Author Topic: Dewalt mitre saw (Read 1421 times)

Zulu · « **on:** March 07, 2010, 11:59:28 AM »

Do any of you out there have a Dewalt mitre saw? I have a 12" sliding compound. I have been buying blades (usually a sixty tooth) when ever mine gets dull. Is it more economically smart to have it resharpened?
Most of the wood I cut on it is 4" X 8" fir. I am disappointed that I can't finish my cut because the blade will not go down far enough. It cuts fine through almost everything but bottoms out before cutting the last 3/8" against the fence. I have to finish the cut with a hand saw. $:-\$
So you will understand better, if I put a 1/2" board against the fence, then put the 4" X 8" against it ,the cut would go through the whole 4" X 8".
I just think I should be able to make 4" cuts. If I put a 3/4" X 4" tall board against the fence, it will cut the 4" no problem. It is only trouble when the center washer of the blade bottoms out against my work piece.
Did any of this make sense?
Zulu

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2010, 01:49:19 PM »

First it would depend on the quality of the blade you are buying. If it's a good Amana or some other quality blade it would be worth resharpening. Our sharpening guy charges 12 bucks a blade I believe so on a 60 dollar blade it is definitely worth it. You will get three to four sharpenings out of a blade if it is not abused (missing or chipped teeth) so if you do the math it works out.

If you are just using junk blades then I guess it's not worth it.

I'm not that familiar with the mechanics of the dewalt slider (we use the regular compound 12" at work) but on some the fence is adjustable so you can take full advantage of the cut. If it's not adjustable double face tape an extension fence on as you have been doing and you can remove it when you don't need it. You can screw it on from the back of the fence but with the tape there is no damage.

Your post did make sense as I have had the same problem a couple of times with the washer hitting the item being cut.

Zulu · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2010, 03:32:02 AM »

Grimjim,
I'm buying Dewalt blades. They are around $35 each when you but them in a 2 pack.
I guess I'll have to keep cutting like I've been doing it. If the board I'm cutting is 3 3/4" tall I don't have the problem. But the boards I cut are 4".

Zulu

charles p · « **Reply #3 on:** March 13, 2010, 01:37:32 PM »

Mine will not cut a 4X4" board but it will cut through a 1X4" or 2X4". Mine is a Delta.

Zulu · « **Reply #4 on:** March 14, 2010, 03:17:38 AM »

charles p,
Mine will cut a 4 X 4 because the center washer of the blade won't hit it. It won't cut all the way through a 4 X 8 because the center washer hits the top of the board.
Zulu

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #5 on:** March 14, 2010, 04:06:12 AM »

Quote from: charles p on March 13, 2010, 01:37:32 PM

Mine will not cut a 4X4" board but it will cut through a 1X4" or 2X4". Mine is a Delta.

The dewalt has a 1`2" blade. If the delta is lke mine it is a 10".
I would really like to get a dewalt but my delta is still going strong and I can't get myself to spend the money on one yet.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #6 on:** March 14, 2010, 09:50:59 PM »

I havehad a 12" Dewalt slide for about 7 years now and is one of my most used tools. It really has been a great saw and would buy another. Dale

Zulu · « **Reply #7 on:** March 15, 2010, 04:22:31 AM »

I think the older models might not have the problem the newer models have with a 4" cut.
Zulu

GRIMJIM · « **Reply #8 on:** March 16, 2010, 03:56:03 AM »

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on March 14, 2010, 09:50:59 PM

I havehad a 12" Dewalt slide for about 7 years now and is one of my most used tools. It really has been a great saw and would buy another. Dale

I really like that slider but man are they heavy.

DalesCarpentry · « **Reply #9 on:** March 16, 2010, 12:38:24 PM »

Quote from: GRIMJIM on March 16, 2010, 03:56:03 AM

Quote from: DALESCARPENTRY on March 14, 2010, 09:50:59 PM
I havehad a 12" Dewalt slide for about 7 years now and is one of my most used tools. It really has been a great saw and would buy another. Dale

I really like that slider but man are they heavy.

Yea it weighs 70 pounds. I keep telling myself I am going to pick up a light 10" miter saw ( for small jobs) so I don't have to carry this one all over the place. It sure would be nice to have one you could grab with one hand and go. Dale

Pot-Bellied Stallion · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2010, 04:02:02 AM »

I've had my 12" DeWalt sliding compound miter saw for about 7 years and wouldn't trade it for anything I've seen on the market today. I haven't had the problem with not finishing a cut, but there is an adjustment on the right hand side of the saw that allows you to stop the blade at any distance from full bottom-out. Check to see if that hasn't been left down.
I'm also still using the same blade that came with the saw. I picked up a fine diamond file when I bought the saw and use it to touch up the front side of the teeth periodically (whenever I get tearout from the wood I am sawing
It is heavy, but I added a 2x2 cleat to the bottom of a square piece of 3/4" plywood and use it to bolt the saw to when I need it portable. I can just clamp the cleat in my B&D Workmate and it creates a nice, stable saw station.