Editorial Review

It's hard to imagine something really new in the reciprocating saw world, but lo and behold, here it is. The Tiger Claw works just like a standard reciprocating saw, with some major advances. The gear housings, front and back, can be rotated in any direction. Yes, you heard right. No more twisting and contorting--you stay upright and the tool does the Houdini act. The rear gear housing adjusts 180 degrees in either direction with 13 positive stop locations, and the front gear house rotates a full 360 degrees in either direction with 12 positive stops. At the risk of sounding like a late-night TV commercial... but wait, there's more! We've seen blade-change systems aplenty over the years, all of which promise speed and ease. But there is nothing on the market on any tool we've ever touched that begins to rival this Quick-Change system. We changed blades in under two seconds. Really. Everything about this saw makes sense, both for the professional as well as the do-it-yourself homeowner. Well done, Porter-Cable. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 1 year Porter-Cable parts and labor warranty
• Powerful 11.5-amp motor
• Electronic variable speed from 0-2,900 strokes per minute
• Quick-Change keyless blade clamp and tool-free front shoe adjustment
• Two adjustable gear housings allow cutting in any conceivable situation

Reviews (9)

I'm spoiled!
This saw quickly spoils you with its versatility.

Fresh out of the box, I needed it to cut a 3/8" diameter steel spike. I mounted the right saw blade and set to work. The work was near the ground, so I sat, held the saw firmly, and started cutting. But then I realized that my trigger hand was in an awkward position. I thought, "Hey, I've got this variable angle saw. What am I doing flexing my wrist this way?" So I made the necessary adjustment, and finished the cut in no time.

Not only can this saw help you reach difficult places, but it even makes ordinary jobs totally painless. I'm completely spoiled.

Powerful and capable
I got my new Tiger Claw for Christmas and immediately took it out in my shop and chopped up some 2"X 12" white oak joists from an old building deconstruction project.The saw has more than enough power to take the cut as fast as I could force the blade into the beam.It seems to be built for extreme action and is "hell for stout" as my dad used to say.The angled gear boxes are fairly easy to adjust once you get the hang of the rather smallish recessed release buttons.What I have noticed in the few times I have used it is that it does vibrate more than the Milwaukee 11 amp sawzall, so a pair of light leather gloves help dampen it when cutting.It is also heavier, i am assuming because of all the extra gearing.I wouldn't want to spend hours at a time working with it over my head.I am going to mainly use it to trim up and dimension said white oak planks for use in furniture projects.I have lots of nails in this old lumber that are too deeply imbedded to remove, so cutting on my table saw or with a circular saw are too dangerous and damaging to the blades until I get the metal contaminated sections cut out.Perfect job for a heavy sawzall.With being able to turn the blade 90 degrees to the body, I can pull it through the lumber like a big jig saw, thus reducing the effort and fatigue a regular sawzall would cause.Other than the higher level of vibration than the Milwaukee, the only other detraction I could come up with is that the adjustable shoe has too little adjustment.I would like to see at least two more notches added to the three it currently has.This would give more options for cutting thin materials and varying where the blade wears in use.Bottom line:After all the shopping and comparing I did, and finally getting my hands on it, I would definitely recommend this saw to anyone needing a really heavy duty and flexible sawzall.

ONE OF THE BEST TOOLS ON THE JOBSITE
I am building my first home. I bought this saw because my yellow and black brand 24volt saw does not last long on a charge. The tiger claw has preformed with out a flaw. The features are unbelivable. Do not pass this one by. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Porter-Cable    2. (Portercable)    3. Saws    4. Reciprocating Saws    5. (Sawzalls)    6. (Sawsalls)    7. (Recipracating)   

Features

• Manufactures List Price $77.00 SAVE $17.01
• For use with Bosch 1617and 1618 routers
• Base opening of 3-3/4" accomodates large bits
• Microfine bit depth adjustment with resettable indicator
• Quick clamp allows tool-free removal of motor from base

Reviews (1)

Just like having a second 1617EVS
My Bosch 1617EVS router has been in my router table for 2 years. I think the 1617EVS is a great router and I had been considering buying a 2nd one for hand held use until I saw this product. This base has the exact same precision features as the router. It's the same housing except for the handles. So I mounted the new base in the router table and the old housing with the handles is now free to be used as a hand-held router. Bosch did me a great favor by coming up with this product. The base comes with a very nice extension knob that makes it even easier to dial in the precise depth I need at the router table, a nice improvement over the small knob that I've been using for years. It's a breeze to pop the motor out of either housing and switch to the other. I'm very pleased with this product. ... Read more

Editorial Review

DeWalt packs it all into this 12-inch compound miter saw: the big blade, the double bevel, the double rail slide. Very impressive. Finish carpenters who want to miter crown molding (up to 5-1/4 inches) vertically and framers who demand a 12-inch crosscut capacity will love this saw's 12-inch blade. The double bevel, of course, means you flip the saw instead of the wood, a great feature for those working with long molding or in confined spaces. The saw bevels to 45 degrees both ways and has the ability to bevel up to 48 if the need arises. The double rail slide is definitely burlier than the old single rail design. Both rails slide on self-cleaning, dust-sealed bearings, too.

What really gets us is the weight and balance of this saw: it slides smoothly through cuts, bevels are easy to set, and the miter gauge swivels lightly (all of which speak to the saw's excellent design). You can miter 50 degrees left, 60 degrees right. We also appreciated the cam-lock miter gauge on this saw--the handle simply clamps down, which makes switching angles noticeably quicker than with a twist-lock miter.

DeWalt's D-handle is designed for right-handed use, but the trigger is big enough to use comfortably with your left hand if a particular cut requires it. The saw also has a depth-stop adjuster in case you have to cut a quick dado or two at the job site. The easy-to-read stainless-steel miter scale, with 11 positive stops allows you to lock in the most common angles quickly and, thanks to the cam-lock miter, it's also easy to dial in precise cuts just over or under the positive stop--a feature finish carpenters, in particular, will love. The electric blade stops the blade quickly, which saves time and makes work safer. The saw doesn't have a safety switch--which is fine by us, since some safety switches can be downright dangerous--but it's something to consider if you're doing residential or remodeling work where children might stumble across your tools. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• 11 positive stops for quick setup of common cut angles
• Bevels 45 degree left or right with ability to bevel to 48 degrees
• Miters 50 degrees to the left and 60 degrees to the right
• Dual vertical rails offer better view of stainless-steel miter scale
• Horizontal handle for easier operation

Reviews (120)

Face The Facts
DeWalt makes a great miter saw any way that you look at it.I know the non-conformists disagree, but face the facts, DeWalt miter saws are solid performers. I've owned my 12 inch slider for nearly three years, and it works perfectly.I purchased a stablemate stand for it and the two go together very nicely.I like the power it has and the accuracy is superb.If you do knock the alignment out, it is easy to adjust.While I wouldn't touch a DeWalt jig saw with a 10 foot pole, their miter saws are top-notch.If you are doing a lot of intricate millwork, I would also buy the DeWalt 10 inch miter saw for increased accuracy on smaller moldings.

$1199.00 retail?...where did you come up with that?....
This item is available brand new at HD for $599.Where did you come up with $1199.?

Dependable and Powerful
I bought this saw a little over a year ago after researching between the different brands quite a bit.After over a year of almost daily use, I don't have a bad thing to say about this saw.Plenty of power, the only time I bogged it down is when using a dull blade.(Dulled the standard blade cutting laminate flooring)As far as weight, my saw doesn't move around much so this wasn't an issue for me.Cuts are always accurate, no adjustments were needed to my saw out of the box.Price is a little higher than some, but I feel it was well worth the money.I haven't broken a dewalt product yet.My 14.4V drill is 5 years old now, been dropped way too many times and still working like new. ... Read more

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

Features

• Electronic speed control maintains constant speed under load for smooth cutting
• Built in flexible, fluorescent job light illuminates cutting edge
• Dual rails each supported by linear ball bearings for smooth, accurate cuts
• Dual position depth adjusting arm for presetting crosscuts
• No Load Speed of 3,700 RPM

Reviews (13)

Amazingly Accurate Piece of Machinery
Ive used many different Makita tools since the late 70's. Not all were gems, but the majority of their tools are usually among the best and most durable out there. The LS1013F sliding mitre is one of those tools after using it, you dont know how you did without it. Smooth, well designed and extremly accurate at every angle. Good Job!

Excellent Saw
I recently purchased this saw (the model w/o the light). Excellent quality and cut precision.Easy to use and powerful.No complaints!My first miter saw, and I'm so glad I purchased this one.The sliding feature is so handy, can cut boards up to 12" long!

Stop now and buy this saw
I was looking to purchase a 10" sliding dual compound miter saw and I figured if I was gonna pay I might as well buy the best one out there. One big thing I was looking for was a saw that held it's angles. I'm tired of constantly checking my miter angles on my table saw and it was worth paying an extra $100 or $200 for a saw that was good.

I narrowed the best two saws down to the Hitachi C10FSH and the Makita LS1013F.

I went to Lowes and saw that they had the Hitachi C10FSH which let me check it out first hand. The plastic felt cheap and the base was very small. So small infact that the saw can fall over unless its bolted down. This wasn't for me since I need my saw to be portable and sometimes it'll find itself on a flat table and not bolted down. Since it was small it would also not hold wood very well for being cut.

I decided to purchase the Makita after talking with woodworkers. They told me that working on the hitachi was a nightmare.

This saw is GREAT. It is quiet. It is about half as noisy as a 7.5" circular saw. You can use it in a closed garage without ear protection. The dust collection gets about 85% of the saw dust into the bag. The unit feels very sturdy unlike the Hitachi. There are three main adjustment knobs. One to unlock the sliding arm, one to adjust the miter, and one to adjust the bevel. The Makita is silky smooth in all adjustments and is very well balanced. Adjustments are not awkward with this saw. There are many positive stops which are controlled by a front lever.

The saw has a built in handle on top of the unit to allow you to carry it.

All in all I love this saw. I cant find any faults. It's simple to use and adjust and feels strong and sturdy.

Some people say this saw is expensive but you get what you pay for. Get a cheap saw and you'll be checking your adjustments all the time and pieces will fly off. Who wants to bother with stuff like that? You'll have this saw for 30 years. ... Read more

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

Reviews (3)

quality and flexibility are not top shelf
I didn't open the package immediately upon receipt, so when I finally did and discovered the switch plate for the magnet shattered, it was a little too late to return it.Since I could operate the magnet without the blue plastic plate, I kept it.

This unit is not easily configured to use.I have a sliding table on my table saw and thought the magnetic base would make this convenient to use to check several metrics.Unfortunately, this unit doesn't easily configure to check the table travel.It's difficult to describe but trust me, getting the dial indicator at the right height to measure the blade is really an ordeal. The two rods have different diameters so, the dial only attaches to rod A which in turn must be attached to rod B.Rotating the dial on the rod it attaches to is also problematic making it difficult to position the dial face to be able to read it, assuming you can contort the mechanism to get it where you need it in the first place.

If you need to measure from the miter slots (to test fence or blade parallelism), you'll need to buy an accessory elsewhere.

The vernier caliper is very nice but only displays in decimal.I prefer my plastic caliper that also displays in 64's for more practical use in wood working.

For the price the caliper alone is almost worth the purchase, but take a closer look at the dial indicator etc. to make sure you can use it as intended.

More than you would expect - excellent quality
When you spend thirty dollars for something like this, you cross your fingers and hope it will be at least adequate. The quality of these measurement tools, both of them, is well beyond what I expected. I almost hesitated to write this for fear some marketing weasel would make his case for bumping the price or substituting lesser quality items.

This is my first purchase from Grizzly, to say I am impressed and that I will purchase more from this company as a result of this purchase is an understatement. 5 stars!! I would expect to pay much more for this level of quality. Thank you Grizzly. You too Amazon.

They are precise and they are affordable...
Before reviewing this item I should explain how I came to use it.I was reading a recent special issue of Popular Woodworking Magazine entitled "The Ultimate Guide to Tablesaws 2004".In this magazine I found the article "19 Step Tune-up" by Paul Anthony.This article explained a lot to me and really emphasized the importance of keeping your tablesaw (and other tools) properly adjusted.He explained the many components of a tool that can be checked/calibrated using a dial indicator.I assumed throughout the article that he was probably using some $300 model that would forever be out of my reach.Imagine my surprise when he revealed that he was using the Grizzly dial indicator with magnetic base attachment, and that these items are precise and affordable on every budget!

Now for my review:I ordered this kit because it contained a decent looking dial caliper in addition to the dial indicator and magnetic base I was really after.Grizzly shipped in their usual speedy fashion and I have to say I am well pleased with this purchase.Once you hold these tools in your hands you understand that they are good quality without being frilly. Their construction seems perfectly adequate, and my tests showed them to be quite precise as well.Within minutes I was able to set up my dial indicator and determine that the aging blade on my tablesaw was no longer flat and needed to be replaced.The dial calipers are equally easy to use and more accurate than my old calipers that were sans dial.

All in all, this is a smart buy that will allow you to fine tune your tools and check precise calibrations without hurting your pocketbook one bit. ... Read more

Features

• Tables for DW735 Planer
• Tables are detachable or can be folded for convenience
• Comes complete with easy install hardware kit

Reviews (5)

Don't own a set but lets talk snipe
I don't own these table extensions.I don't have any extensions.I don't get snipe.Why?Because I put a slight amount of upward pressure on the board as it leaves the planer.I've run 2-300BF through the planer with no snipe.

Can't Do Without Them
As has been noted by another reviewer, these table extensions for the DeWalt DW735 planer aren't really optional.The only good reason not to buy them is that you intend to build a full table for the planer.This isn't a bad idea, since it gives the woodworker the ability to set up some sled jigs for for planning bowed and twisted lumber.But if you intend to make even a pretense of having a portable planer these are required.Unless you like snipe.

Snipe, if you don't know, is the extra deep cutting that can occur at the ends of the board intil it finds (and keeps its level.Frankly, all portable (and many stationary) planers snipe.Even with these tables you will get some, just not as much or as often as without them.The added stability you get from the tables is often enough to get everything stable before the wood hits the blades instead of four inches later.

These extensions are surprisingly stable.They do fold up out of the way, but there isn't any mechanism to keep them up.I use a Velcro strap, but heavy-duty industrial rubber bands will do just fine.I wouldn't wait to discover that you need these in the middle of a battle with 8/4 hard maple.Buy them when you buy the planer and you won't ever regret it.

Required for good results
These tables are not included with the DW735 planer. Don't let that lead you to believe that they are optional. I tried to run the planer without them, and I got significant snipe. Adding the tables improved the snipe quite a bit, and as I adjust the tables to be level with the bed of the planer, the snipe keeps decreasing. If you want to get the performance you paid for with the DW735, you need these tables.

The tables should be purchased with the planer and mounted before the planer is bolted down to its final resting place. To mount the tables, the planer must be moved off of its platform just enough to get a few fingers and a wrench underneath the base. The instructions make a big deal about securing the planer during this operation, but I think their concerns are overstated. Only about 2" of the base needs to be accessible from underneath in order to mount the table, and this leaves the planer in a very stable position. Just be careful and use your own judgement.

It's true that the outfeed table does not fold up. Let's set this in perspective. This is a sign of inattentive design. It's silly, it's embarassing to DeWalt, but it doesn't reduce the usefulness of the infeed and outfeed tables. Frankly, I don't understand why it's so important that the tables fold at all. Jointers have huge cast iron infeed and outfeed tables that don't fold, and the only complaint I have heard about them is that they are never large enough. It seems to me the only point of folding tables is to perpetuate the silly notion that this is a "portable benchtop planer". I don't consider any object weighing 90 pounds to be "portable". I wonder how much more it would have cost DeWalt to have provided a non-folding cast iron bed of equivalent size. Perhaps that's coming in their next version.

Having tried the planer with and without, I am glad I bought the tables. I would recommend them to anyone with a DW735 planer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Planers    3. Bench-Top Planers    4. (Planners)    5. (Plainers)    6. (Surface Planers)    7. (Portable)   

Editorial Review

Delta's 28-206 band saw is a smart buy for the serious hobbyist interested in curve cutting and light resawing. The 1-horsepower 120-volt motor delivers smooth, quiet, reliable power, while the saw's nine-spoke wheels deliver more accurate tension on the blade, reducing vibration. The heavy cast-iron trunnions likewise minimize vibration to the blade. A closed base reduces noise and keeps dust off the motor. For curve cutting, the large 16-by-16-inch table provides excellent support for workpieces, and tilts to 45 degrees for bevel cuts. The saw handles stock up to 6-1/4 inches thick with a throat capacity (the distance from frame to blade) of 13-3/4 inches. The lower blade guide on this saw rests only 3/4 inch below the table, which minimizes the deflection in the blade and provides cleaner cuts. When the saw is not in use, the tension-release lever extends the life of the blade. It also makes switching blades quick and easy. The saw comes equipped with a 4-inch dust port, a smart feature you won't find on other band saws on the market today. Package includes 3/4-inch woodcutting blade and instruction manual. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• 2 year limited warranty on machines, parts, and accessories
• 1-horsepower induction motor provides cool, quiet power
• Quick-release tension lever
• 9 spoke computer balanced wheels eliminate vibration under load
• Blade moves at 3,000 surface feet per minute for efficient cutting

Reviews (13)

Great new addition for my budding hobby
I purchased this tool in February and have been happy with my choice.I have added the usual items I see suggested in the online reviews and elsewhere (riser, Kreg fence, Woodslicer blade).I also replaced the stock drive belt with the link belt.I was pleased with what it did for my aging Craftsman table saw and had to have it on this tool as well.

I have not used a band saw for 30 years and when I made my first cut on the saw it worked perfectly and my cuts come out better than they should have.

I was able to take advantage of the Amazon free shipping and am very pleased.It arrived on time and in great condition.I tracked it online, received a call from the freight forwarder to confirm a delivery time and date and all went well.I live 20 miles up in the Sierra Nevada foothills and it made no difference to the delivery driver and there was no extra charge.

Assembly of the saw went well, no missing parts, instructions easy to follow and I was able to put it together by myself (not easy but I was able to do it) but I suggest a helper in the final stages.You will need a litle kerosene to clean off some protective packing grease on a couple of items.

The only minor problem I had was the upper drive belt pully housing was not completely painted.I called Delta and had a new housing in a few days, no questions asked and no charges.

When you start up the saw you might notice a vibration from the drive belt/pully housing on the body of the saw.I placed a rubber washer between the housing and the saw which solved the problem.

Good saw with some problems
I purchased this saw and tried to assemble it for the last couple of weeks. Turns out it came with a bad motor. Delta customer service send an upgrade immediately (a 1.5-2 HP motor that goes with their premium band saws). While the original motor is a 1 HP, it spins at 1725 RPM. The new motor spinning twice as fast required some thinking as the blade speed should not exceed 3300 SFPM. I figured I needed a 1.75", 5/8 arbor motor pulley, given the larger of the upper pulley is 7" in diameter (for a 1/4 gear ratio). Remarkably, they do make small pulleys like this and I bought one for $9.25 as an aftermarket accessory.

Next was more trouble with the assembly: The motor is slightly bigger so it touches the lower edge of the top cabinet. Moreover, the belt was terrible as it caused the saw to act like an old washing machine. I must mention that I had installed a riser block and the saw was sitting on a mobile base. So, I went and bought a link belt ($25.99 retail), those patented belts that are used to cut on excess vibration. The belt can be customized to any length so I made it slightly longer than the original belt so the motor does not touch the cabinet.

All in all, the belt solved the vibration problem and the saw passed the nickel test last night. If it was not for the good night sleep that was awaiting me, I was going to try the machine to slice some veneer with the new Timberwolf blade, but that has two wait for a few days.

So please be prepared to spend a little bit more, but if you do not mind that you will get a solid performer.

Good saw with some work
I purchased this saw vs other saws because I thought this saw was the best value for the money.I could not justify the additional $300-$400 for the X5 version.I knew this saw had some issues, but I figured if I was patient, I would have a great saw for a good price.

Out of the box my saw had several problems:

The table was not flat.I was able to slide a .035" feeler gauge under the worst spot.The table was so un-flat that the work piece would rock.No problem, though.I called Delta and they sent me a new table.Problem solved.

The lower wheel had a lot of wobble.This caused the blade to move forward and back when cutting.This made it difficult to stop the cut where you want it.No wobble was visible on the upper wheel, just the lower one.Once again, I called Delta and they sent me a new lower wheel.Problem solved.

The lower blade guide was very loose and sloppy.I thought about shimming it somehow, but then realized you can shorten the wedges that slide on the guide bar.Don't grind off too much material or you will have to stretch the spring that spreads the two wedges.Now the lower blade guide is rock solid.Problem solved.

I thought the saw had a lot of vibration.After all, it failed the nickel test.The nickel test is a simple test you can conduct to evaluate vibration.Simply place a nickel on its edge on the table while the machine is running.If it falls over, it fails the nickel test.Also, the upper blade guide seemed to shake a lot relative to the table.To be fair, I must point out that I have the saw mounted on the Delta mobile base.Mobile bases are not known for their stability.Also, I have the 6" height attachment installed.This makes the unit more top heavy than without it.After some investigating, I came up with several possible contributors to the vibration problem.First of all, I noticed the table sometimes vibrated against the table angle adjustment bolt.The table angle adjustment bolt had raised lettering on it.I decided to grind this lettering off so the table would make better contact with the table angle adjustment bolt.This eliminated the table rattle.Next, I realized the entire saw would sway forward and back on the stand due to the thin cabinet.I read another reviewers suggestion to add some angle iron to reinforce to top of the stand.I bolted on two pieces of 2"x2" angle iron.I can't believe how much of a difference this has made.Also, I noticed the saw rocked on the mobile base.I decided to bolt the stand to the mobile base.This made the whole unit more stable.Finally, I noticed the motor sometimes made contact with the top portion of the cabinet on the door lip.I solved this problem by installing a link belt.I made the link belt a bit larger, and now the motor clears the top portion of the stand.After all of this, the saw passes the nickel test easily.I am very pleased how smoothly the saw runs.I am glad I spent the time to make it right.

With these problems resolved, I am very pleased with this saw.I really like the 16" x 16" table.I have used older versions of this saw with the 14" x 14" table.Two inches makes a big difference.I also like the blade guide setup.I did replace the steel blocks with some cool blocks.The blade is held very securely with no side to side motion.When I change the height of the blade guide, the guides do not require additional adjustment.The quick release blade tensioner is a nice feature as well.You will appreciate this if you have ever had to turn the little tiny knob on the top of older model saws until your wrist cramps up.I must also give credit to Delta's customer service.They were very friendly and helpful.I hope this review helps.
... Read more

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

Editorial Review

Jet's 12-inch band saw is an affordable machine that would make a great addition to any home workshop. The saw features a fully enclosed, 1/2-horsepower induction motor with a V-belt drive system that turns 2,750 sfpm and has heavy-duty cast-iron and steel components. Parts are well finished and the saw suffers little vibration. It boasts a 6-inch-high and 12-inch-wide cutting capacity, which is more than adequate for a saw of this price and size. The saw comes with an open-base stand that isn't as sturdy as the closed stands featured on larger models but is fine for this smaller-application saw. The saw uses 82-inch blades from 1/8 to 1/2 inch and features the same V-groove guide and steel blade locks found on higher-end Jet saws. The 14-by-14-inch tilting table provides ample work space with plenty of room in front of the blade. We like that the industrial start/stop switch is designed to fit a padlock that helps prevent accidental start-up and discourages unauthorized use of your saw. It comes prewired for 115-volt outlets and is quick to set up. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Steel stand included
• Enclosed, fan-cooled motor
• V-belt drive
• Adjustable cast-iron table
• Hinged door covers

Reviews (24)

Think twice before you buy...
I recently ordered this bandsaw from Amazon (Tool Crib) for use in my growing collection of woodworking tools. Since my jointer has a max capacity of 6", I couldn't see much need for a bandsaw with a resaw capacity higher than 6". This 12" bandsaw has a max capacity of 6" for resawing.

First the good stuff. The item arrived in excellent condition and when promised. It was well packed and the assembly instructions were simple to follow. The finish is excellent and the adjustments were very easy to make.

Now my concerns: There was a significant amount of vibration when running this saw. I was able to bring the vibration down by making some adjustments to the tracking and the tension on the blade, but I could never get past the feeling that one of the wheels was out of balance. This is really the only complaint I have regarding the performance of the saw however I do want to make an observation.

As I mentioned above I purchased this saw for woodworking and I suppose that if I hadn't been so underwhelmed by the vibration it might have worked fine. But even without the vibration issue, knowing what I know now, I might still stay away from this saw.

Bandsaws, for woodworking at least, seem to fall in to two catagories: hobbiest and woodworking. The hobbiest versions are those small ones that you see sitting on the work bench being used for cutting small pieces of plywood or flat boards. Woodworking versions are the ones you see standing on the floor that are able to do all the flat cutting as well as resawing (to some extent at least).

This saw seems be in the gray zone between hobbiest and woodworker and I don't know if it really comes up to snuff at either. It's more than a hobbiest might need (for size alone) but not really enough for even the semi-serious woodworker. It just doesn't have the "gravity" that I want a machine like this to have.

So, I am sending mine back and having to pick up the return shipping to boot. Not that I blame Amazon. I should have listened to that little voice urging me to spend a bit more. Oh well, hopefully someone can benefit from this review and I can consider this a lesson learned.

This is a nice saw for the small shop
First band saw for me. Very nice fit and finish, easy to adjust. Plenty of power with no noticable vibration. This saw has a fairly small footprint if you're tight on space, it's very convenient on a mobile base. I installed Cool Blocks on the upper and lower blade-guides and purchased additional blades. Resawed 6" walnut with great success, separated a series of small trim pieces from each other deftly, and cut curves in MDF to make bending-forms. Very pleased with the tool.

Dust collection is a must (a shop-vac works), and a magnetically attached work light is a big help. I wish the tool had been supplied with a rip fence and miter guide. I will probably purchase these two things since I'm tired of clamping wooden fences on the table (although this gets the job done). The stand is fairly lightweight, but is sufficiently stable on the mobile base. The saw is nice and solid and is probably all the tool I will ever need for my amateur furniture-making adventures.

Very nice saw
Recieved the saw in good condition.Set up was a breeze. My second Jet tool and I like what I see.Fit and finish is excellent.Saws like a dream.I will look at Jet again. ... Read more

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

Reviews (2)

A Must Have For Anyone That Works With Wood
Everything from fine joinery to toe-nailing rough framing.A must have for any kind of carpenter/woodworker.Definitely worth the price.

Kreg Pocket Hole Jigs Take the #1 spot across the board
Kreg Pocket Hole offerings made the number one spot across the board in the November 2003 issue of Better Homes and Gardens "Wood" magazine. Everything from the mini on through to the automated production machine were given the top ratings. It was a clean sweep for Kreg. They tested a lot of machines too. Some of the advantages are the flush edge joining to the workpiece prevented tearout. The case hardened steel guides didn't show wear or metal shavings. Easy to make or buy the premade plug holes out of wood. (Some were an odd shape, and wouldn't accept plugs very well)
Even though the body is made out of plastic, which is substantial and well done, the steel guides are the only thing the drill bit touches.
Pocket hole joinery is a nice addition to your arsenal. You will find yourself incorporating it more and more into your projects, and the Kreg system is the best. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Features

• For use with DW746 table saw
• Precision-machined cast iron
• 10-by-27-inch table

Reviews (7)

Only way to go..
I've had my DW746 a couple of years now and mounted the cast iron wings as soon as I could get them after the initial purchase. The purchase price does seem a little high, but you will not regret the expenditure. Besides assuring you a flat, level playing field, the wings provide the extra weight that makes the saw more stable, and even further dampens the little vibration this saw creates. The fit and finish are very nice, and install is pretty simple and straight forward. Recommend two sets of hands for this job. I check my wings periodically, usually when I do my regular maintenance to the saw, for level and flush to the table, and they have never moved since installation. I clean them with a med grit sanding sponge, wipe em with denaturedalcohol and apply a coat of Top Cote a couple times a year. This is a great addition to an already great saw.
Highly recommend.

Its not easy money to spend, but spend it anyway...
I have had the DeWalt 746 for a few months now, and I have been slowly adding accessories as I needed/could afford them.With a router table wing mounted on the left side, I chose to go ahead and put this wing on the right.

The wing shipped in good time and arrived undamaged.I was able to unpack and install it properly in about 25 minutes.Leveling it was not hard- in fact I was able to mount it by myself.The surface is blemish free and flat (within acceptable tolerances).No cast iron is "perfectly" flat", and neither the DeWalt saw table or this wing are either, but they are within a few thousandths...

Basically what I am saying is that this wing is worth buying.If you are like me and you are buying it after the fact, it will be hard to justufy spending the money when you could just get by with the steel wing, but then who wants to "just get by"?

Buy it, you won't regret it ever.

Run, don't walk, to get this
The DW 7462 is a great saw except for three bum parts: the miter guage, the aluminum wings, and the plastic throat. You are going to upgrade -- the only question is how much you will suffer first.

The wings are great. Easy to install, flat, and heavy. ... Read more

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

Features

• 18in. bar
• 3.1 HP
• 3.0 cubic inches
• 50cc
• Smart Start? for easy starting

Reviews (5)

This is a Gerat Saw
I bought a Husky 350 after making the mistake of purchasing a Craftsman.The difference was like night and day.It satrts easy, and runs like a champ.The guy with the gastank problem, I don't know what to say.I haven't had any problems with mine.THe guy who cant start his might want to try reading the manual.Try the decompression valve and a freshly sharpened chain may help cutting logs instead of sanding them in half.Keep your chain out of the dirt and thin down your bar oil when it's cold (-10) and you'll have no problems.If you do break something on it (I spun my oiling gear by not thining my bar oil when it was -10)parts are readily available, inexpensive, and easy to fix.

350 Buyer beware! Defective Gas tanks!
I recently bought a new Husqvarna 350 Chainsaw.I have owned many Husqies and let me tell you they are a great machine.That is why I did not hesitate to buy another.I ended up buying the the 350.Got it home loaded it up with fuel and would'nt you know, gas started coming out of a seam at the base of the plastic handle.Apparently The base of the handle is also used as a resevoir for the fuel capacity.The handle is a molded plastic and has a seam right down the middle.If you check the instruction manual they recomend putting your foot through this to hold it steady whiloe starting the motor.What Genious thought up the idea of using an injection molded handle to become a resivoir for the fuel tank???Anyone remember the Ford Pinto gas Tank from the 70's???Must be the same engineer working on this design?I notified Husqy.I'll be interested to see how they handle this one?

Learn how to use a saw
Obviously the person who wrote the first review has no idea about how to use a chainsaw or what to do if problems are encountered. Professionals praise the Husqvarna saw line for dependability, power, availability of parts and "customer support." If you bought the saw at Lowes, then go to a real saw dealer. Learn how to sharpen the chain, if you have it on correctly. A Husky should last you years of use. Don't base the purchase of a saw like this on one review. ... Read more

Editorial Review

REVIEW: The X5 is one of the finest pieces of machinery we've seen. It's the right-tilt version of Delta's magnificent Unisaw, and everything from the motor to the finely machined T-slots is nothing but the highest standard. Take the motor, for example: It's a 3-HP, single phase 230-volt with full-voltage starter. It flawlessly powers a positive-traction, three-belt V-drive that runs between two massive lifetime ball bearings for no--and we mean zero--vibration. The table is cast-iron, smooth as glass, along with two cast-iron extension wings and a beautifully laminated table supported by rock-solid, leveler-footed steel legs. Riding along the huge 76-by-27-inch table surface is a 50-inch Biesemeyer fence; there's none better, period. It's ruggedly built of nine-ply Finland birch and high-impact laminate that's hand-fitted to solid steel angle iron and tubing and glides and locks like a dream. The three-point locking system, built-in steel tape and hairline pointer assure accuracy to within 1/64-inch, even at its maximum 50 inches to the right of the blade. Even the arbor is a piece of perfection, precision-ground, stress-proofed and flange-faced after production. Inside this 600-pound saw's cabinet is a clever slope that directs sawdust right to the 4-inch duct collector chute to eliminate clogging in the cabinet. Quality saws always have a T-slot for the miter gauge, and this one's no exception, allowing you to extend Delta's super-precise Auto-Set miter gauge far beyond the front edge without tip-out or instability on both sides of the 10-inch blade. The right-tilting arbor allows you a max cut of 2-1/8 inches at 45 degrees, putting big gorgeous bevels well within your reach. If it's precision, perfection and power you're after, this is the last saw you'll ever buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 3 HP single phase motor for powerful cutting
• 50" Biesemeyer commercial fence system
• Carbide tipped 50 tooth ATB&R saw blade, right extension table, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Reviews (1)

fence problem
the fence came with the mounting hole on the front rail mis-alligned. it took a month to get the correct front rail, delta back ordered the rail but thanks to amazon's great customer service (the reason i buy here) they sent a complete rail replacement. it was very disappointing to spent $1800.00 and have to go thru the ordeal and not use the saw for a month. wake up delta.

i noticed another review with much the same problem ... Read more

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

Features

• Outfeed table can be folded out of the way
• Includes 12- by 34-inch stationary and 31- by 34-inch folding laminated tables
• Table supports and braced folding legs
• Makes cutting large panels a one person operation
• Can be adapted to fit most cabinet type saws

Reviews (19)

No problems at all
Mine arrived yesterday without incident.No damage to the table at all but I can see how others have had problems.Packing was not the best.

The unit is very easy to install - it takes a couple of hours.I own a late model Unisaw and all the holes are pre-drilled in the cabinet for this table which made the installation very smooth.

Regarding other comments about cutting the table - Either I missed it in the instructions or they took it out, but I didn't see anything that said to cut the table if you're installing it on a newer model.

My only complaint is with the 5/8" carriage bolts they ship with the unit. In a couple cases, they are barely long enough to get any thread on the nut and fit the pieces together.It's a very minor thing though and in the end it went together easily.

Fit and finish are good.I can never understand why Delta uses cheap particle board when there are much better materials available. With care though, it appears that it will last as long as the rest of the tool.

Don't cut the table! - if you have a late model Unisaw.
Thanks to JJ Malone. Luckily, I read his review. I have a late model Unisaw with the cabinet pre-punched for the outfeed table. NO cutting is necessary. The table fits perfectly and the gap is less than 1/8". I can see no need at all for a gap. The hardware mounts as the instructions explain. I had a helper (wife) and did not need to cut the supports specified to temporarily hold the table. The item doesn't weigh THAT much. FedEx delivered in one day with no damage. I worked with it over the weekend and my only regret is that I didn't buy this when I bought my saw. The constant fiddling with portable stands which get knocked out of alignment or fall is a thing of the past.

A great addition to a great saw
First, no cabinet saw should be without an outfeed table.

I purchased this one for my JET Xacta saw.It required drilling a few holes in the cabinet, and removing the splitter/ blade guard.It took about 3 hours to install, but it fits perfectly.This is an excellent addition to an already great saw.It really make the saw more useable, and more importantly, safer.

Having seen up close how the table is made, I could have made one myself.However, I would have spent half the cost of the table in materials, and longer than I'd like in making it.I like making furniture, not outfeed tables. ... Read more

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

Editorial Review

The X5 is one of the finest pieces of machinery we've seen. It's the left-tilt version of Delta's magnificent Unisaw, and everything from the motor to the finely machined T-slots is of the highest standard. Take the motor, for example. It's a 3 HP, single phase 230-volt with full-voltage starter. It flawlessly powers a positive-traction, three-belt V-drive that runs between two massive lifetime ball bearings for no--and we mean zero--vibration. The table is cast-iron, smooth as glass, along with two cast-iron extension wings and a beautifully laminated table supported by rock-solid, leveler-footed steel legs. Riding along the huge 76-by-27-inch table surface is a 50-inch Unifence guide with an adjustable flip-stop; if you've ever used one, you know the precision. It glides like it's on air and locks down with not a hair's breadth of error, even at its maximum 50 inches to the right of the blade. Even the arbor is a piece of perfection, precision-ground, stress-proofed and flange-faced after production. Inside this 600-pound saw's cabinet is a clever slope that directs sawdust right to the 4-inch duct collector chute to eliminate clogging in the cabinet. Quality saws always have a T-slot for the miter gauge, and this one's no exception, allowing you to extend Delta's super-precise Auto-Set miter gauge far beyond the front edge without tip-out or instability on both sides of the 10-inch blade. The left-tilting arbor allows you a max cut of 2-1/8 inches at 45 degrees, putting big gorgeous bevels well within your reach. If it's precision and power you're after, this is the last saw you'll ever buy.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• Includes machine with left tilt, 3 HP single phase motor for powerful cutting
• 50" Unifence saw guide with adjustable flip stop
• Carbide tipped 50 tooth ATB&R saw blade, laminated table board, adjustable steel support legs
• Two cast iron extension wings, standard insert, miter gage, motor cover and 4" dust connector

Reviews (2)

items improperly shipped
Amazon shipped this item using ABF as the freight company. Either the table saw was not secured to the pallet or ABF removed the strapping, because the tip indicator had been activated. In addition, the box was crushed on one side and there was a 6 inch and an 8 inch hole in the box. A quick inspection also revealed the motor cover had been crushed and the styrofoam packing was laying in pieces. The drill press, shipped on the same order, had punched through the box and had indications that the shaft impacted with another item. The jointer also had punched through the box and styrofoam packing material.

All items were on pallets however, none of the items were strapped down to the pallet and no shrink wrap was used to secure the items to each other.

After a full day of deliveries by this truck, there were no signs of tie down straps, loose or otherwise, anywhere on the truck nor were the other two crates on the truck strapped down. Boxes listed as 'This Side Up' were laying on their sides. Boxes clearly labled 'Top Heavy' were not secured to pallets.

After seeing this level of shipping abuse, no further inspection was necessary as the entire shipment had to be refused.

Interesting enough, Amazon is glad to cancel the order and provide a refund however, I somewhat expected them to offer to resend the items using another carrier... which they did not.

Last saw you'll ever need
Size, power, flexibility, power, precision, power, power, power.I'm a casual woodworker.I'd like to think I'll someday get good enough to find some obscure feature this saw lacks.I doubt I ever will.My 2nd and final saw purchase.No regrets, not even the cost. ... Read more

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

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)   

Editorial Review

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

Features

• Includes shims for micro adjustments
• Negative hook angle for splinter free cuts
• Anti-kickback design good for underpowered saws
• Slot widths from 1/4-inch to 13/16-inch in 1/16-inch increments
• Resharpenable blades

Reviews (123)

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

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

POSITIVE:

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

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

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

NEGATIVES

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

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

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

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

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

Editorial Review

Don't mess with a maul--this affordable log splitter does the work in a fraction of the time. This log-splitting machine from Fisch features a 2-horsepower motor that packs a whopping 4 tons of ram power. It can slice logs up to 20 inches long and 12 inches in diameter, and unlike your back, it can go all day without complaining. The wide-stance design provides plenty of stability, and its rugged construction will stand up to a long life of hard work. Fisch built it big enough to handle tough logs but small and lightweight enough for one person to easily move. It will even fit in the trunk of most cars. Best of all, the affordable price tag puts it within reach of most homeowners. Get your firewood chopped early this year, without wrecking your back in the process. ... Read more

Features

• Fits in most trunks
• Packs 4 tons of ram power
• Use indoors or outdoors
• Splits logs up to 20 inches long by 12 inches wide
• Perfect for the homeowner

Reviews (22)

fisch 4 ton electric log splitter
I received in about a week this was fast shipping ,I went to work the next day and started to split my wood what a great unit it split with no problems at all,before I knew it I had a cord split sure beats the old splitting maul,everything arrived in excellent condition even came with a bottle of extra oil,for the shorter logs I used a 4x4 to take up the extra space of the 20 inch throat,I built a 20 inch tall table to put the splitter on and that way you do not have to kneel down just remove from log pile split and stack I highly recommend this splitter..

Great Performance FromA Little Splitter
First things first.When the splitter arrived, the box was in excellent shape but I did notice a large stain on the outside.Upon opening the box, the extra bottle of hydraulic fluid supplied with the splitter was about 90% empty.I guess that explained the stain on the outside of the box.For the life of me I can't figure out how the fluid leaked out, there were no holes in the bottle and the seal on the cap was still in place.The fluid didn't come out of the splitter, the dip stick said it was full.Anyway, the other item that was broken, as experienced by another reviewer here, was the plastic electric box.Not just the cover, but the whole box.I sent Fisch an e-mail and they sent me a new box and a bottle of hydaulic fluid.Odd thing though, the hydraulic fluid came in a pint sized spring water bottle with the cap taped on.Thought that was odd, or maybe people at Fisch are drinking hydraulic fluid instead of Poland Springs water?The electrical box was also shipped and was a pain to get on.All of the wire connections had to be seperated, the new box put on and then re-connected.

After all was right with the world again, I began splitting logs.Let me tell you, this thing can split 'em!Don't be fooled by it's size, it can handle everything you can fit into it.I tried a number of logs with knots and they too were cut in half.

The performance of the splitter along with the excellent customer service makes this a top choice in my book.

Wonderful! Highly recommended!
We had just put in a pool so we had a bunch of extra wood. We own a wood stove so this log splitter was just what the doctor ordered! It has worked wonderfully for the last two years. It even splits green logs and big logs. I highly recommend spraying the splitting blade with PAM. Also, have difference size "pushing" logs handy to split shorter logs. If you keep splitting it smaller and smaller, this machine will make great kindling too! Advised to wear work gloves, long sleeve shirt and eye protection at all times. These logs are under a great amount of pressure when being split and it's not uncommon for one piece to fly accross the room! I highly recommend this machine! ... Read more

Features

• Perma-SHIELD coating reduces friction
• 10 inch, 50-tooth, 5/8-inch arbor
• Perfect balance between ripping & crosscutting
• Large gullets and flat top teeth for ripping
• ATB & R tooth design for combination cutting

Reviews (18)

Excellent combo blade!
I've been using the chrome version of this blade on my old (ancient) Jet contractor's saw for about 3 years and couldn't be happier.It leaves a super-smooth, glue-ready surface when ripping soft- or hardwood stock, and equally fine surfaces on crosscuts.My saw is tuned properly, I use a link belt to reduce vibration, and for ripping always use a featherboard just in front of the blade to maintain proper position of the stock.

I showed this blade off at a recent woodworker's gathering of about 30 people, and they were definitely impressed.Can't imagine that it'd be possible to get a much better surface than the LU84 provides.On my humble 1.5HP saw, though, I don't use it for ripping really thick stock.Firmly believe a good 24-tooth ripping blade is the way to go there.

LU84R011 blade
I purchased this blade a few weeks ago and put it on my new Hitachi C10FL table saw. I've always had good experience with Freud products and this blade isn't much of an exception. It is a hefty piece of steel and overall well made. The carbide teeth are THICK which will allow many resharpenings. It is a GOOD blade, but NOT "excellent". For general purpose use that will give acceptable results it certainly lives up to its manufacturer ratings for various types of cuts in different material. A few important points to note, however. There is splintering on the end of a cross cut, I suspect this is mostly due to the flat top grind raker tooth as my "low budget" Lowes bought Freud combo blade with all ATB teeth leaves a cleaner cross cut. The Teflon coating seems to be more of a hindrance than a blessing. It is not perfectly flat in all places, and seems to clog the anti vibration slots in the blade body. Also, the coating has worn off where the arbor washers contact it - I carefully sanded the coating away in this area. The blade does not vibrate at all, and I feel stiffeners aren't necessary though they can't hurt I'm sure. Although I am not sorry I bought this blade, I will be purchasing either a Forrest blade or two separate blades - rip and crosscut in order to get the perfect result for each type of cut. My recommendation would be to go with the LU84M011 blade instead - doesn't have the unhelpful Teflon coating and is ten dollars cheaper.

Really impressed
Just received this blade and mounted it in my Ryobi BT3100.
Using it to cut 3/4 solid oak, 3/4 oak veneer plywood, pine, both cross cut and ripping, it's hard to imagine anything better. Quiet, splinter free. Now I want a couple more for my chop saw and a spare. Everything I've purchased from Freud has been a worthwhile investment. And NO this has not been a paid commercial :-). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Freud    2. (Frued)    3. Blades    4. Table Saw Blades    5. 10-inch Blades    6. (Tablesaws)   

Editorial Review

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

Features

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

Reviews (6)

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

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

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

Subjects:  1. Saws    2. Radial Arm Saws   

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)