Features

• No more cutting 1/16-inch oversize to allow for resurfacing
• 10-inch by 40-tooth, 1/8-inch kerf
• One blade does rip, combo, and crosscut
• No more scratchy saw cuts
• No more second-step finishing

Reviews (63)

Smoothest Cutting Blade I've Ever Used!
I use this in my 5hp Jet Table Saw and it is absolutely super! I do have the Forrest 5" dampener that I use with it which limits the depth of cut to 2 1/2". Without the damper, it will cut almost 3" in my saw. The cuts are so clean that you can literally go to the 220 grit sandpaper as the first grade! I figure I'll save the difference in cost on sandpaper alone (maybe)!

Forrest offers resharpening service for these blades that restores them to factory specs. They do require a special grind that most "locals" can't do. Buy this blade and you won't be sorry - buy once, cut twice as long!

The blade resurfaces so precisely, I sold my jointer
I bought my first Woodworker II at the AWFS show in 2001, and was so impressed with the quality of the cut that I snatched another up on eBay soon thereafter.

Before I bought a Forrest blade, I'd have to have to plane, joint, and then finish cut on my table saw to get precise 90 degree corners, and even then, the edges of my stock I couldn't use for a glue-joint.

Then I found the thin kerf Woodworker II. Wow, I've saved considerable time and sold my Delta jointer as a result of this sawblade. Even with over 1500 lineal feet of stock previously cut on the blade, I've been able to joint an edge straight from the tablesaw to the clamping rack. Impressive!

Make sure that you buy the Forrest blade stabilizer, and a zero clearance insert for your tablesaw, in order to get the most finished cuts. It'll reduce the depth of cut by about 1.5 inches, but you'll still be able to cut 8/4 stock with no problem.

Sharpening will [cost you]..., but you'll get a lot of use from it before you have to do that.

And, now I'm in the hunt for the Forrest 8 inch dado.

p.s. You can probably find it cheaper than here on Amazon[.com], look at eBay and at Forrest's website

Expensive But Worth It!
I have found that you generally get what you pay for when it comes to power tools, drill bits and saw blades. The Forrest WW II is no exception. I have one mounted in my 10" 3HP Jet cabinet saw and couldn't be more pleased with its performance. Like the other reviews, it cuts extremely smooth in both the rip and cross cut directions, saving un-necessary blade changes for each operation. I couldn't believe how smooth this blade cuts and is also a quiet blade. I also ordered the Forrest stablizer, but have not used it- I don't think you need it. I have used the blade for several months now and have cut 8/4 red and white oak, hard maple, and ash. The blade cuts so smooth that there is no visable kerf marks in the wood resulting in an edge that looks like it came off of a jointer! Forrest also offers a quality sharpening service which is highly recommended when you need it. I have friends that have been cutting with this model blade for over a year now and it still cuts like new. I know it seems expensive, but when you consider how much two high quality (one rip & one cross cut) blades would cost, plus the time to change blades, then it is really more economical in the long run. I have really been very pleased with its performance. Hope this helps you in your decision making. Happy Sawdustmaking!!

What's the big friggin' deal???
I was looking for a new saw blade because my Freud was good, but not as good as I thought it should be. I read everywhere that Forrest blades were the best around. After reading this for months, I decided I'll try one and I don't see the big deal I will return it.

Well, first I unwrapped the box and held the blade in my hand and could tell this is one well built blade. It is sturdy and heavy, very solid. Second, I mounted it on my tablesaw and mounted my zero clearance insert. I noticed immediately how well balanced the blade is because the blade did not chatter against the zero clearance plate like my Freud blade did. Third, I cut a piece of oak plywood and was amazed how the blade cut through it like a hot knife through butter. Fourth, there was not one splinter hanging from the plywood, whereas my Freud blade would cause a splintery mess. I would not hesitate to buy this blade again.

Well worth the money in my opinion!!!!
I had recently bought a Jet 3hp table saw and also bought the WWII blade...I was so impressed with the quality of the cut that I went out and bought the 12" Chopmaster and the 8" dado....I recommend their blades to anyone that I've encountered...I only use these blades for the better grades of wood...for cutting up 2X I'll use some Freud blades which do fine for that purpose but don't even come close to the Forrest Blades...

For those of you that have burning problems...you must not have your table saw set up right...cause I cannot see how you could be burning your wood on cuts when I don't experience this nor do a whole bunch of other people...

Get the Forrest Blades you won't regret it... ... Read more

Features

• Command Central tm control panel
• 8500 starting watts
• 13 hour run time
• 10 HP Briggs & Stratton OHV engine
• Powersurge alternator

Reviews (1)

Good back-up power supply
Good amount of power for the price....

What I like....
great on gas for the amount of power it puts out
good amount of power for the price
fairly lite compared to other equivalent units
sturdy and easily transported
starts fairly easily in warm weather
decent gas tank capacity
low oil detection device is a nice insurance policy
2 year warranty
gas gauge on gas cap
good surge capacity (8500 watts or 55% more the rated load capacity)

What could be improved....
noisey little bugger!
handle is a little flimsy
no electric start

Unknown as of yet.......
not sure how this will start when it's colder, I'm sure I'll wish it had the electric start though! ... Read more

Features

• Large tough nails resist breaking
• Centered connecting rails give good working balance
• Transfers directly from jamb to door with hinges on either side of door
• No straight edges, measuring tools or calculations required
• Disassembles without changing hinge size or door thickness adjustments

Reviews (11)

I won't buy from Bosch again!
We have a high end millwork shop and often build large quantites of custom doors and jambs. I recently purchased a Delux Bosch hinge template kit to speed up production of our doors. The template itself is a very good product and works well, however the kit arrived with a router bushing and bit to mortise 1/4" radius hinges. Before opening our millwork shop, I was a commercial/residential contractor for 27 years and have not seen a 1/4" radius hinge for 20 years. The standard hinge for door manufacturers is a 5/8" hinge. I spent 4 hours going through the enclosed instruction manual and calling local tool suppliers trying to find out what I needed to cut a 5/8" radius hinge. There is no mention whatsoever in the instruction manual refrencing what is needed to cut different radiuses. The next day I spent another 3 hours on the internet and Bosch's website trying to determine what I needed to cut a 5/8" radius hinge and while Bosch does reference different parts for the template by part number they do not tell you what the purpose of these parts are. I contacted one of the largest Bosch distributors in the southeast and drove 2 1/2 hrs to their place of business. After working with 2 salemen and the owner for 3 1/2 hours we finally determined what was needed to cut a 5/8" radius hinge with this template. The solution to this problem was for me to purchase a fourth router( Bosch of course), a bushing and bit at an additional cost of $285.00. Including the time and travel expense I lost trying to mortise 47 doors, I could paid for 35% of the cost of a production mortiser. To make this short, I will not purchase another Bosch Tool until they drastically change their, instruction manuals, website and cataloging of their tools. I CAN"T AFFORD THEM!!!!!!!
Steve Gibson
Tropical Hardwoods, LLC

Best adjustable template kit
The Bosch hinge template kit is the best of all the numerous metal adjustable templates available. Bosch bought the tool from Stanley tools decades ago, and Stanley bought it from someone else years before that. It is an old design that is yet to be improved upon by anyone else. Although the initial price seems high compared to lesser capable templates like the Porter cable, you will make that money back very quickly in time saved and problems avoided.

I use this tool for retrofit and for new construction and no longer carry fixed templates anymore. For new construction, you simply spend a few minutes assembling and configuring the template and then it is good to go for days of door hanging. It takes just moments to switch the hinge size for different door thicknesses, a time saver compared to fetching another full size template that could be lost in a different part of the jobsite. Retrofitting new doors in old jambs is cake as you can easily match the template to the old hinge layout for perfect mortises that fit the first time.

The rails have holes that engage ball bearings on the template frames. This prevents the hinge layout from changing if you should drop the tool on end. If you have ever used the PC template and bumped it while transferring from the door to the jamb, you know what a problem it is too have the template spacing change on you.

On room additions, it is easy to match the hinge layout for the new doors and jambs to match the old doors due to the adjustability of the Bosch template (this is important in situations where the new doors are close to old doors and the homeowner would notice the hinges not lining up). The kit comes with 2 top guides of different lengths that accomodate any top hinge spacing you will find in the field. The rails allow infinite adjustment so you can quickly match any hinge layout.

One thing the PC has over the bosch is that edge stops retract. This is only an issue when remortising the hinge gaines on an old jamb that has casing and caulking too close to the jamb edge. On the Bosch, the fixed edge stops can sometimes hit the caulking or casing and prevent the template sections from laying completely flat. On the PC, the stops can retract to counteract this problem, but overall the Bosch is significantly more accurate in retrofit situations.

When you first get your new Bosch template kit, you need to fine tune the hinge length stops. From the factory, they are not correct. Two screws loosen and allow an adjustable plate to be moved into the correct position. A quick run on a 2x4 lets you check for perfection before you ever touch an expensive door.

As mentioned by others, the small metal case is much more user friendly than the extra long PC box, but it doesn't hold the 4 hinge conversion kit or the 3 hinge extended rail kit. What most guys do is buy an additional standard kit, and make custom wooden rails for 8 to 10 foot doors. This way you have 6 template sections instead of four, and you can theoretically have 2 guys hanging 6-8 doors for more production.

The nails are very strong, I have spares but haven't had a problem with breakage at all. In fact, you can order from Bosch any part you need and can get stuff shipped next day if the parts are in stock.

The jamb gauges only fit Timely or hollow metal frames, so you need to file them down to fit wood jambs for retrofit jobs. But there are other ways to match existing hinge layouts so I don't recommend the jamb gauges unless you like to order book doors for commercial jobs or do nothing but retrofit.

Like any metal template, when you hit it with the router bit, it gets nicked and the bit can get damaged. But the template sections completely disassemble so any damaged part can be replaced. More than once I forgot to put the template guide in the router and got some healthy gouges in the template. A call to Bosch and all was fixed. Usually, though, you will nick the sides or length adjustment plate and these are quickly fixed in the field. The sides can be "reversed" and the length stops can be filed flat and readjusted. The hinge size adjustment bar can be rotated to move the nick out of the way. Very reliable even when damaged!

This is a terrific professional tool for the professional door hanger. And it works with any router that has a 1/2" mortising bit and 5/8" template guide. It even works for 5/8" radius hinges with a 1 1/4" mortising bit and 1 3/8" template guide. A homeowner would not need this tool, and it is not efficient for hanging just 1 door.

This Bosch kit solves all of the problems
If you have ever hassled with trying to install hinges on a non pre-hung door, you are familiar with the challenge. Figuring out the proper layout of the hinges on the door. Trying to take a single templet and align it perfectly straight up in order to prevent an off angle hinge. Trying to mount that templet at exactly the correct amount of depth to get a uniform edge. Routing without a glitch, or even moreso hand scribing an edge, then chiseling a flat base. Even if all of that goes perfectly, then we have the challenge of transferring those settings to the jamb in order to hang the door. How do we close the door on the hinge and scribe out the edge of the hinge onto the jamb. Opening the jamb and laying the hinges on it kinda works, but then how do you keep the distance correct for the clearance of let's say 1/8 inch at the top of the door. In plain words using the door with the hinges mounted is a rough way of getting the job done.
What Bosch does with this kit, is give you three adjustable for hinge size templates for routing, that are attached, and once again adjustable. You can preset the distance between the hinges, and be sure that the templates will be perfectly upright. No off angles, which is all too often the case without this kit. Once you attach the entire apparatus, with the built in pins you rout away. Then you remove the kit from the door, attach it to the hinge jamb and rout away.
This is an all metal kit that should give you years of service.

So why not just buy pre-hung doors and not bother to deal with it? The problem is that in order to trim the jamb to the thickness of the wall, you have to remove it from the door, disassemble it, then run it through the table saw, then reattach it. Or, in the event of a wall thicker than the pre-hung jamb, having to live with a seam, or a very large molding to cover it. With this kit, you can buy doors that are not pre-hung, and buy jamb boards that are wider than the jamb, trim them to size on your saw, then assemble for installation. Additionally you might want to create your jamb out of something other than the standard pine.
My hat is off to the Bosch engineers for designing this one. A complicated job made simple. Highly recommended. This tool falls in the category of most favored tools. It solves all of the problems.

Expensive - but quickly pays for itself
I had 17 doors to hang and purchased this tool for the job. After a quick learning curve, I was able to hang 3 to 4 doors per hour and they fit perfectly every time. It's a well built and solid tool. My only complaint is the less than adequate instructions, but you'll figure it out soon enough.

Better than all the rest
I have to say that the Bosch hinge template is the best one on the market. I've used them all and this one is by far the one that you want, trust me I've used it for more than 10 years to hang custom doors. It's very easy to use and easy to modify for custom applications. No need to look or shop around, this is the one that you want. And we all know that Bosch makes great tools. ... Read more

Features

• DC385 has 1-inch strole and 2,900 spm
• DC988 drill/driver/hammerdrill has 500 in.-lbs. of maximum torque
• Exclusive 3 - speed all metal transmission
• DC385 with keyless blade clamp for quick blade changes

Amazon.com

All circular saws are not equal. This one would sit above the rest even if all that set it apart was its blade-change system. No more wrestling with wrenches—-say hello to Porter-Cable's Quik-Change keyless, tool-free blade change setup. It's ingenious in its ease and simplicity. But the good news doesn't stop there. It's aggressive and powerful, cutting cleanly through whatever you feed it. Some really nice features distinguish it, too, like the on-board cord clip that keeps the power cord clear of your cutting line. And the built-in dust port that rotates 205 degrees for efficient dust collection with a 1-inch outlet. Even the handle gets a nod from us, with its soft, comfortable grip. Miter capacity is a versatile 0-50 degrees, and of course, there's a super-accurate positive stop at 45 degrees. Whether you're a dedicated home do-it-yourselfer or a professional, you can't go wrong with this saw.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Standard equipment: Saw, 18T carbide tipped Riptide blade #12800, case #907834, and operating manual
• Quik-Change keyless blade change offers tool-less blade changes in seconds
• Magnesium construction provides more durability and lighter weight at 9lbs
• Aggressive cuts with a 15 amp motor at 5,800 RPM
• 100% ball and needle bearing

Reviews (1)

Awesome Saw
Flawless. All the power you would ever want in a circ saw, with barely half the weight of a worm drive. The cast magnesium base is rock solid, glides easily, and adjusts like a dream. Adjustable dust chute, comfortable grips, solid trigger.

How much did this cost again? Can that really be the price?

This saw takes on all comers.

My shop is fast becoming the domain of Porter Cable, and it's because of tools like this. I have a vivid imagination, and I can't think of anything - anything at all - that could make this a better tool. Highly recommended! ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For years, Milwaukee's Sawzalls have been valued for their outstanding ability to cut through almost any material: wood, nail-embedded wood, steel, cast iron, aluminum, brass, drywall, composition materials, hard rubber, cement, brick, plaster, and fiberglass. This 11 amp Super Sawzall has a standard blade stroke mode, plus an orbital stroke mode for more aggressive, faster cutting of thick wood. You can choose the level of orbital action, too, to fit the application--or you can switch it off for cutting in metal. Like almost all reciprocating saws, this Super Sawzall also has variable-speed control (with a speed control dial) for versatility, control, and increased efficiency over a wide range of applications. For those of you who've grown up with Sawzalls, you'll appreciate the addition of the handy Quik-Lok blade clamp, which lets you change blades quickly without having to use a hex wrench; this feature is especially convenient when you're cutting hard materials, such as steel, a situation in which blades break frequently. There's also a handy quick lever adjustment for the shoe.

We really like this tool's counterbalancing mechanism, which reduces some of the unavoidable vibration found in reciprocating saws. The difference you feel when operating this tool, compared to nonbalanced saws, is significant: the Super Sawzall is still extremely powerful, yet it has a smooth feel. As a result, of course, you can work longer with less fatigue than you can using other, unbalanced saws. Another significant feature is the clutch, which, by absorbing shock and impacts to the internal mechanics caused by sudden blade lockups (typically encountered during extreme use), minimizes time wasted tending to a damaged saw. Although this is a heavy tool, it does have an ergonomically designed rubber grip that provides a solid, comfortable hold. --Tim Block ... Read more

Features

• Linear counterbalance reduces vibration
• Powerful 11-amp motor; 3,200 spm
• 1-1/4-inch blade stroke
• Steel Quik-Lok blade clamp system
• Orbital-action blade stroke for faster cutting through wood

Reviews (39)

The Best Sawzall Ever Made!
I had a Makita for 13 years that wasn't too bad, but it finally died of bad bearings. The repair cost was within $10 of replacement so I started shopping.

I was going to get the 10 amp Super Sawzall, but after reading toolpig's review and considering the advantages of orbital action, I bought this one. It was only $5 more. I will never be sorry!

My first project was cutting up a bunch of rebar to use spiking railroad ties down. Over 100 cuts (with a Lenox blade) and I wasn't tired and neither was the saw. I slowed it down with the speed dial to keep from burning up my blade. I never realized how handy this one feature would be until I used it. You can get precicion control over top speed without having to finesse the trigger. Just set the max and pull it wide open - no more overspeed burns!

Next I was cutting railroad ties with a 12" Lenox blade. I started out in the straight cutting mode and it was slow after the first inch. I switched to orbital action and the blade just about fell through the wood! I was making straight cuts and miters on 8" x 10" ties with no problem. I had used a chian saw in the past, but railroad ties always have a "suprise rock" right in the path of your cut. The recip blades are basically disposable, so you can save the chainsaw for less risky duty.

This saw runs smooth and quiet, no user fatigue after hours of use. The adjustable shoe is real handy, another feature new to me after the Makita. If this tool lasts as well as it runs, you'll never need another recip saw. I don't see how they could come out with a better tool, unless it would run itself on voice command while you sat back and watched! Maybe next Millenium.

Best Sawzall I ever purchased
Everyone knows that sawzalls can cut through almost any material: wood, nail-embedded wood, plaster, metal, (steel, cast iron, aluminum, black pipe, conduit, etc.) drywall, plaster,... you get the idea. When I used this to cut through floorboards and 2x4's it was as smooth as a hot knife through butter. Unistrut and allthread were also no match for this machine. This 11 amp Super Sawzall has a standard blade stroke mode, plus an orbital stroke mode for a faster, more agressive cut through thicker wood. You can also adjust the amount of orbital action from none to full depending on the application. This sawzall also has the new Quik-Lok blade clamp with allows you to change blades in seconds rather than minutes. There's no more searching for a hex wrench to change blades here.

I've been using sawzall's for quite a while now and I have always admired Milwaukee Sawzalls for their dependability and durability. When I finally had to replace my old one and discovered that Milwaukee had introduced a new sawzall to their line, it was a simple choice for me. The added power and easy of use make this an idea choice if your building something new, tearing something down, or fabricating something for a job. I would highly recomend this product to anyone who wanted to purchase a sawzall.

Might as well buy the Milwaukee--It IS the Best!
There are a lot of reciprocating saws on the market today; unfortunately some masquerade as a 'Sawzall', but Milwaukee invented the genre decades ago and, quite frankly, nothing is even in the same league as a genuine 'Sawzall'. DeWalt, Makita, Ryobi, Hitachi, Porter Cable all make reciprocating saws; some are professional grade, some say they are and some are just consumer models. When you decide either through using lesser tools or simply want to own the very best, Milwaukee stands head and shoulders above the competition in the reciprocating saw market.

Consider some of the features found on this model Milwaukee:

11 amps of power and it feels like more. This is one big, robust saw, period.

Detachable cord. Only Milwaukee figured out the ways people use a reciprocating saw--constant, demanding ROUGH use. These saws are most typically used in demolition work. In this environment you run the saw relentlessly and go through some blades. When you want to change one, in a hurry, nothing on earth is handier than being able to simply unclick the power cord and do a blade change. Believe me, you wouldn't want to change a blade on this beast without it being unplugged.

Orbital action. When you're rough cutting lumber, nothing assists you like an orbital action. This allows the blade to more aggressively cut through the material with less binding and less discomfort to the operator.

Anti-vibration. I don't know the technical nuances of how Milwaukee cancels out the vibration, but this saw is the smoothest (from an operator's standpoint) saw I've ever used. Any recip saw can truly rattle your fillings when it binds, but fortunately this Milwaukee has anti-vibration and a clutch, that genuinely minimizes feedback to the operator.

Easy blade change chuck. This has got to be the simplest blade change known to man. Rotate the collet about 1/4 turn and you're in business. NOTHING could be easier.

Variable speed dial. What a nice touch! Instead of relying solely on trigger pressure for speed control, Milwaukee thoughtfully provides a speed dial. Set it to half and you can pull the trigger back all the way and run at half speed. Demo work doesn't usually involve feathering the trigger, so this is a godsend.

Typical Milwaukee construction. Want to find out how good Milwaukee's reputation is in the building trades? Go to a jobsite. ANY jobsite. Residential, commercial, plumbing, electrical, it doesn't matter. First, stop by and ask any professional what they think of Milwaukee. Second, look for the RED tools (Milwaukee's trademark). Every jobsite has Milwaukee. The pros respect them because they don't break.

I brought this tool home on a Sunday and had to cut up 15 pallets to downsize them for garbage disposal. If you've EVER had the fun task of cutting up pallets, you can appreciate that the wood is FULL of nails (everywhere) and it's genuinely very hard, dense wood. Has to be to support the loads that pallets carry. I chucked in a new Milwaukee blade and 30 minutes later there was over 10 pounds (yes I weighed it!!) of sawdust and a BUNCH of small boards left. Saying the Milwaukee cut the boards like a hot knife through butter, in my mind, does a disservice to the hot knife! I ran the saw until it became so hot I couldn't hold it anymore, which is being overly severe to any tool; I just wanted to see if Milwaukee's vaunted reputation was as deserved as people say. It is. The saw NEVER stopped running; I honestly believe I could have put on gloves and kept going, but did allow the saw to cool down and resumed cutting. If a nail was hit, it bucked a little and just went on through it. It's a beast, plain and simple.

It's a very specific product, but one with a ton of uses. If you've never used a recip saw before, I would caution you to always make sure your item being cut is safely secured; a recip saw of this size has enough strength to easily move anything that is loosely held. Always be sure of what's under or behind the blade; if it's a concrete driveway or asphalt, you can damage the tool, but REALLY damage the driveway! Wear boots and safety goggles, this thing takes NO prisoners. And for heaven's sake, if you're demo'ing a wall, make absolutely certain that there are no live electrical wires present.

This saw isn't for everyone; it's pricey for single, consumer use. But, if you want the very best made reciprocating saw made, look no further than the Milwaukee Super Sawzall. It's the class leader by a BIG margin.

The best reciprocating saw period.
My wife bought me one of these as a birthday present this year. Can you believe that? It doesn't get much better in my book. The thing works great! I've cut wood, angle iron, rebar, nail embeded wood, flashing nailed to wood and all of it was a breeze to cut through. About the only thing I haven't tried - concrete... I'll have to see if I can find the right blade!

In the past I've used Dewalt, Makita and PC reciprocating saws extensively and most others on the market and none of them have performed like this. I think the best part of this saw is the lack of vibration while cutting, it far outperfroms the others. That said, there are also easy blade changes (watch out they're hot if you've just been using them) the detachable cord (love those things, got a couple of other Milwaukee tools with that and it couldn't be better), adjustable shoe, orbital action, and speed control dial. I can't think of anything else they should put on the saw except for maybe someplace to rest a 12 ounce can of something cold. I recommend this without reservation over every other saw on the market today.

A hot knife through butter is SLOW!
WOW!

I have used other reciprocating saws in the past but none has impressed me as much as the Super Sawzall.

I first used it to demolish a kitchen that I am remodeling. Wood, nails, formica and drain pipes never slowed the blade on the this Sawzall. I used a metal cutting blade for the drain pipes but everything else was cut with the blade that was recommended for nail embedded wood. Since then I have used the Sawzall for several other small projects around the house and it has performed flawlessly.

I did purchase the Milwaukee 11-piece blade set but haven't opened it as the two included blades are still sharp and still effortlessly slice through everything that gets in front of them.

Maybe this saw was overkill for my small home improvement projects but the ease of cutting and lack of kickback and vibration are worth the extra money. ... Read more

Features

• One full year parts and labor warranty, 30 day risk free performance guarantee
• Environmentally friendly method of paint removal
• Reversible carbide blades
• Safety clutch
• Low vibration reduces fatigue

Reviews (9)

Paid for itself the first job
This paint remover does the job; takes the paint off down to the wood and it never gums up with paint. I used it to strip paint from a fifty year old house with many layers of paint. It took me 4 days to strip the whole house. I estimate it would have taken twice as long to scrape the house by hand, and I would not have done nearly as good a job. I dulled four of the carbide blades to strip the whole house. The tool is light enough to operate with one hand. However, there are some tricks to using this tool:

- You have to wear goggles, (not just safety glasses) earplugs, a dust mask, gloves, and I'd recommend coveralls. This tool throws a lot of dust and small chips. I did not use a vacuum because I felt the hose would slow me down too much, but a vacuum should make the job much cleaner.

- Watch out for nails. You have to set the nails before you strip the paint. Just give the nails a wack before stripping. If you do snag a nail, it will either shave off the top or rip it out of the board. It's something you don't want to do too often.

The tool is well made except for the little doors covering the rabbet blades; I busted one off the first day. It has a nice long and flexible cord. Pet peeve: the switch turns off too easily.

It's not perfect, it's just better than any other tool for stripping paint. And, it'll pay for itself on the first job.

Professional Painters Need This Tool
I just spent the last two days using this paint stripper and I gotta tell you this is an amazing tool. It will shave (no pun intended) hours off the time it takes to strip paint from a house. I was worried about the price, but it has paid for itself already. I am ripping paint off of cedar siding in 1/4 of the time it usually takes. The depth-of-cut adjustment lets me adapt to different paint millage, and it is really easy to use. If you have read other reviews, you will know that the little plastic doors that protect the 90, 180 and 270 degree cutters are really flimsy and WILL pop off, but it is still the best paint stripping tool I have come across. Make sure that you set any nail heads that may be in your way, because this machine will rip and warp any nail haead it comes in contact with. You will need ear protection, and the 3M full face mask is a must when working in warm climates. Try this tool. It will save you so much time and so much hassel. If you don't like it, send it back.

Fast is the right word
I bought this tool about a year ago, and has you've read in the other reviews it's all true. I took down some 6" redwood siding, 4" fir and pine boards to the bare wood in no time. A word of caution on softer woods wider than 3", take your time and get use to the machine. It will gouge on the edge at times, depending... how your reach is to the work. You either even it up with a pass from the oppisite side, sand with a 6" inch orbital down to finer grit, or patch and sand. I used it on latex paints so far and gumming was not a problem, plus good life from each edge of the cutting bits (4)... if you counter sink any nails. Attching my shopvac made less to clean up! Also rough grain wood texture will be smooth flat when done, you may do some light sand blasting to match the texture or stick with chem/citrus strippers. Goggles recomened.

Worth every penny
I bought this tool to take about 17 layers of paint off the cedar siding of my house. It works great! My choices were the Metabo, Porter Cable and The Paint Shaver (which was by far the most expensive). The Metabo was the only tool of the three not listed on eBay the day I purchased it.

This tool does a great job on siding and even facia and window casings. You need to be careful on softer wood like pine with this tool. It can easily take off the paint as well as a hefty slice of wood.

Be sure to purchase plenty of extra blades if you are taking off lots of old hardened paint. They will get dull, however you can turn the blades 180 degrees and use the other side before you have to replace them.

This tool is extremely loud. Be sure you have good ear protection. Also, it throws chips everywhere at high velocity. So good goggles and a dust mask or respirator will save you some agony.

Overall, for the money this is a great tool. I highly recommend it over manual scraping or liquid/paste strippers.

Savings outweigh expense
I purchased the Metabo paint reomover about 2 months ago. I used it to remove about 6 layers of paint from the fascia boards on my house. This tool works amazingly well and is very easy to use. When all of the paint was removed, i gave the fascia boards a quick once over with a random orbit sander. When finished, the fascia boards looked brand new. One coat of primer and two top coats of paint and presto, my home looks great. Doing a thorough job in the first place prevents you from having to return and "fix" it in a couple of years.
Initially I was very skeptical of how this tool would work as well as the seemingly steep cost. I wondered how a hand held power tool the size of an angle grinder could cost sooo much. In the end, I feel this tool easily saved me money because a paint contractor would probably charge me a small fortune to take all of my homes fascia boards down to bare wood before repainting.
My home was built after paint containing lead was banned so I opted not to use the dust collection built into this tool. One gripe is that I broke one of the small tabs on one of the plastic blade covers within 2-3 hours of use. The plastic covers should be made more durable considering the cost of this tool.
If you are removing paint on a significant amount of wood or on a home with very much wood siding, I would suggest you purchase the extra 10 piece blade set ).
Overall, I am very pleased with my purchase of this tool. The tool was delivered in about 4-5 working days (as stated). ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Remember when you were a kid on Christmas morning, with a pile of new toys to play with--but no batteries? Well, Porter-Cable's not going to let that happen to you again. Here they've packaged their hard-working 18-gauge brad nailer with its power source--a 15 amp, 120-volt, 6-gallon compressor driven by a 2-horsepower oil-free motor. Fill up the nailer with standard 18-gauge brads from 3/4 inch to 2 inches long, hook up, and you're ready to install baseboards, chair rails, moldings, even make quick work of those wooden craft items like country shelves and vegetable bins. Here's a nice feature: the safety is located behind the driving guide, so you can work in tight spaces. The die-cast body weighs only 2-3/4 pounds, and a removable rubber nose won't leave a mark on your workpiece. There's a handy depth adjustment for setting the drive depth of the nail and a directional exhaust port. When the anodized magazine's visual reload indicator tells you you're empty, reach into the rugged carrying case, where there's room to store 5,000 brads. The kit comes with quick connects, 25 feet of 300 psi air hose and thread sealing tape. It's the perfect combination at a really good price. Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 1 year limited warranty
• Professional nailer shoots 3/4" to 2" 18 gauge brad nails
• Nailer features cushion grip, depth of drive, quick-release nosepiece, and directional exhaust
• Oil-free compressor produces 3.7 scfm at 40 psi and 2.7 scfm at 90 psi
• Complete kit with quick-connects, 25' 300 psi air hose, thread sealing tape, nailer case, and wrenches

Reviews (4)

Great product delivers almost everything promised
This nailer kit is by far one of the greastest additions to my home workshop. The tool is flawless and the uses for readily available compressed air keep on coming. Ordering from Amazon was easy and the product arrived on time in excellent condition. One of the main reasons I purchased from Amazon was the $50 promotional certificate. DON'T EXPECT AMAZON TO HONOR THEIR OFFER. All you get is some gibberish about a technical error from Amit. Fat chance I will ever buy anything from Amazon.com again.

A happy owner!!
I bought this kit because I wanted a larger compressor than I had, one with a tank, and a brad gun. I came upon this and bought it. The gun is great and never jams and is easily adjustable. The compressor works flawlessly. My only complaint (be it a minor one for me) is that the thing sounds like a jackhammer. It is LOUD!!! I mostly use it in my garage so I ended up puting it in a shed outside and running a hose into the garage. Now I barely hear it. The 4 stars is only because of the noise level.

Good deal for the money
Positives: works very well, plenty of power to drive nails into hardwood, doesn't split the wood (even at the edge of a board), it's consistent in depth of drive, doesn't mar the surface, and the price is good.
Negatives: none other than the noise of the compressor, but hey it's a power tool what do you expect.
Summary: highly recommend!!!

Perfect for my needs.
I purchased this kit because I had a ton of baseboard molding to replace. This included everything I needed in one convenient package and is perfectly sized for my needs. I have used it for molding installation and have purchased two additional nailers to use with the compressor: a framing nailer and flooring stapler. The compressor will cycle more often because of its small capacity but that is not a problem as long as you are near an electrical source. This is the perfect size for the home improvement enthusiast. ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• 3-1/4 horsepower, 15-amp Milwaukee motor
• 10-foot welded steel frame
• Zinc-plated 1-3/4-inch guide tubes
• Four Nylatron roller bearing systems

Features

• Low recoil
• Lightweight, weighs 4.7 pounds
• Angled magazine
• Adjustable depth of drive
• Requires no lubrication

Reviews (4)

Great Nail Gun!
No issues with mine, great handling, nails set perfect everytime, quieter than most, and oil-free! I have used different sized nails with no problem. Buy one it's great!

Sometimes doesn't shoot
I purchased this nailer from the BOB to install lots of 3/8" plywood sheets in the garage. A friend had lent me his Pasco framing nailer for the 2x4's. The Pasco works well, no misfires, no jams. The contractor must have it set in production mode because it was easy to shoot two nails in trigger pull.

The Senco was also a joy to use. No noticeable weight, well balanced, and considerably quieter than the Paslode (it is a smaller gun). Depth of nail was easily set and consistent.

I had three complaints with the Senco: 1) Air connector nipple was not included, necessitating another trip to the BOB. 2) Nails do not shoot consistently. I can fire 20 times, then 4 misfires. Usually when I'm in the most inconvenient place. It has something to do with the safety switch or nail guard not completely activating when the gun is set. I will contact Senco and/or BOB today. If they can advise a fix, the gun stays. If not, back it goes. Too bad.

Another great SENCO product.
This is a great nailer. It is both smaller and lighter than the SFN40 which is (was) the standard by which all other finish nailers are compared. One outstanding feature of this tool is that it is very quiet, while still able to drive and set 2.5" nails with ease. The depth adjustment and exhaust vent settings work just like other SENCO units, so no complaints there. You cannot go wrong with this unit.

Great for crown mouldings
I bought one of these guns recently as a replacement for another nailer. I put in thousands of feet of crown moulding every month and have yet to have any sort of misfire or double nailing. It also sets the head of the nail comfortably below the surface each and every time. ...Yet another great SENCO tool! ... Read more

Features

• Aggressive teeth design grips lumber for easy toe-nailing
• Rugged magnesium housing makes this tool lightweight and easy to handle
• Molded rubber comfort grip lasts the life of tool
• Drives 2- to 3-1/2-inch full round-headed nails with 1,000 inch/lbs driving power
• Exclusive push-button depth control for quick flush nailing adjustments

Reviews (10)

n88rh framing nailer
well thought out design with nice balance and a great depth of drive adjustment.plenty of power.to bad it jams so much using sheathing nails.I have owned the gun for over a year, sent it back to the manufacture because of jamming problems and they installed a new magazine. didn't help,recoil causes back nail strip to jam on front strip and won't let nails feed properly.some brands of nails work better than others, but still very frustrating.

Bostitch N88RH-1 Round Head Framing Nailer
This is the third framing nailer I have owned and the best. Its high power and light weight make it a pleasure to use. The push button depth control for setting nails is great and there are no tools or line pressure adjustments needed. It set the nails from flush to deeply buried - even in some very hard old pine I tested it on. Mine came with both the sequential trip and contact triggers. I like the sequential trip trigger as it allows for more accurate nail placement without the risk of double firing. Bostitch says it takes only 21 degree nails, however my local supplier only had 20 degree nails and they worked perfectly. I would highly recommend this nail gun.

EXCELLENT FRAMING TOOL
THIS IS AN EXCELLENT FRAMING TOOL I HAVE OWNED A FEW OTHERS AND THIS ONE OUT DRIVES,WEIGHS LESS, AND WAS COMPETITIVELY PRICED.
(ALTHOUGH I BOUT MINE FOR LESS THAN YOUR PRICE AT MY LOCAL LUMBER YARD} GO BOSTITCH!!!!!!!!!

Buy this one !!!!
I've been a pro for 25 years and have used many framing nailers and this is the best I have ever used/owned. Read the recent "Fine Home Builders (Taunten Press)" review on this gun, it hit the top of the list along with the Max.

Great Framing Gun!
Built half of my garage framing with this gun so far. Used nails available at Home Depot. 31/4"... No jams. The compressor was set for about 90 psi and had 75 feet of hose. No tools needed to use this gun, the depth setting is easily changed. When set for max. the nails went just below the surface; set for min. the head was about 1/2 inch above the surface, useful for temporary bracing etc.
Why would anyone want the palm nail thing? Might as well use a hammer. But with this gun you only need a hammer for pulling nails. I could not rate it less than 5 stars.
Also, read the reviews on the older models and you'll see they last a long time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

To woodworkers who know the reputation of Jet products, the merit of this 12-inch variable-speed lathe should come as no surprise. Start with the guts of any tool, the motor. Prewired for 115 volts and fully encased in a metal housing for longer life, its 3/4-horses turn material at 500 to 3,000 rpm, depending on which of the six speeds you select. The cast-iron lathe bed, headstock, and tailstock provide superior vibration dampening and durability, while the heavy-gauge steel components and stand give rigid support. Pivoting 90 degrees for outboard turning of up to 16-1/2 inches on larger projects, the MT-2 headstock protects a Reeves drive pulley system with which we made quick and easy speed changes. Down on the other end, the hollow tailstock allows for longer hole bores and houses a live center, a luxury standard on all Jet lathes not found in much of the competition.

You'll love the versatility that comes with 34-1/2 inches between working centers and a 12-inch swing capability over the bed (8-3/4 inches over the tool-rest base). All adjustments, whether extending the ram its full 2-1/4 inches or sliding the 12-inch tool rest, move fluidly and clamp down tight with little effort. Designed for use over the long haul, this tool has all the qualities professional woodworkers demand. --Justin Paul ... Read more

Features

• Pivoting headstock for outboard turning
• 3/4 hp single phase motor
• Six speed 550 to 3,000 RPM
• 34-1/2-inch work distance between centers
• Reeves drive plley system for quick speed changes

Reviews (11)

Best lathe for the money
After a great deal of research, and speaking to countless people in the wood turning community, I decided to purchase the Jet 1236. I'm extremely happy with nearly every aspect of the lathe from it's quality, to it's easy of use. It's a pleasure to work with and it's very stable. Admittedly, I built a very solid base to attach the lathe to, but I'd rather be safe than sorry. The instruction manuel, without a doubt, is the weak link in the system but easily gotten around. The switch could be in a better location but, in my opinion, not a big problem.

The beginners "Pen Turning Kit", with two tools, was an added feature which was very nice to have. Again, for the money, you can't go wrong with this lathe and you also have the well respected JET name.

Another Great tool form Jet
I purchased my Jet lathe when it went on sale at Woodworkers warehouse before they closed, And as many other have just for the fun of it I had no jobs line up for it at first but boy it was a great buy. As a starter on the lathe I cant not find one complant with this product. Do you have to weigh it down? well that is all on how much you are turning but when you have to place wood across the supports and toss what every you have that has weight on it. no problem. I have to say for the money Jet did Good on this one. (to any one who is thinking about turning, try it you wont be sorry ) As for your Turning Set besure to shop around the best price is not always the best package. I got my lathe with the Turning chisels and face sheild which in the long run ran me cheaper to get as a package. it may be cheaper for you as well. 4 stars being I got what I paid for.

A good value, "some assembly required"!
The lathe is an execelent value at $399. The manual leaves a lot to be desired. The lathe stand needs to be reinforced. I used four eight foot long 2"x 6" lumber and a bunch of plywood. What to do to make it more stable:
1 Go to the wmhtoolgroup.com website and look up the manual for the 1236's replacement, JWL1442. It will give you much more information than whats in the 1236 manual;
2 Build a shelf on the brackets with two 2x6s;
3 Bolt the bottom of the stand to two 2x6 stringers on the floor with cross bracing between the stringers ;
4 Build up the the sides with plywood;
5 Add weight to the stringers with either sand, cement, or bricks; (There is a photo of the 1236 lathe in R. Raffan's book TURNING WOOD, second edition. It has six bags of concrete on the shelf to stabilize it.)
6 You will need a bunch of 1/4" or 5/16" bolts or lag bolts the fasten all the reinforcements together;

Once you have stiffened up the stand you will have a very good lathe. The motor does not draw enough electrical current to compromise your home's wiring. It also includes a pen making kit including two tools, pen kits, wood, glue, finish, and a book on making pens. You can start turning as soon as you put the lathe together.

Best Under $1000 Lathe
I got this lathe just in time to take advantage of the Thanksgiving Day weekend and had a blast. This is my second lathe, and it is head and shoulders above the earlier one. Solidly built and very heavy. Due to lack of space in my shop, I mounted the lathe to a large bench rather than the included stand, so I had to remove the power switch from the leg of the stand and mount it on the bench leg.

I am amazed at how smooth and quiet this lathe runs. Due to the type of turning I do, I was concerned that the slowest speed was going to be too fast, but the lathe is rock steady spinning a very unbalanced turning blank at the slow speed.

Though the instruction manual could have been clearer, setup was quick, easy, and straight forward.

If I could change anything about this lathe it would be to add a detent to the speed control between the slowest speed and the next faster one. I would also add an electromagnetic power switch for safety and place it in a more convenient location.

Oh, and I split it into two boxes for shipping. Since it was easier for me to pick it up from the freight company than to arrange a delivery time with somone home, I had them hold it at the loading dock for me to pick up. They used a pallet jack to load it onto my truck, and I had to unpack the box to unload it. I was, however, able to lift it up onto the bench alone.

Misleading Ad
I ordered my lathe from the current Toolcrib catalog which offers a bonus which states "Includes a wood turning set, a $99.99 value". This implies that a set of chisels are being offered. Do not believe it. When my order arrived I found a pen turning kit,which was of little value to me. Chisels I needed and had to order a set costing $103.89 .Jet apparently does'nt know the diffence between a set and a kit. Now you do. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

This professional-grade construction stapler is built to handle all but the toughest 16-gauge applications. The industry ranks this model's power-to-weight ratio as best in its class. We found it to be fast and powerful, capable of driving up to 16 1- to 2-inch staples a second. In fact, this model can handle eight different staple sizes. It has a top-loading, easy-release feed system with reload indicator, and jambs are easily cleared. Other worthwhile features include a mechanical countersink, narrow nose, and adjustable exhaust. Senco designed this stapler to be reliable, using 30% less parts than the competition. Among its many applications are sheathing, furniture frames, wood shingles, and decking. --Tom Kasperson ... Read more

Features

• For sheathing, subflooring, decking, fascia & soffit, lathing and more
• Versatile stapler has the best power-to-weight ratio in its class
• Designed with 30% fewer parts & 15% more power than the competition
• Drives 16 gauge staples 1 in. to 2 in.
• Adjustable depth-of-drive

Reviews (3)

SHOOTS LIKE AN UZI
I RECEINTLEY BOUGHT THIS GUN FOR NAILING OFF PLYWOOD. I COULDN`T BELIEVE THE SPEED IT WOULD SPIT OUT THE STAPLES; IT SOUNDED LIKE AN UZI. THIS IS MY FAVORITE AIRTOOL I HAVE BY FAR! I RECOMEND THIS GUN TO EVERY HOMEBUILDER!

Does it all
Just bought a Senco SNS65 to do the siding, sheathing, soffit, facia, etc. on the house I am remodeling. It works great, plenty of power for both 1" and 2" staples. I'm using 1" rough cut siding on the log house and it drives through and flush every time. I'm glad I bought it.

Top Of The Line
SENCO has been around a long time and it shows, it's a top of the line product. Well made, tough construction, lightweight, comfort plus, makes this product worth the money.It's depenability and craftmanship make the investment worthwhile. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Porter-Cable's 3-by-21-inch belt sander features an all-metal housingthat gives the tool a solid feel, makes it tough to damage, and lets you sandeffectively without having to press down. This sander also does a great job ofkeeping belts centered, a terrific bonus because there's nothing morefrustrating that having to constantly re-center a belt. According toPorter-Cable, the all-metal housing accounts for the centered placement of the belts.The sander remains rigid, even during heavy use, and the metal helps dissipateheat, keeping the belt relatively cool and in place.

This sander also has a variable-speed dial that lets you match the speed of thebelt with the application, so you can speed up for aggressive removal or dialdown for more precision. We really like the 360-degree adjustable top dustnozzle--a feature you won't find on many belt sanders--because it lets you pivotthe dust bag (or hose if you're hooked up to a dust vac), a huge conveniencewhen sanding in corners or along edges. And, lastly, this is a quietsander, thanks both to Porter-Cable's newly designed gear system, which meshesmore accurately, and to the sander's serpentine drive belt, which makesconsiderably less noise than a more common cog system. For a belt sander, thistool is surprisingly easy on the ears, and that's a very good thing. --JonGroebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty/30 day performance certification
• Powerful sanding action
• Variable-speed dial
• Belt & gear drive
• Designed for flush sanding

Reviews (30)

Terrific, Powerful Sander
After purchasing -- and returning -- the Makita 3X18 belt sander, I bought the Porter-Cable 352VS (eee my review of the Makita). What a difference!

This sander is powerful. I sanded three layers of old paint off a door in about 1/2 hr. The body is constructed of metal, giving it a nice solid feel. When sanding, you can simply glide the sander back and forth, without having to push down at all. Porter-Cable came up with a design that gives you a lot of power, but at the same time control over that power. This is what a belt sander SHOULD be like.

The position of the front handle makes sense -- it is up higher than the front of the machine, so you get a good position relative to the sanding surface. The handle is also designed to give you a lot to grab onto.

The dust bag is designed well. You can swivel it in any direction to get it out of the way while you're sanding, and it holds the dust without spilling until you're ready to empty it out. Also, it does a fair job collecting the dust, but you should never expect any dust-bag system to be perfect.

The meachinism for loading and unloading sander belts is very good. It is easy to place the belt in the sander and then tighten it up securely.

The tracking system really holds the sander belt in place. I placed the belt on the sander, held it upside-down, running the sander until the belt no longer shifted left or right. Then I began sanding, and for the whole time I worked, the belt did not move from center at all. Because the housing is made of metal, even if the belt DID move, it would not damage the sander, as it would on machines with plastic bodies.

All told, this sander is a great combination of power and ease of use.

PS: The 3X21 sander belts that Porter-Cable makes (the purple ones) are excellent.

serviceman
My old belt sander stop working. I went to sears and purchased their 8.8amp belt sander. I used it for about 5 minutes and found it really did not have the power I need. So I took it back to Sears. Then I order the porta cable 352vs from Amazon. As soon as I had taken the sander out of the box I could feel a big difference. I plug the sander in and used it. It has a lot of power. I am very pleased with it. I was really shocked to feel how much more power the porta cable has over the sears craftsman. There is no question about it ,if you need a belt sander go buy the porta cable.

Good Sander, But...
I've had my PC 352vs for about 5 years, and I'd agree with most of the reviews I've read here. Plenty of power, good balance, well-made, but the dust pick-up port constantly gets clogged, and the dust bag and power cord are not positioned as well as they could be.

I've found that I can unclog the pick-up port using a blast of compressed air.

After 5 years, I wore out the drive belt and the platen was also cracking slightly, which is the only repairs I've done. Within 2 weeks of replacing the drive belt, though, I trashed the new belt when I caught the power cord in the sander and jammed the belt to a stop. (Not the sander's fault - mine).

Overall, a good, well-made (and made in USA) sander that should last a long time.

I don't really like this sander much
I have a lot of Porter-Cable tools, my dad has them too. Therefore I thought this would be a good inexpensive sander.
It's heavy which is good, it tracks well which is good, I like variable speed... BUT!
It's not balanced well. Left unto it's own weight it will favor one side over the other and sand unevenly unless you get a feel for which side needs a little more pressure. Use finer paper and take it easy. I started to develope a feel for it but never really enjoyed using it.
I now use a very old Porter-Cable 504 given to me by my dad. It's been a joy to use! $500+ new gulp! Mine's old, has been serviced and will live on.
If I were looking for a belt sander and didn't want the 504 due to preference, price, or going the used route, and I were trying to get something good within reason, I'd try a higher end PC or check another brand. I think DeWalt, or Bosch have settled those balance issues. You can feel it in your hands and hold it gently on a flat surface get an idea as to what may stay flat when the power is on.

Disappointed !!..
I bought this and was expecting a lot from sander of this quality. Well, It is really 8AMP and not 7AMP sander. I am not sure how genuine these reviews are but I had go back to random orbit sander and put this sander back in box on top shelf as I found it useless for finishing work. I would rather spent money on random orbit sander and get quality work done in short time. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

For the price, Makita's 10-inch portable table saw is a solid choice for the job site. The 15 amp motor packs plenty of power, and with a 3-9/16-cut capacity, this saw will rip four-by material on a single pass. This saw also has an electric brake, so adjustments between cuts are both safer and quicker to make. The table's a good size, too: 27 by 22 inches. We also really like the saw's new cam-lock rip fence, which is much easier to adjust than double-locking designs. The bevel adjust has a pretty good rack-and-pinion design (metal, admittedly, would be better). All in all, this saw strikes a nice balance between weight (only 40 pounds) and vibration (minimal). Simply put, the Makita 2703 is a solid saw, better for the job site (quick, powerful, lightweight) than the home shop. For the shop, we'd recommend a saw with a more accurate fence. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• One-year warranty
• Powerful 15-amp motor handles any material
• 27-by-22-inch table provides large support surface for work pieces
• Cam-locking rip fence sets quickly
• Lightweight at only 40 pounds--easily portable

Reviews (30)

depends what you want to do with it
This is not a bad saw...depending what you want to do with it. i struggled using it in my shop as my woodworking saw, for several reasons:1, what is the deal with the miter slot? it is undersized and basically useless. 2, the fence is lacking. it is ok for rough cutting, but hard(or impossible) to get any kind of accuracy out of. 3, i wish it had soft start like the 10" sliding compound miter. the saw practically jumps off the stand when you start it.
Now, if you want a lightweight, powerhouse to carry on the jobsite, this is a great choice. ripping 2X and plywood is what this saw is for. the table is too small for full sheets and lacks the capacity to rip 24". .... but man it hawgs through the 2X material.
i chose not to spend the money on a rosseau stand to increase the capacity. instead i just got a delta contractors for my shop and will use this makita for the job site. i thought about selling it, but it will be alot easier to haul the mak to the jobsite instead of my 300lb contractors saw.
so there you have it. if it meets your needs go with it. if you want a saw that will do a little of both, i recommend the porter cable.

Light, powerful, imprecise, non-standard
Strong saw, and light, and with the Porta Table has a nice fence and will cut very wide. However, the arbor is too short for dado work as large as I'd like and the non-standard miter slots limit the amount of after market stuff you can use with the saw. I'm looking to sell mine and upgrade to a more versatile saw.

If the fence were better . . .
This is a great saw in many ways. It's light, but sturdy. It's set up perfectly right out of the box, and offers easy adjustments to fine tune its performance. It's perfect to haul to jobsites, or just pull out of the garage on weekends. No other lightweight table saw is so solid, durable, and powerful.

So the fence really is a pity. It's easy to adjust and lock, but it doesn't square automatically. You have to realign it every time you reset it. And it doesn't even hold a setting, unless you clamp it in place with huge c-clamps. So it's not really suitable for any kind of fine work unless you replace the fence. Which isn't easy, because it's not a standard size, and you have to fabricate brackets. Which isn't really that difficult, but for about the same money, Ryobe makes a saw with a great fence. It's not as powerful or durable as the Makita, but since if I were doing it all again, I don't think I would have bought this saw.

Terribly inaccurate waste of money
I have been using this saw for 2 years as an on site stair builder after my employer purchased this saw against my, and my coworkers, recomendations. This saw is cheaper than the DeWalt and the Bosch, and it shows. The miter gauge was used once and found to be useless. The fence is a joke, getting it square to the blade requires a measurement from both ends of the blade, keeping it square requires no pressure against the fence. For cuts that require accuracy, more often than not, I resort to clamping a guide board to the table to ensure that it will slide, or flex, halfway through the cut. If you are looking for quality and accuracy spend the extra dough and buy a DeWalt or Bosch, the time and aggravation saved is well worth the money spent.

upsetting
Ive been a self employed for 10 years and been in construction since 1987, most of my work is custom trim,mantels and cabinets. my father bought a 8 1/4" makita saw in 1986 and i still use it today with a rousseau table,, i cant tell you how many LF has gone through that saw..well i thought it might be time for a new one , a bigger one . so i went with the makita 10" because of the deep 3 9/16" cut and the good luck a had with the last saw (as far as wear and tear, any makita table saw is useless to me with out the Roussseau table)in the past years.I also like the crank to lower and raise the blade,after years of hand turning the blade up and down this was really nice,,well when i got the saw i first took note to all the plastic parts that use to be metal, all the important parts , the gears,the crank, the lock. ive used the saw for four jobs now and the hand lock has all ready snaped off.. its very upsetting to see good long lasting tools get cheaper and cheaper..ive beaten the heck out of the last makita i had for the last 16 years, ive had this new one for 4 weeks and its already broken,,i do not recomend this saw to anyone that has to rely on it every day for work, it will not last..spend the money and buy a Dewalt... ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Cleanup remains the bane of many a woodworker's existence. But times are changing. Gone are the days of loud, clunky vacuums, thanks to the 9-77-25 Turbo III portable vac from Fein. The Turbo III is the strong, silent type, emitting only a low, steady hum as it clears debris from the work site. But don't let its quiet demeanor fool you. The Turbo III is a real workhorse around the shop. As a wet-dry vac, it provides airflow of 125 cfm and static water lift of 105 inches, with a 12-gallon wet and 14.5-gallon dry capacity. But it really earns its keep when you flip the switch to auto, attach your favorite power tool, and let it go. In auto mode, the Turbo III will start as soon as you activate the tool you have plugged into it; no need to turn the vacuum on first or turn it off when you're done. The Turbo III is built tough and is easy to assemble and clean. Solid clamps lock the motor housing securely into place, while an extra-long power cord and protected switches provide added safety in wet conditions. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• 12-gallon wet, 14.5-gallon dry capacity
• Auto start for dust extraction when connected to your power tool
• Delivers 125 cfm and 105 static water lift
• Powerful enough to run two 6-inch random orbit sanders
• Runs quiet at only 57.8 decibels

Reviews (20)

Good, but not entirely as advertised
This seems to be a good vacuum. It's easy to assemble (put the wheels on and attach the HEPA filter) and operate. Good thing, because the manual is poor. The chord and 1¼" hose are nice and long (but can get in the way). Other vacuuming accessories cost extra. The HEPA filter is very expensive, but if you're doing woodwork or sanding, you need a HEPA filter (not available for all shop vacuums). The dust that standard filters let pass is invisible, and dangerous over time. The paper collection bags are also not cheap, but I decided to at least try them to lengthen the life of the expensive HEPA filter and to make emptying the vacuum less of a project. The automatic switch is a particularly nice feature that's not easy to find. It lets a tool you're using turn the vacuum on and off. Among other things, the Fein Turbo II Vac is advertised as being quiet. If it actually put out only 57.8 dB(A), it would indeed be incredibly quiet. The first unit I got was defective. It put out close to 90 dB with the hose on, so I exchanged it. If you get one and it sounds loud, something is probably wrong. In a large, fully carpeted room (i.e., no echo), I measured 3½ to 4 feet from the unit with a Radio Shack decibel meter. Without the hose it put out about 68 dB; with the hose about 72 dB (A and C). This is about as loud as a noisy office, so it's still pretty quiet; but although it's only 1/1000th the volume of my old (90 dB) shop vacuum, it's technically 16 times as loud as advertised. (Due to the nature of human hearing, that means it sounds a bit more than twice as loud as 57.8 dB.)

Great dust collector for my small shop!
I have a small basement shop (10x10) with concrete walls so everything seems loud to me - except this shop vac! It is very quiet. It comes with a long hose that has a 2.25" end that fits perfectly into my Delta 4" belt / 6" disc sander. No more sanding dust! It also comes with an adapter to convert down to a 1 3/8" connection so, with a three inch piece of PVC pipe (99 cents at the local hardware store) I can connect it to my Delta band saw. I also use it with my scroll saw by wrapping plastic tie connectors in a loop around the hose, then hooking the loops onto small eye hooks I attached to the base of the machine. This set-up holds the hose in exactly the right position for dust collection. Finally, I connected all of my tools to a multi-plug surge protector (because I only use one tool at a time) then plugged that into the shop-vac which is then plugged into the wall. This way, the Fein automatically turns on every time I use any tool without me having to change plugs all the time (as I only have one electrical outlet in my shop). Overall, I love this machine!

Very quiet and it can use bags!
I just started using this vacuum and it really is quiet. My previous shop vac was very loud, even with an exhaust muffler added. The Fein is quieter than most of my other shop tools that I would connect it to, and when I am using it by itself its quiet enough that I can still hear the radio.

The bags are expensive, but I really hate cleaning out conventional shop vacs! I tend to cut fiberglass, and also clean up metal working tools with sharp chips, and having to brush that stuff out of conventional filters was a very annoying job.

The suction seems more than adequate for my needs. It is certainly better than my old shop vac.

Quiet and well made!
Boy is it quiet. Did I say it was quiet? And the parts are sturdy: nice hose, latches, casters, etc.

I have been using a cheap, loud vacuum for years and I'm so glad to have this now. With my old vacuum, even though I was wearing hearing protection, the volume was a problem upstairs for other people.

Thanks, Fein!

Almost perfect
I purchased the turbo III mostly because of the claims on how quiet it is. They were right, this machine is very quiet. I don't need to test it with fancy decibel meters or anything, just turn it on and listen, it's quiet. After using it in my shop, my favorite feature is the auto on. I use this little vacuum as a dust collector for every tool in my shop.

The only negative comments I can make is with the packaging. They just stuff the vac inside a box with no filler or bracing at all. Not surprising that it arrived with a broken hose lock, but Fein immediately sent the replacement part. This vacuum does cost alot (about three times as much as my 5hp craftsman), it you need auto on feature and a quiet machine this is the best. If you just need a shop vac, save your money and stick with a Craftsman. ... Read more

Features

• Five year limited warranty on machines, parts and accessories
• 3HP single phase motor
• 3-knife cutterhead, serrated infeed roller, polyurethane outfeed roller
• Anti-kickback fingers, cast iron table with adjustable bed rollers
• Knife setting gage, dust chute and deluxe stand

Reviews (2)

Great Machine
After using a portable planer for about 8 years, I decided to invest a bigger machine. This planer is identical to the DC-380 exept for a different paint job. And it is heavy!I am one of the lucky ones to have a hoist to help unload it. If you don't, have 2 or 3 helpers to unload and set it up. It took me almost two days to get it up and running. I first determined that it was too low for me, so I solved that problem by putting large wooden blocks between the bottom of the stand and the moble base. By the way, that moble base is an absolute must if you plan to move it at all. Then I discovered that the cord was too short, so I put a longer cord on with a twist lock plug. Most of my machines have twist lock plugs,anyway. When it is assembled you must be sure the infeed, cutter, and outfeed rollers are adjusted properly. There is a gage block that you must make, and the manual shows you how. The dust chute has an outlet of 5", so a trip to the local hardware store to get a 5" to 4" reducer and some duct tape, because is was not a good fit. It is essential to hook it up to a dust collecter, or you will be hip deep in chips very fast. After all was said and done, I am pleased with its peformance. The serrated infeed roller keeps the wood moving through at a steady pace, and it has two speeds, but I stick with the slow speed to get the best finish. The roller extensions eliminate snipe, once they are adjusted. If you get rough cut lumber, this is a worthwhile investment.

Good planer, trouble with dust collection.
I purchased this planer 6 weeks ago. The "dust hood" that is sold by Toolcrib for this turned out to be ( not mentioned in the catalog) to be 5". I have tried working with both Toolcrib and Delta to find a way to connect this to my 4" dust collector but, after receiving 2 more dust hoods and 2 adapters that were purported to work, I still do not have a solution. I've not had a chance to plane much wood on it yet, but it looks well made (although in China). Anyone that has found a solution let me know. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Who wants to install 400 feet of crown molding? We'd be thefirst to volunteer, as long as we get to use this finish nailer.Weighing fewer than 4 pounds, it's light, ergonomically pleasant, andhas a great line of sight. We really like the depth adjustment on thismodel, an easy-as-pie five-position vertical slide right next to thetrigger. Nails load in a second, and you have the nice option of lockand load, or load and lock--something we think every nailer shouldoffer. Jams clear in no time without tools, another feature that showsoff DeWalt's attention to detail. The pad is high quality and didn'tmar anything we tried it on. Speaking of trying on, we looked great inthe cool, mirrored safety glasses included in the kit, and we're sureyou will, too. --Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Swept back contact trip with low-profile no-mar pad
• Lightweight magnesium frame, weighs only 3.85 pounds
• Five position vertical slide for indexed depth setting
• Dual load magazine can be used either as "load and lock" or "lock and load"
• Tool-free jam clearing and 360-degree exhaust

Reviews (13)

DeWALT really hit the nail on the head with this one!!
I own both this gun and DeWALT's 18 ga. nailer. I have owned and used this gun for 2 years and have nothing but praise. It's funny, Home Depot used to carry these but gave up because so many people refused to change from other brands. Too bad for them!!! This gun is light but strong. A previous review had indicated that nails are difficult to find. What? This gun accepts all 15 gauge finish nails. Believe me I have used them all. I have run countless nails through this gun and have never had any issues with it.

Some features that I like:

1.The magazine is very easy to load.

2. Indexed depth setting is easy to use and requires no tools.

3. I can adjust the exhaust airflow to any direction. This is nice so it doesn't blow a piece of sawdust into my eyes.

4. If you jam a nail you can open up the firing head without the use of tools to free the squished nail.

I have used this gun on 6 inch crown molding, baseboard, installing doors and cabinetry. I have no complaints. I have no suggestions to make it better. It's perfect as far as I am concerned.

Plain tired of driving nails?
DeWalt hit the nail on the head (no pun intended) with this great nail gun. Works flawlessly, feels great, well balanced and looks good. This one wins hands down over the rest of the players. Enough said!

Best Gun I've Owned
I have been a General Contractor, Trim Carpenter & Cabinet Builder throughout my 16 years in the industry and have used a lot of different nail guns. Out of all of the 15ga nailers I've owned (senco, bostich, porter), this is truly the best of the best. Just the feel of the gun is very impressive to say the least, whatever the weight. This nailer is VERY easy to use, even at 120 psi the depth stop does it's job, more than I can say for my porter, which I GAVE away after using this for a while. I've been through about 6 boxes(18000) of Senco nails and yet to have a double-tap with the bump-action trigger and it hasn't jammed even once, not quite the record with the senco or bostich. This gun sinks the nail-heads consistently and has NO kick when driving through knots. And the fact that the no-mar foot doesn't leave it's "initials" in Redwood was outstanding! I would recommend this DeWalt 15ga Nail Gun to anyone who has the need or desire for one.

Great gun
I use my dewalt finish nailer every day, it performs great. No jams, no double taps, it's light weight and easy to use. I used to use a Senco. Never again.

Great Tool, hard to find nails though.
Very nice tool, light, doesn't Clog, and stick like some of my others nailing tools, I do have a hard time finding the nails at a Fail price. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

If you've always wanted to own Powermatic's model 66 table saw, but you've held off because of the space it demands, then take a close look at Powermatic's Special Edition 66, built with the home workshop in mind. This is a piece of shop equipment that makes a toolhound's heart beat faster. The eye-catching high-grade cast-iron top is machine-polished to a mirror finish. The saw's table--impressively thick and durable--has both a cast-iron wing extension and a laminated extension (total surface: 28 by 53-3/4 inches). With one of the heaviest cast-iron trunnions on any 10-inch saw on the market, the model 66 virtually snuffs out vibration. The double drive-belt system--hooked up to the burly 3-horsepower motor--delivers pretty astonishing power. A C-flange mount takes the weight of the motor, so the blade cranks up or down easily without the extra weight. The saw's hand wheels are also made of cast iron and have excellent clearance.

The heart of any table saw, arguably, is the fence--and Powermatic's Special Edition 66 sports the award-winning Accu-Fence, a system that uses only two moving parts to create easy-gliding, precision, no-budge fence action. The left-tilting blade tilts away from the fence, which helps prevent kickback and binding of the stock, making for smoother cuts. The two-sided blade guards work independently of each other, so the blade is always covered. The guards also swing totally out of the way to make blade changes easy. Behind the blade, there are antikickback pawls for added safety. The saw's base has a clean-out door, allowing you easy access to the saw body and making cleanup a snap--no reaching around the saw components or having to remove the motor cover. You'll also receive a load of extras, including a dado insert, a motor cover, and an extension table and legs. Admittedly, this isn't a cheap saw; without a doubt, however, it is an excellent one that would make a great addition to any shop. As with almost everything, you get what you pay for--in the case of Powermatic's Special Edition 66, you get a fantastic piece of equipment your friends will envy. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Built-in dust collection and convenient cabinet access for fast clean up
• Powermatic quality with a smaller footprint
• Heavy single piece cast-iron trunion for minimal vibration
• Laminated extension table
• Accu-Fence and rail system

Reviews (18)

Worth every penny - and then some!
This is one awesome table saw! I used to have a Grizzly contractor saw that drove me nuts - the fence and blade required constant re-adjustment. I've had my PM 66 for 3 years, and have cut thousands of board feet of lumber - haven't even re-adjusted the fence once! Dead-on accurate everytime.

Recommendations: - Get the 52" table extension. I dropped a Rout-R-Lift router base into the extension table to save space in my shop, and LOVE the ability to use the PM 66 fence for dadoes and rabbets on plywood projects (bookcases, TV stands, etc).

- Get the HTC mobile base. Easy to move the saw, and locks in solid. With the weight of the PM 66, this provides a completely stabile, yet mobile, cabinet saw.

- Wire the motor for 220V. Runs whisper quiet. Also, if you get the HTC mobile base, spend a few extra $$ and get a long, heavy-gauge electrical cord that you wire into the motor. I can move my saw anywhere in my shop, plug it into the 220V receptacle, and never worry about tripping over the cord.

- Don't think twice about the cost, if you are a professional or serious hobbyist. Fit and finish are superb. Dead-on accurate. Rock solid. Own one, and you'll understand.

Impressive little tool
Took delivery on the tool several weeks back, and in spite of the impressive crating of the tool, the unit arrived damaged (broken switch/starter assembly) and the separately boxed extension table was mushroomed at one corner.

After two weeks of having to harrass various customer service groups to get the parts through the order process and actually on a vehicle heading to my part of the country, the parts arrived. Total setup time was about 4 hours' worth of work, and about two weeks total duration.

Installing the extension table is a breeze, and most mating parts lined up perfectly (I did have to grind two of the table top attachment point slots wider as getting the top dead parallel with the blade was not doable with the factory borings.)

The tool itself is well crafted to say the least. The unit is absolutely massive, and vibration is all but eliminated. I was able to stand a penny on end on the table, start the motor and turn off the motor, and the coin did not quiver once. The cast iron top is polished to a mirror finish and as far as my testing indicates, is dead flat. The fence operates very smoothly and locks into position prefectly parallel with the blade (once initially aligned.)

Note that the extension table shipping with the saw as I write this is not the green color pictured, but rather is a black laminate over particle board. Also, to potential buyers, make sure you inspect the bottom of the beefy miter gauge to make sure it is burr-free (I had a couple of small ones I ground down after a few minor scratches in the top.)

Having never used this model before yet having heard it regarded as the 'gold standard', my high expectations of power and accuracy were met. Wish I had purchased this years ago.

The best I have ever used.
The Powermatic 66 (3hp) has been in my shop since 1984. It has ripped, crosscut, mitered, dadoed, molded, mortise-tenoned, styled-railed, worked wide materials and very small items all to perfection. In my book, this is with out a doubt the saw of choice! It has never failed to respond to a request that I have made of my Mr. 66.

The saw is equipped with a Beismeyer fence, as I tell my freinds, if you want to remove 128th of an inch of material bring it to Mr. 66, set it and cut it. The tables show the quality story, smooth and polished.

As you can see, I respect this tools because of the capacity and performance it produces. Mr. 66 is truily a joy to work with. It runs several hours a day which causes, because of the hard we work, to go through the edge of quality blades about every two weeks, then off to the sharpening shop. Buy it, use it and enjoy it, as I have. Charles D. Wallin

Total Woodworking Pleasure
Once you get past the several hours needed for set-up and the difficulty getting into your shop you will NOT be disappointed. This tool is AWESOME! Even a novice woodworker can get straight, true and accurate cuts with very little effort and experience. The cuts rarely need additional finishing. There is no vibration, hesitation or error with this machine. I wish I had bought one long ago.

Built Like a Tank
I bought my Powermatic 66 last year after deciding to upgrade the 1 1/2 hp Unisaw I had been using for years. I was sure I wanted a new 3hp Unisaw until I saw it and a Model 66 side by side at a woodworking show in Virginia. There really is no comparison...the 66 is heads and tails above the Unisaw in fit, finish, smoothness of elevation and tilt, and overall mass.

Another factor in deciding to go with the Powermatic was my previous history in dealing with Delta service. You feel like you won the lottery when you actually get someone to answer the phone!

I've equipped my 66 with an Excaliber overarm blade guard, a Biesmeier splitter and a Forrest 10 X 40 Woodworker II blade. If there's a better rig for sawing wood, I sure as heck don't know what it is! ... Read more

Features

• Includes 1/2" impact wrench, (2) 18V XR+TM PACK extended run-time battery packs, 1-hour charger, and a heavy-duty kit box
• 1,650 in./lbs. of maximum torque for tightening and loosening large nuts and bolts and driving fasteners
• Only 6-1/2" long to get you into tighter spots
• Heavy-duty impact mechanism provides the power while delivering less kickback
• Heavy-duty magnesium gear case and all-metal transmission for job site durability