Editorial Review

Power, precision, control--that's what you get with Makita's two-in-one 2-1/4-horsepower router kit. This router is industrial-grade, with rugged, all-ball-bearing construction and the quietest motor in its class. Makita designed its industrial router kit for the serious professional and loaded it with features that help produce top-quality results in materials ranging from hardwood to plastic. The router motor features, among other things, electronic speed control, variable speed settings (from 8,000 to 24,000 rpm), and a soft start. These features make it easy for users to match the router speed to the bit or cutter diameter and to the type of material being cut, resulting in a more precise and accurate cut. The router comes with both fixed and plunge bases, along with the accessories you'll need to handle most routing jobs. An on-board speed chart makes it easy to decide which setting to use for any given material. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Fine depth adjustment knob provides more accurate plunge cuts
• Quietest motor in its class
• Powerful 11 AMP 2-1/4 H.P. Makita made motor
• Variable Speed Control Dial (8,000-24,000 RPM) to match the speed to the material being cut
• Electronic Speed Control circuitry monitors and maintains RPM under load

Reviews (9)

Another quality tool from Makita
This is one fine router!It has a nice soft start feature which is truly soft.the noise level is low, well at least as low as you can get with a universal motor zipping along at 24,000 rpm.it is the quietest mid-level router I have used.While important, these features are truly secondary to what really matters in a router: the finished product.The vibration is nearly non-existent, which translates into silky smooth cuts.Couple this with a quality bit from Freud, Amana, or CMT and you are truly in business.
This kit comes with a fixed base and a plunge base.I use the fixed base for the most part and have found it to be up to the usual Makita level of quality.My only reservation about this base is the rudimentary height adjustment system.Once an adjustment is made, the action of closing the locking lever will often cause a minor change in the setting.This leads to a sort of trial and error method, which can be time consuming.Not being a professional, however, time is my least valuable asset.If I had to worry about time, it might be a problem, but then if that were the case, I could justify a shaper.
The plunge base included the kit is as smooth as the rest of this tool.The plunging action is nice and silky, and the lock/release lever is perfectly positioned.The method of securing the motor in the plung base is another time consuming affair (relatively speaking) it requires the use of **GASP** a phillips screwdriver.
All in all, I don't think anyone would be dissatisfied with this router kit.A quality system from a quality company!Having said all that, it must be noted that this particular market segment is highly competitive, with many outstanding router kits available in this price range.With such a dizzying array of permutations, it would be hard to make a bad purchase.

Makita Router
I was having difficulty in making consistent dovetails on maple and birch for cabinet drawers.I was using a Porter Cable dovetail Jig (see my review) and a 25 year old Craftsman router.After much frustration and detective work I determined that the router was largely responsible for the majority of my problems.The depth setting would change and it is hard to set precisely plus the bearing has a small amount of play which greatly affects the dovetail setup.I purchased the Makita router and almost all of the consistency problems were solved.I have not used this machine for anything else, but have no criticisms on its construction or operation to date.A high quality tool at a reasonable price for the part time hobbyist and woodworker.

Great router, but LOOK OUT!!!
This is a terrific routher, but beware!After about a minute or so of use I felt some chatter in the 1/2" spiral bit I was using.I checked to make sure the bit was secure in the collet -- it was -- but I discovered the collet body was coming unscrewed from the armature shaft!(The collet body is the piece that accepts the 1/2" and 1/4" collets and is supposed to stay put when you change collets or bits).I tightened it back on with a hefty screwdriver and a collet wrench and cautiously went back to work....

Once again the collet body started to come loose, but before I could shut off the motor the collet body (with collet and bit still attached) flew off the armature shaft and whacked me in the groin - OUCH!!!

Fortunately the bit didn't impale me, but let me tell you, I was VERY lucky to hobble away with the family jewels intact.

Again, I re-attached the collet body and this time used some high-strength thread locking compound to hold it all together.This was several weeks ago, and so-far, so-good.The router has been a thing of beauty ever since.

So...
1. Make sure you check that your router arrives fully assembled so parts don't fly off unexpectedly.In addition, the package arrived with a troublesome rattle that turned out to be some other loose parts floating around in the case.
2. Stop IMMEDIATELY if you feel or hear abnormal vibration or chatter.

I also recommend replacing the stock baseplate with the PC690 baseplate (about $11) since it's easier to center the PC baseplate due to the flathead vs. panhead screws.At least Makita makes this router so it can be used with the baseplates and jigs I made for my old PC690!That was a very smart thing for Makita to do. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Makita    2. (Maketa)    3. (Mikita)    4. Routers    5. Fixed-Base Routers    6. Plunge Routers   

Features

• Predrilled to fit a variety of table saws
• 50-inch right, 12-inch left capacity for a variety of applications
• Hairline pointer allows easy, precise reading of distance
• 3-point locking system for parallel alignment to blade to 1/64-inch
• Built in tape for easy set up

Reviews (7)

Often Immitated, Never Equaled
This fence is extremely easy to use and is incredibly solid.So many imitations on the market prove that it is a great system. However, none can match the original for all round quality and accuracy.

Excellent Investment!
WOW!I am loving this fence.This fence makes my old rockwell 10" contractors saw seem like a top of the line saw.Set up on the fence was easy, however the the manual and photos in it are lacking.I made my own extension table with a router in it on a mobile base, installed the fence, set the blade and fence parallel to the miter slots, adjusted the pointer on the tape, and started cutting like a pro (Im a new woodworker).Once the measuring pointer is set there is no need to remeasure unless you change your blade.The fence glides effortlessly over the table and rails and locks down solid with the lever.All parts are heavy steel and finished nicely.This fence will outlast the motor on my saw(I hope :) ) I was concerned about spending this much money on a fence system but now that I have this biesmeyer fence I cannot image using any other fence.This is well worth the money.Also biesmeyer offers a switch mount on the front rail (Not included in the packaging).Call Biesmeyer and they will send you the mount on request at no charge.Also pictured in their manual were what they call Z-brackets that are used to mount the extension table to the saw.These brackets are not included and after contacting Biesmeyer the informed me that these are not needed.They sent these to me also after requesting them at no charge and with a great attitude.

Goes on and Moves like Butter
Rail system went on my Jet contractors saw without problems.After aligning, cuts were smooth against the face of fence.I liked my stock fence, but I really like this fence.Now I have enough rail length to cut cabinet carcusses.

One problem though.Rear rail does not carry weight of fence.If rail is raised high enough for the rear of fence to rest on it interferes with mitre slot.Dropped below mitre slot and fence does not ride on rail and hits table top as it moves right to left.Seems that even if it did ride properly on rail that it would eventually wear a groove in fence faces.

Fix was easy enough with a 1/4" shim cut from teflon stock.Installed to straddle both faces from the bottom of fence.Teflon shim riding on thin rail will give excellent wear and helps fence to slide even smoother.

It's a keeper, now on with the work it was intended for.Oh yes, save the money on the extension table and make your own.[pirce] plus is a bit much for a piece of laminated MDF.[price] in material will make a great table extension. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fences    2. Table Saw Fences    3. (Tablesaws)   

Features

• Connects to 4" flex hose
• Cyclonic action
• Economical
• Fits 30-gallon metal trash can (not included)
• Increases bag and filter life.

Reviews (3)

Useful only after a lot of rework
This item, for it's price, was a big disappointment. For me the issue was not finding a suitable trashcan. (Found one at my local home improvement warehouse). My issue was the total lack of design consideration as far as vacuum leaks were concerned.The basic principal of this thing, I guess, was just to drop this thing on a trashcan stick two hoses IN the holes on the lid and just hope all the air leaks would not drop the efficiency of the system to the point that it would still move some dust.

After one look I decided that this thing needed some rework.The first thing I did was went to my local home improvement warehouse and picked up some PVC fittings that I could cut, grind, epoxy, and basically fabricate into 2 solid nipples that I could attach to the lid and clamp my 4" dust hoses onto.Then it was a simple matter of taking some black 3/8" weather stripping and applying it to the out side of the trashcan just under the rolled lip at the top. This provided a pretty good seal.All told all this stuff added an additional $20 to the cost of this product.

When my rework was complete the system works very well. 99% of the dust is trapped in the can making dumping the collector bag a very rare event. The vacuum efficiency is very good. To the point that if all my blast gates are closed it will actually start to collapse the sides of the steel can. Not a big deal but it might be a little worrisome if the dust collector and can are in the other room and you start to hear noises like a depth charge starting to implode.

There are other products out there for similar money that require no rework, Looks like woodcraft has a nice offering (Part #143290), but I have not been able to locate it on Amazon yet.

Hope this was useful.

Quality
I am dissapointed. My experience with Grizzly and Wood Stock has been pleasant until today.The issue is quality and price. This particular item has been a free gift from Grizzly in the past when you purchase a Dust Collector. It appeared to be a good idea, and it still is.I would not pay anymore than the bargain price. This is truely a "You get what you pay for situation."The lid is flimsy and I expected a male or female connector for hose attachment as with a shop vacuum. I tire of having to modify and improve upon a manufacturers product.

To me durability is important and I buy quality products from various manufacturers. I would not pay full price for this. I will modify it and make it fit. The problem is when I have to remove debris from the separator can.My experience with other products that are this flimsy is they must soon be replaced.

When I have more time I will make my own.Two accurate circular cuts in a "solid" lid and two adaptors.

no wonder it was on sale
I purchased two cyclone seperators, one for each dust collector,so far,I cannot find a 30 gal or any other garbage can for which to get a snug fit. I worked so hard to get my dust collection system air tight that I can't see using a device where the 4"hoses fit so loosely that you can see light around the connections and the lid is totally loose around the all the cans I tried. Thereare no instructions or tips to seal this device and if you try to return it you incur a restocking fee. ... Read more

Features

• Motor: 1/4 H.P., 110V, 1.8 AMP
• Multiple feed speeds
• Range of speeds 20, 26, 33, 43 FPM
• Rotation: forward and reverse
• Wheels: 3, synthetic rubber, 1-1/8" W x 3-1/16" Dia.

Features

• 1/2 H.P., 110V motor
• 12" swing over bed
• 3/8" bore through spindle
• 35-1/2" between centers
• Ten speeds: 580-2850 R.P.M.

Editorial Review

The micro-adjustment sets this guide apart from others in its price range. It’s easy to adjust with a turn, and it’s marked clearly in white, so it’s easy to read. Setup is a breeze, and we got great results. Our favorite feature is the dust collection port, which, when hooked up to a standard shop vac, really kept the sightline clear of chips and curls. Construction is sturdy. If you don’t have an edge guide in your shop, this one’s definitely worth considering. Its virtues: easy setup, nice fine-tuning mechanism, accuracy and clean chip removal. A good bet for the home woodworker as well as the professional.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Fits all DeWalt routers
• One year warranty, One year service contract, 30 day no-risk trial

Reviews (5)

Well worth the money
I purhcased this a few weeks ago from Amazon. I played around on scrap while getting the hang of it. It is easy to setup and use. I used it making some fluted trim and the vac port worked ok when working near the edge but hooking the shop vac directly to the Dewalt plunge router worked better. All in all well worth the money.
A fellow woodworker

Review of DeWalt universal edge guide
I received the edge guide a few days ago and used it to complete the mortising for the hanging brackets of my daughter's bed that I recently completed.I felt that the setup was a snap and it is easy to use.Prior to using the guide I made a few practice cuts so that I could get a feel for the adjustment and accuracy of the edge guide.Given how inexpensive this edge guide is, I believe it works great and have no complaints.

Great addon
This works very well. Very easy to setup and adjust, the micro adjust feature is great for dialing in exactly what is needed. The dust port works well when working on edges. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Routers   

Features

• Cleans and light sands
• On coarse/one medium buff
• Use mandrel 402

Reviews (2)

Think Twice
As with many Dremel accessories, this will ware out very quickly. It is only good for very light work.

Excellent Accessory
This accessory is excellent for removing rust or scale.It's a great cleaing accessory for metal. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Dremmel)    2. Dremel    3. Rotary Tool Accessories   

Features

• 4-inch OD
• For use with your shop dust collection system
• Maximizes system efficiency
• Cast-aluminum body with a steel gate
• Locking knob

Reviews (9)

Cost Way TOO Much
These are the same product and quality that you can buy from various sources, but these are 1/3 again as much!!

No matter whos' you buy expect to have to use some silicon to seal them up or they will leak mercilessly.

What?No knob? JET must kidding!
About a year ago, I bought a bumch of these when I bought my first dust collector. They were equipped with a screw knob that is used to hold the gate open.

Well, I just bought a new oscillating spindle sander, so I also bought a new blastgate. JET changed the design! They now use a bolt instead of a knob.

This change must be one of the dumbest ideas ever. The purpose of a blastgate is so that you can EASILY divert air flows. Changing to a 1/4" boltmakes it nearly impossible to open and clase the blastgates. If you have arthritis, you need to get a wrench to open the blastgate.

So, I replaced the bolt with a knob that I had lying around the shop.

Note that currently the picture shows the bolt but the item descriptions says there is a knob. The item decription is wrong.

Also, the sliding doors often get stuck. I'm not sure why this happens--probably a wood chip gets lodged in the track--but damn, is it annoying. Stopping work to disassemble a blast gate is a huge time waster.

Also, at $13 each, this is really expensive.

blast gates
The aluminum blast gates are just great.A little bit on the expensive side but worth the money.I'll just keep on buying two every other month. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Vacuums    2. Dust Collectors    3. Fittings    4. (Vacumes)    5. (Vaccuums)    6. (Vaccums)    7. (Vacums)   

Editorial Review

Well-executed design combined with solid, reliable performance make this Bosch belt sander a tool with noticeable performance advantages. The Bosch features a magnesium-and-plastic housing that's lightweight yet durable. The tool is nicely balanced, comfortable, and easy to operate--important features in a tool that's often used for long periods of time for removing large amounts of stock. The Bosch comes with a cast-aluminum platen--so there's none of the warping that affects stamped-steel platens--and it sands perfectly flat right out of the box. Like many of the sanders in this class, the motor on the 1274 is aligned with the belt edge to allow flush sanding into corners. The tool's only drawback is that visibility is limited when sanding into tight corners, but that's a small minus when weighed against all the pluses. The belt-changing system works well--we didn't suffer any spring pinches--and the tracking adjustment tracks the new belt quickly and keeps it in place. There's a variable-speed dial built right into the trigger switch, which makes adjusting the belt speed fast and convenient. Wood magazine tested 10 3-by-21-inch sanders and liked the 1274DVS best. We agree that it's a great tool. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• Compact in-line design - For better balance
• 6.6 Amps, 550-1,100 SFPM power - For professional applications
• Variable speed - For fine finishing of fast stock removal
• Graphite platen pad - For cool running and uniform sanding
• Removable front handle - For close work

Reviews (26)

dust bag a concern
Got mine today but the dust bag is not the more expensive one available at local retailers or pictured on the box or in the manual. The box came with the factory seal but I am perplexed why a very cheap bag that doesn't carry the Bosch name made of flimsy fabric was in the box. It does match the amazon picture but not anything from the Bosch website or the box. It is not of the same quality as the dust bag on my Bosch random orbit sander.

Decent sander
I bought this sander after trying the Dewalt and having it die in about 15min of work.After researching other sanders, I discovered B&D owns Porter-Cable and Delta, along with Dewalt. Since every B&D tool I have ever purchased failed, I amhesitant to give B&D my money.

I chose the Bosch after comparing with its twin, the Ryobi BE321. The sander is well balanced and comfortable in your hands.It took a little getting used the "brick" design, but The egornomics are great.It has the power to get the job done. The dust colletion is average.Afterall, it is a belt sander!

I would recommend this sander to anyone.

Well built and easy to use
This is an excellent tool that fits comfortably in your hand.It removes material efficiently and is easy to control.The belt tracking system works better than any other I've used.Since it is light weight (for a belt sander), it won't wear you out like most other units.The inline design allows you to easily get into tight spaces and unlike many sanders, the dust collection system really works. It's made in Switzerland and the resulting quality is obvious. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bosch    2. (Bosh)    3. Sanders    4. Belt Sanders   

Features

• Ideal for driving common bulk nails in confined areas
• Hardened steel nose for extreme durability
• Magnetic nose with recessed nail slot
• Ergonomic design for all-day comfort

Reviews (6)

Outstanding for joist hangers
I bought one of these because I dread hand nailing all the nails on a joist hanger.This little palm nailer does the trick!

It's quick, drives all the little hanger nails and the 10 pennyones too.It can even be used to drive that little spike on the hanger to hold the hanger in place before nailing.The unit is fairly light and fits comfortably in the hand.I'll bet I cut the time down to 1/5th verses hand nailing.

The only disadvantage to this tool is the noise.It is loud so you may want to have some hearing protection available.

Well worth the $$$...enjoy!

Great but....
Bought a N88RH-2MCN and the PN100 came with it (for free).

Works really really well EXCEPT - the manual says it will
drive a 70d nail but nothing close to that size nail will
fit in the tip...called Bostitch a few times - first they
said that tip only comes in a kit (PN100K) and cannot be
purchased separately, then called back and talked to someone
that knew the product - he said that the nose piece for the
larger nails does not exist anywhere and that the engineering
dept was notified and knows of the situation.

This thing will drive any nail that you can get in the nose
piece REALLY REALLY well.

I have driven true 16d (3 1/2 inch long, 0.162" diameter)
all the way into 2x6's and it really works well and is very
quick.

Saves your arm
I had a Porter Cable Framing Nailer to build my shop but gave it to Habitat For Humanity when done since I would hardly ever use it in the future.I recently have some little odd jobs to do so thought about a palm nailer.The price on the Bostich is even lower than Harbor Freight's "import".I've only tried it with 6d nails but it works great.You do have to add a 1/4"npt fitting ($0.99).I'm too old to pound nails with a hammer all day so this tool is a great help to me. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

For years, Milwaukee's Sawzalls have been valued for their outstanding ability to cut through almost any material: wood, nail-embedded wood, steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, drywall, composition materials, hard rubber, cement, brick, plaster, and fiberglass. This 11 amp Super Sawzall has a standard blade stroke mode, plus an orbital stroke mode for more aggressive, faster cutting of thick wood. You can choose the level of orbital action, too, to fit the application--or you can switch it off for cutting in metal. Like almost all reciprocating saws, this Super Sawzall also has variable-speed control (with a speed control dial) for versatility, control, and increased efficiency over a wide range of applications. For those of you who've grown up with Sawzalls, you'll appreciate the addition of the handy Quik-Lok blade clamp, which lets you change blades quickly without having to use a hex wrench; this feature is especially convenient when you're cutting hard materials, such as steel, a situation in which blades break frequently. There's also a handy quick lever adjustment for the shoe.

We really like this tool's counterbalancing mechanism, which reduces some of the unavoidable vibration found in reciprocating saws. The difference you feel when operating this tool, compared to nonbalanced saws, is significant: the Super Sawzall is still extremely powerful, yet it has a smooth feel. As a result, of course, you can work longer with less fatigue than you can using other, unbalanced saws. Another significant feature is the clutch, which, by absorbing shock and impacts to the internal mechanics caused by sudden blade lockups (typically encountered during extreme use), minimizes time wasted tending to a damaged saw. Although this is a heavy tool, it does have an ergonomically designed rubber grip that provides a solid, comfortable hold. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Linear counterbalance reduces vibration
• Powerful 11-amp motor; 3,200 spm
• 1-1/4-inch blade stroke
• Steel Quik-Lok blade clamp system
• Orbital-action blade stroke for faster cutting through wood

Reviews (49)

milwaukee is the standard
I am a master electrician, and everyone on a professional job site knows that milwaukee is the tool that the "big boys" use.the only problem for me is that i cut mostly metal pipe, so the orbital action is not very usefull for me.I could have gotten by with a model w/o orbital action.but for anyone considering reciprocating saws: there is a reason everyone on the job refers to all reciprocating saws as a "sawzall."that is the name of only milwaukee reciprocating saws.kinda like someone refering to all soft drinks as "cokes." Milwaukee is the is the original and the best.

also, i seriously doubt the validity of a milwaukee not working after a short time as described by some reviews.I have never heard of or seen any milwaukee fail. my one caution is that nowadays china is exporting exact knock offs of power tools including bosch and milwaukee.if you bought this sawzall for less than about 180, then there is something wrong.the imitators will look exactly like the real thing, but the internals are much inferior.so beware.if you get the genuine milwaukee, it will be a bit pricey, but you get what you pay for.

Not the same as the older saws
Horrible saw.Burnt out motor on first cut.Had to use older milwaukee w/4.0 amp motor to finish cut......which cut better and faster with the same blade.Very dissapointed.The older saws were (and still are) way better.

No difference between orbital and recip settings.Purely a gimick.

DO NOT BUY.

What a P.O.S.
This is the first time I've been moved to write a review.We have had three of these saws go bad in the past two weeks, and I'm just disgusted.I don't know if it is just the orbital model, or all the new Milwaukee sawzalls, but these things drop like flies on our site.We do remodelling projects with a small crew, and the Sawzalls and Skilsaws get the most use.At least the Skilsaws are still as good as they used to be (though I switched to the Bosch version).I'm thinking I need a Porter Cable or Bosch reciprocating saw to replace my burned out Milwaukee. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Milwaukee    2. (Milwakee)    3. (Milwuakee)    4. (Milwauke)    5. (Milwake)    6. Saws    7. Reciprocating Saws    8. (Sawzalls)    9. (Sawsalls)    10. (Recipracating)   

Features

• FinishPro18 drives 18 gauge brads 5/8-2-inch
• One-year warranty on the tool and 90 days on the compressor
• Adjustable depth-of-drive, rear exhaust, soft grip handle and no-mar pad to protect work surface
• 1/2 hp 1-gallon electric, oil-free compressor

Reviews (10)

This contractor is very pleased... with the compressor
I own several portable compressors, but hate to lug them around.So, I bought this one for installations of wood mantels and little odd and ends work (like attaching a piece of trim after the rest of the job is already done).The little compressor is lightweight and perfect for small jobs like these.On bigger jobs I still use one of my heavy duty compressors.So, that may be the problem some of the other reviewers are having.It's just not built for heavy duty work.

The gun on the other had was a disappointment.I already had a Senco XP 25 and prefer it.Still, it's a pretty good price for both pieces, so, no real complaints here.I've just set the newer one aside, for now.

Regarding the cheap 1/4 inch hose... pleeeease.Anyone with half a brain knows it's a cheap piece of krap, but will work fine for the occasional hobbiest.If you want a good hose, buy one.

Woodworker Hobby or Trim Tool
I got this package for very light duty use - woodworking shop projects and qtr-round molding on flooring. The nailer is a quality tool that sells for $120 everywhere so that makes the compressor only $75. I had a $15 coupon so the compressor was only $60 for me.
The compressor is so light that it is no problem carrying it. The tank pressure is 125 lbs and I set the tank outlet pressure to 90 lbs. It shoots about 10 brads before it cycles but you can keep shooting as it runs. I used 5/8" brads on molding on a shop project and 2" brads on floor qtr-round without a single problem. This sure saves time and doesn't mar the wood. It is pretty quiet and also looks good. Getting to small jobs and using this little tool is a pleasure. I will get an air blower tip for it; so far I'm satisfied.

I used this product
I too had a problem with the 1/4 tubing that is attached to the compressor it cracked right where it bends I used to intall wainscotting and it worked fine....BUT you have to wait after 10 shots for it you build up presure. before you go at it again... I will try liquid steel to seal the crack. I think it cracked because I used it outside on a warm day and then the sun went down and got cool out since the tubing gets hot it must of cracked. overall for the price it worth it for small jobs ... Read more

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

Features

• Adjustable exhaust port and depth-of-drive for maximum comfort and control
• Drives 1-inch to 2-1/2-inch, 15 gauge DA type finish nails
• Internal piston-catch ensures full driver blade stroke every time
• In-line glass filled magazine for left or right hand access
• Quick-release nose piece for fast clearing of jams and less down time

Editorial Review

This 18-inch band saw offers high-quality construction and big resawing capacity to serious woodworkers on a tight tool budget. This saw's most prominent benefit is the one-piece, dual tapered column design, which offers superior rigidity and strength, minimizing vibration and keeping cuts clean, smooth, and accurate. Woodworkers in the know will also appreciate the inclusion of roller bearings on both the upper and lower guides, with dual roller bearings on each side of the blade and a single bearing behind the blade for back support. The system greatly reduces the friction inherent in stationary and European guide systems while providing more support. The saw is powered by a totally enclosed, 1-1/2-horsepower, fan-cooled motor with a blade speed of 3,000 sfpm. There's a large cast-iron worktable (19 by 19 inches) that tilts 45 degrees to the right and 10 degrees to the left. This model also comes with a JET rip fence and a good miter gauge. The saw's maximum cutting height is 10-1/4 inches, and the upper blade guide uses a smooth and precise rack-and-pinion adjustment mechanism. This tool's versatility just keeps on going, accommodating 133-inch blades from 1/8 to 1-1/2 inches wide for equally smooth curve cutting or resawing. JET puts the finishing touches on the saw with two locking cabinet doors and the durable powder-coated finish found on all their shop tools. In all, we think serious woodworkers will really appreciate the high quality JET is able to deliver for such a low cost. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• 19-by-19-inch cast-iron table includes rip fence
• One piece dual-tapered column design for greater rigidity and strength
• Powerful 1-1/2 hp 115/230V motor
• Roller bearing blade guides for better support with less friction
• Rack-and-pinion blade guide height adjustment

Reviews (18)

Great Machine
I give this machine 5 stars.Some talk about the sub-par blade that is included with this machine, the so-called underpowered motor, and the difficult to adjust lower blade guides.

First, the blade that comes with this unit is as they say, for decoration.Buy a Timber Wolf blade and that complaint is gone.Your buying a saw, not a blade.Great saw!

Second, I put a 3/4" x 3 tpi TimberWolf blade on and it resawed through 5 1/4" wide oak like butter and the finish was better than the rough planned wood I buy at the sawmill.Motor is not underpowered if the setup is correct.Again, your buying a saw, not a blade.Great saw.

Finally, the lower guides.I put the new blade on and set it up according to the direction(Timberwolf blades dont use the standard tension setting).The lower was more difficult than the top.But its easy.It took maybe 5 minutes at most.The lower bearings have one knurled knob to loosen up.loosen up the knob and set the 0.003 clearance, tighten knob.then set the thrust bearing.No big deal.When changing blade widths, there are two internal wrenching(allen head) bolts.With the table at 90 deg to the blade, loosen up the outer one, tilt the table and loosen the inner one. Adjust for the blade width and tighten the inner, put table back to 90 deg and tighten the outer. EASY.Then set the side bearings and thrust bearing.If five minutes to set up a machine is too long, well, maybe woodorking is not your thing.Again, Great saw!

And all that after the first saw I got had a dented up upper door complete with bent upper wheel.Damaged somewhere between here and Tiawan.It happens.Got a replacement within a week and the old one taken away.

This saw is the best deal out there.Forget the blade that it comes with, forget about those that say its underpowered, and forget about what some say about the difficulty adjusting the lower guides.If you enjoy making great stuff out of wood, buy the saw, buy a couple timber wolf blades and spend the 5 minutes it takes to set up the lower guides.I have a piece of hard maple that is 12x14x1.I'll rip it to 10"(the max capacity for resawing) and see what this saw can do.If it went through 5 1/4" oak like a hot knife through butter, I think it will take 10" hard maple with little problems.UPDATE:Got a chance to do some resawing with hard maple and the results were amazing.I used a piece of 8" wide stock 3/4" thick(using the 12" wide piece for something else).I resawed to get a 1/2" piece and now have a good size piece of 1/8" thick veneer.You can get the TimberWolf blades at a great discount from SuffolkMachinery.Do a search for "Suffolk Machinery Corp" for the website.

Hope this helps.

This is a stout tool.
My saw arrived in a crate that literally "wrapped" the entire saw.With the exception of the table and rip fence, the saw was completely assembled. I immediately rewired the 1 1/2hp motor for 220v operation.The only downers I encountered with the machine were the very short 5 foot power cord and the cheesy 3/4" blade. I put a brand new 1" Timberwolfe on and replaced the power cord using 12/2 s.o. wire. Once all adjustments were made, I took a piece of 8 qtr. x 8" maple and started resawing 1/32" stips that were 3 feet long.Every piece was perfect.This is a heavy machine.A mobile base is a must.I can't understand why anyone would buy the Delta X5 14".For roughly the same money, you get twice the saw with the Jet 18". The "underpowered" reviews obviously haven't set their saws up for 220v operation.This saw has not bogged down on me once.
I looked very, very hard at the Laguna and the Mini Max. They are good machines. They also cost over $1000 more. You won't be disappointed with this saw.

Jet 18" Bandsaw, Great Machine for the Money
First off, I bought the machine at my local woodcraft store on sale for $999, best price on the machine I've seen.It came assembled so I did not have to deal with any assembly.Pros and Cons

Pros, runs great, quiet, cuts very well, so far handles everything I've run thru it without problems, including 8" thick walnut.If you use a good blade, and a reasonable feed rate, I don't find horsepower to be an issue on this machine.

Cons, the blade that comes with the machine is terrible, but that seems to be a problem with any bandsaw.The lower guides are more difficult to adjust then any I've come across.

Yes, there are better machines out there, Laguna, Mini Max to name 2.Yet, for the money I dont think you will find a better machine.Read the December issue of Fine Woodworking regarding tips to tune up your bandsaw.I'm running the Jet without lower guide, so far it seems to work fine. I may purchase some aftermarket guideblock system to replace the lower guides on the Jet.Also, if you are considering purchasing a bandsaw, Lonnie Birds book is of great help.If Jet could do a better job on the lower guides I think the machine would rate 5 stars. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)   

Editorial Review

Wimpy radios break down on the job site after a few weeks of bumps and knocks. That's why it's time to step up to DeWalt's brawny radio/battery charger with its tough-guy, dune-buggy-style protective roll bar. Winner of Business Week's Silver Award for Consumer Product Design, DeWalt's AM/FM boom box not only rocks the house, it also charges your 7.2- to 18-volt ni-cad batteries in just one hour. Built tough with cushioning rubber stops, DeWalt's radio can take a 6- to 8-foot drop without skipping a beat. The guts are completely weatherproof against rain, snow, dust, and debris, while a silicone coating on the speakers resists cracking and keeps dust from building up. The bendable antenna resists destruction. Is there a downside? Not really. The reception isn't quite what we'd like inside metal or concrete buildings, but that's it. The radio/charger plugs in with a standard cord, and out of reach of a convenient power source, the radio will also run off 7.2- to 18-volt DeWalt batteries. (Note: this radio does not accept DW 9051, 9050, 904, or 9046 batteries.) If CDs and tapes are more your style, plug your Discman or tape deck into the auxiliary port. Is it time to get rid of that beat-up blaster and crank your tunes with a tool that's designed to be job site tough? --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• One hour charge time, listen while charging battery
• Charges 7.2- to 18-volt DeWalt batteries
• AM/FM stereo radio
• Protective roll cage and steel grille for durability
• Auxillary port for CD and cassette players

Reviews (40)

Ok radio with charger
My well-intentioned wife bought me the DeWalt radio/charger for Christmas (thinking all my tools were DeWalt). Little does she know I am a Milwaukee loyalist since picking up my first Milwaukee tool. :)

I really liked the DeWalt radio, but when my wife found out almost all my cordless tools were Milwaukee (only DeWalt I have it the 9.6V drill), she said I could exchange the DeWalt radio for the Milwaukee if I wanted. Since I am fairly sentimental, I really wanted to keep the DeWalt. However, I just couldn't resist a "listening competition" between my radio and my neighbor's Milwaukee. Unfortunately for my wife's gift, my sentimental side isn't quite as strong as my audio side. Given the side-by-side comparison, the choice was clear - Milwaukee.

If you really need the DeWalt charging function, then the Milwaukee isn't a choice for you.However, if you are looking primarily for a job-site radio, then go with the Milwaukee instead.Plus the Milwaukee has other nice features like easier to use digital tuning, a stereo/mono switch, longer cord, a 12V outlet, a pass-through plug, and a nice bag to hold various items.

Neither of these radios are going to provide high fidelity sound, but the Milwaukee will come much closer.

Suitable For Jobsites Only
OK, the audio is pretty scratchy, and the little antenna will not pull in weak, distant stations.But let's remember what this radio/charger was designed to do:provide audible music above the noise level of saws, drills, compressors, etc.For this mission, you will find it more than adequate.The high- treble audio, while perhaps irritating in the living room, is a plus to cut through loud jobsite noise.. and let's remember that this unit, with a built-in charger and drop-proof construction, basically costs little more that a charger itself.No, it will never win any audio awards, and if you need high-fidelity bass response (despite the jobsite noise), then the Milwaukee is your choice (without a charger).But if you have DeWalt cordless tools at the jobsite anyway, and if your priority is getting the work done (as opposed to listening to the finest music), this unit not disappoint you.Just be sure you are within 50 miles of a strong station!

Can you spell J U N K?
If you intend to bounce this radio down the street then you picked the right one but for listing purposes forget it! JUNK! I've bought radios at the 99 cent store that have better reception than this battery charger with a roll bar. Your workers willspend more time trying to find a station than working on their project. Unless you're in a situation where you need to defend your life by beating someone to death with this radio... make another choice! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. Radios    5. Portable Radios    6. (Jobsite Radios)   

Editorial Review

If you're looking for a circular saw that's convenient and easyto use above all else, DeWalt's 14.4-volt, 5-3/8-inch circular trim sawis a smart choice. This saw includes a tough metal base plate, a beveladjustment that goes to 50 degrees and can be recalibrated, and adepth-of-cut adjustment that reaches all the way to the blade. Iteasily cuts two-by material in a single pass, and has a left-side bladethat adds visibility. We especially liked the blade-changing mechanism:the shaft-lock button is easy to find and depress, and the hex keystores on the body of the saw, making the blade easy to switch out andreplace. This model also has a fan-cooled motor with replaceablebrushes that will reach 3,000 rpm. The result is a cordless saw thatcuts 25 feet per minute of 1/2-inch plywood. The saw weighs only 6.8pounds, and without a cord to hassle with, you'll find that nothing iseasier to haul around on a job site. Especially for smaller jobs, acordless saw is a serious timesaver. This kit comes with a T-guide; a24-tooth, 6-1/2-inch blade; and a plastic carrying case. --JonathonTudor ... Read more

Features

• Weighs only 6.8 lbs.
• 5-3/8 blade cuts 2x materials in a single pass
• Shoe adjusts to 50 degree bevel and 1-5/8 depth of cut at 90 degrees
• Spindle lock for easy blade changes
• Includes: 5-3/8 blade and blade wrench

Reviews (6)

no problem with hardwoods
I had to replace my sand and finish hickory floor in the kitchen due to water problems.I used my dewalt 14.4 cordless saw to cut the floor around the cabinets in several areas.I must say I was suprised by this little saw.It's got guts to rip through hickory the way it did.

Saw good Batteries Bad
I have my own repair business and use this saw occasionally and it never fails to have dead batteries when I'm ready to use it. No matter when I charged them last, they will not hold a charge for any length of time. Other than that it's a good saw, but I should have stuck with Milwaukee products for heavy usage. Have had no problems with Milwaukees batteries.

Handy,convienent
I've had this saw for about 6 yrs. Got it as a gift when it first came out.It's the first saw I reach for . I certainly would'nt recomend it for everyday heavy use contruction. I use it for general purpose cutting. Just finished framing a basement with it.Never took my corded saw on the job. Second battery is a must. Never had any problems. Still using original blade. Highly recomend it for those who like getting away from the mess and tangles of cords. It's lightweight to boot compared to the new 18, 24 volt models that are out. Dave ... Read more

Subjects:  1. DeWalt    2. (De Walt)    3. Cordless Tools    4. Saws    5. Circular Saws    6. (Volt)    7. (V)   

Features

• For use with up to 24in. bar

Editorial Review

When you need a cutter and there's no electric power around, this 18-volt cordless cut-off tool is your best bet. At 6,500 rpm, you'll get high power for all kinds of cutting and grinding applications. Trim rebar, steel pipes and iron rails with ease. Wheel-changing is easy, thanks to the spindle lock, and the three-position side handle offers great control. We like the easy grip, the comfortable trigger switch and the lock-off feature. The neatly designed grinding guard lets you sand and polish, too. Best of all, if you already own a DeWalt 18-volt tool, the battery's the same--you get two in this box --and a one-hour charger's included.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes cut-off tool, Type 27 wheel and guard, Type 1 wheel and guard, backing flange, wrench, handle, two XR+ batteries, charger, and kitbox
• 6,500 rpm provides high power for cutting and grinding applications
• Convenient trigger switch with lock-off button for easier gripping
• 3-position side handle offers greater comfort and control
• Spindle lock for quick and easy wheel changes

Reviews (3)

A Big Loser
I used this tool for about two weeks. Previous reviewer said you cant get metal cutting wheels for it he is wrong, they are readily available at every home center and hardware store- standard 4.5 inch metal cutting wheels.

This tool totally sucks, battery life is horrible I cut 3 pieces of 1/2 rebar and the battery was spent. I cut thru 18gage
sheet metal and the battery lasted less than 40 seconds.

All the metal shavings you cut get magnetically attached to the tool body and get sucked into the motor, which will lead to disaster.

Also for cutting applications the handle faces the wrong way and is not comforable to use.

BADDDD tool!!!!!!1

Out of stock
Ordered 9 days ago, just got email saying Updated delivery estimate: April 13 - April 22. And it was in stock when ordered. And they should have emailled me a week ago, so I would not have wasted this week waiting, idiots don't want my business

Good ToolBut
I recently purchased this tool from Amizon.com but there is one problem. You can not purchase the metal cutting wheel. this was the only reason I made the Purchase. Now I have a Problem.
... Read more

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

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 1-1/2HP motor with enclosed stand and guarded drip proof motor
• Push button switch, chip chute, blade and belt guards
• Arbor and motor pulleys and V-belt, blade guides
• Platinum Pro band saw blade, quick release blade tension lever, integrated 4" dust port

Reviews (13)

Parts Mess with Amazon order 28-475X
I ordered the bandsaw via internet on March 11,2005.When it arrived it was missing the TABLE!After frequent jerking around by Amazon and Delta, a table was finally ordered on April 5, which arrived around the 24th.I finally had time today to complete assembly only to discover the trunion components that attach to the table are missing.It's Saturday so obviously no one is answering phones, but the message states Delta is consolidating warehouses so no parts orders can be taken until after May 2.

Out of curosity I checked the flatness of the table, which is off .03" in 18" from right front corner to left rear -- so it is marginally useful in any case.

pretty good so far
This is the first band saw I've used, and there were a couple of problems, but so far it's been mostly good.

The first problem was with assembly and the riser block. Once you install the riser block, the cord no longer reaches the motor. The riser instructions mention removing a strap to make it reach, but it doesn't help. This really strikes me as bad planing since many folks will install the riser, skimping on the cord length is just silly. I had to drill a couple of new holes and move the switch down a bit.

The second problem was that the top wheel was not aligned with the bottom and was too close to the cover, it would scrape if the blade was tracked correctly. A quick call to delta and they sent a couple of washers to get it into place. I've always been very happy with delta's service. This probably would have solved many of the problems for the 300 lb. coat rack titled reviewer.

Outside of those two issues the build quality seems pretty good. The table is flat, everything fits well and there is no vibration even when pushing large chunks of wood through it. One of the blocks on the bottom guide is kind of pain to get to, but not terribly so. The vertical blade guard is held in place by a bolt and a screw so changing a blade takes two tools, I'm not sure why they didn't do a pair of thumbscrews or at least use the same tool at the head (they are the same thread and length). That would have made changing the blade quicker. The thumbscrew to adjust the wheel tracking can also be hard to turn under heavy tension. A bigger thumbscrew would have helped.

I've done very little fine stuff on it so far so can't really comment there. I was mostly looking for resaws and veneers. All the books say a 14" saw can't tension a 3/4" blade, to use a 1/2" blade for resaws. I tried that with 1/2" woodslicer blade and couldn't get a straight cut for the life of me. The 3/4" blade worked great though, don't believe the books. So far I've used it to cut veneers from 6" maple and mill some really wet 8" pine logs, no problems.

I also replaced the standard steel blocks with cool blocks. This made it run a bit quieter and let me push the blocks closer to the blade which helped straighten out the cuts.

I don't really have any other saw to compare it to, but so far this seems to me to be a great prosumer level saw for the weekend wood worker. As a first time band saw user, the only thing that was hard to get used to was the amazing amount of tweaking that must take place when changing a blade. It only takes a couple of minutes, but compared to the table saw world I was previously used to it's just not what I expected.

A 300 lb Coat Rack?
Quickly, I expected more for nearly a grand.The table isn't flat, it's nearly impossible to get the blade to run vertically (if it's centered on the top wheel, it's off on the bottom and vice versa), no matter what I do there's still a very slight grinding sound, dust collection is wholly ineffective and the cheap steel stand isn't sturdy enough to control vibration.And don't forget, this baby comes ala carte...you need to buy a fence (budget another $100 for a disappointing aluminum Delta fence that doesn't adjust enough to compensate for blade drift).On the plus side, the motor has plenty of power and the blade tensioning device is very handy.I guess the real acid test is that I only turn to this tool when I can't make the cut another way.I guess that says it all. I should have spent a few hundred more and bought a Laguna. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Band Saws    3. (Bandsaws)   

Features

• Includes (2) 14.4V Ni-MH batteries, multi-voltage charger and case
• Two piece D-31 motor for power and efficiency
• All metal gear transmission for smooth, efficient power
• Shift lock drive instantly changes from drill to driver
• 2.6 Ah Ni-MH batteries for greater capacity and longer run time

Reviews (1)

A great value!
I bought this kit because it was a good value especially with a rebate.

You might think an included flashlight is useless but think again. You can get a lot of light time out of the battery attached to the flashlight and it's bright. Also, while the flashlight seems cheaply made (unlike the driver/drill, which seems very sturdy), the fact that it can stand up on the battery base and point anywhere in the room is nice when you are working with little light.

The Makita unit is sturdy, designed well and fun to use. It may not be quite as smooth-running as the more expensive Panasonic cordless drivers, but for the money and bang for the buck, you can't beat Makita. I also like the way the Makita looks better than any other brand. It performs very well and I am not dissappointed at all.

The included Makita case is a nice design and sturdy-a bit like a Pelican case. The Makita charger is also space saving. My only complaint is I wish the case was slightly smaller. It's about the size of a briefcase and there is a lot of empty space inside when you get the drill, batteries and charger loaded in. On the plus side, you can use this extra space for extra bits and other small handtools that you might want to carry. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Makita    2. (Maketa)    3. (Mikita)