I saw the video of the new version of the miter saw stand and it looks pretty good -- looks like there are a lot of nice and innovative features.  I also saw some pics that Ken uploaded from the recent JLC Live.  Did anyone have a chance to kick the tires on this new stand?It seems pretty sturdy, but it is hard to see from a video.  Any thoughts/insight related to the stand would be appreciated. 

Scot

Scot,

Several of us saw the stand, played with it, poked and prodded it and talked with Paul Akers about it.  Don't talk to Sal about it -- sore subject.  

My advice is to PM Dave Reinhold since he has the most knowledge of it compared with the original model, which he was testing for FastCap.

My take on it, was that it looked a heck of a lot better than the previous version.  The support blocks are being changed to single injection molded pieces instead of all the little black colored parts and Paul said it's going to make them less prone to flexing.  It was quite lightweight, but there was flex in the material supports, more than I'm used to with the TracRac stand.  He also has parts to improve the DeWalt stand, which I didn't get pictures of and should have.  The adjustments seem quick and accurate.  The saw seems to mount and dismount well.  I would need time using it to come to a like/dislike decision.

If it's true, there will be some more changes to the entire system since Paul is getting feedback from Dave.

You can view some of them from the ones I posted in the JLC Live RI 2012 thread.  I took them with my phone so they aren't the greatest pics.

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here

thanks peter. should have just googled it.

The stand is great, i got to play with it for a while and some of the key features that sold me on it were not shown in the video, there are vertical crown supports that you can mount on the track for cutting your crown vertically along with crown stops that you can mount as close to the saw or as far as you would like with just a twist of a knob and best part is you can take the plastic crown piece off the stop which will act as a table widner as it becomes flush with the track which is killer for cutting wide boards. Over all great product which i would recommend to anyone who is looking for a versitle stand that is solid sturdy and compact. Im actually going to get one to replace my UG stand for my kapex as it doesnt give you the capability of using crown stops while the extensions are on, festool did a great job with the ug cart but left me with 200$ crown stops that are collecting dust becuase its one or the other, here you get the best of both worlds and 400$ less.

I know i got the scoop ;-) i will be putting the order in shortly

Theres 2 prices on the website. Is it 499 or 599? I'd assume the 599 was the price increase?

Paul Akers was talking to us about making a larger package.  The $599 price might be including the 2 crown stops/extension wideners.  He talked about a setup with all of the accessories and a 3rd extension with the carry case for $700 or $799.  I forgot since he was throwing out all sorts of possible prices.  That's why Peter suggested ordering right away before he figures out what to actually price stuff at, which will definitely be higher.

I called and spoke to them about it -- it is not out yet, but is looking like the basic V2 will be available sometime at the end of April.  They are also going to be adding a Pro Version for what looks like $799 that will include some extras.  Ken -- you were right on in that they have not fully decided what the Pro version will have, but they indicated that as of now they are looking to add an extra fence, crown-stops, back-stop system to raise the fence for longer runs of crown, a custom bag and an upper hand and tripod for the extra fence in the Pro version.  This will probably not be available until June and will not be released until after the Version 2 is released. 

I put my name on a list so that I can decide when the time gets closer.  You might want to call them if you are interested.

Scot

If you're set on getting it ASAP, do it now and save money.  If you want to wait for a finalized, fully developed product, you might want to wait until Dave reviews it and makes suggestions to Paul and Paul acts on them, if he feels it's warranted.  Just my 

I was at JLC and even there he was telling people the later April time frame.

I was not particularly fond of the red stand...just my opinion.  I'm highly mobile and also work out of a compact space. Once I saw the dewalt stand and the mounts that Paul designed for those, I was instantly more drawn to that design. If it were me, I would buy the smaller version of the dewalt 723 http://dewalt.com/tools/machinery-miter-saw-workstations-dwx724.aspx which is the 724. All of the mounts would work the same as for the 723. The stand is only 43" long when folded up and the redesigned dewalt stand is much better than their original version of the 723!

Just thought I'd throw a wrench in the mix!

Bob

I saw the dewalt setup in person as well as the other red stand... The supports pieces that he fabricated for both are different. Trust me...the dewalt setup was far superior on my opinion!  I'll be interested to see the video, but first look at both I'd recommend the dewalt setup.

I mean no offense to Paul but I'm trying to offer an honest opinion to people that are dropping coin on a saw stand. Either way, the aluminum support system sits far better this way than version 1!

Bob

The Bestfence V2 has come a long way.  Its so much better then the first version with the fact that you don't have to drill into your saw and they got rid of that hideous tripod stand.  I love the wide extension wings and stop system, and the ability to connect more fence extensions.  I've used the older system with my UG cart and having all that material support was killer.  I do not have the final stand but as soon as I get it I will be using it in the field and will keep everyone in the loop.




Dave

Thanks for the pics, Dave...on the right, do you not need any support?  It is hard to tell in the picture, but it looks like the right side is floating.  Have those tripods that support the extensions been sturdy (I think they call them the Upper Hand and support)?  I know that it would take longer to set up, but once set has it been pretty solid?

Scot

I'd like to get as much information as possible on this new Fastcap miter saw stand before I make a purchase decision.  I sold my Dewalt and Trojan saw stand a couple of years ago and bought a Kapex.  I have been doing without a fixed stand as I am trying to make up my mind on which one to buy or make.  I use my saw in the shop and in the field.  I liked the Trojan stand because it was wheeled.  It had extended material support but it had no accurate extended fence system.  I am wanting to buy a stand with an accurate fence as part of the overall package.  This new stand from Fastcap seems to fit the bill, except it is not on wheels.  Given the lighter weight of the Kapex, this is not so much of a problem.  I am intrigued by the Festool stand, but it seems to have a few deficiencies.  

Here's my question for those of you who have knowledge of this new stand, is there any reason not to buy it??  (other than $$ cost)  Any problem areas or marks missed?  Is there another stand in this price range that will do a better job for someone who has one saw and needs to use it in the shop and on site?

Thanks for your input!