilts the blade wont tighten up and I can'tfigure out how to adjust this, now I have to take it in to a service center. Also the stand has problems locking in the upright position.
This sounds like I dont like the saw but I really do, I am just frustrated with these issues and I dont have time to drop my saw off for several weeks while it gets repaired.

No Portable Saw Deserves 5, But This Is The Best By Far
I'm a home remodeler, so I really pay attention to the portability of a job site table saw, as well as its performance. On both of these levels, the Bosch is simply the best. I've used, owned, or researched just about every job site saw out there from the major manufacturers, and side by side, there really is no competition. I know a lot of folks eventually pit the Bosch against the DeWalt, however, I found it impossible to believe that the DeWalt fence system, as smooth as it is, can withstand the day-to-day abuse a job site saw must endure. Yes, the table top of the Bosch is easily marred, and the splitter ain't worth a damn; however, for what it is, and what it is supposed to do, the Bosch is the one to get.

Oh yeah, as I stated above, no portable table saw out there, not even the Bosch, merits a 5 star rating. The very nature and purpose of a portable table saw means that some things must be sacrificed in its engineering and construction, usually on the performace end, or on the portability end (sometimes both!) It just seems crazy to me to expect the performance of a cabinet saw when portability is required as well. Something's gotta give!!! ... Read more

Asin: B00005JDNM
Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Saws    4. Table Saws    5. Bench-Top Table Saws    6. (Tablesaws)    7. (Portable)   

Bosch 3915 10" Slide Compound Miter Saw includes Dust Bag and Work Clamp
by BOSCH (S-B Powertools)
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
-- our price: $347.00
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

Bosch builds good saws. This 10-inch sliding compound miter saw has the smooth, easy-to-control action we demand in a slider. This saw's built burly, too--here's a slider that looks likely to survive a tumble off the back of a pickup truck (not that we tested it). The blade guard has good action and retracts well, so visibility and motion aren't restricted when cutting and there's no danger of it binding or sticking. The grip is contoured and tapered for the human hand, no matter the size--but there is a safety switch that makes this saw difficult to use left-handed. Bosch has also cleverly mounted the important wrenches and keys on the body of the saw (exactly the sort of attention to detail that makes toolhounds happy). We tip our hardhats to the good people at Bosch; they've made a great saw. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• Dual rail design - For superior accuracy
• Powerful 13.0 Amp motor, 2.8 max. tool HP
• Crown miter detents - 31.6? miter and 33.9? bevel detents for quick, accurate crown cuts
• Large 25" aluminum base with 3" extension for 28" total length - Provides extra support
• Tall 3-1/2" Fence - For easy bevel set-ups and increased crown molding cutting capacities

Reviews (78)

Bosch rocks
Personally, I think woodworkers around the country should trade in their power tools for credit and replace them all with Bosch.
I started using bosch tools over 12 years ago in a furniture shop, and my first experience with their tools was a jigsaw, which apparently has since reached legendary status.
This particular jigsaw was thoroughly abused every day for years.We'd burn through all the sears brand stuff, replacing them every few months, but the Bosch tools only needed the occasional cleaning and replacement blade.
I saw first hand the kind of torture Bosch tools could withstand and have been a devoted fan ever since.
In addtionl to the durabiltiy inherent in nearly ALL their tools, i've also found them to be highly ACCURATE, which is absolutely required when crafting furniture.
This particular tool carries on the long tradition of high quality, tough, accurate and well designed tools from bosch.
I'd give their tools 6 stars if i could.

You won't beat this deal!
I must admit I was worried about purchasing this saw, because it seemed to cheap (price) compared to comparable Dewalt, Porter Cable, makita saws.However, bosch makes great equipment, and they came through with this one as well.

After setting this up and testing it, I have to give it 5 stars simply because the price is unbelievable, and the saw performs flawlessly.There are a few minor things I would change if I could, but they are minimal and not very important, only matters of design, convenience, etc. see below.

One negative reviewer stated that the detents weren't adjustable, and couldn't believe Bosch would build a saw without adjustments.This is incorrect.In order to adjust the angles on a miter saw, you need to change the relative position of the detents to the fence.On some saws, like the Porter cable, you can move the detents.On others, such as this, you move the fence.(The detents are cast in position and can't be moved).My saw wasn't correct out of the box, so I followed the instructions and loosed the fence and squared it to the blade with a combination square.However, this was difficult to do, and it still ended up slightly out of adjustment when tested on a board.My advice, which made it a piece of cake:Pick a 12" piece of wood with a perfectly straight edge (I used MDF), make a cut, check the square, adjust the fence and retighten, make another cut, and continue until you are dead on square at 90 degrees.This method wasted a little bit of wood, but I got it adjusted dead on accurate in about 5 minutes, and no fumbling around with a square against the blade.

Once I got the 90 degree detent in position, I checked the others making 45 degree cuts in both directions on 6 inch material and the results were PERFECT.I mean dead on perfect.I can't imagine better miters.

Another reviewer said there was play in the detents of 1 degree or so.If you put it in a detent and don't tighten the knob, there is some play, but only like 1/4 degree or so, and if you tighten the knob as you are supposed to, the play is taken up and the blade centers on the detent dead on in the middle, same place everytime I try it.If used correctly, there is no play.

Other positive's:
-Comes with a quality 40 tooth blade.You don't have to buy a new blade to get good results with this saw.Most of the others come with a cheap blade that will cause tear out on your trim.
-Wrenches included for fence and blade, and mounted on the rear of the saw in convenient places.you'll never find yourself without the wrench you need.
-Adjustable slide on left end of saw gives you a little bit of extension in the table, about 4-5 inches.
-No upward kick with startup like my old delta saw, and what I hear from dewalt.I hated my old saw for that.I would line up the cut, and then when I hit start, the saw would kick and make my board jump, and I'd have to line it up again with the blade spinning.This saw doesn't do that, I'm happy to say.

Negatives:
-Dust collection isn't very effective, but I've never seen a miter saw that is.Seems average to me.
-Handle is vertical position.I would prefer horizontal like the dewalt, but I don't think it's worth paying the extra money.Then again, I don't make miter cuts all day everyday.
-Blade guard is a little too cautious in my opinion, and not adjustable.Guard stays pretty low to the table, so when you are lining up the cut, you have to have your eyes nearly level with the board to see your mark.In other words, the guard obstructs your view if you are looking from above the saw at all.Easy fix is to mount the saw in a high position, as most people do with miters anyway.However, if you put the saw on the floor temporarily to do a few quick cuts, this can be a real pain.

Overall, a lot of thought went into the design of this saw.It is well constructed, the quality you'd expect from bosch, and dead-on accurate.It does everything I would expect it to do and more, and at a price that I still can't believe.I had reservations before I bought it, but now I'm thrilled that I did.Thanks Bosch!

great blade
It's great for slicing wood (walnut,maple,redwood,and mahagony) very clean and precise.It can slice just about anything.I have read that the Makita has a nice blade included with their model and the Hitachi with the LAZER sounds cool ($500.00) but this saw was excellent for the price. ... Read more

Asin: B0000223EO
Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Saws    4. Miter Saws    5. (Mitre Saws)    6. (Mitersaws)    7. (Mitresaws)   

DEWALT DW705S 12" Heavy-Duty Compound Miter Saw
by DeWalt
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)   

Fein MSXE-636-2 Multi-Master Electric Variable Speed Kit with Flush Cutting Blade & Scraper Blade
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $310.00 -- our price: $239.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

With the Fein MultiMaster the possibilities--and the tool'scapabilities--are seemingly endless. Here's a list of what Fein saysyou can do with the MultiMaster: sanding, scraping, sawing, rasping,cutting, slicing, and grout removal. And that's just for starters. It'sa compact little 2-1/2-pound tool that sits comfortably in your hand,and, because it oscillates instead of orbiting or rotating, it offersliterally no hand fatigue from vibration. It includes a fabulous bunchof accessories that let you take up old flooring; trim new flooringunder a door; remove old grout; sand anything anywhere; saw into allkinds of material with a .5 mm kerf; remove old paint, adhesives,caulking, oil stains, and graffiti; and plunge cut into drywall forrepairs. It comes in a sturdy case with 30 sheets of sandpaper and allthe accessories, including a book full of projects. There's even anoptional dust-collection accessory (sold separately). The barrel gripfeels great in your hand and makes you want to do all those householdchores you've been putting off. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• Quiet, vibration-free operation
• Detail sander, saw, and scraper in one
• Unique oscillating action
• Virtually eliminates hand operations

Reviews (43)

Excellent tool, but be aware of additional costs
I bought a Multi-master a few years ago, and have used it steadily since then. The tool aint cheap- you can find other sanders for much much less. But, for detail work, it is the best one I have found and of the highest quality despite the cost. The tool itself is very well made and can stand up to hard use, despite the rather delicate advertisements and images that usually accompany it whenever posted on the web or in print. I like the fact that the tool oscillates rather than vibrates, so the sanding action is smoother and the bones and muscles of your hands don't become numb (or deteriorated) from extreme vibrations. Having said that, let me caution anyone purchasing this item that accessories and replacement parts-sanding pads, blades, cutters, and the like are VERY EXPENSIVE and highly OVERPRICED. Moreover, most of them simply dont last. Take the circular cutters, for example. Despite the cute pictures of someone using the tool to undercut molding to allow a gap for tile, or slicing through plaster or sheet rock to make a repair, make no mistake that even basic use for purposes such as these will burn out the blade teeth and render it useless in no time. The cost of replacement for a simple 3.5 inch HSS blade is around $30-$40; larger blades are even more expensive. Replacement sandpaper sheets are also a fortune, and trust me that they get worn out very quickly. So any afficianado of this tool better be prepared to spend big bucks on the very replacement items needed to keep using it effectively. Once I found out how expensive the replacement saw blade for this machine was, I decided to find alternatives to the rip-off prices Fein charges for the uninitiated.

My advice is as follows: use this tool as a detail sander, or for othe basic tasks (grout cleanup, polishing, wallpaper trimming, etc). You will be very happy. DONT buy Fein replacement sandpaper sheets- get some self stick velcro, apply it to the sanding pad that comes with the machine, and go to HD or Lowes (or order online) 10-12 inch hook and loop sanding pads, such as those that are used with large disk sanders or floor sanders. Cut your own sandpaper sheets and stick them onto the hook and loop pad on the sander. Actually Fein offers hook and loop sanding pad replacements for this machine that are modestly priced and allow you to use any hook and loop sandpaper as described.The cost is minimal and the results are as good if not better than using Fein sandpaper, which is nothing special. I believe BOSCH also makes a similar detail sander that uses hook and loop sandpaper that will fit the Fein just fine (ha ha!). If you envision using this tool for heavier cutting tasks, be smart and buy a Rotozip and you will have almost every base covered. The Rotozip is vastly more powerful and excells at slicing wood, metal, sheetrock, plaster, and the like. It can also be used as a horizontal sander, and replacement cutters are relatively cheap and last much longer than their FEIN equivalents. Just don't get suckered into paying the big bucks for genuine FEIN accessories unless the specific task at hand requires you do so-caveat emptor, as the saying goes

Worth every cent
This baby is wonderful. I have a trawler with lots of teak and this tool has been invaluable in allowing me to effectively get to hard to reach, tight spots.

BUY THIS
I am frequently disappointed withspecialty tools that are not much more efficient than their old manual counterparts.Not this tool.I am stripping and refinishing every door and window in an 80 year old house.I cannot count the number of coats of paint.I have been using gallons of toxic paint stripper for the difficult to reach parts at $25.00 per gallon.Forget that I am probably poisoning the whole family, this stuff gets expensive.Now, in combination with traditional sanders,
I can stop using the chemicals.

The scraper works really well.With light passes it takes off the paint pretty quickly.With any pressure it gets right down to the wood (use caution or you will go through the wood).The sander works well, and I am looking forward to using the saw attachments.

More often than not, We get what we pay for.This tool is worth the extra few bucks.

Alas, Amazon did not get the purchase, as they could only ship in one to two weeks.I found one elsewhere for the same price, that shipped the day I ordered. ... Read more

Asin: B0000223OP
Subjects:  1. Fein    2. (Fien)    3. Sanders    4. Detail Sanders    5. (Finish Sanders)   

Dremel 6000-01 Contour Sander Kit
by Dremel
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware
list price: $134.30 -- our price: $49.95
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Features

• 2-year warranty
• Highly versatile--sands deep grooves, intricate carvings, curved moldings, thin slats, and more
• Package includes a wide selection of accessories, including long-lasting sanding tubes
• Variable speeds (4.000 to 10,000 spm) lets user adapt project to project
• Compact and comfortable to use--weighs only 1.75 lbs

Reviews (24)

It died after minor use!
After sanding details over a period of two years for about a total of only 12 hours, it up and died yesterday when I used it. out of warranty now for sure, it only got used a little. how much use did it get? I still have most of the original sanding tubes and pads. I switched the brushes - nope.
Meantime, my rotary dremel tool has been through the wringer and is still great.

Handy Sander
I have had one of these for about one year.I am in the process of stripping down all of the old oak mouldings in my house which a previous owner of the house had painted.This sander has been extremely useful in sanding down all of the peculiar angles and shapes.You definitely will want to use hearing protection, but then that would be the case with any extended use of a power tool.My only complaint is finding sanding tubes.The Home Depot near me does not carry anything for this sander, not even the sander itself.Amazon does not carry the full range of sanding tubes either.Lowe's is where I go to get the tubes.

Wear ear protection
The item works great, but it emits a loud,higher pitched sound than any other sanderor small power tools.Be prepared with ear protection. ... Read more

Asin: B0000302XT
Sales Rank: 1631
Subjects:  1. Dremel    2. (Dremmel)    3. Sanders    4. Detail Sanders    5. (Finish Sanders)   

Delta SA150 Shopmaster 1" Belt & 5" Disc Sander
by Delta
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware (01 October, 2002)
list price: $95.99 -- our price: $89.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

If your workshop doesn't have one of these combination sanders, it's probably because you don't think you need it. But put it to work once, and you'll realize you can't get along without it. Its uses are endless. You know those tight curves and angles you have to sand by hand? Not anymore, thanks to this Shopmaster sander. The automatic belt-tensioning and tracking controls are conveniently located and easy to use, and the built-in power takeoff for a flexible shaft accessory (sold separately) is a great extra touch that allows you to accomplish any number of additional tasks. Finishing curves or odd-shaped work is a cinch when you remove the belt platen, and you'll even be sanding chamfers and bevels just by tilting the sturdy aluminum tables on both the belt and the handy 5-inch disc sanders. The included miter gauge allows you to sand at compound angles, too. The side panel removes in a blink to change belts. The 1-inch belt sands 3,150 surface feet per minute powered by a 1/4-horsepower induction motor. A built-in dust port allows connection to your dust management system. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1/4-hp induction motor for smooth, quiet operation
• 3150 surface feet per minute for efficient sanding action
• Automatic belt tensioning for trouble-free operation
• Ball-bearing construction for durability

Reviews (5)

Delta can do better.
For the price of this tool I expected it to be a little more finished looking, instead of a import tool with the Delta name pasted on it. Does it work, yes. However, as I found out too late, I could have ordered a 1" belt sander from Grizzly without the 5" disk for $49.00 and would have had an import tool that was green and worked, for $40.00 less.

nice tool but messy
The fine tool comes equiped with two exhaust ports that "should" connect to a shop vac, but in Delta's wisdom, these ports do not match any standard Vacuum size hose and there is no adapter Accessory to allow you to do so. Silly way to design a tool that makes a mess but it does work fine as a sander.

Great little sander
I really like this sander. I am a hobbyist knife maker and use it for handle shaping. It is perfect. The only thing I might change on it is the disk, could be bigger. It fits neatly in the conrer of my work bench and is light enough to move around as needed. Replacment belts and disks are easily obtained from woodworking stores. ... Read more

Asin: B00006K000
Subjects:  1. Sanders    2. Disc Sanders   

Delta SA446 Shopmaster 4" Belt & 6" Disc Sander
by Delta
Average Customer Review:
Tools & Hardware (01 October, 2002)
list price: $138.47 -- our price: $109.99
(price subject to change: see help)
US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France

Editorial Review

A versatile all-in-one machine, this 4-inch belt sander lies horizontally for edge- and face-sanding without the runaway effort of a handheld belt sander, thanks to the sturdy, adjustable, and removable backstop. Or position the belt vertically (or at any angle between 0 and 90 degrees) for contour, bevel, and chamfer sanding--the tables on both sanders tilt to 45 degrees. Use the miter gauge, and you're able to sand in compound angles. The belt sands 2,000 surface feet per minute, and the disc rotates at 3,100 rpm for serious stock removal. A die-cast aluminum base offers stability at a remarkably spare 33 pounds. Predrilled base holes make mounting a simple task. Delta even provided a built-in 2-1/4-inch dust port for connection to a shop vacuum to keep your workshop air clean. Sure, handheld sanders have their place in a woodworker's shop, but add this to your collection and you won't know how you ever got along without it. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 2-year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• Tilting table has a miter gauge slot and can be used with either the belt or disc unit
• Belt unit can be used vertically or horizontally for a variety of applications
• Belt tensioning lever and tracking control knob provide easy belt replacement and adjustment
• Built-in 2-1/4-inch dust port for use with a vacuum or dust collector

Reviews (9)

Excellent Value and great for small Projects
I definitely agree with some of the other reviews that this sander is a great value and that its excellent for small projects or as a hobby. I have my own shop and it fits perfectly in for doing the job. Shop around though for the best price. The sander is a great value based on its functionality. And that the belt can be used either vertically or horizantally is definitely a plus. Also replacement belts and disks are well stocked everywhere. Its much esier than some brand that uses a special size or type thats unique to that particular machine. A+++++

Motor Burnout
Purchased this sander and used it for light sanding only on small parts. Not many hours of use in two years when the warranty ran out. But so did the motor. It costs more for a motor than the whole sander sobe aware that this is what I would consider a throw away tool.

GOOD VALUE
I recently purchased this product.I found the manual to be well thought out and easy to follow.Assembly was straight forward and easy.The unit seems to be fairly well constructed for its size and intended purpose.My only complaint is with the belt which has an overlap seam and can cause considerable thumping in some applications.I would definately reccommend this product for small projects.However, be sure to check everyone's price, as I found one seller to have a price considerably below everyone elses. ... Read more

Asin: B00006JZZY
Subjects:  1. Sanders    2. Disc Sanders