SCMS

SS Teach

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Joined
Apr 24, 2012
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I want to upgrade my miter saw to a scms. I know all about the mighty  Kapex. Cost is an issue, others have questioned its durability. If not a Kapex what other options do I have? I trust the advice I have gotten here from experienced woodworkers. My current saw is a Dewalt 703 Type 1.
 
I'm happy with my Kapex, but if I didn't have it I would get a Bosch Glide.  Check too for what others have said on the FOG about the Metabo SCMS.
 
Is this something that needs to be portable [member=14925]SS Teach[/member] ?

Also, what's the max cut you need?

These are major factors as there's some decent machines out there if you're willing to improve their DC a little, but they're a bit on the heavy side.

Further, are you re-using an existing / building a cutting station?
 
I know a few people who own the Bosch glide and actually hate it after Heavy trim pack usage.. The mechanism wore out and got play in it so the cuts have a wave to them. It actually happened to two different people and it was the exact same issue. I had heard a lot of people praise them over in Europe and it makes me curious as to origin of assembly and production for the models in North America.
 
As stated by others, it depends on what you want.  I have a DWS780.  It's great for what I do, but I never plan on moving it.  It's heavy.  Kapex would be my choice if portability was important.  The 780 is very accurate right out of the box.  Added a Festool hold down clamp and it's the best cross cut set up I've ever used.
 
I have a Dewalt 12" it's old, good for cutting 2x4s for roughing in. Can't get myself to throw it away. I also have a 12" Milwaukee with a digital readout. It's nice, you can set it to .1 degree one way or another. The problem with the digital readout is it assumes the fence is square to the blade. Well it is on one side after some fussing but not the other. So the next time someone mentions a digital readout don't get a picture balloon of perfect miters necessarily.
The other problem is its ability to hold the large blade steady at the cutting end, because of that it doesn't give a good smooth cut, but it's close. If I could do it again I'd consider it in a 10" version. But I don't think I'd do it again because......
The Kapex is an excellent saw it's expensive and it's not perfect it has its oddities but it cuts smooth 90 degrees on both sides of the blade. I have never had a saw that precise, ever. I only have to use the factory presets at 45 without test cuts.
Your children shouldn't go hungry but as the old saying goes, something like, cry once.... I don't remember it all but it does have some validity in this case I think.
If you can and only if you can, bring one home for a 30 day trial just set it on your work bench straight out of the carton cut a straight edged board and see if you don't get a perfect cut.

Mark
 
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