Comments on: Monster Miter Saw http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/ All tools. All the time. Your source for news, information, and reviews of hand tools, power tools, and tools of all kinds. Wed, 03 Dec 2008 03:07:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.1 By: Trevor http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-225219 Trevor Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:43:28 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-225219 I've been using a borrowed compound-bevel/slide Makita, the model directly equivalent to this one. Since I have to give it back (go figure) I decided to get a 12" miter saw of my own -- worst-case, I can resell it locally on Craigslist. However, I didn't get the DW718 dual-slide version, since the DW716 non-slider meets my needs at close to half the price. I picked up a new-in-box DW716 *and* the laser module for $365 shipped on eBay. A couple of $19 roller supports and an existing portable workbench will do me just fine, as sweet as the fully integrated $200 stand/support units look. I'm still looking for solid recommendations on blades, though. I bought the combo pack of DeWalt blades for my buddy's Makita (after dulling his original blade cutting Pergo) but the performance of the finish-cut blade has been OK at best. Even if I'm careful, I get quite a bit of tear-out when cutting finished pine baseboard moulding. Ideas? I’ve been using a borrowed compound-bevel/slide Makita, the model directly equivalent to this one. Since I have to give it back (go figure) I decided to get a 12″ miter saw of my own — worst-case, I can resell it locally on Craigslist.

However, I didn’t get the DW718 dual-slide version, since the DW716 non-slider meets my needs at close to half the price. I picked up a new-in-box DW716 *and* the laser module for $365 shipped on eBay. A couple of $19 roller supports and an existing portable workbench will do me just fine, as sweet as the fully integrated $200 stand/support units look.

I’m still looking for solid recommendations on blades, though. I bought the combo pack of DeWalt blades for my buddy’s Makita (after dulling his original blade cutting Pergo) but the performance of the finish-cut blade has been OK at best. Even if I’m careful, I get quite a bit of tear-out when cutting finished pine baseboard moulding. Ideas?

]]> By: Julian Tracy http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-224981 Julian Tracy Thu, 07 Feb 2008 03:05:59 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-224981 True enough on all those points, but the laser - when set - is handy as all get out when doing complicated cuts like a finished stair stringer skirt with mitered ends to meet the finished risers. And - the weight thing is one of the best features - this saw is easier to carry around than any other 12" slider, and has the best cross cut capability. One more negative - the crown stops that you have to buy for an add'l $30 kind of suck cause they don't swivel out of the way when not needed. You have to completely remove them to do normal cutting. JT True enough on all those points, but the laser - when set - is handy as all get out when doing complicated cuts like a finished stair stringer skirt with mitered ends to meet the finished risers.

And - the weight thing is one of the best features - this saw is easier to carry around than any other 12″ slider, and has the best cross cut capability.

One more negative - the crown stops that you have to buy for an add’l $30 kind of suck cause they don’t swivel out of the way when not needed. You have to completely remove them to do normal cutting.

JT

]]> By: l_bilyk http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-224509 l_bilyk Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:18:34 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-224509 I've said it before, the 708 was a better saw in it's day. Aside from the rough castings, the pointer is gimpy, the detent over-ride is too small, the carriage lock is not conveniently placed, and dust collection is a joke. I’ve said it before, the 708 was a better saw in it’s day. Aside from the rough castings, the pointer is gimpy, the detent over-ride is too small, the carriage lock is not conveniently placed, and dust collection is a joke.

]]> By: Julian Tracy http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223872 Julian Tracy Wed, 06 Feb 2008 01:27:36 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223872 Where have you guys been? I had to look at the date of the posting... These saws have been out for almost 2 years now. I have one and it is pretty damn sweet - although it gets a few knocks on the forums for some rough castings, and it's said that the older 708 is more accurate. I bought it cause it weighs about 55lbs and isn't as large as an aircraft carrier like the Bosch 12". Street pricing is not $560 though - at Lowes and at HD it's been as high as $679, although now down to $599 or so. Costco has en with the $200 Dewalt mitersaw stand for about $650 or so. The laser is very handy but will be all wacked out the minute you move and travel with the saw so you have to re-calibrate it for every job - so on important stuff I do that, but for regular stuff I don't fool with it. The yellow edged blade that comes with it is major league crap - in fact all the Dewalt yellow edge blades suck - they are a major waste on money. Bottom line on 12" saw blades - if you didn't spend $65 or more, it's probably a waste of money. (That doesn't count for great deals though) Or, just realize that Home Depot doesn't sell any good blades (although some folks have been happy with the Gold ridgid blades. JT Where have you guys been? I had to look at the date of the posting…

These saws have been out for almost 2 years now. I have one and it is pretty damn sweet - although it gets a few knocks on the forums for some rough castings, and it’s said that the older 708 is more accurate.

I bought it cause it weighs about 55lbs and isn’t as large as an aircraft carrier like the Bosch 12″.

Street pricing is not $560 though - at Lowes and at HD it’s been as high as $679, although now down to $599 or so.

Costco has en with the $200 Dewalt mitersaw stand for about $650 or so.

The laser is very handy but will be all wacked out the minute you move and travel with the saw so you have to re-calibrate it for every job - so on important stuff I do that, but for regular stuff I don’t fool with it.

The yellow edged blade that comes with it is major league crap - in fact all the Dewalt yellow edge blades suck - they are a major waste on money. Bottom line on 12″ saw blades - if you didn’t spend $65 or more, it’s probably a waste of money. (That doesn’t count for great deals though)

Or, just realize that Home Depot doesn’t sell any good blades (although some folks have been happy with the Gold ridgid blades.

JT

]]> By: Simon http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223817 Simon Wed, 06 Feb 2008 00:34:44 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223817 I used the smaller version of this and it worked flawlessly. I used the smaller version of this and it worked flawlessly.

]]> By: jeff http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223702 jeff Tue, 05 Feb 2008 21:49:06 +0000 http://toolmonger.com/2008/02/05/monster-miter-saw/#comment-223702 I've used a couple of their previous models and they rock. I can definitely attest to their quality. They get stuffed in the bottom of the job box and hauled around to the next big project and still cut like champs. I’ve used a couple of their previous models and they rock. I can definitely attest to their quality. They get stuffed in the bottom of the job box and hauled around to the next big project and still cut like champs.

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