Help choosing a saw

Billdogg · May 23, 2020

Nice!

It is well worth the investment to purchase a good blade for it. Something in the 60-80 tpi range. The freud Diablo line is a good choice - not too expensive, does a very good job. I have several that have been sharpened a few times over the years and still do a great job for me.

TriggerFinger · May 23, 2020

this clearly says a blade is included....but it’s not in the box....

TriggerFinger · May 23, 2020

fishguy242 · May 23, 2020

take back as is get new check before leaving store pick up as mentioned 80 tooth also ,not sure what is included in box

WVNed · May 23, 2020

Usually the blade is already installed.

fishguy242 · May 23, 2020

or under saw itself

TriggerFinger · May 23, 2020

lololol it’s totally in the saw already...oops!! ;Shamefullyembarrased

dohc97 · May 23, 2020

I know you already bought but as you go along you find that you End up buying all types of saws. As someone else mentioned I buy tools as projects come as it is cheaper than paying contractors for the work. I went from No saws to miter saw, jigsaw, table saw, cordless circular, multi tool, tile saw. Got rid of table saw but only because I want a portable one

Sleepydoc · May 24, 2020

Congrats on your new saw - I think you’ll be happy with it!
The blade that comes with the saw is an ok blade and will be fine to start with. It depends on what you’re cutting, too. You’ll find that as it gets dull you’ll start getting more tear out/splintering and the cuts won’t be as clean. As @Billdogg suggested, a Freud diablo blade will be a nice replacement that isn’t too expensive.

enjoy!

dbowman5 · May 24, 2020

I am so going on a tool run. encouragement. inspiration. motivation. thank you!!!!

Billdogg · May 24, 2020

And don't forget - DUST COLLECTION!!!!! - The more, the better!

My memory was jolted when I had to empty my dust collector a few minutes ago. Even in the garage you will quickly bury yourself in dust and chips if you don't stay on top of it.

For your miter saw a hookup to a shopvac will work well. Bigger tools = bigger dust collection. My shop is in the basement. I keep all doors shut and have sealed it as best I can, and still dust gets to the upstairs. I'm pretty sure the only reason the wife puts up with it is because a large part of what I make has been for her :p I have both a delta portable dust collector and a jet air filter. I also have a direct powered vent to the outside to help with finishing smells.

TriggerFinger · May 25, 2020

dbowman5 said:
I am so going on a tool run. encouragement. inspiration. motivation. thank you!!!!

You’re welcome!! What are you going to make?
I’ve been browsing the mixing station threads...

Billdogg said:
And don't forget - DUST COLLECTION!!!!! - The more, the better!

My memory was jolted when I had to empty my dust collector a few minutes ago. Even in the garage you will quickly bury yourself in dust and chips if you don't stay on top of it.

For your miter saw a hookup to a shopvac will work well. Bigger tools = bigger dust collection. My shop is in the basement. I keep all doors shut and have sealed it as best I can, and still dust gets to the upstairs. I'm pretty sure the only reason the wife puts up with it is because a large part of what I make has been for her :p I have both a delta portable dust collector and a jet air filter. I also have a direct powered vent to the outside to help with finishing smells.

It has a dust bag on it and seems like it would fill quickly. I’ll be using it outside only. Is the dust bag required to keep dust from blowing back at you?

Billdogg · May 25, 2020

the dust bag will stop some of the chips/dust but far from all. If you ise it with the dust bag off, you'll make a cloud that can be seen from the space station. If you hook a shopvac up where the bag goes you'll catch almost all of it.

AKReef · May 26, 2020

Sleepydoc said:
Huh? Track saws are great for cutting sheet goods and can be used to rip boards to a certain degree, but really aren’t good for miters, much less compound meters.

You can absolutely cut miters, and to some extent compound miters. Just like a table saw, if you have jigs it can be done accurately and quickly. But my point is, I believe a track saw is a more versatile tool than a table saw or a miter saw. I also said use the right tool for the job. So if you're going to redo the trim in your house, for sure use a miter saw. But if you just need to randomly cut a board to length at a 45 degree angle, then a track saw can be used just as effectively.

Sleepydoc · May 28, 2020

AKReef said:
You can absolutely cut miters, and to some extent compound miters. Just like a table saw, if you have jigs it can be done accurately and quickly. But my point is, I believe a track saw is a more versatile tool than a table saw or a miter saw. I also said use the right tool for the job. So if you're going to redo the trim in your house, for sure use a miter saw. But if you just need to randomly cut a board to length at a 45 degree angle, then a track saw can be used just as effectively.

Well, yes, you can clamp the track at an angle, putting it in the same category as a miter saw for cutting miters is stretching it.

Track saws are wonderful for making long, straight cuts in sheet goods. Like many tools, you can use them for other things, too, but how easy and well they do theses other tasks varies. Many people use a track saw to break down plywood, then use the table saw to 'clean it up' because of the superior precision. It all depends what you want to do. You're right, though - If you have a track saw and just need to make a couple of 45º cuts it makes more sense to use the track saw than to get an entirely new tool. (I'd probably use a speed square and a plain old skill saw!)