I would like to buy a SCMS

[wizer]

Hi all

I am planning to make a start on building the workshop in mid september and feel that an upgrade to my 'Nu-Tool' CMS is needed. I use my current one quite a bit but am always frustrated how long it takes to make it accurate and then not holding it's settings for more than a couple of cuts ](*,)

I have had a quick look on axminster and found there is quite a range. When I looked I didn't have a budget in mind but I guess I am willing to spend whatever it costs to get a very good, reliable machine as I feel that it will get a lot of use. You may all remember, I work mainly outside at the moment and so I'd be interested in getting a good stand for it. Is it worth building my own stand? or shall I spend the extra money for the peace of mind and time saved?

Here are 2 at both ends of the market that I have my eye on.

Axminster QMS254I 254mm Slide Mitre Saw

Makita LS1214 305mm Mitre Saw

I realise the the big difference between the 2 saws is the depth of cut, but other than that, where is the extra money going? Can you reccomend a better option?

Any help or advice much apprecieated.

 

[RogerS]

WiZeR...I always find that two weeks later after I've just bought something I need to cut timber that is larger than the capacity of my saw....biggest is best.

The other key area I would look at is the accuracy of the fence. I have a DW crosscut (non-sliding) saw and have fettled the fence as well as I can BUT...a big but...I still can't get the left hand part of the fence perfectly at right angles to the blade...and at the same time as the right hand side. It is noticeable when cross-cutting floor boards for example as, unless you remember which side is your reference...you end up with the ends of two adjacent boards tapering.

 

[gidon]

Hi
I went through this decision process recently and went for the Bosch GCM10SD in the end. It is well reviewed (usually as the American labelled 4410), usually coming out about equal to the Makita LS1013, but at the price Axminster (still) have it it's cheaper and had more features that I thought would be useful. Plus there were a few positive recommendations here. The main downside is these things are massive and take up lots of space - more than you can imagine until you get it in your shed.
I'm not sure you'd be gaining much by going for a 12" version - slightly more depth of cut, and marginally more cross cutting capability - but significantly more expensive.
I have loads of review articles I can dig out for you if you're interested - including a good one from Pop Wood on 10" mitre saws which was on their website but I can't find it now.
Axminster were giving away of free stand - this one which I got (rather luckily ). It's well built but a fiddle to get the saw attached to it to say the least. Still if you have it attached most of the time and are working outside it would be fine. And it folds up nicely.
Cheers
Gidon

 

[ByronBlack]

Wizer,

I have the axminster saw - I wouldn't recommend it. I had to quite a bit of fettiling to get to cut straight, the extending fences are rubbish and flimsy the motor is noisy and rough, and generally the saw feels cheap and not particularly nice to use.

I listed mine on ebay twice and not a single bid

EDIT - Just realised, my saw is the one down from the one you linked, so not sure how much better it would be (it does have an induction as opposed to mine). This post still might be useful to you though.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Another vote for the Bosch here.

The stand Gidon referred to is Ax's own label. Robust and sturdy, but yes, the interface is dire. Which is why you need a super-duper, easy-peasy, drop-it-and-lock-it table coming to a GW near you in the not-too-distant future!

Cheers
Steve

 

[gidon]

Wizer - I've added a quick walkthrough of the Bosch here:
https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... p?p=121467
Cheers
Gidon

 

[the_g_ster]

I am currently saving some pennies for a SMCS and in the opinion of the guys here what is the best one to get for accuracy and ease of use. Budget wise I am happy to spend if I know that it is good and will be very useful, accuracy is a must as I will be using for some furniture and kitchen making so i want to know it's set up and go rather than having to spend a long time fettling and getting right.

Won't be buying just yet as shed is so hot at the moment I think I would melt after 30 mins in there.

 

[Scrit]

I've used a Makita LS1013 for some time now and it's pretty bullet proof. Can't really see much advantage to going to the 12inch saw (the LS1013 is a 10in) and as someone else said they're a lot more money. Personally I'd rate it against either the Bosch or the equivalent DW (have used the big DWs and I don't think they're worth the extra). Not a new design, but one that Makita have seen not to change for a long time - probably because it does what ir says, etc.... The only real improvement would be an induction motor - but then that would make it even heavier and it's already like a ball and chain to drag around, especially when working in a 3rd floor flat! Or possibly a cordless (and for that Bosch do a super chopper called the GKG something or other)

Scrit

 

[the_g_ster]

Well depsite what some people think an older unchanged design as you say is sometimes best. If something does what it says on the tin day in day out then that's great. As long as the new models have the same manufacturing integrity as the old, rather than doing what Scheppach have done for some of their stuff and sourcing manufacturing in china. I have always heard good things about Makita, and prefer that to paying for the name of Dewalt as again there are some interesting posts on here about their construction now. I won't need to lug about much, but will need to move about in shed as it's not a vast space so I have to take care on that.

 

[wizer]

thanks very much guys. So the Bosch is looking like a possibility. I must admit I wasn't keen on the Makita only because my total dislike of my Makita Drill

Thanks for the photos Gidon, it helps me see what a well made machine it is... and what a beast it is! If you could find those reviews I would love a butchers.

So now we come to a stand. It'd be great to get something that has an end stop for repeatable cuts. The Dewalt and Bosch brand mitre stands come in quite expensive at £150-£180. The axminster one is £50. Should I plump for a good quality one or but the axminster as a temporary measure and build my own one i'm in the workshop?

What about blades? are they easy to find/expensive?

 

[Argee]

Another vote for the Makita LS1013. Mine was spot on right out of the (substantial and well-packaged) box and it's been so ever since. Comes with a folding table (stand) and even the supplied blade takes some beating.

I'd have another one without question. Haven't found anything I use that it wouldn't cut yet.

Ray.

 

[RogerS]

So now we come to a stand.

I think that the question you need to ask yourself is ...do you want it to be portable or not....portable as in put it in the back of your car/van and take on-site.

I had a similar discussion with myself a while ago and bought the very rugger, industrial strength, tank proof, incredibly heavy SIP mitre saw stand...not the flimsy offering that I see on eBay at the moment. I found it hard to track down the right length/thread bolts to fix my DW to it and currently it is sitting in the outhouse unused and in the way.

Those who mount it permanently usually make a super job of mounting the saw along a wall with storage units either side and at the right height....job done. I was 'wall challenged' and so built my own portable jig out of ply and MDF. The DW anchors down nicely at one end and to the left is a long support with clampable stops to give me repeatability.....but it won't go in the car

 

[Scrit]

.....but it won't go in the car

With all your tools, sounds like you need a van in any case :roll:

Scrit :wink:

 

[wizer]

After looking closely at both the makita and bosch, i've plumped for the bosch. The main reason being price but also I like the look of the bosch more. We'll soon see! I've also decided to buy the 'budget' axminster stand and to build something better when the WS is built.

Thanks everyone who helped with the decision, I will update you all when it arrives.

 

[paulm]

What are the panel's thoughts on the DW718 ?

Cheers, Paul

 

[engineer one]

apart from the weight, i found the 708 a decent saw. and decent stand.

mate has just bought a 718, with a free stand don't know yet what he
thinks of it.

certainly for me the 708 does all i wanted just need a gopher to carry it.
same for the 718 i think. not sure about build quality.

paul :wink:

 

[Scrit]

As time goes on I'm finding that DW stuff is getting sloppier in it's build quality - take the DW625 routers for instance, certainly not up to the old Elu standards. Makes me a bit leery of DW

Scrit

 

[OllyK]

Quite a big beastie - but this has earnt its bacon over the last 18 months rennovating the house. Upgraded the blade and it's been a dream for handling 9" skirting boards.

 

[paulm]

Well, took another trip to B&Q this morning to compare and contrast some of the saws, thoughts as follows.

Metabo - very dissapointing, basic spec, not impressive, too much movement generally especially at full extension, didn't find a trenching stop but may have just missed it.

Makita - too much movement at full extension, fences noticeably not square to base (using a b&q square though !), no detents on angle settings, trenching stop adequate but bit tacky, hate the paintwork on the castings make it look like a 1950's bit of civil service surplus kit ! Dissapointing as I have other Makita kit and rate them very highly.

DW718 - very dissapointing. Sloppy with lots of movement at full extension and even at least extension, fences not square to base. Love the capacity but wouldn't expect it to be anywhere near accurate.

DW712 - least discernable movement at full extension of the lot, well designed trenching stop, nicely finished castings, detents on all the common angles, fences not perfect but easily the best of the bunch. Quality looking bit of kit.

So, despite being keen on the extra capacity of the bigger 718 it's no contest for me and will probably have to be the DW712 when I come to take the plunge.

Should obviously qualify all the above as bieng just my own personal observations and opinions, others will have different views no doubt !

 

[andycktm]

The Axminster saw although quickly wrote off , has got to be worlds apart from a brushed motor mitre saw when it comes to noise!.On site no problem but indoors has got to be a big factor,especially if you have close neighbours.I have a ryobi model and the noise is well above safety limits (90db)?.