213
people found this helpful, as of 2023
ranked #146,447 most helpful
out of 571,544,897 reviews
★★★★★
Excellent design
I'm not a professional, I'm just a homeowner who appreciates quality tools, but it seems they got all the details right on this saw. Miter and bevel were perfectly aligned out of the box, which I checked with my triangle and with some test cuts. Getting it out of the box was easy too, thanks to the carrying handle on the saw head which is very solid and close to the center of balance. (Usually with big items like this you have to figure out how to get your hands underneath it and then hold the box down while you get it out.) The locking pin which keeps the saw head down when you're carrying it can be slid in and out easily but has no problem supporting the weight, while the spring that raises the head prevents the pin from sliding out accidentally. There are also good hand holds on each side of the base with rounded edges so they don't dig into your hands.
Bevel stops at 0 and 45 degrees make it easy to switch between common angles, but can be slid back after loosening a screw to allow a few more degrees either way when you need to compensate for other cuts that were a little off (made by someone else, of course). There's also a flip-out stop for 33.9 degree bevel which is also solidly made. The bevel locking knob-thing is nice and big, making it easy to grip and turn. The adjustable fence can be quickly adjusted with a single knob, but is still very sturdy when tightened down.
Miter adjustment is rock solid. The quick detents have no wiggle room at all, and the detent override makes it easy to adjust to any angle. The simple push-down miter lock is easy to use, and once locked I was unable to force it slip to either side.
The dust bag collects a bit over half of the sawdust, and as a result fills up pretty quickly. I'm planning to get an adapter so I can connect my shopvac to the dust outlet. If you're wondering, the dust port is 1.5" O.D.
Everything about this saw is sturdy, and all the adjustments can be made with very little effort. It's also a little quieter than I expected, which is nice. You can't go wrong with this saw.
January 2007 · Tools and Home Improvement