New Makita LF1000 vs second hand solid stuff vs Bosch aircraft carrier

Wuffles

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Hi all.

No idea if anyone has experience of the Makita. I wouldn't normally entertain the brand since I saw a Makita drill bit & screwdriver set made apparently of papier mache destroy itself. In fact, it gained the nickname of the Makita cheese platter. I since learned (like DeWalt, Makita do serious stuff and non, which I don't trust).

However, I'm in a bit of a bind as I have all but killed my old Bosch mitre saw - exploded the safety guard over a year ago and now the cast iron back plate has smashed too.

I'd already been looking at some kind of table saw, 2nd hand, something cast iron and solid, with replaceable parts, nothing too complex as I have no need for anything other than ripping. But now I might be in the market for a new mitre saw too.

I'd always thought I'd end up with a Kapex, but I can't afford justify it, especially as I was already looking at table saws at up to £300.

So the Makita is a flip saw, looks alright, I know DeWalt do one too, but I have read about a few problems with it, and then I clocked the Bosch GTM12JL - which looks ridiculous and doesn't have the same depth of cut of the Makita. Added to that, I was never impressed with the mitre quality (bit vague) on my old Bosch mitre saw. However I do like Bosch's service - thankfully not had to experience Festool's yet, but I do know that Metabo's 3 year XXL warranty isn't in the same league as that offered by Bosch (another story).

Not looking to move it around to site, 95% of the time I work at home, so I'd be adding some castors and letting whatever I end up with become free-range around the workshop.

What would you do?
 
Since you ask "What would you do?" ...

I'd invest in a KAPEX.

Plus I'd still do that with the benefit of hindsight!

If I wanted to save money and didn't want to invest in premium manufacturer support (i.e.; I'd changed my very nature) ... for shop bound I could even look into a second hand quality radial arm saw.
 
Yes, I wholeheartedly understand, but it doesn't help with the money aspect or the fact that the initial query is more towards a table saw that could double up as a half decent chop saw too. Maybe I wrote it out wrong [embarassed]

Bit late isn't it?
 


I was a bit confused as to what a " flip saw " is .... Wow, that's interesting.  I've never seen anything like that here in the US.
 


I remember that Bosch now that I see the video.    Someone posted about one of those on a forum for flooring and tile and I can recall having a  moment of confusion  [eek]

One suggestion to consider is to buy the best quality table saw in your price range, and then buy an Incra  miter gauge and use that for your miter cuts.  That won't be good for long pieces that aren't suitable for sliding along the top of a table saw , but if the work you're doing includes mostly smaller stuff then tha might work for you.  
 
I was planning to make myself a mitre fence to run in the groove (apologies for my lack of lingo) as most of the time (still learning as I am) I am following Youtube videos and can't manage to follow instructions to the letter as I am lacking either a band saw or a table saw.

I never really understood the benefit before of either device, but I think I now get it.

I have seen a Charnwood cast iron based table saw from a company in the UK that might do the job admirably - it's the cheapest one they do in this style, reviews seem to make it sound good. So I could go down that route, fix up the bosch I have somehow and keep saving for that Kapex - after the 2nd hand bandsaw.
 
Wuffles,

That saw might be OK for what you want.  60 mm depth of cut is almost 2 3/8"...not bad considering I see you have a TS75  for the bigger stuff.   
 
I'm watching a couple of 2nd hand machines on eBay too. Think I've talked myself out of the original question :)
 
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