Hello everyone,
This is my first post to the group and I hope it will be a successful
one. We've been in our new house for just over a year and it's
finally time for me to set up my workshop in the garage. The first
purchase, of course, will be a decent CMS.
I've to the local big box stores and one of the smaller local shops
to look at what's available in the 12" saws. As nice as it is to be
able to see and touch the items I still have no idea how they actually
handle and such in use. I'm spoiled by my work in the university
scene shop with the DeWalt 12" Slider, but there is no way I can swing
the cash for a slider since I'll be needing to pick up a router and
probably a new Circular saw as well.
But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
Delta 36-312 ($199). Any major concerns with any of these? I know
the Delta might not be the top of the line, but is it worth the extra
$100 for the DeWalt or Makita? Any thoughts or tips would be much
appreciated. I'll be hanging out here quite a bit as the setup
continues and hope to gain quite a bit.
Thanks in advance,
David
Here's a detailed review of the Bosch 3912 that you might find helpful.
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/boschgcm12.htm
--
Regards,
Dean Bielanowski
Editor,
Online Tool Reviews
http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
Over 50 woodworking product reviews online!
------------------------------------------------------------
Latest 6 Reviews:
- HyLoft Overhead Storage System
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- Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book
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------------------------------------------------------------
> But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
> of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
> back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
> sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
> Delta 36-312 ($199). Any major concerns with any of these? I know
> the Delta might not be the top of the line, but is it worth the extra
> $100 for the DeWalt or Makita? Any thoughts or tips would be much
> appreciated. I'll be hanging out here quite a bit as the setup
> continues and hope to gain quite a bit.
Well, I am not that familiar with the 36-312, but I have owned the 36-235
12" saw for almost 5 years and have been satisfied (at the time of purchase
it was about $289). It has been through a full basement finish including
trim, and construction of a full, wet bar. It has also helped with
construction of several other cabinets, tables and a garage and is doing
just fine.
It does look a little different than the 36-312. The miter lock and
compound adjustment are a little different. Motor case looks very similar.
After five years I only have two concerns with the older Delta:\
1) The dust collection bag arrangement sucks. It might be better with an
active collector.
2) After using it for awhile, it seemed like the miter lock might be the
weak point and wear out. But, after 5 years it still works fine (probably
ought to quit worrying - huh?)
Watch out though. Delta has been offering some VERY CHEAP 10' miter only
saws through Sears. One caught my eye as a potential Christmas gift a few
weeks ago. After looking at it (about $50) I decided I couldn't bring
myself to even give it away. If Delta is doing this with lower level
machines -- who knows?
> Hello everyone,
>
> This is my first post to the group and I hope it will be a successful
> one. We've been in our new house for just over a year and it's
> finally time for me to set up my workshop in the garage. The first
> purchase, of course, will be a decent CMS.
>
> I can't make any comparisons as the only one I've used is the one I
bought, a 12" DeWalt. I have been very happy with it from cutting larger
boards to small stuff. Hope this helps.
--
Paul O.
[email protected]
"Edwin Pawlowski" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> <David_J_Griffiths at yahoo.com> wrote in message
>> But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
>> of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
>> back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
>> sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
>> Delta 36-312 ($199).
>
> Never tried the other brand, but my DeWalt is proving to be a winner.
> Accurate, reliable, powerful. Does everything I ask it to do. Last
> year DeWalt was giving a ROS with the saw. Maybe you'll get lucky and
> find an old one in stock someplace. HD had the sander right in the
> box, others you had to send in a coupon.
> Ed
> [email protected]
> http://pages.cthome.net/edhome
>
>
I've had the same experience Ed reports. No problems with the 705 that
weren't user error...
Patriarch
I have the Porter Cable for $299. We used it to frame a lot of a
Habitat for Humanity home. It also gets a lot of use in my shop. I
love it to death. If you gave me $300 to buy a 12" CMS, the Porter
Cable is what I'd come home with.
Now I just need to get a Chopmaster blade for it...
-Mike
David_J_Griffiths at yahoo.com <> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> Hello everyone,
>
> This is my first post to the group and I hope it will be a successful
> one. We've been in our new house for just over a year and it's
> finally time for me to set up my workshop in the garage. The first
> purchase, of course, will be a decent CMS.
>
> I've to the local big box stores and one of the smaller local shops
> to look at what's available in the 12" saws. As nice as it is to be
> able to see and touch the items I still have no idea how they actually
> handle and such in use. I'm spoiled by my work in the university
> scene shop with the DeWalt 12" Slider, but there is no way I can swing
> the cash for a slider since I'll be needing to pick up a router and
> probably a new Circular saw as well.
>
> But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
> of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
> back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
> sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
> Delta 36-312 ($199). Any major concerns with any of these? I know
> the Delta might not be the top of the line, but is it worth the extra
> $100 for the DeWalt or Makita? Any thoughts or tips would be much
> appreciated. I'll be hanging out here quite a bit as the setup
> continues and hope to gain quite a bit.
>
> Thanks in advance,
>
> David
My local Lowe's has the Delta TwinLaser 12" compound saw that was originally
$300 for $229. My personal preference would be for a double-bevel saw,
though. Lowe's has the DeWalt 12" double-bevel for like $350. The new
Delta with the vertical motor boasts some very impressive capacities for
$400, also. Amazon.com had the Hitachi 10" slider (a double-bevel saw) for
$399 a while ago. My latest flyer has it a little higher, I think.
If you're looking to keep the cost down, check your Lowe's for the clearance
TwinLaser. It's a better saw than the $199, which is a ShopMaster?? The
first time you have to flip a board around in some funky orientation, you'll
want the double-bevel saw, though. I am actually in the market myself. I
almost bought the $229 Delta, but I figured I'd regret it later, so I'm
looking around for a deal, too.
Hope this helped,
Charlie
<David_J_Griffiths at yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hello everyone,
>
> This is my first post to the group and I hope it will be a successful
> one. We've been in our new house for just over a year and it's
> finally time for me to set up my workshop in the garage. The first
> purchase, of course, will be a decent CMS.
The first (and only) Dewalt tool I own is the 12"CMS...a "rebuild". As I
understand things, quite a few of the new machines go back for "rebuild",
hence the wide availability on the reconditioned market. Good news is the
rebuild outfit seems to do better than factory and I have no problems with
the tool after 2 years of really hard use. Light weight, easy to keep
adjusted on the 90' cuts and along the miter.
"Woodcrafter" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Here's a detailed review of the Bosch 3912 that you might find helpful.
> http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com/reviews/boschgcm12.htm
>
> --
> Regards,
>
> Dean Bielanowski
> Editor,
> Online Tool Reviews
> http://www.onlinetoolreviews.com
> Over 50 woodworking product reviews online!
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> Latest 6 Reviews:
> - HyLoft Overhead Storage System
> - Lumber Wizard Metal Detector
> - Pocket Hole Drilling Jig Project Book
> - Kreg Universal Bench Klamp
> - GRR-Ripper System & MJ Splitter
> - Spaceage Ceramic Bandsaw Guides
> ------------------------------------------------------------
>
> > But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
> > of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
> > back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
> > sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
> > Delta 36-312 ($199). Any major concerns with any of these? I know
> > the Delta might not be the top of the line, but is it worth the extra
> > $100 for the DeWalt or Makita? Any thoughts or tips would be much
> > appreciated. I'll be hanging out here quite a bit as the setup
> > continues and hope to gain quite a bit.
>
>
>
<David_J_Griffiths at yahoo.com> wrote in message
> But I'm getting off topic. What I really need is advice from users
> of the current 12" Compound Miter saws out there. I've been going
> back and forth between the Makita 1221 ($299 with a free Random orbit
> sander), the DeWalt 705S ($299ish), the Bosch 3912 ($250ish) and the
> Delta 36-312 ($199).
Never tried the other brand, but my DeWalt is proving to be a winner.
Accurate, reliable, powerful. Does everything I ask it to do. Last year
DeWalt was giving a ROS with the saw. Maybe you'll get lucky and find an
old one in stock someplace. HD had the sander right in the box, others you
had to send in a coupon.
Ed
[email protected]
http://pages.cthome.net/edhome