If you can't afford a Kapex then what SCMS then?

[Mark]

I don't really think I can justify a Kapex even if I say that my son and his son will still be using it after I'm gone. So... Makita or Bosch? 10" is plenty for what I need. Not hip on Dewalt though I've seen lots of them on jobsites.  I'm going to use it for anything from framing to decks to finish work and only used by myself so I'm not so concerned with abuse other than my own ineptness. Willing to pay for good quality so what is standard issue SCMS?

Thanks.

 

[Eli]

I'd buy whichever you liked best out of the two. They're both great companies IMO.

 

[ken257]

I bought a Makita 10" SCMS about 2 years ago. 10" has enough capacity plus it uses the same size blade as my table saw which in a plus. I decided to sell my radial arm saw and my old Craftsman non-scms saw and replace them both with a good SCMS. Before buying I did a lot of research on the web plus I went around to different stores to check them out in person. If you grab hold of most other saws and apply a little side to side preasure the give quite a bit, not so with thr Makita it is solid. That wiggle will translate into poorly fitting trim. The other saws are better left for the framers. Also the Makita comes with a good blade so factor in the cost of a fine blade into the price of the Dewalt. The Makita has been a pleasure to use and the finished cuts are superb. I highly recommend it.

 

[Tom the Remodeler]

I too would recommend the Makita LS1013FL, particularly for on-site work. If you're going to be working in a shop environment, then I'd also consider the Bosch slider. I have a coworker who has owned both, and his personal experience has led him to decide that he preferred the Makita. Good luck!

 

[MiterMaster]

Over the years I have tried most SCMS on the market, you really can't go wrong with Bosch or Makita, both are very durable saws.  Currently I have a Kapex, a 10" Makita LS1013L and a Bosch 5412 12".  Now that I have the Kapex, I'm selling the Makita, and maybe the Bosch, not sure on that.

If I had to choose between the Bosch or Makita, I would go with the Bosch.  My choice for the Bosch over the Makita is simply preference, the Makita's miter scale is on the side, it was a bit uncomfortable for me to get used to.  However, the table on the Makita is nice and large and it cut very well and very smooth. 

The Bosch has nice, high fences, up-front bevel lock, multi-position handle - more features in general over Makita.  If your local store carries both, take some time with each one, see which one is most comfortable for you.

Both are very nice saws, you will be pleased with either. 

Mike

 

[Mike_Chrest]

Mark,
I have a 10"Hitachi for sale ;D The shipping to Hawaii might be kind of steep.  :

The Kapex has better dust collection but the Hitachi is not as bad as the Bosch & DeWalt (haven't tried a Makita). Hitachi needs an adaptor to fit standard size hose.

The weight of the Hitachi  is pretty close to Kapex. Bosch & Dewalt need a rolling table .

Kapex has much smaller footprint since the rails are in front.

Kapex has wider table and higher fence. Hitachi has room to add a MDF fence.

Miter scale is way better on Kapex (easier to read)(haven't had any scraping yet).

Bevel scale is ten times better on Kapex. Love the adjusting knob up front.

Hitachi is way cheaper.

Mike

 

[MiterMaster]

The shipping to Hawaii might be kind of steep.  :

The shipping cost to Hawaii would be insane, I'd guess at least $150 just for shipping.
Mike

 

[Mike_Chrest]

I was joking

 

[ken257]

I forgot to mention in my earlier post that sys 1's work as material support my my Makita

 

[ChicagoMike]

I will throw a vote toward Bosch as well. I own the new 12". I love the upfront controls and the handle variations. I haven't had any trouble with flex of the trunion. You do have to keep your pulling force in line with the cut.

 

[Ivans Dad]

Hello!
Other than the kapex I like the hitachi or the Dewalt 8 1/2" saw.  I have had both, and the dewalt is great for most applications.  The smaller blade makes it more compact and not so heavy and has much less blade wobble. 

 

[polarsea1]

I've had a 10" Hitachi for ~10 years, on the pro side I can say it's durable and it came with a decent blade. 

Biggest con is that I always have to check alignment after rotating the saw, the detents aren't positive at all. If I did this for a living I'd have gotten rid of it long ago.

I'd never buy another Hitachi saw for shop work.

 

[Mark]

Thank you FOG'ers for the info. While I've got a TS55 and MFT 1080 its not really the tool for just wanting to chop wood for making screen window frames or treated lumber for a kids fort.

 

[KorDes]

At my new work we have 2 Bosch saws, one SCMS and one CMS. Both deflect when staring a cut and both fences on the saws dont line up in a straight line, as in you place a straight piece of timber up against the fence and there will be a gap in the middle where the cut is. And they dont look like they have had a hard time.

I've sold powertools in the past and I'd recommend the Makita, nice solid machine.

P.S check the fence on any saw you are going to buy to make sure they are flat and straight.

 

[EdL]

Milwaukee just came out with 2 new 12" saws. They might be worth a look.

I'll admit I haven't seen one yet, but in the future I'll probably upgrade my old 10" Milwaukee slider. While my old one is more of a framing saw (not the most accurate) it's been a very dependable tool.

Ed

Milwaukee 12 scms