Chop saw : Advice for a newbie please

[EdK]

Hi
I am rennovating an old cottage with a new blocked extension on the back. I've more or less sorted out the shell and it is watertight now more or less (no doors - minor point ) - my brother is coming to help me in a few weeks time with stud work and flooring and generall rough first fix woodwork. (And stairs)

He told me to get a chop saw - any advice ?

Will be buying from Axminster probably (no VAT - I live in Channel Islands - Ax. seem to be only shop that consistently deliver so my loyalty is with them - but am open to new suggestions ) - I was looking at the Makit and DeWalt ones but am not sure on styles.

I plan on buying it for this house but also for the future - I'd like it to be useful for other later projects (like maybe knocking up other things for the house).

Not sure on blade size and not sure on slide compounds or not slide compounds...

Any advice ? What do you think I should go for ?

What is the most useful size ?

Should I get three or so blades to cope with cutting different materials ?

Or should I get a table saw too/instead ?...

Cheers - Ed

 

[Escudo]

Hello Ed,

I have got the Makita LS1040 chop saw and it is a cracking little machine.

It was the first machine I bought and I still use it all the time. It is not very big but perfect for cutting 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 sizes of timber. I used it to build my workshop / shed. (stud type framework etc)

If you think you need the capacity for cutting wider boards etc then it may be worth having a look at sliding type chop saw.

As regards blades I have not changed mine since I had it and it seems fine.

Hope this is of some help. It might be worth using the search facility for further information.

Cheers, Esc.

 

[Steve Maskery]

You'll find loads of discussion on here, but try searching for "sliding compound mitre saw" as well as "chop saw".

Personally I have the Bosch GSM10SD (I think!) and am delighted with it. Portable (but only just - it's a lot heavier than the Makita) and has excellent capacity. It also has all the adjustments at the front rather than at the back. I know other people rate the DW, too, not used it myself.

FWIW, Ax often have the Bosch on special offer, or at least they did many times las year.

HTH
Steve

 

[Aled Dafis]

I just fitted 70m2 of oak flooring in my new house last week, and after about an hour on the first day, my cheap (and dreadfully inacurate) B&Q chop saw packed up (blessing in disguise). So after some research on the web which pointed me towards Makita kit, I called my local builders merchant and found that they only stocked Makita kit and they had a Makita LS1214 in stock.

To cut a long story short this is a superb machine, cuts VERY accurately and the quality of cut on end grain is the best I've ever seen.

It will cut about 12"x4" which isn't far off the largest capacity on the market.

So my vote most definitely goes to the Makita LS1214 - Excellent!!!

P.S. The saw has a built in laser which is really useful and also comes with a stand - one (or even 2) roller stands would make life easier for you as well.

 

[EdK]

Hi - thanks for the advice - my brother told me to get a slide compound mitre saw so that I could use it for all eventualities with the house.

He recommended the Makita LS1214 305mm Mitre Saw but I thought that at the price of £485 it was a bit much. (He works as a foreman on building sites so I guess this is one of the professional / commercial benchmarks).

However I am open to cost changes .... I originally thought I'd get something for about £200 and was leaning towards the DeWalt DW707 216mm Slide Mitre Saw for £238.

I just spoke to some guys at work who are kitting out some offices and they are using a £70 JET saw - seemed pretty basic and I think that this would suit me if all I was doing was CLS stud work and all the architrave and skirting boards.

However I'll be doing all of that and the following:

Kitchen
Stairs
Possibly internal doors and maybe an external one...
Possibly wood flooring (if there is any cash left).

And who knows in the future...

So I guess the large Makita LS1214 will easily cover my needs at the moment and allow me room for larger sections of wood later on.

Will the DeWalt DW707 be a good middle ground or will I end wishin I had the larger Makita one ?

Really appreciate any more advice as I need to order this in the next few days so that it gets here in time

Cheers
Ed

 

[Harbo]

I have a DW D27105 Combination Saw which has a 305mm blade.

It is fairly portable (legs "fold in") - will fit into a boot and also has wheels to assist movement.

On side is a mitre saw - flip it over and you have a table saw.
With some additional adjustable height roller supports you have an excellent and very versatile machine.

I bought mine on Ebay for about £300

Rod

 

[harryc]

Have you considered the ryobi 10" sliding mitre saw, around £200 and has a large cutting capacity you might be looking at.

Harry

 

[Aled Dafis]

EdK

The list of jobs you have there pretty much matches mine (but I'll be using it in the longer term for making some furniture) and the big Makita is just spot on.

I considered the DW707 aswell, but am very glad that I went for the Makita as it will do so much more with its larger capacities.

If you're going to fit cornices to your kitchen cabinets, the 60mm height restriction on the DW707 might be a problem; it would be for me, mine are about 75mm - the Makita has a 115mm height capacity so no problems here.

My reasoning for justifying the cost was that I'd just curse my choice when I came to do a job that required the increased capacities, and eventually I'd go out and buy a larger machine.

(I have no connections with Makita or any particular dealer, I'm just dead chuffed with my TOOL!!)

 

[EdK]

Well I phoned a mate who said that I could borrow his for a few weeks... The big Makita one landed on my doorstep the next day - just bought a Perform 10" blade for it (20 odd quid) - so all in all the best of all worlds and now a spot o cash to chuck at the house
Ed

 

[EdK]

Right...

Back to square one !

I borrowed my mate's Makita LS1013 (a bit smaller than the LS1214) for studwork and flooring.

I found that although it has obviously seen alot of action it still works well. My brother came over to help and noticed that the only thing wrong with it was that the blade didn't slow down at the end of a cut as fast as it should.

I was cutting 100 x 50 studwork and later 19mm ply flooring at 8' by 2'.

I found that it can cut across a ply sheet and then if you flip it cut the other half (they are 2 foot wide).

So all in all a very good 'borrow' !

Anyway I have downstairs studwork to do now and my mate has taken his saw back.

I was going to buy one...

I can borrow his saw whenever I need it but as I am working in the day I just get to work on the house evenings and weekends - so not fair to have his saw over extended periods...

Anyway.

As I can borrow his saw for really big stuff I was thinking of buying a saw for the majority of the rest of the work.

-- door liners
-- door treads
-- studwork
-- kitcheny things
-- maybe furniture later on.

I'm after a solid accurate saw that will last.

I don't think I will consider any Axminster saws and am not keen on the Jet saws having read a few poor things about them on this site.

So my shortlist is back to the DeWalt DW707.

I looked online and also rang the local shop.

Locally I can get the DW707 at £379.
Axminster sell it for £238.

THe local shop also have a DW 718 for £490.

THis looks like a good price but I am not sure if it has a better depth than either of the Makitas (LS1013 / LS1214) ... and also I am not keen to spend £500 odd quid when I can borrow a large SCMS.

Sooo... I guess my question is:

What else compares to the DW 707 ?

Also - how quiet is the DW 707 ? I live next to neighbours with kids and work in the evenings so this is a consideration.

Cheers for any advice.
Edward

 

[EdK]

Looks like the blades for 216mm saws are more expensive relatively and not so many...

Any recommendations on blades ?

Planning on an Axminster purchase.

If I can't get a 216mm blade can I go smaller ?

ie will 200mm be ok ?

Cheers
Edward

 

[beech1948]

EdK,
Please don't take what I am about to say as a negative but....

I think you need to decide what you want. The list of stuff in your last message indicates to me that you have lots of ideas running through your mind and are trying to trade off too many small thing across too many machines.

1) Set a budget. And stick to it. You obviously don't want to spend £500 on a Makita. Thats OK we all make those decisions. But decide what your maximum price is. Engrave this on your hardened heart when talking to shop sales people.

2) Look at the list of work ( well done in having a list by the way) you will be doing and see what sizes of timber you will be cutting. Take the maximum dimensions and set these as your must have cutting sizes. Ignore the maximum size of cut the target machine will achieve. Why pay for it when you won't use it. Remember that your friend will loan you a machine to cut slightly bigger stuff if you need it.

3) Decide on a list of reliable middle range suppliers. So NOT Makita /Dewally etc. Maybe SIP, Ryobi,Rexon etc. See what models are in budget and meet your size needs. I mention these three only because a number of people here have some of these. For instance the big Rexon is the same machine as the Sheppach Kapas 3. Be aware that the same machine is sold a different price points by different manufacturers. If you like the Sheppach for instance buy the Rexon its much cheaper.

4)Make a short list. Go see a few. Play with them in several shops. select ONE.

5) Ignore all the "silly sods" :lol: :roll: here for a bit and look via the search function for all the previous discussions on sliding chop saws. I sort of recall a survey on members chop saws done a year or so ago...but maybe its my imagination. Check out your selection ( OK then you selected 3). Then ask the "silly sods" :lol: :roll:

6) Go buy. Then send us a message with a review of it after 1 month.

Good luck. Good shopping.
regards
Alan

 

[Richardhw]

I also find that with a good quality saw and a cheap blade the cut suffers dramaticaly and there is a marked increase in noise too, so perhaps a mid range saw is ok. but I wouldn't skimp on blade quality.

 

[Streepips]

Sound advice there from Beech.
I notice that EDK also asks about noise. Well I doubt of you are going to find an induction motor on any of these saws, they all tend to use the screamer type brush motor
I also see you are considering an Axminster so thought it only fair to mention that I know two tradesmen that have bought these were very disappointed and returned them for refund..Now without wishing to knock any particular make its only fair to share knowledge to save someone else the grief.
I myself bought a 10" Rexxon a few years ago from B&Q ( rare that I buy anything from there apart from clearance stock or for client nominated stock but the Rexxon was on special at £99:00 and I needed a site crosscut mitre saw )
It proved to be quite a decent unit, lasted about 3 years then the motor blew so I was looking for another
Decided on a Fox 10" sliding carriage job for £149:00 from Rutlands.
I would have liked a Makita because its a favourite brand of mine but their model in that price bracket is very basic and to get the features of the Fox would mean spending at least twice as much.
The Fox has proved very accurate and versatile, cuts up to 290mm wide by 75mm thick, easy to adjust and has height lock settings so you can trench/groove with it.
Its obviously a clone of another European or USA unit, haven't worked out which yet but something around the £400:00 mark I would think
Has all the gubbins too, laser, ( I never use it ) dustbag, extension wings, hold down clamp. alloy construction and turntable, decent guard and the supplied 40 tooth blade is not bad .
( Supplied with two blades when I got it ) Easy to adjust and the sliding arms are very rigid. I don't think its wise to go for the minimum capability, always ensure you have ample in reserve. its sods law, buy something with a 61/2" cut and the first job you will get with it is 7" skirting
Good luck and review review review before you buy and never buy the cheapest..

 

[White House Workshop]

Depends on your type of working, really. For example, do you plan to do a lot of cross-cuts on wide boards? In which case a sliding saw is good for you. Do you plan to do a lot of fancy mitre work, in which case get a compound mitre saw.

I have a Craftsman 10" compound mitre saw, non-sliding type and it has done 99% of what I need. The only thing it doesn't have is a laser guide and I would thoroughly recommend one of those if you need to make really accurate cuts. I use the chop saw mostly for initial cutting, which is always longer than necessary. I then finish up on the tablesaw with an 80 tooth crosscut blade for a fine finish cut.

I've laid a complete wood floor from strip maple in our house and my chop saw did the job perfectly. It will cut up to 4 x 4 (just) and will cross-cut a 7" board. Boards wider than that? I flip them over and saw from both edges.

PS - I bought my own saw because it was an 'open box' sale - it had been on display in the store and they didn't have the box or manual - so I got it for just over half price. Always go for the best deal!

 

[EdK]

Right - I've had more of a think...
1 - budget : £200 to £300
2 - cutting size : 300 x 50 (well half of 300 as you can flip it so at least a reach of 150mm and a depth of 50mm)
3 - other machines:
Ryobi - Maybe the Ryobi EMS2026SCC Mitre Saw 10" (90 x 305mm and about £200)

Rexon - Maybe the Rexon SCM8EA 216mm Sliding Compound Mitre Saw - £230 (they seem to have a large range... )
Maybe the Rexon SM2150AE 8½" 2 Speed Sliding (seems to have the right cutting dimensions at 62 x 305mm and a 216mm blade - probably £140)

Fox - looked at them online at Rutlands. Guess it would be the F36252 ?

Other issues - screwfix don't ship here and some others dont too...

4 - well I went to all three shops here this morning... managed to track down a grand total of TWO SCMS !
Yes, I llive on an island and we have some stock issues evidently!
The little shop had none, the main shop had two (a DW 718 going for £490 with legs and a DW707 going for £398) and B&Q had none.

The build quality of the DW718 seemed much better than the 707 and I spoke to a mate who is training to be a joiner last night. He mentioned that they have the DW718 and sent the Evolution equivalent back as it was not accurate. They seem very happy with the DW718 and find it very accurate - apparently they are doing things with it that they wouldn't expect to be able to do with a SCMS.

Still tempted by the DW707 as I can get it from Axminster for £238 and if it is accurate out of the box and lasts along time with no hassle then that will keep me happy. The middle road ones (Rexon / Ryobi etc) may give me more machine for money but I have never owned any of their stuff - the DW stuff I own (and Makita) lasts and lasts. I have been disappointed in the past with cheaper machinery and find it a poor long term choice.

I also saw the DW 712 at Rutlands (300 x 70 for about £365 - a bit over budget but if it represents a good solid accurate saw then why not - also has a 216mm blade).

I am also considering the DW 718 locally as I think £490 represents a good price - I know it is over my budget but then again I know it would be capable of any future eventuality.

Any more ideas from my rambling !

Ed

 

[EdK]

Been looking online...
I can get the DW 707 for £178 (ex-vat powertoolsuk).
I can get the DW 712 for £295 (ex-vat caldertrade/powertoolsuk).

Got to pay postage ontop but these prices seem very good.

Think I will avoid the larger DW 718 as I have been reading about all three of these models and the larger 718 seems to be almost too large.

I am not sure how the DW 707 compares to the DW 712 ? Any one used both or handled both?

From what I can see online the DW 712 looks like a good mix between the 707 and the 718.

Been reading some stuff on the 712 on this forum and people seem happy.

Cons = noisy and spits sawdust.
Pros = accurate and relatively portable (19kg aint to big for a strapping lad )

So... currently leaning towards spending £300 on the DW 712 and buying a decent 60 or 80 tooth blade with it - maybe Freud or CMT (all other suggestions welcome).

Going to sleep on it ... any thoughts?

 

[Lord Nibbo]

Yes the 712 is noisy and it makes a mess thats about all I could fault on mine. Yes it is very accurate but am I right in thinking the 718 can be tilted both ways? the 712 only tilts to the left. I paid £500ish for my 712 at the price you quoted I would bite their arm off.

 

[Richardhw]

I have the 712 and it's a great bit of kit, one of my mates has the 707 and another the 718.
The 707 is a good machine, it's light and compact and easily transportable and good enough for most jobs.
the 712 has the edge with depth of cut and will cut angles up to 60 degrees it's not so light but still relatively easy to cart around. (Ive had it since they first came out i think around 5 years ago it's used almost daily and I wouldn't swap it!. )
The 718 is a huge saw if you are thinking of moving it around at all and if you can do without the extra cutting capacity probably best avoided, that said the ability to cut bevels both ways is handy.
If you are taking the saw around eg. site work, the dw7023 mitre saw bench is an absolute godsend but not cheap!

 

[EdK]

Thanks for all the advice.
Was tempted by the 707 but the 712 looks like it is worth the extra 100 quid as the guards etc look better. I'm hoping it will be more accurate etc.

I found an even better price from toolshopdirect and bought the DW 712 for £289.

I also bought a Trend blade from their site: 215mm / 60T / 30mm bore for finer cutting.

No idea about the blade but it was £20 odd so hopefully should be ok.

Will let you know what I think about it after I've used it for a bit.

Cheers
Ed