Editorial Review

Riding on a horizontal double-rail system, Makita's 10-inch dual sliding compound miter saw is one smooth operator. Both rails are self-cleaning and slide on linear ball bearings. The horizontal rail design also seems to give this saw some extra stability, a feature we appreciate, especially in a saw that bevels to 45 degrees both ways. Makita's saw has a vertical grip design with a thumb-activated safety switch and a paddle trigger, and while the vertical design might be slightly less ergonomic than the horizontal D-handle, it does allow you to use the saw comfortably with either hand. Plus, the paddle grip makes squeezing the trigger easy no matter how you're holding the handle.

The saw crosscuts a two-by-twelve at 90 degrees and also has the depth capacity to cut four-by-four material--a feature deck builders, in particular, demand. The saw's table is large, too, giving you plenty of workspace for making wider crosscuts. The saw's nine positive stops make it easy to lock in common miters. The miter lock on this saw has a screw handle that is a little more time-consuming than recently popular cam-lock design. We really like the soft start and electric brake, however; they're user-friendly features that make a big difference, especially when a job requires a lot of constant, repetitive cuts. The pivot fence adjusts for supporting large stock and flips back for bevel cuts. The saw also has a well-designed work clamp that lets you make precision cuts on small pieces without having to get your fingers too close to the blade. Like most sliders, this saw features a depth-stop mechanism in case you have to make a few quick dado cuts on a job site. And, for home shop users, this saw also gives you the added option of a release safety button that pulls out and locks the saw off. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• 13-amp motor with soft start for smooth performance
• Dual rails for stability
• Bevels 45 degrees left and right for versatility
• Miters 0 to 47 degrees left, and 0 to 52 degrees right
• Adjustable sliding fence supports larger stock

Reviews (76)

Makita ??
I have owned this tool for 3 years. I finally give up. After having to re-adjust the tool to square almost daily, after using an angle, I can't justify the wasted time and screwed up project pieces any longer. I ordered a Hitachi.

switch to another
This has been, plainly put, the least reliable power tool I've owned.It was okay for the first year or so when I used it to install crown molding and cabinet trim during a kitchen remodel.However, one day it started running intermittently, cutting out and then powering up again, and then it just quit.I went to the local authorized Makita repair shop, bought a switch, and installed it myself (not a tough job).That switch worked for awhile, then it quit as well.I let the saw sit while I bought a third switch, but before installing that switch, I tried the second switch again.It worked.It continued to work for a couple of months, then the saw quit altogether, this time during a fencing job.I ended up doing all cuts freehand with a Skilsaw Mag 77 (now there's a good tool!).

I installed the third switch in the Makita, and it didn't work at all.I'm about to give up.

I asked the guy at the shop if this type of problem is common.He retorted with, "Why do you think I have so many switches in stock?"Really, the saw is accurate and ergonomic.It's also frustratingly temperamental, and no one has time for this kind of problem.Time to get rid of it and get a DeWalt or a Ridgid.

Very Nice Saw
The first saw I recieved was damaged somehow.Most likely in shipping.I recieved another unit and noticed one thing.It looks maybe like all the models after 01/05 are painted/powdercoated aluminum.The replacement saw I got had a build date of 09/04 and was just bare alum.No big deal. Worked great out of the box.The Makita smooth cut blade it comes with is nice.Very very smooth cuts.I was cutting some chair rail and one small piece did get cought and kicked back.It kinda split the kerf board on the right side.It happed again and broke even more.Good lesson, used the supplied work clamp.The clamp works well, but as you tighten the knob on your work, it wants to pull the whole clamp assembly out of the base.This is because it is held in by a thumb screw on the base.I would hate to tighten the thumb screw to much and break it.
Over all, very nice saw.Well worth the money. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Makita    2. (Maketa)    3. (Mikita)    4. Saws    5. Miter Saws    6. (Mitre Saws)    7. (Mitersaws)    8. (Mitresaws)   

Editorial Review

Move your orange clamps over and make room for Irwin. There are so many improvements on this fixture that we're just plain impressed. At the top of the list is the longer handle design that actually prevents the skinned knuckles woodworkers have come to expect. A close second is that these clamps don't need threaded pipes, an idea we applaud. The feet are bigger, and there are no downsides to that-—you get more clearance and more stability. The "double-thread design" means it takes less pressure to close on your workpiece, which means less fatigue for the user. We found the mechanism smooth and easy to operate, and if orange just isn't your color, this may be the perfect fixture for you.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Innovative clutch system eliminates the need for threaded pipe
• Larger feet offer more stability and clearance between handle and worktop
• Larger, more ergonomic handle offers easier clamping with reduced hand fatigue
• Larger clutch plates allow for easier release and increased durability and dependability

Reviews (8)

Great product - ignore the bad reviews
The few negative reviews here about the clutches being installed backwards almost kept me from buying these, but I decided to give them a try anyway since intuitively it seemed that the clutches and spring must be user serviceable.They arrived a day ago and I just got some black iron pipe for them to check fit and operation, and I must say I am very impressed with these clamps.The fit is tight and precise, the screw turns easily without binding, and the sliding jaw moves easily along the pipe.Cosmetically they are much nicer than any other I have seen in stores.The clutches on mine were all installed properly -- however, had they been installed in any other manner I could have simply compressed the spring by hand, removed the clutch plates and reinstalled them in the correct orientation!No problems there (I tried it and verified that if installed upside-down they will cause the problem mentioned in previous reviews, but as I said this is easily fixed).I bought these because of the extended height of the feet, which do allow knuckle clearance when operating the hand screw.The feet seem to be wider also, making these more stable.One thing I did notice is that the entire screw length can not be used due to the handle butting up against the end of the clamp when tightened all the way (maybe an inch of unused threads) but this is trivial -- there is plenty of thread length to do the job.I bought four sets of these for some furniture building projects I am working on, and will buy more in the future!The only things this clamp does not have vs. the Rockler ones is the lip on the threaded foot for hanging on a rack, and pre-drilled holes for mounting extention blocks.I plan to take a 2x4 and cut some notches in it so I can simply slide the pipe into the notch with the threaded jaw resting on the top for easy hanging, and if I ever need to mount anything to the jaws I can drill the holes easily enough.I do like the fact that the pipe does not have to be threaded, although the pipe I bought has threads cut and it works great.If you're looking for a high-quality pipe clamp buy these!Feel free to email questions to me (just remove the "nospam" from the address).

Great product - ignore the bad reviews
The few negative reviews here about the clutches being installed backwards almost kept me from buying these, but I decided to give them a try anyway since intuitively it seemed that the clutches and spring must be user serviceable.They arrived a day ago and I just got some black iron pipe for them to check fit and operation, and I must say I am very impressed with these clamps.The fit is tight and precise, the screw turns easily without binding, and the sliding jaw moves easily along the pipe.Cosmetically they are much nicer than any other I have seen in stores.The clutches on mine were all installed properly -- however, had they been installed in any other manner I could have simply compressed the spring by hand, removed the clutch plates and reinstalled them in the correct orientation!No problems there (I tried it and verified that if installed upside-down they will cause the problem mentioned in previous reviews, but as I said this is easily fixed).I bought these because of the extended height of the feet, which do allow knuckle clearance when operating the hand screw.The feet seem to be wider also, making these more stable.One thing I did notice is that the entire screw length can not be used due to the handle butting up against the end of the clamp when tightened all the way (maybe an inch of unused threads) but this is trivial -- there is plenty of thread length to do the job.I bought four sets of these for some furniture building projects I am working on, and will buy more in the future!The only things this clamp does not have vs. the Rockler ones is the lip on the threaded foot for hanging on a rack, and pre-drilled holes for mounting extention blocks.I plan to take a 2x4 and cut some notches in it so I can simply slide the pipe into the notch with the threaded jaw resting on the top for easy hanging, and if I ever need to mount anything to the jaws I can drill the holes easily enough.I do like the fact that the pipe does not have to be threaded, although the pipe I bought has threads cut and it works great.If you're looking for a high-quality pipe clamp buy these!

Quality Control
I was really happy to see the new improved clamp design available from Irwin at a reasonable price. When I put the first one I had ordered together I could not figure where I had gone wrong, as the clamp did not sit flat on the bench top. I checked the product reviews online to find that the improper installation of the clutch plates is a pervasive issue. Very disappointing. Until I see that Irwin has addressed the issue I will look for alternative versions at Rockler.com as another user suggested, and continue using the Pony Clamps that are proven performers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Clamps    2. Bar & Pipe Clamps   

Features

• All tools run off DeWalt's 18-volt XR+ batteries (two batteries included)
• Drill/driver/hammerdrill uses a DeWalt-built high-torque motor to deliver 450 in./lbs. of torque. Reciprocating saw operates at 0-2,800 spm with a 7/8-inch stroke
• Circular saw cuts two-by material at 90-degrees and 45-degrees
• Floodlight has flexible neck to point beam in any direction

Reviews (20)

A great long-term investment.
I write this review from the perspective of an aggressive hobbyist.My first power tool purchase was a DeWalt compact 12 volt drill/driver.My primary use for this tool was fixing small things in the nightclub at which I worked during my college years.As my skills gradually increased I began to take on more demanding tasks.It was clear to me that I needed some other tools and a little more power also.Frankly I didn't do much market research as I was satisfied with my DeWalt drill.Having said that, I will not compare this tool set with others on the market.

The price tag for the combo had me second guessing myself so I asked a contractor if I actually needed a $500 tool set.He advised me that I had to make my decision based on my projected frequency and intensity of usage.According to him, the cheaper tools often have weaker motor housings.In other words, the tool will break if it is pushed too hard and will, generally, have a much shorter life span.Not to mention diminished accuracy and power.

So if your usage is going to be: (1) Light and infrequent, consider an alternative to this combo.(2) Heavy and/or frequent, purchase a high-performance combo.

A word of caution, err on the side of purchasing the high-performance combo if you are not sure if your usage over time will increase.

After two years my combo still functions flawlessly.

Hammerdrill/drill/driver: This tool does what it states.It is nice having a light duty drill/driver as the 18-volt version can get heavy after a couple hours of work.For light duty work, a compact 12-volt drill/driver is ideal.Even in general, having two drill/drivers with you can save you a lot of time as you can place two different accessories in each drill.i.e. a drill bit in one and a screw tip in another.As a note, the hammerdrill feature works well, but within reason.This tool is not primarily designed for such use.
I have used this combination of drill/drivers to complete these two major tasks:
Extend a deck.Including anchoring posts into concrete footings and attaching ledgerboard into concrete.
Complete a rough framed room.As helpful info, there is a cheap depth setting drywall bit DeWalt makes that's a great time saver for setting screws in drywall.

Reciprocation Saw:There are a million uses for this saw, just pop in the appropriate blade and cut away.The only major drawback is that the saw vibrates a lot as it is relatively light weight.This makes clean plunge cuts difficult and while recip saws are made for rough cutting, it is a little more difficult to cut a straight line compared to some other recip's I have seen.Do not let me discourage you, I could list a hundred positives, but that would encompass more space than allowed.

As I truly enjoy the functionality of this saw, I purchased the 24-volt version.The 24-volt is a monster tool, but in retrospect my decision was not a good one.I already had a cordless recip; I did not need another one.I would have been better suited with a top of the line Milwaukee corded sawzall.This saw is a powerhouse, half the cost of my 24-volt DeWalt as it is corded, and an industry leader.If you ever need a more powerful recip saw, this would be my recommendation.

A final note.All of the tools in this package have been upgraded.The new 18-volt recip is a little heaver and has a 1 inch stroke (mine has ¾ inch).This may have corrected the flaw mentioned earlier.

Circular saw: This is a very functional saw.It cuts very well and comes with a rip cutting extension.I have only one complaint: The base is flimsy.It works, but a stronger base would have been a benefit.

After using this saw for 2 years, I decided it was time for me to move on to a more powerful saw.I was debating the DeWalt lightweight, high-strength base model with the DeWalt 364K which is the heavy duty version (and very heavy).I paid the extra $20 for the heavy duty model based on the reasoning that I already have a good light weight circular saw (my 18-volt).Also I may, in the future need powerful cutting power for lvl, concrete, brick, etc... Not to mention running my 18-volt through a lot of pressure treated wood is an abuse in my eyes.The 18-volt will take it, but that really is the place of a corded saw.I would recommend the DW364K if you need corded power to add to your tool set.However, I did not do any market research on corded circular saws so it may be worth your while to research some other brands for a corded circular saw (consider Skil and Bosche).

In the upgraded version of the 18-volt circular saw now available, the base plate is solid.This resolves my major drawback.

Also, buy a 24 tooth carbide blade, the 16 tooth blade included is a very rough cutting blade.

Flashlight:Works well, nice to be able to hang it on things.

For sustained work involving two or more of your tools you really need a third battery and a second charger.I would suggest purchasing another 18-volt tool you need as the cost of an extra battery and charger is significant.Do not buy the 18-volt jigsaw.It is my only DeWalt tool I am not satisfied with.The bevel lock comes loose while cutting every now and then; ruining the piece you are working on.If you need a jigsaw, purchase a Bosche; they apparently make the best jigsaws.

I sincerely hope this review helps.

Greatest Tools In The Worls
Theses four tools are the greatest, The drill is the best you can buy, strong enough to drill through anything.The reciprocating saw is wonderful for anything, even a quick prune of a low tree branch.The Circular Saw comes with the framing blade, cuts quick and the blade doesnt dull if you hit a nail or two, and the light is great for when you need an extra hand to hold a light, just adjust it and set on a flat surface and you have light to work by.I have had these tools for a few months now. I even try to find an excuse to use them.

Made in Mexico
A word of warning before you spend your hard earned money on DeWalt tools.Black and Decker (they actually make DeWalt) recently moved the manufacturing of DeWalt tools from Easton, Maryland to Mexico.Most of the DeWalt tools being sold now were either manufactured in Easton after layoffs were announced or were made in the new Mexico facility.The facility has been riddled with problems from day one and may never produce the same quality tools as the Easton plant.Yes, every tool maker now manufactures outside the US, but DeWalt admittedly priced their tools higher because they could stamp "Made in America" on them.Now all they have is higher prices, a bright yellow case stamped "Made in Mexico".I am not telling anyone not to buy DeWalt, just sharing the truth. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. Combo Packs    5. (Volt)    6. (V)   

Features

• Sturdy blow-molded design
• 4" diamater connection built into the unit
• Can be positioned for connection to be either on the right or left side of machine
• Works only with the Delta 22-580 13" planer

Reviews (4)

no more clean up, planer doesn't clog anymore
It fits and does the job just fine. With this thing hooked up and the dust collection running, I can plane a bunch a stack of wood and not have to sweep, clean, and cough my lungs up when I'm done. It saves me a ton of time and keeps the garage much cleaner.

I was worried that the thin intake on it would get clogged since the planer alone tend to, but it does not. The suction from the dust collector keeps things running smoother than if the planer was doing the job alone.

The only reason I give it a 4 star rating instead of a 5 is that it must be disconnected to close up the planer. So when it's time to move the machine away to put the minivan back in the garage you've got to twiddle with some thumbscrews for a minute. Not sure how a better design could have eliminated this step, but making it go quicker with a latch or something would have been nicer.

Absolutely essential accessory for Delta 22-580 planer
Do not even try operating the Delta 22-580 planer without using this dust chute with a good dust collector attached to it. You'll create the biggest mess you can imagine and also end up with wood chips embedded in the wood you're trying to plane. It's really a shame that Delta doesn't include this accessory with its planer because it really is a vital requirement. I have been very pleased with its performance and would highly recommend it.

One of the best
This really works!I am always suspicious of the so called dust connectors. Most of them fail to collect the sawdust and leave a mess. But this is very effective at least 90 to 95% will be pulled into the dust collector. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Light as a feather and mean as a junkyard dog, DeWalt's18-gauge brad nailer is a heck of a tool. We like the fit and feel ofit, and DeWalt wins points from us for putting low-nail indicators onthe side and the top of the magazine. The sliding depth adjustment isfantastic: just unlock it with your index finger, slide the adjustmentwith your other hand, and you're ready to fire. Like DeWalt's othernail guns, this model has a nice plus in the 360-degree swivel exhaustcap that directs the flow away from you. Great pad, too--it didn't maranything to which we introduced it. We like it. --Kris Jensen-VanHeste ... Read more

Features

• Magazine holds 110 nails from 5/8-to-2-inches in length, straight collation
• Side low nail reload indicator window
• Four position vertical slide for indexed depth setting
• Lightweight aluminum frame, tool weighs just 2.8 pounds
• Tool-free jam clearing and 360-degree exhaust

Reviews (10)

I'm buying one for every guy in my shop
I received this nail gun as a free gift from DeWalt for purchasing a certain amount of products from them.I had previously used only Spot Nails and Omer nail guns, available only through a supplier, but as soon as I tried the DeWalt, I could tell it was superior even to my Spot Nails gun.I've used it for two years now in the cabinet and molding industry, and as my shop has grown, I will be getting a few more of these nail gun for my guys to use.I have recommended this gun to all of my friends in the industry.I do not blindly endorse DeWalt products, but this nail gun really is a good product.

Woodshop work
I bought this item two years ago. I don't really use it all that often and it seems to have problems.The two inch Brads Jam. I ordered new parts and installed them and it still jams on 2" brads. All other size brads work without jamming. It really cost me a couple of man hours with the 2" brad choke. The next garage sale it's gone. I'll stay with Bostitch and Senco, they are my workhorses.

Effortless
Bought this nailer for applying window trim in a screen room being enclosed with glass to convert it to a 4-season room.Sure beats holding the nail & llightly tapping it with a hammer & then worrying about accidentally hitting the glass with the hammer.There is no recoil & the only thing slowing me down is how fast the sleeve of nails disappears!No misfires, no problems, a real joy to use.Got the work done in at least 1/3 the time compared to a hammer & nail. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Tools    2. Nailers    3. Brad Nailers    4. (Nail Guns)    5. (Nailguns)    6. (De Walt)   

Editorial Review

As the evening descends on your 10-mile hike, which took just a bit longer than you anticipated because of the detour around the black bear, aren't you glad you brought the Tikka headlamp to light your trail the rest of the way? Among the most compact and lightweight headlamps in Petzl's catalog, the Tikka is not only terrific for hiking but also for close-in detail work, such as whittling carefully crafted marshmallow sticks at the campfire. The Tikka features a 150-hour burn time, gives off a very white light, and comes with an adjustable elastic strap that fits any size head or helmet. Backpackers, mountaineers, and spelunkers should all buy one. ... Read more

Features

• Delivers 150 hours continuous light
• Perfect for camping, hiking, home projects--any time you need extra light
• Comfortable adjustable strap with cushion forehead pad
• Fits in the palm of your hand
• Extremely lightweight--weighs only 2.5 ounces

Reviews (15)

Not perfect, but better than most
Petzl's Tikka series lamps are hard to beat for function, price, and practicality.Sure, there are lighter weight LED-type lights out there that use watch batteries, but standard AAA batteries are much easier to come by when you're camping/trekking in out of the way places than a specific type of watch battery.The burn time is phenomenal, compared to conventional incandescent lamps, and the Zipka lamp is a very ingenious little headlamp, with its retracting strap and tiny size.They both put out a good field of usable light, and it stays bright for most of the battery life (usually 100-150 hours).As for the criticism that the Tikka line does not have a multiple intensity or flashing setting, or an adjustable angle, Petzl has introduced "Tikka Plus" and "Zipka Plus" lines which offer all of those features, though at a slightly higher price, with slightly more weight and a little bit shorter burn times.They've improved the switch too, for the plus models to allow for the multiple function settings, eliminating the original less-than-perfect slide switch, and the possibility of the lamp turning itself on by mistake.I own several lights in this series, the Tikka, the Zipka, and recently, a Zipka Plus, and I use them constantly whether bicycling, reading in my tent, hiking down a trail at night, or running tv cable in my crawlspace and have nothing but praise for each light.

great/useful light
I recently bought this light and it has been a very pleasant experience. I use it for reading late at nite and for working/fixing things around the house (it is 20 times easier to get light in the place you want it with this rather than with your wife trying to point the light at what you need it pointed at).Overall a good product.

Junky switch + Great light = One Heck of a Problem
It's true (as many before me have said) that the switch is pure hell.Flickering everytime I turn it on.Sometimes the light seems very dim until I mess with the switch and realize it's just not 'contacting' well.

The problem is I LOVE the light.I'm too stupid and cheap to throw it away.So I continue on and suffer every night (since I usually use it as a reading light).

Go ahead and buy it.It's nice.It's blue and the light it great.But you've been warned about that darn switch... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel Accessories    2. Book Lights    3. Book Lamps    4. Reading    5. (Booklights)    6. Camping Accessories    7. Lighting    8. Cordless Tools    9. Lights    10. (Volt)    11. (V)    12. Flashlights    13. (Flash Lights)    14. Work Lights    15. (Jobsite Lights)    16. (Job Site)   

Editorial Review

The first thing we look for in a table saw--portable or otherwise--is an accurate, smooth-working fence, and the telescoping fence on DeWalt's 10-inch portable table saw impressed us immediately. Fully extended, the fence delivers a 24-1/2-inch rip capacity, letting you cut to the center of a 4-by-8-foot sheet, while the rack-and-pinion design lets you make microadjustments fast and accurately. We also liked how the fence rides on both the front and back rails so that it's parallel to the blade at all times. The telescoping rails retract, too--when the job's done, the saw is easy and safe to transport.

Like most 10-inch portable saws, DeWalt's has a 3-1/8-inch depth capacity at 90 degrees and a 2-1/4-inch capacity at 45. The 15 amp motor cranks plenty of torque and doesn't lag when cutting hardwood or pressure-treated stock. Performance aside, DeWalt clearly also kept safety in mind when designing this saw. Its oversize on/off switch is positioned so you can easily bump it off with your knee if you get into trouble making a cut. The arbor on Dewalt's saw also has the capacity for a full dado stack. Add to that the saw's dust-collection hookup and sturdy steel stand, and you've got a portable table saw that can hold its own in the shop. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Large 26-1/2-by-19-1/4-inch table top provides ample material support
• 3-1/8-inch depth of cut at 90 degrees and 2-1/4-inch depth of cut at 45 degrees
• Features a 15 amp high-torque motor provides the power to cut pressure-treated lumber and hardwoods
• Telescoping fence delivers 24-1/2 inch rip capacity to handle 8-foot sheet material
• Rack-and-pinion design makes fence adjustment fast, smooth, and accurate

Reviews (61)

This saw is so awesome !!
After using this saw for only a few hours, I am so in love with it !! It is well worth the money. I do think that for the price Dewalt should include the outfeed support. I also would have preferred a 4" dust port, but hey, you can't have everything.
The rack and pinion fence is right on the money. Dewalt has done it again. They make good stuff !!

Great saw
It's light, easy to use and the rip fence on gear tracks is excellent. No place to wind the cord is kinda crappy, and the blade angle adjustment slides rather than having something like the knob used for the rip fence for adjustments. The frying pan coating on top doesn't last long if you don't wipe it down with some WD-40 once in a while. I've used it as a jobsite saw and to build cabinets, speaker boxes, cut plexiglass, etc. It's not a $1500 cabinet saw but if you screw a sheet of plywood to a couple sawhorses as a outfeed table and take some care in your cuts, it works awesome for something one person can carry.

Fantastic saw for its class
I've had this saw for a year now.I have a small shop and didn't want to sacrifice the permanent square footage for a stationary cabinet model.So I was only looking for a portable...but a good portable.I am not a professional in any trade, but am a very seasoned DIY'er, particularly with woodworking.I've made a few pieces of furniture with the saw and I don't regret its purchase at all.Here are my thoughts on this item:

POSITIVES

1) Portability, portability, portability.I usually have it set up on the leg stand in my shop, buy have needed to transport it mutliple times either inside my house or to other sites I worked at.

2) The 15 amp motor is impressively beefy, considering it is a portable, and cuts quite nicely through any wood I've tried so far (including oak and birch).

3) The folding legs are easy to set up and EXTREMELY sturdy when the saw is on and properly bolted on (bolts are not included though...)

4) The fence is great.Easily adjusts and stays true and parallel (a minor flaw though...see below).

NEGATIVES

1) When saw dust gets built up on the pinion gears for the fence adjusting mechanism, the gear(s) sometimes slip over one tooth and the fence gets out of parallel.However, you'll easily know when it happens (if you don't notice it by eye, you'll quickly notice the wood binding up in the blade!)However, it is a quick and easy fix by hand to put it back parallel...and impetus to keep your tools clean.

2) The blade guard is relatively cheaply built and a nuisance. Although it is a cardinal sin, I never use the guard.

3) The open ended arbor wrench stripped open a little bit after a few months of moderate use.I switched a lot between a ripping, cross cutting and dado blades when making two pieces of furniture.The mouth on the open ended wrench seemed to have stretched out a little and would slip off the arbor when I was trying to tighten/loosen the arbor nut.After banging up my knuckles a few times, I ordered a new wrench from the DeWalt service center near me (only costs about $2).Unfortunately, a normal open-ended wrench is too wide to fit in...you need to use the thin DeWalt wrench.

4) The combo blade that comes with it is relatively cheap.It cuts fine through most woods, but leaves blade marks.Also, there is more splintering/tearing than I would like when cutting through plywood.I highly recommend splurging on a Forrest Woodworker II blade and dampener.Flawless cuts on this was with the Forrest blade.

Overall, I absolutely love this tool.The price seems high (and sort of is considering it is portable), but the DeWalt quality is worth it compared to the much cheaper Ryobi and Makita models.The negatives I have listed are fairly minor; mere nuisances with easy fixes.Be sure to check the fine tuning of the fence width ruler and parallelness of the fence.I had to tweak them a little before I first used the saw to get everything just right.If you need portability and want to save space but don't want to sacrifice a lot of the benefits of a cabinet saw, this tool is a must! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Saws    4. Table Saws    5. Bench-Top Table Saws    6. (Tablesaws)    7. (Portable)   

Editorial Review

Light, portable, versatile, and powerful, DeWalt's new little vac is a great invention. We love that it's powered by a 12- to 18-volt battery, allowing for use when the power's off or you're too far from an outlet, and that you can also plug it in for continuous use. If you're a DeWalt fan, it's likely you already have the 12- to 18-volt batteries and the charger, so the fact that this is sold without those won't affect you. But that's a change we'd like to see DeWalt make. Other than that, it couldn't be better. The five-foot hose is flexible, and the cleaning tools fit on board. The suction's impressive, whether on AC or DC power. Unlike other wet-dry vacs, you don't have to change out the filter innards when switching from wet to dry, and we just love that. Just rinse it off to clean it. Its high-efficiency filter is listed at trapping 99.7 percent of dust, and in our book, less dust in the air is a good thing. When you're wet-vacuuming, just empty the tank through the drain port. It's light as a feather, super-portable, and plenty powerful.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes crevice tool and wide nozzle
• Runs off of 12-18V DEWALT battery packs or 120V AC
• Heavy-Duty rubber hose provides durability and flexibility
• Wet/dry filter eliminates change overs
• High efficiency filter traps 99.7% of dust

Reviews (33)

There's no end to its usefulness...
Though I have an excellent Fein shop vacuum, I get tired of dragging it all over the house for what amounts to light clean-up jobs.I decided to leave my Fein in the workshop and give this vac a try as my "portable" unit.I am extremely pleased with this decision!I have found that this vacuum operates equally well when plugged into the wall or when it is running off of my 14.4v battery pack.I was worried that suction would diminish if I used the battery option, but it does truly seem to have the same suction power with both power sources.As for the suction, it is of course not as strong as a quality, full sized shop vac - but for what it is intended, it does a great job.Remember, what you lose in suction you gain in mobility.I have had no problem sucking up sawdust, drywall dust, dirt, dead bugs, etc.Honestly, the longer I have this thing the more uses I come up with for it.By disconnecting the hose and attaching it to the exhaust side of the vacuum, you have a small blower.Though I wouldn't say it is powerful in this capacity, I am able to blow all of the grass clippings off of my patio after mowing the yard (in cordless mode of course).All in all, this is a very useful and well designed tool that I highly recommend.

Great mini vac
Handy little vac for impromptu small pick-up chores. I keep it in a cubby near the kitchen for quick crumb and dust pickup, and nailing those pesky red beetles that accumulate in the ceiling corners. The wand, brush, etc from my Hoover up-right all seem to fit well on the DC500 hose. I bought an extra filter but it was a waste of $$, as the filter cleans easily with a tap, or blow it off with compressed air. Best tool I ever have had for drawers, closet corners, cabinets, all those little clean up chores that wipeing and dusting don't do the job. Also handy for electronic equipment. Consider it as a Dust Buster on steroids. ShopVac it aint!

A Must-Have for your DeWalt cordless tool collection
I have one of these units at work.It gets used on a daily basis cleaning computer shelves, cabinets, and keyboards.Let me state that it is perfect for that type of application.It holds more debris than your typical cordless handheld vacuum.The suction power is also more powerful.This unit has dual power source capability.Meaning, you can use the attached power cord to run it off of AC power, or you can insert a DeWalt power tool battery to run it as a cordless vacuum cleaner.

This unit would be a very nice addition to your DeWalt cordless tool collection.It is a perfect tool for light clean up jobs around your home or work place.However, like the previous reviews have stated, "this is not a replacement for your heavy duty shop vacuum".The motor is simply too small for heavy duty work.Anyway, that is not its intended purpose.Removing water out of a flooded bathroom is probably too much to ask from this vaccum.However, it will do nicely for cleaning your car's carpet and upholstery.

This vacuum uses the same battery as the DeWalt heavy duty cordless drills.It will use a 12, 14.4, or 18 volt.Naturally, the bigger the battery, the more run time you can expect.At work, I have access to an unlimited number of 18 volt XRP batteries.Our maintenance shop has dozens of them constantly charging at any given time.I do not have to worry about running out of battery power.I can expect at least 15 minutes of continuous usage out of an 18 volt XRP battery.That is more than plenty for my light usage.The ability to use AC power is always there.That is the advantage of the dual power source capability.The one feature that is lacking in this area is that the unit does not recharge the attached battery even when the power cord is plugged.To recharge the battery, you must use a DeWalt charger.

Batteries and chargers are not included.This vacuum would be more beneficial to those who already own a set of DeWalt batteries and a battery charger.DeWalt batteries are expensive.But, if you already own a DeWalt drill, then it would be relatively inexpensive to add this drill to your collection.

I highly recommend this DeWalt cordless vacuum cleaner.It is another brilliant and innovative product from the folks at DeWalt.At this time, I know of no other similar product. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. (Volt)    5. (V)    6. Vacuums    7. Wet-Dry Vacuums    8. (Vacumes)    9. (Vaccuums)    10. (Vaccums)    11. (Vacums)   

Editorial Review

Are expensive router bits worth the cost? After testing Freud's 1/2-inch shank set, we think the answer is yes. The features found in these Freud bits--long-lasting micrograin carbide/titanium tips, tri-metal brazing, and an antikickback design--make them a better choice than less-expensive options. Each Freud bit is computer-balanced to run vibration- and chatter-free at speeds well in excess of the typical 22,000 rpm of most routers. These bits have a high shear angle that produces less tear-out and chatter marks, leaving a cross-grained cut that requires little or no sanding. Multiaxis grinding helps ensure the proper relief angle on cutting edges regardless of how the bit is oriented. The kit includes a variety of useful bits most frequently used by woodworkers and comes in a sturdy wooden case for maximum protection of the cutting edges. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• High shear angle for less tear-out and chatter marks
• Bits for V-grooving and flush trimming to chamfering and dovetailing
• All bits are solid carbide or carbide-tipped
• Anti-kickback design
• Perma-SHIELD-coated to reduce friction and heat build-up

Reviews (15)

Close To Perfection
What can one really say about router bits? This is a great set; a fine selection of commonly used bits and enough for just about any hand-held routing application. 1/2" shank is the way to go and I'd only use a quarter inch in a pinch. The case the bits come in is substantial as well. My only gripe is that the straight bits seem to be a tad undersized; maybe they're gauged for plywood? In any case, this is a great value and I'm pleased as punch.

Excellent Quality
I have used this set of Freud bits in my shop for several years and I have not needed to have them sharpened yet.The cut is smooth and chatter free.These bits seem to cut through the hardest of wood effortlessly.I own many other brands of router bits, and I think that Freud has a far superior product.You may pay a little more for these bits than the cheaper bits from other manufacturers, but the money is well spent.

Can't fault this set
A very fine set of bits, I'm pleased. The only glitch is the plastic form inside the box; it allowed a bit to get loose and rattle around (and chip) during shipping. Amazon set it right, but I wish Freud would find a way of really locking the bits in during shipping. Other than that, a wonderful starter set. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Routers    4. Router Bits   

Editorial Review

Serious craftspeople looking for a dedicated shop machine should consider the Powermatic hollow chisel mortiser. This tool features heavy-duty cast-iron construction, and its 1-horsepower motor turns 1,725 rpm, supplying plenty of power--we made 1/2-inch cuts in a few choice hardwoods with no problem at all. The sliding table rides smooth and sure with depth and length stops and front-mounted hand wheels for linear and cross adjustments. Rack-and-pinion gearing raises and lowers the entire motor head and feeds the mortiser solidly into work. We like the removable, see-through plates for easy access to the chuck and find the lock knob for securing the chisel convenient. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Two-year warranty
• Chisel and bit capacity of 1/4- to 1-inch
• Adjustable stops for setting depth of cut
• Swing away plate allows access to chuck
• Adjustable operating handle

Reviews (13)

I thought the Delta 14-651 Mortiser would do the job...oops!
Think of the engineering behind the task. You are taking a square chisel, and not slamming it into some wood with a mallet, but rather taking a long slow plunge. Plunging hardwoods like oak, cherry, maple etc. makes you think it is actually a near impossible task. It is helped because the bit in the center is drilling the core, making it easier for the chisel to scrape the walls down. This process is really a challenge for a drill press with a mortising attachment. Some say it could eventually waste a drill presses bearings. Ok so I stepped up to the plate and bought the Delta 16-541. It appeared to be the best out of the smaller dedicated mortisers, and it does do a nice job. That is as long as you are not doing mortises on anything larger than 4 inches. If your making doors, you need to convert the machine with a base spacer, which takes time, adjustment, and disables the adjuster on the fence. If you are an occasional Mortiser, that will suffice. The range of motion on the Delta is only a little over 3 inches. The 1/2hp motor is adequate, but the bit/motor jammed on me twice in a single project. I had to take the bit apart, clean, realign, and reinstall. I also had to be careful to manually keep the wood tight up against the fence. (No clamp)
All of this takes me to the fullest appreciation of the Powermatic and why I ordered the 719A. The fence has a large quick holding clamp, that assures you that your work is going to stay in a perfect line against the fence. The entire table moves left to right with a 16 inch range, and 4 1/2 inch range front to back by using the large wheels on the front. You simply crank with one hand, and plunge with the other. That is efficiency. If you are using a 1/2" bit, and want to make a 1" mortise, you can use the other wheel, move it back a half inch and finish the run. The Powermatic sports a 1 HP motor, twice that of the Delta, therefore it accepts bits up to 1 inch. So you can even make 1" mortises in a single pass. If you look at the very long plunge handle, you can see that it would be easy to create a lot of leverage.
I was concerned about the board capacity in size, so I called Powermatic. The rep measured the distance between the chuck, and the TOP of the fence, and it measured 9 inches. Add to that the 4 inch height of the fence, and you can see that this is a machine with a large capacity. It also has a plunge range of motion of 8 or 9 inches according to the rep. You can see that the Powermatic will handle most any size board. Using the large control wheel, moving the fence front to back, with a range of 4 1/2 inches, means you could put a mortise in the center of an 8" thick beam. Simply put, you don't need to disassemble anything for a full range of sizes. If you are doing repetitive runs, there is a built in adjustable stop on the right side. With a 282 pound shipping weight, you can put in a good size board, clamp it in, and not worry about it tilting onto the floor.
A last few considerations; It is shipped in two boxes, and one of them is 240 pounds. So my advice is to pay the twenty five dollars extra (current rate) for lift gate service. That way you don't have someone waiting in the truck while you offload the crate from a high bed truck. If you are unloading alone, your back is worth more than that.
The only downside is that the purchase does not include any chisel and bit sets. They are extra. Although I can see why Powermatic would do it that way, considering that Deltas bits, and several others fit the machine as well. That way you can get it for a more competitive price, and add the chisels only as you need them. I asked if the Delta chisels were as good as the Powermatics, and the rep professionally did not make an assertion, but I got from the tone of his voice that they were not. In all fairness Delta has two levels of chisels, at two different price points. Their professional bits are highly rated.
This Powermatic is a great commercial/industrial grade piece of equipment, that should give you a lifetime of service. The efficiency created with the unit will more than pay for itself. A foot activated automatic Mortiser is even more efficient, but you can only justify that level of price tag if you are mortising all day for a living. This Powermatic 719A fills the bill perfectly for a wood working professional, and the serious enthusiast. Highly recommended.

Great Machine
The machine took a month to arrive.Take Amazon's shipping estimates with a grain of salt.It was easy to assemble while laying down (as other recommenders on this site suggested).However, it was a bear to stand up by myself (other recommenders on this site seemed to imply that it was easy).I would suggest asking a friend to help.The manual leaves a little to be desired.The mortiser itself, on the other, hand meets or exceeds my expectations.So far it seems well worth the investment.

Powermatic gets it right.
I unpacked my Powermatic Mortiser and had it up and running in about half an hour.My former tool was a bargain basement type mortiser.Not bad, but hard to set up and get consistent results.I heard the stories about drill press adapters and decided not to go there even though Jet had supplied one with my drill press as a freebie.It's still in the box.Here are three things I would recommend Powermatic attend to.

1.A threaded rod with nuts on the left/right table would make setting the length of the mortise easier and more accurate.I used this scheme on my homemade version.

2.Larger threads on the set screws for the stops would be some added insurance over the long haul.

3.I use a dial indicator to set up some of my machines.I can "dial in" a setting with less fuss and more accuracy.For the heck of it, I put the dial indicator on the bed of the Powermatic mortiser.Over the length of the left/right travel, it had about 0.015" inches run-out.That means for a two-inch mortise there would be less than 0.002" error over its length.For machine tools, 0.015" would be unacceptable.I was surprised to see that much in an x-y table.For woodworking, I wouldn't worry about it.I mention it only to let the Powermatic boys know we're watching you.

Outside of my nit picking, this is one solid, well-made tool.Considering how rapidly and accurately it turns out work, it will be quite a money saver in the long run.

21-Apr-2005
After a few dozen mortises the position of the mortise starts to wander.The dial indicator showed quite a bit of slop in the vertical gibs.A few minutes of adjusting and a shot of aerosol grease and all is well.I check it from time to time but have yet to adjust it again.The bar that holds the left/right stops needed a bit of tightening at the ends.The stops themselves hold pretty well if you're careful not to whack them too hard when you move the bed.I found some parts in my junk box to make a stop for forward/backward motion.This improves the accuracy when making mortises that are wider than the hollow chisel.This might be a good thing to add to future versions.

Consistent light pressure on the clamp works best.Over tightening causes the location of the clamp to wander a bit and the flexture in the workpiece can affect accuracy.A more robust attachment for the clamp would be a good improvement.

Helpful tip:For mortises that show, i.e., not covered by a shoulder or have the tenon protruding from the mortise, scorethe cross grain edge of the mortise before using the Mortiser.Removing the drill from the hollow chisel and setting up your stops makes the Mortiser into a layout tool for the exact locations of the mortise.Make a shallow mark at either end of the stops.Connect the dots with a knife or chisel to eliminate crushed fibers at ends of the mortise.On through mortises start from the "show" side.Stop short of having the hollow chisel go all the way through.Only let the drill break through the back surface and trim with a chisel.A backup piece will not prevent the chisel from tearing out with brittle woods like oak.Flipping the workpiece and cutting from the reverse side often results in a bent mortise.Better to cut deep from the one direction and trim.

Another helpful tip:One of the complaints about hollow chisel mortisers is how the drill sometimes makes a hole wider than the hollow chisel.This leaves an unsightly circular bite along the edge of the mortise.A simple solution to this is to CAREFULLY file the circumference of the business end of the drill until it is smaller than the width of the hollow chisel.Mount the drill on blocks and check with a dial indicator to keep the filing concentric.The slightly smaller drill removes less material, but the difference in force necessary to push the hollow chisel is insignificant.If the drill is slightly out of round, not to worry.It's the hollow chisel that makes the final cut. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Drill Presses    2. Mortisers    3. (Drils)    4. (Mortise)    5. (Mortising Machines)   

Features

• Includes 1/2" impact wrench, (2) 18V XR+TM PACK extended run-time battery packs, 1-hour charger, and a heavy-duty kit box
• 1,650 in./lbs. of maximum torque for tightening and loosening large nuts and bolts and driving fasteners
• Only 6-1/2" long to get you into tighter spots
• Heavy-duty impact mechanism provides the power while delivering less kickback
• Heavy-duty magnesium gear case and all-metal transmission for job site durability

Reviews (1)

Another good item
I've only used this tool a few times and it has out performed my expectations each time. Working as a marine technician you see a lot of rusty engine mounts, each time I've used it this tool had no problem. Its also well balanced and compact, certinly not a the biggest amount of torque but enough for alot of smaller jobs. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. (Volt)    5. (V)    6. Impact Drivers & Wrenches   

Editorial Review

What a clever little job this is. Our first thought was to take it to the shop and build picture frames--it's perfect for that, along with countless other finish and trim projects. The pins are so tiny, you really wouldn't need to fill the holes. It's as light as a stapler but fastens like a nailer. It has lots of power for its size as well as many of the features of its big brothers, like rear exhaust, easy jam-clearing, fast, simple loading, and a visible warning when your fasteners are running low. We like it!--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Soft grip handle and low load alert
• FinishPro10 drives a 23 gauge micro pins 1/2- to 1-inch
• Includes case, fittings, repair tools, and oil
• 1-year warranty
• Features rear exhaust and easy fastener length adjustment

Reviews (17)

The 23ga micropinners are the best but this one is the WORST
The Idea of a micropinner is awesome. You can shoot 10 1 3/8" pins into a pencil and the pencil will not crack. The holding power is also very good because the pins have glue. The best thing about them is that you don't have to fill in the holes and you still don't see the pins. However, if you want to buy one I would stay far away from the SENCO. It is a cheap tool all around. The magazine jams, pins don't go all the way in, and you have to adjust the tool every time you use a different pin. I personally would suggest puchasing a GREX micropinner from E-Bay for the best price. If you are uncomfortable with the internet then contact GREX.

O.K. for a homeowner who will use it a few times.
I owned 4 of these tools in the past for my cabinet shop. Over the past 4 years I have spent over $800.00 in maintenance. The biggest problem is that the driver blade breaks all the time. Since then I have purchased a GREX P635 and P630 and they work great. Over the past year they have only broken 1 driver blade that cost me $13.00. I now own 8 total and I don't have any problems. Stay away from the Finishpro 10 I strongly discourage it.

avoid at all cost
This is the 2nd. one of these I,ve had in 2 years, only because the Co. sent me a new one after my 1st. gave it up in less than a year. I'm a professional woodworker who depends on his tools and once again this one has let me down. I mabey at the most use this pinner once or twice a week and it lasted a year almost to the day. I'm very disapointed and will not be buying any more of this brand of tools. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Air Tools    2. Nailers    3. Finish Nailers    4. (Nail Guns)    5. (Nailguns)   

Editorial Review

Known as one of the few quality saws still made in America,what really sets the Powermatic 66 apart from the competition is about200 pounds of solid vibration-reducing cast iron. The weight of thismachine makes it the smoothest-running tool in its class. A 40-pound,single-piece, cast-iron trunnion reduces vibration from the3-horsepower motor. Combine this with the 28-by-38-inch cast-irontabletop and you have one beefy machine weighing in at just under 600pounds. The unique belt-drive system distributes torque moreefficiently with less wasted energy going to heat. Staying cool means alonger motor life and less wasted electricity. The Powermatic 66 has aconvenient, hinged front access door and a 4-inch dust collection portfor easy connection to standard dust collectors. The 50-inch Accu-Fencehas an interior spring that applies constant pressure when not lockeddown, which takes the slop out of fence movement, improving accuracyand the speed of fence adjustments. It also has replaceable sides witheasy-access screws. Users can adjust the sides so close to the tabletopthat laminates will not slip underneath. The Powermatic 66 is theclassic choice for professional cabinetry and furniture shops, as wellas for hobbyists who spend more time in the shop than on the couch.--Nancy Gleason ... Read more

Features

• Includes $292 worth of free options: dado insert, motor cover, extension table, and legs
• Heavy cast-iron trunnion reduce vibration and ensure smoother cuts
• High-efficiency 3VX drive-belt system delivers torque more efficiently and generates less heat
• Left-tilting blade prevents binding during bevel cutting, reducing the risk of kickback
• Award-winning Accu-Fence system creates an easy-gliding, precision fence

Reviews (19)

AND THE MOTOR WENT SOUTH
Three years ago I sold my Unisaw, which I had had for 25 years, and bought the PM 66. I thought it was time to own the saw that many consider to be the benchmark standard of the industry.

Almost from the beginning, the motor would occasionally have a strange sound upon starting. The Tech people claimed that dust had migrated into the (sealed) magnetic switch, and I should just blow it out. I don't use the saw everyday, but this would happen every few months, and I would drag my air hose out once again.

Well, one day last week the motor screamed, heated up and died.

Took the motor to an authorized service center for Baldor. They said motor was completely shot, and was defective from the getgo.Said a new motor would be less expensive than fixing this one.

Cost of new motor = $412.

Wrote and called Powermatic.They were sypathetic ("yeah, that happens sometimes"), but said they could not help because the warranty period had expired.

Went up the chain of command, and finally found a guy that said he would give me a new motor for $200. Tired of the battle, and frustrated, gave him my credit card number.

MORAL OF THIS STORY:If you have a problem, don't procrastinate, and don't take no for an answer.That motor was defective out of the box. I knew it, and so did the people at Powermatic. I should have pursued the issue more zealously at the first sign of a problem.And even now, I know I should not have accepted their settlement offer ($200 for a new motor) so meekly.

1/4-20 screws don't cut the mustard!!!
The eagle has landed!!! I finally added the PM66 to my arsenal of tools and it's a beautiful site. I haven't finished the assembly as of yet but here's what I've found so far:
1) The extension tables will not sit flush from front to back. The center area seems to be bowed ever so slightly on both sides.
2) The 1/4-20 screws that connect the front guide rail to the saw are crap. I've already broke two of them. I DID NOT OVERTIGHTEN THEM. It just seems that there will be so much stress and strain on this front rail that a larger, coarser thread should be used. I have purchased stainless steel screws to replace the 3 cent garbage shipped with this $2200 saw. Come on PM, for this kind of money you can't use a better screw???
3) I was told that the saw DID NOT come with a dado insert and I purchased one when I picked up my saw. The insert DOES come with the saw.

I can only hope that the reat of the setup goes smoother than first two steps. I spent the additional money for quality which I can only hope is what I get.

Professional Engineer & Woodworking Hobbyist
First let me start by saying that I am a product engineer for one of the largest high quality furniture manufactures in the world. Believe me when I say I know what kind of quality equipment it takes to get the job done right. I did a lot of researching before making my decision.

After I purchased my model 66 in March of '04 I had no problems with the assembly. Everything fit just like the instructions said. I did have to make an adjustment to the top to get the miter slots parallel to the blade. I encourage everyone to check this from the start. This makes it a much easier task to square the fence or any other sled that you make.

After seeing the mobile base at a local woodworking show, I chose not to purchase one. It appeared to be too weak and too expensive at $199 to hold a 600 pound saw. I went to a local steel distributor and purchased the materials I needed to build my own. I also purchased some swivel casters from McMaster Carr. With all that in mind, including having someone to help me fabricate my own mobile base, I have less than $100 in it. I believe my base is far better than anything you can purchase - not to mention cheaper.

In the 6 months since I purchased my 66, I have had nothing but success. I had even read one review where someone had taken a penny and placed in on the top on its edge, turned the saw on and off without the penny falling over. I had to try this myself - it's like magic. Absolutely the smoothest running saw I have used. I was ripping 8/4 lumber with very little effort. By far the smoothest gluing edges I have seen yet. I find it hard to believe that some people had a poor review with their 66. I have heard since purchasing my model 66 that a cheaper Taiwan built saw is available. Could be that someone got one of those. I recommend staying with a USA made saw - this could be the difference. Although the Delta and Jet are a little cheaper, the powermatic is well worth the extra spending. Let face it, you are going to spend $1500 to $1800 anyway - what's another $300 to $600. There's an old saying; you get what you pay for. Being a professional furniture engineer and a woodworking hobbyist, the powermatic model 66 is simply the best saw and investment you will ever make.
... Read more

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

Editorial Review

This might be the most accurate, smartest, and safest after-market saw gauge we’ve ever seen. Instead of the protractor-type gauge that typically comes with a table saw, Osborne built theirs on a triangular model. When they say "rock solid, dead accurate," they’re not kidding: It’s guaranteed to be accurate to within 1/30th of a degree right out of the box. You’ll never have to attach another auxiliary fence to a miter gauge and worry about it warping. Clean, smooth, accurate crosscuts happen every time without hassle. Operation is as simple as your standard miter gauge, but with this ingenious system, even a beginner can’t make a miscut. Repeat angle cuts, and all your workpieces are interchangeable and identical. A telescoping extension means even long boards are fed true into the blade. No pro shop should be without this, and hobby woodworkers will love the results.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Fence is easily reversed to work left or right of blade
• Accuracy of 1/30th of a degree
• Guide bar width is adjustable in three places for a perfect fit in saw
• 9 easy to use preset detents for common angles
• Fence extension opens to 40 inches

Reviews (20)

GOTTA LOVE IT....
I have been researching a new miter gauge for almost 6 months. I had looked at most of the ones on the market, including the incra line, and Dewalt's copy of the EB-3 (seperate review). Couldn't find anyone who had an osborne in stock, so with a little whining I convinced my local woodworker's store to order a couple in. The problem began when the two units arrived at the store. All the people who work at this particular store are avid woodworkers in their own right. They assembled one of the miter gauges and gave it a try. It was perfect right out of the box. When I arrived several hours later to pick up my osborne miter gauge (they had told me when they would arrive), I had a hell of time prying one out of their hands. They have since ordered a dozen more, some for stock and some for employee's. I took home the one they had already assembled, as I planned on using it as soon as I got home. They had adjusted it to fit on the Jet supersaw..they had no slop and no rock. The face was 90 deg to the table and 90 deg to the blade. Since my saw is the Dewalt 746, I figured I would have some adjusting to do....WRONG....it slid into my table saw with no adjusting at all. It slides beautifully, with no side to side slop at all. I have no rocking, scraping and have noticed no flexing. The face is 90 to the table and 90 to my saw blade. I checked everything I could check and couldn't find one problem. So of course I figured I was doing something wrong. Can't be this good right out of the box, so I rechecked everything with another set of squares, ran a couple of pieces of pine thru on the 90 setting, perfect, cut a couple 45's, perfect, then the ultimate, 221/2"s, perfect. The last test was to let the Shop Dog sniff it and even he approved. I've had it a week now, made 8 square frames, 6 octagon frames, and 21 corner shelves. The only problem I've had is where to put the gauge when I'm not using it. It does take up a good amount of space if you don't "fold it" for storage, and I am strapped for space.(My saw table is one of my main assembly areas).
I find myself reaching for the Osborn miter gauge instead of one of my sleds now. I would and have reccommended this miter gauge to anyone who is looking for the ultimate upgrade in miter gauges. Its solid, well built and easy to use. "NUFF SAID"
UPDATE...I have been making a lot of traditional style jewelry boxes lately...Christmas ya know...with mitered corners and insert trays. Lot of repetitive cutting. I like to cut my box pieces from one piece of wood so the grain chases all around the box. I made an extra flip stop for my miter gauge so I could set two lengths on the gauge. Now I cut an end, flip the first stop up and cut the front, back to the first stop, cut...well you get the picture. The process is repeated when cutting the miters, get perfectly matched pieces every time. What a time and effort saver. I am going to try and order a second factory flip stop, as my homemade one is a little clunky.
Still highly recommend this miter gauge.
ANOTHER UPDATE...Called Summerville Design...their number is listed in the back of the instruction manual...To get a second flip stop, you have to copy down the part numbers...you'll need two of the plastic washers....and order it as parts. Their customer service is excellent and the parts totaled $12., including shipping.Someone there took the time to assemble the stop before shipping it...thats customer service! If you are like me and cut a lot of multiple lengths from the same piece of wood this is a valuable addition to your miter gauge, and inexpensive to boot. This whole thing just keeps getting better.

Wait for the EB-4
I have some issues with both the design and execution of this miter guage.

First problem is with the guide bar.The adjustment is nearly impossible. I had to run the screws nearly completely through the bar to get any adjustment at all. Then the screws were rubbing on the bottom of the miter slot.What a loud grinding noise that makes! This is what causes the rocking of the miter bar in the slot that is mentioned in most other reviews. The threads in the guide bar are so bad out of the box that the allen screw threads are chewed completely off so that they are nearly impossible to turn. The company's solution to this problem is to include an addional set of adjustment screws.This was no help -it just chewed up those threads too. I removed the bar and examined it closely with a magnifying glass and found that there is lots of slag from the laser cutting of the adjustment slots and threads. I had to spend quite a bit of time with a dremel grinder to fix the threaded holes. Once all of the burs were removed, new screws (purchased from the hardware store) turned easily and adjustment was smooth and precise.

They call the design rock solid, but that is not what I find. If you look at the photos of this tool you can see that the black bar with the markings slide in and out of the red channel.A button on the bottom of the red arm is spring loaded and pushes into holes drilled into the bottom of the black bar for standard angles. You then tighten a thumb screw to lock the setting. You can move the thing to a 45deg. setting in either direction.If you swing the aluminum fence toward you, the black bar move into the red channel.If you swing it away from you to 45 deg. (thy way I would prefer to cut 45s) the black bar moves out of the channel. The design problem pops up in this position. At 45 deg. there is only a little more than 1 inch of the black bar inside the red channel. Even with the thumb screw very tight, the connection between the black and red arms flexes with light pressure at the end of the fence, causing the fence to move approx 2 or 3 degrees and stay there. You can tweak this baby until the end of time and this flexing at this 45 deg. setting will still be there.This is more of a problem with longer, heavier peices of wood.A work-around is to never use that 45 deg. setting. Always swing the bar toward you from the 0 degree (90 deg) setting. Then, of course you must be careful and NOT push the miter guide too far because the black bar will hit the blade.This is why the other settig would be best to use.Additionally, the post at the rear of the bar, to which the red channel attaches, also flexes in this 45 deg. position, but it appears to be the result of the poorly fitting connection between the black and red bars rather that the cause (my opinion) I read a review here which stated that they were able to remove some of the slop by peening the shoulder of that post, and retightening it, but I have not yet tried that. Scratch a star for this design defect.

I was able to perform the Quality Control functions on the guide bar holes myself, but I find it unbelievabe that the company solution is to throw in a few extra allen screws! Scratch another star for really sloppy QC.

I decided to give the Canadian company a call and see if there is a solution to the flexing problem at the 45 degree setting. I told the girl who answered the phone that I was having some problems and she asked me to explain to her. I explained that I had chewed up all 6 screws and that the mounting post at the rear of the guide bat was flexing at the 45 deg. setting. She said she would send out some new screws and a new rear post. I asked for the post because I wanted to try to tighten the post by peening or some other way.A stouter post would overcome some of the flexing that is inherent in the design IMO. That was a Friday. She said the parts would go out Monday. I waited 10 days befor calling back. That time I got the answering maching for Customer Servidce. I left a message asking about the parts and left my phone. That was another 10 days ago. Not a word! Scratch another star for the worst Customer Service!

In summary, I should not have tried to resolve the issues with the company - I should have returned this thing but it is too late now.I can live with the flaws, because, after all, it is a woodworking tool, not a machine tool. However, if you are overly anal about accuracy, you might want to look at something else. Good luck.