Amazon.com

Here comes power and efficiency in a great compact size. Before you even press the trigger, you'll love how this tool fits in your hand, how well-balanced it is. The rubberized grip gives you a sure, comfortable hold, even at odd angles. Performance is top-notch, thanks to dual ball bearings, precision balancing and a refined high-grade field magnet. We're really impressed by Makita's exclusive Shift Lock Drive. With a single touch, you shift quickly and easily "drill" to "driver" mode, locking out the clutch for superior drilling. And we love it when manufacturers include two batteries with their tools, because that means no down time. The charger handles multi-volt batteries, too, so it's good for a wide range. Maintenance is simple because the brushes are accessible. A great, hardworking drill/driver.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Includes side handle, bits, 2-batteries, charger and case
• Powerful 18-Volt Ni-MH batteries for longer run time
• Industrial metal gear housing and "high performance" Makita motor for long lasting durability
• 404 in.lbs. torque with16 torque settings
• Industrial 1/2" keyless chuck and externally accessible brushes for easy replacement

Reviews (7)

shock and awe, in a blue package...
Disregard all unfavorable reviews...this drill is yet another work of art from Makita! Perfect ergonomics and balance, even with a hefty 18V battery you still get incredible control and precision, instead of sweating and straining to keep the darn thing perpendicular to the drilling surface as with cheaper drills. This is my second Makita drill, the first one was a smaller 14.4v which I'll pass on to my wife because it's lighter.

I love America, born and bred, but gotta hand it to the Japanese: when it comes to anything electric (or gasoline-powered, for that matter) they kick our butts left and right! Sony TVs, Toshiba laptops, Lexus autos, Honda motorcycles...anything that doesn't blow up things and kill people, the Japanese simply have perfected.

Have used DeWalt drills before, they were just a little bit better than Black and Decker (the mother company) which doesn't justify the big price jump. Porter Cable has good power but tends to weigh a ton and their chucks are spotty.

Viva Makita!

solid drill with a few caveats
This is my third makita drill so I consider myself biased. I don't use it all day but I need a quality drill for household repairs. The electric makita drill I've had now for fifteen years and it still runs fine. My second, I bought one of those 9 volt drills when the first cordless drills came out. I good drill but it's for light work. The batteries on this I've used all day without a recharge, alot longer than the models a few years ago. I've had problems with the chuck though. On many occasions the drill bit will come loose with smaller bits. The cap has come loose. Still it's put up with all the abuse I've given it.

smoked and croaked
After using the makita for 6 months it smoked and croaked. I was unscrewing deck boards and after a hour and 1/2 I noticed it getting warm then suddenly began to smoke. My work partner was using a Miluakee 18 volt and it kept at it all day.

ALL THE POWER YOU NEED!
The Shift Lock Drive System is the easiest clutch lockout I've ever used. Two 2.6 amp-hour batteries and the quick charger can keep you going with out delays. Balance and the light weight make this easy to use, the 18-volt power makes it a pleasure.

Dissapointed
Transmission broke after three months of use. Had to buy a Porter Cable while I wait three business days for mine to be repaired. Being a diehard Makita guy I should have learned by now that while their saws and such are great, the drills still need alot of work. Too expensive for homeowner use, and kinda weak to rely on for the professional. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Riding on a horizontal double-rail system, Makita's 10-inch dual sliding compound miter saw is one smooth operator. Both rails are self-cleaning and slide on linear ball bearings. The horizontal rail design also seems to give this saw some extra stability, a feature we appreciate, especially in a saw that bevels to 45 degrees both ways. Makita's saw has a vertical grip design with a thumb-activated safety switch and a paddle trigger, and while the vertical design might be slightly less ergonomic than the horizontal D-handle, it does allow you to use the saw comfortably with either hand. Plus, the paddle grip makes squeezing the trigger easy no matter how you're holding the handle.

The saw crosscuts a two-by-twelve at 90 degrees and also has the depth capacity to cut four-by-four material--a feature deck builders, in particular, demand. The saw's table is large, too, giving you plenty of workspace for making wider crosscuts. The saw's nine positive stops make it easy to lock in common miters. The miter lock on this saw has a screw handle that is a little more time-consuming than recently popular cam-lock design. We really like the soft start and electric brake, however; they're user-friendly features that make a big difference, especially when a job requires a lot of constant, repetitive cuts. The pivot fence adjusts for supporting large stock and flips back for bevel cuts. The saw also has a well-designed work clamp that lets you make precision cuts on small pieces without having to get your fingers too close to the blade. Like most sliders, this saw features a depth-stop mechanism in case you have to make a few quick dado cuts on a job site. And, for home shop users, this saw also gives you the added option of a release safety button that pulls out and locks the saw off. --Jon Groebner ... Read more

Features

• Dual rails for stability
• Bevels 45 degrees left and right for versatility
• Miters 0 to 47 degrees left, and 0 to 52 degrees right
• Adjustable sliding fence supports larger stock
• 13-amp motor with soft start for smooth performance

Reviews (63)

Best Tool In The Shop!
I have been woodworking for the past 25 years and have a substantial investment in tools. I've used an 8.5" SCMS for 10 years and spent the past year shopping all the new larger sliders on the market. My purchase of the Makita LS1013 was based on precision, quality, ergonomics and value. Of the 30+ top brand power tools in my shop, the 1013 has it all! The one word that comes to mind is "SMOOTH"! The glide of the sliding rails, the ease of the miter table swing and bevel adjustment, the solidity of the saw head and blade guard in the cut and the smooth but powerful and quiet motor all give the feeling of a machine with precision and finesse. Don't get me wrong. This tool is solid and very well built. I know it will last for many years to come. The miter and bevel settings were square right out of the box and the blade run out was a negligible .001". I was ready to purchase a Forrest Chopmaster blade but found the stock 64-tooth carbide blade gave a "glass-like" finished edge with no tear-out on several types of wood. The supplied accessories and the add on accessories are great and give the saw the features to perform all the task I'll ever need. Overall, the saw "feels" right. A lot of thought must have gone into the design and final production of this unit and in my opinion, there's not really any competition out there in the SCMS market!! Although I haven't yet performed any crown molding projects with it, I'm confident that it will be up to the task. Makita has a real winner here. It'll be hard to better it in the future!

very, very picky
I own the LS1013 and it is a great saw. I'm a carpenter and furniture builder with strict tolerances. Out of the box, my saw was set up with no needed adjustments. The angles were dead on, with minimal runout. A couple of bothersome points; the blade guard can get in the way when sliding inwards cutting mouldings and base, also the stops do have some play in them. The dust bag is pretty worthless in my opinion. I like how it has a stop at 31.6 for cutting crown moulding. Many don't offer this feature. The LS1013 slides effortlessly, the soft start is great and doesn't kick hard when you release the trigger. The blade is excellent (makita makes great blades). A friend of mine is a chairmaker who often writes articles for fine woodworking magazine. He also owns an LS1013. Great saw for the money, and haven't had any problems yet. If your looking for an accurate dual bevel sliding saw for $500 this is the best 10" saw on the market.

If I had a second chance ...
I just got the Hitachi C10FSH a week ago, everything is good ecept the noise. I don't know what went wrong in design process,
this saw is only 12amp but the noise is much louder than the DeWALT 708 and MAKITA LS1212 they are both 15amp. My ex boss have 2 MAKITAS they works really good. I stopped at the local store to take a close look at the MAKITA LS1013, it is a good saw,it has everything the Hitachi does, it is Made in America.You'll get a 14.4-volt cordless drill/driver kit free after mail-in rebate when you purchase this miter saw. The reason I didn't give it a 5 star rate because it isn't belt drive which the other reviewer said that the motor touch the work piece when you make right bevel, I don't know it is true or not, you'd better take a look yourself. If I had a second chance , this saw would be my choice.

Doesn't hold up.
I'm a contractor who demands a lot from my tools. I've owned the Makita LS1013 for 3+ years and am in the market for a new saw. I really liked the saw's features when I first purchased it, but I had to bring it in to a Makita repair shop within the first year. Ever since it has been on the road to ruin. I've had it worked on five times having had the miter locking mechanism replaced twice, the safety switch replaced twice (it falls out and gets lost - I now have a screw in its place), the fence replaced once (now needing its second replacement), switch replaced; miter bearing track under the table replaced twice (again the aluminum against steel thing); etc....

Positives of the saw: Tilted Motor (convenient & powerful), self cleaning sliders, wide base.

Negatives: Miter locking mechanism is a threaded steel rod going into aluminum housing which quickly strips (I'm on #3); aluminum fence warps (I'm on #2 and now need #3 - I think this is due to seasonal temperature changes it experiences in the back of my pick-up truck); rear bevel lock requires clearance deeper than the table; slop in the miter angle detents (they wear out).

I would recommend this saw to cabinetmakers, picture framers and those who have a shop set-up. For people like me who need a saw to hold up from job-site to job-site, this isn't your saw. Beware of too many features and too much aluminum, it just means there is more to go wrong. I'd gladly trade in the weight of a cast iron base and fence saw like they used to make because they hold up. For now, I'm going back to the Hitachi (not the version with the laser).

Keep in mind, power tools made today are priced low because they are considered disposable. I suppose 3 years of everyday use might be considered a decent life span against the money it has allowed me to make. Still, I'd prefer fewer features for longevity and toughness.

Simply Put: It is the Best Compound Slider Out There Period
I am annoyed at those who would let 6 different people use a saw that don't have the foggiest notion of how it works, then get critical of it when it breaks. This saw has a dual release on the front to set the miters. One is a lever that is spring loaded and easily moves aside in order to not click into the detents at 90 or 45 degrees for example. (So you can set it at 90.5 and not have it fall into the 90 degree detent) The other release is a large knob that screws in to tighten, and screws out to release. If you leave it tightened in and force the saw to change it's setting, you are for sure scoring, stripping, and breaking the setting mechanism.

Pertaining to the fence; With any tool you use, like a router, or a saw, you have to be careful to start the tool spinning fast before you enter it into the work. Have you ever experienced the run away router that was touching the work when you started it up? Well the same holds true of the Makita saw. Once or twice on my LS1212, I rushed into the cut before the blade was spinning, and the power took the piece and tried to force it through the fence. Spin first, plunge second. After that happened twice, I had to realign the fence. When someone does this on a regular basis, and then has to take the saw back for a replacement fence, it's the operators fault, not the saw. The fence is thick aluminum. Humidity has no effect on it whatsoever.
The adjusting lever for the bevel is located on the back of the slider, and of course it extends beyond the back of the stand.
I guess I am venting, because some have chosen to abuse this stellar piece of equipment, then return it trashed, and then try to convince others that the saw is at fault. I had to say something. So enough of the confusion, let's talk about the beauty of this saw.
The LS1013 is a brute workhorse, while at the same time an unbelievably perfectly accurate fine tool. Consider what Popular Woodworking had to say about it. "We can't recommend this tool enough. It's won every award this magazine gives out, and has earned a permanent place in our shop because it's tough and accurate."
Workbench Magazine gave its brother the LS1212 their editors choice award. Here is some of what they said about it. "Makita LS1212 proved to be the superior saw in this test on almost every count. It is compact, powerful, and dead on accurate. The saw made perfect bevels, miters, and compound cuts using only the factory detents for setup."
In ToolsOfTheTrade.com Tool test for sliding compound miter saws, without going into all of the elaborate criteria they used for each and every aspect of DSCMiters, they said in their Winners section; "Without a doubt, my overall favorite saw is the 10-inch Makita LS1013. The company's engineers really thought the design of this model through.
Personally I own the Makita LS1212 and it is a cornerstone of my shop. I used the Bosch Digital Protractor, which measures in tenths of a degree (equal to 3600 dots in a circle, no matter how small the circle) and measured the results in terms of accuracy right out of the box. This is it: The saw was dead on accurate, whether it was cutting a miter, a bevel or a compound miter-bevel cut, and wasn't off by even one-tenth of a degree. It is so quiet and smooth, I smile every time I use it.
Think of the engineering: Getting a saw to bevel both ways is a problem because when you tilt it to the right to bevel, the motor would normally get in the way. Some manufacturers put the motor at the back of the saw, and run belts to it. What Makita did, was still keep a direct drive by simply tilting the motor upwards at a 45 degree arc. Direct drive gives you the maximum amount of power, and zero vibration.
I could go on for hours about this saw. It comes with a blade that is such high quality, their is no need for an expensive replacement. It creates a glass smooth surface. With the dual bevel capability, and the Bosch digital protractor, you measure the real corner angle of the wall, (they are rarely a perfect 90) and it calculates the miter and bevel settings for cutting crown moldings. You lay the molding FLAT on the Makita, and cut a perfect crown the first time. No having to run up and down the ladder to keep tweaking it in.
Some may complain that the dust bag doesn't work very well. I throw my arms up in frustration hearing that also. How do you get a saw that is cutting forty million different angle combinations, and get it to throw all those shavings into a little throat. Production shops have a large collector behind their saws to catch all of the dust. It is amazing that the bag does the job that it does. Mine fills up with dust, but sure it doesn't get it all, none of them do.
I did a ton of research before buying my saw. I could tell you about the cheap plastic used in some of the competition. I could tell you about the saws that don't cut accurately, even on a simply 90 degree miter. Or the ones that cut the miter accurately, but falls short on the accuracy of the bevels. The ones that throw small pieces of wood flying at a 100 miles per hour, but I would rather just tell you that the Makita sliders are Simply the Best Compound Slider Out There. With the special going on right now, makes this a no brainer. I am so crazy about the Makita sliders that I ordered the LS1013 for portable use, even though I already have the LS1212 on a stand in my shop. Some reviews rate the 1013 higher than the 1212, due to a larger platform-work surface. It also has the crown detent, which the 1212 does not have. I love them both, now that I have been using them. Highly recommended. Triple AAA plus 5 stars. ... Read more

Amazon.com

To be honest, we looked twice at the price, certain the folks at Amazon had made a mistake. But sure enough, they're right--and so is the price. Porter-Cable makes some of the best pneumatic tools in the industry, and these nailers are two prime examples. The 16-gauge is sturdy, compact, lighter and quieter than you'd expect with a grip even smaller hands can get around. Great balance, easy depth-of-drive adjustment, and a pleasure to use. Similarly, the 18-gauge is light but rugged, comfortable and maneuverable, even in awkward places or after long runs. Some other features we like: a special hardened driver blade, a sequential fire trigger, a visual reload indicator, a safety located behind the driver guide for driving brads in tight spaces and an easy-to-adjust depth guide. Both guns have directional exhausts, too. The pancake-style compressor has a six-gallon tank and easily runs both guns at the same time. It's light, portable and doesn't want much from you in terms of maintenance--it's oil-free and Teflon-coated. Some other reasons to like it: a high-flow regulator, an easy-to-read air pressure gauge, automatic thermal overload protection, an industrial-style quick-connect body in the air outlet, and a long-life motor with replaceable brushes. We can't imagine this deal will be around forever.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• 300 PSI, 25' vinyl air hose, one air hose fittings (1/4" male plus & coupler), and pipe joint tape
• Finish any woodworking project with this limited edition kit
• 16 gauge, 3/4"–2-1/2" finish nailer (model FN250B)
• 18 gauge, 5/8" –1-1/4" braid nailer kit (model BN125A)
• 135 psi, 2hp, 6 gallon pancake style compressor

Reviews (26)

great value nailer kit
This combo nail gun/air compressor set is a great product combination and wonderful value. I really like it. Each nail gun comes complete with a sturdy plastic carry case, a supply of nails, and tool oil. Everything comes pretty much ready to use. Just break in the air compressor (which only takes 15 minutes) and you are ready to go. The air compressor moves around from vibration when it starts up - I had to put it on a rubber mat to keep it from scooting along my basement floor. It probably wouldn't be a problem on a job site where the floor is not so smooth. The guns load easily. I used the finish nailer to build a display rack for my wife and had no mis-fires or jams using Porter-Cable nails. (I bought the B & C nails that Amazon advertised for these guns, but after later reading the negative reviews about them, I have been reluctant to use them - don't waste your money on them like I did - you can buy Porter-Cable nails at local big name home centers, which are not all that expensive).

This is a great value and well worth the money spent. However, UPS handling has gotten so bad with heavier items that you will be taking a chance by buying it online.

Great value!
This kit is an amazing value. One Senco nailer costs more than this whole set. As some one said earlier, I got tired of borrowing compressors and guns from relatives. I used the brad nailer to make 11 porch rail columns out of MDO plywood. (That's 44 pieces that needed to be glued and nailed.) This task would have taken me days with the conventional hammer and nails. I finished the project in an evening. The brad nailer is an extremely useful tool when building projects that require gluing. The thin gauge brads hold the project together while the glue is curing and the leave a hole that is practically invisible. This replaces the use of many clamps or clamps in awkward positions.
The finish nailer is easier to load and as smooth as my father's $300 Senco finish nailer. It is also about half the weight. The ability to drive 2-1/2" nails is a big plus.
The compressor is a little loud but extremely efficient. It actually powered a Senco framing nailer better than the Emglo compressor I am used to using. These tools are great for the hobbyist, home improvement guru, or home craftsmen and they will last for many years. However, the everyday use of a professional will probably wear out the finish nailer and compressor in a year or so. But if you work out of your home you can't go wrong with this set up.

Should have bought it long ago!!
WAY COOL! What else can I say. Should have bought it long ago, but thought I could get by with a hammer and a nail set. Change is tough. Buy it!!!

Crown Molding the EZ way......
I purchased the P-C Combo Kit to install crown molding. This is the best deal available. The compressor is indeed quite noisy. Wear ear protection. Never had a nail gun jam. Wish I had purchased one earlier. I bought this with the "Crown Molding & Trim Instalation Kit by Quint Measuring Systems". Buy the compressor kit with the Quint book & Angle finders & you won't make a single mistake. I didn't. Quint MS also offers an Excel program that is very nice. Just measure & plug in the value..... couldn't be easier. For my first attempt at installing crown molding, you couldn't tell my work from a pro's.

Why don't YOU have one yet!?!?!?!
Hello,

My father in-law bought this kit at Home Depot back in January. He told me about it and I saw it but just couldn't plunk down the money. Then I helped him put all new baseboards in his house last weekend. I got home, got on Amazon.com and found that there was a sale coupon which brought the price down to about $275.00 for this kit. SOLD!! This is an awesome kit. Great nailers, Great Compressor at a GREAT price. Other people have reviewed the equipment so I won't repeat what you know. Snatch one of these up ASAP before there gone. I know Home Depot in the Sacramento Area no longer sells them, all sold out. If your looking at it, you'd better buy it now, they ain't gonna last much longer. I did the Free shipping and I got lucky. Ordered it on 6/28/04 @ 727 am PDT, and received it today, 6/29/04 @ 1227 pm PDT, OVERNIGHT for free, WOW. God bless Amazon, God Bless Porter Cable and most importantly God Bless the United States of America. Now, I'm gonna go build something, don't know what, but I'm gonna build something.

Take Care ... Read more

Amazon.com

Hitachi’s redo of the well-built C10FS took a great saw and made it better. Laser cutting line? Done. Taller fence? Done. More legible scales? Done. The soft-start, belt-driven, 12-amp motor reduces vibration, and you get the same impeccably smooth ride on the slide that its predecessor offered, thanks to Hitachi’s linear ball-bearing system. At a mere 44 pounds, it’s a great contractor saw for job site work, trimming studs, crown molding, plywood, decorative veneer and hardboard, even aluminum sash materials--and unlike other saws, it bevels left and right. This Hitachi is dead-on accurate every time, with a smooth action and comfortable, secure grip. Our favorite update to this saw is undoubtedly the laser cutting line--who wouldn’t want that? It’s a little spendy for the average home woodworking hobbyist, but with tools, you really do get what you pay for.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Hitachi exclusive 5 year warranty
• New laser cut guide delivers highly accurate cuts
• New high flip fence design for extra support
• Frontal bevel scale makes reading angles easy
• Soft-start, belt-driven, 12-amp motor reduces vibration for superior results

Reviews (30)

HITACHI C 10FSH
I am an amatuer wood worker. I thorughly researched all the competing saws including Makita, Bosch, PC, and Delta. My father in-law has owned the 8 1/2" Hitachi sliding miter saw for over 10 years and attests to Hitachi's reliability. The 10 inch saw gives greater capacity and flexibility. The Hitachi saw was delievered in perfect adjustment. It is smooth and powerful. The laser line makes aligning cuts a pleasure (especially for far sighted individuals) and is a definite time saver. The standard 40-toothed blade leaves such smooth cuts that I haven't needed to use the bonus 72-toothed blade that was included. My criticisms are the table could be bigger, the power cord should be longer and there should be an adapter to easily hook it up to a vaccum system. This is an extremely well made tool that will not disappoint.

Solid, accurate, repeatable. Love this saw.
I am a garage woodworker and I wanted precision cross cuts for cabinetmaking. I have had the Hitachi for six months and use it a lot.

The saw starts soft and cuts beautifully with the enclosed blade. The angles are true out of the box -- this is not a saw that requires much assembly or permits much adjustment. The laser feature is point 'n shoot simple.

I hook this saw up to my shop DC. I was not crazy about the bag dust collector (it's not awful, but it is a bag to clean up). I attached a 2.5" DC fitting with a bit of surgery and duct tape. Works fine and is reasonably clean. I clamp the saw to my workbench and fold the saw for storage underneath when not in use. Setup is well under a minute.

BTW, if you are training kids to work wood, this is a terrific first powersaw. The laser ensures precise cuts and as a slider, it is far easier to control than most power saws. My 11 year old uses it safely with supervision.

My other power tools are DeWalt and Bosch, but Hitachi invented compound sliders and I have no regrets about choosing this one.

Motor is small - Noise is loud
I bought this saw after read all review on Amazon web site. The saw arrived almost two weeks later. UPS dropped it in very good shape. I didn't use it yet, I just gave it a test and these are what I found: like other review , the saw is good except the noise.
This saw has 12Amp motor but the noise is much louder than some 15Amp motor saws.The bevel stops at 33.9 degree is corect but at 30 degree on mine is at 29 degree but I don't know how to adjust it. If Hitachi fix those prolems it would be a five star miter saw.

other reviews right on - a great saw with some minor flaws
Bought the C10FSH as an upgrade to the DW703. Would say that
the other reviews are right on the money. Saw was set up
properly right out of the box, and makes fine and accurate
miter and bevel cuts. Very solid, no slop. Soft start is
excellent.

Before you buy, you should be aware of the following shortcomings:
*the safety switch takes some getting used to. To me, it is a pain.
*the laser does in fact have about 1/64" of run-out. It is
correct at the fence side of the cut. Since this problem
has been mentioned by so many reviewers, I have to assume that
Hitachi considers this a feature. To me, it is no big deal.
*My biggest beef is that there is no vernier on the miter
table. On the DW, it is very easy to change the miter angle
in accurate 1/4 degree increments. Not so w/ Hitachi.

All in all, I got what I expected.

Good but not great. It could and should be.
The major feature of this saw is that it can make both a right and left bevel cut since the motor is up out of the way. That is the reason for the belt drive. However, the laser guide is only on one side of the kerf which negates most of the advantage of having a laser. The competition has solved this by having two laser lines, one on each side of the kerf or by having a line that is a big as the kerf.
My saw, which I have had for over a year now, the laser line is off about 1/64th at the end of the extended line. It can be set for the exact mark at the inside of a cut but will be off at the outside mark by 1/64th. In other words the kerf and the laser do not track exactly.
Otherwise, this saw has performed very well. It would be simple for Hitachi to make an upgrade for the laser and give instructions on how to correct the misalignment. I was unable to get anyone to even listen to me when I called the national office. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bosch's 10-inch Worksite table saw might just be the best of the current bunch. Benchtop table saws--which weigh 60 to 100 pounds and are light enough for one person to carry from the truck to the job site--have increased in popularity in recent years. They set up easily on a workbench or sawhorses and generally feature stable components that make them great for pros and serious hobbyists alike. Although at 60 pounds the Bosch is lighter than any other saw in its class, this saw is no lightweight. It sports a die-cast undercarriage and powerful 4.4-horsepower, 15 amp motor--burly components that make it a serious, albeit slight, contender. Conveniently, the Bosch comes ready to use right out of the box; we were making cuts about 10 minutes after the UPS delivery. Plus, it's the only benchtop table saw with an arbor lock, so mounting the blade is a one-wrench affair (less chance for busted knuckles). The wrench--like all those that come with Bosch tools--is forged, rather than stamped, and so there are no sharp edges that dig into your hand during blade changes. It's a small detail, but one that matters and one that's typical of the attention to detail paid by Bosch engineers.

A flip of the paddle-style on/off switch initiates the soft-start electronics, which ramp the blade up to speed quickly without any disturbing jolt. The electronic feedback, popular on many saws today, keeps the blade turning at a constant speed, no matter what the load. The fence is the heart of any table saw and we found Bosch's to be a beauty. It's well machined and locks securely and accurately to the table. The cam-lock handle is padded, seats flush, and feels good to use. Like the comparable DeWalt saw, the Bosch features an extendable fence that makes it easy to rip four-by-eight panel material. It feels solid and slides smoothly, and the scales are easy to read. (There's even a built-in magnifying glass to cut down on the squint factor.) As with all the new Bosch tools, wrenches and removable items store nicely onboard the saw. The fence snaps into a holder on the side of the saw and stays put, and the miter gauge slides into a slot on the front of the tool--yet another small detail that we appreciate. The bottom line? The Bosch is a powerful saw that handles big stock without bogging down. --Mark McDonald ... Read more

Features

• 4.4-horsepower 15 amp motor delivers excellent power
• Soft-start technology ensures smoother start-ups and quieter performance
• Precision rip fence with Square-Lock technology delivers precise cuts every time
• Response system senses torque demand and instantly delivers more power to the blade
• Large tabletop measures 29 by 21-1/2 inches (width by length)

Reviews (98)

The Will to Power
This is truly a magnificent benchtop table saw, well-deserved of the awards it has won. I spent hours browsing on-line reviews to determine which portable table saw to purchase, and the Bosch topped every list. The folding stand is excellent quality, very sturdy, and allows for drop-in mounting of the table saw. Despite the light weight of the saw, there is no need to bolt the unit to the stand for a sturdy, rock-solid fit. The rear outfeed was designed with two grooves on the back end (as shown in the picture) that accept 1 x 2's, allowing you to extend the rear outfeed to virtually any length!

Of most importance with this saw is its exceptional power. With the stock blade, I was able to rip through Armstrong laminate flooring like butter. This is a task my Dewalt 705S miter has an extreme time with, even with a laminate-specialized blade (though it's a different style of cut).

Thanks to the soft-start and electronic feedback, the table saw doesn't need to constantly run at full power. This provides a very quiet operation, and is much safer than many other portable saws on the market -- I'm sure this even extends the motor life. Soft-start is a key feature when working on my 15-amp circuits. Unlike my miter, the Bosch doesn't blow my circuit-breaker when I turn it on.

Tool storage is excellent -- there's even room to store extra blades on the unit. The only storage Bosch neglected to include was a blade-guard storage.

I can't begin to describe how excellent this unit is.

Precise, workhorse of a table saw
The Bosch 4000K Table Saw is incredibly engineered to provide for precise saw operation with great portable power. I am a very serious do-it-yourselfer (translated, contractors have rejected bids on some projects I ended up doing solo). I replaced an under powered and grossly inaccurate Delta table saw with the Bosch and am nothing but pleased. It has enough power to rip a 2x4x10 all the way without bogging down. Most of all, the rip fence is perfectly aligned. The built in dust collector port and blade, rip fence, and miter saw storage are a real plus too. The stand is very stable. When equipped with the outfeed and side tables, the Bosch 4000K can handle just about any cutting job you throw to it. And best of all, it is very light weight and built to be moved. Overall, an outstanding product.

PS -- I am a DeWalt lover at heart, but their saw simply won't run with the Bosch. It is of lesser power and prone to accuracy issues. Check it out and you can see the same problems.

Zip-a-dee do saw
Nice tool, especially considering the size, weight and price. Strong, quiet motor... Smooth, accurate adjustment... Well thought out in every aspect, and a pleasure to use. Typical Bosch.

4.4 horsepower? I don't think so.
If one horsepower is about 750 watts at 100% efficiency, then how can a 15 amp saw produce anything more than about two horsepower?

Great Saw with a few idiosyncrasies
As others have stated, this saw is arguably the best small/benchtop tablesaw on the market. The motor is strong and quiet. The soft start feature is nice, especially since it keeps the saw from jerking on uneven surfaces (often noted on outdoor jobsites) and helps prepare your ears for the noise when working inside. The cabinet and stand seem sturdy and are well thought out (including hand grips and tool/blade/accessory storage). On the flip side, thought the saw has a textured aluminum table that scratches easily and needs cleaned of saw dust frequently. The dust port is marginally effective (I have a 5.5hp wet/dry hooked to it on the jobsite and still sweep often). Blade changing isn't difficult, but takes a little practice - 10" blades must be worked into place. While the saw runs an 8" stacked dado with ease, the arbor setup could be better (read: longer, truer, etc.) as I cannot seem to get a flat bottom dado (with Frued SD508). The side and rear extensions are very nice to have, although the side extension is not flush in height with the table surface (strange?). Lastly, machine setup is difficult (or at least for me). The table is fixed, so blade to miter slot alignment is done by moving the motor/blade mechanism which is more than touchy. The fence clamps by rear to front tension and is very hard, though not impossible, to lineup with the miter slot (repeatably). Other settings are as expected - basically problem free.

This is a great tool and will not dissapoint if you are patient enough to get it setup well - as with any tablesaw purchase, consider decent setup tools (e.g. precision square, 45deg block, and TS-Aligner). ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Delta calls its 22-580 a finishing planer, but it's really two planers in one. A dimensioning speed of 60 cpi allows you to shave rough wood to its desired thickness quickly and accurately, with virtually no snipe. Then, with a single pass at the quicker finishing speed of 90 cpi, your wood comes out ultrasmooth and ready to go. The razor-sharp, double-sided M2 steel knives are powered by a 15 amp, 120-volt, single-phase motor. Bells and whistles like a blade zero indicator (which lets you set the cutterhead to the exact thickness of your wood), patented cutterhead lock (which eliminates snipe), and easy blade-change system add to the value, as do the oversize infeed and outfeed tables, which make it easier to glide your wood through the machine. Overall, this is one solid piece of machinery. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Fastest and safest blade change system on the market
• 2-Speed feed rate system for rough and finishing stock removal
• Patented cutterhead lock virtually eliminates snipe
• Full range depth stop for any thickness from 1/8" to 6-12"
• Blade zero indicator to set the cutterhead the exact thickness of material

Reviews (63)

Two thumbs up....way up!
After being in the market for a planer for several months, I had read dozens of reviews. I couldn't justify spending $1200.00+ on a 15" planer, but was also a bit reluctant to buy a "portable" looking planer. I finally decided on the Delta 22-580K and I am very happy with this machine. Delta has gotten everything right on this planer. Dont let the benchtop look fool you, this planer has plenty of power. The 13" capacity is ample for most applications and the ZERO Blade Set and the Cutterhead lock are great features. The finish is smooth as glass and no sanding is required (even on the dimensioning speed its very good). The cutterhead lock really does eliminate snipe. I have found the depth gauge to be quite accurate. It took only about 10 minutes to have the unit up and running. All you have to do is mount the 2 cranks. It takes longer to watch the video that comes with the unit. I havent changed blades yet, but other reviewers say it is pretty easy. I would advise anyone looking at a 15" planer to give this unit serious consideration. I would recommend it without reservation.

Buying rough wood is great!
This planer does a great job in every type of wood I've run through it. Plenty of power, easy to adjust, and I've probably already retrieved the cost of the planer by buying rough wood. The only reason I didn't give it five stars is that when received, the cutter head was about 3/16" out of square with the table, and it took forever to figure out how to correct it, as the owner's manual makes no mention of it. Also, I'm a little suspect of the durability of the knives, although other reviewers seem to have had good luck... I've already had to turn the originals over due to fine nicks. Don't buy this unless you've got a plan for dust collection (have to buy the attachment separately, which makes no sense). Two 12 foot 4/4 boards will fill a 30 gallon trash can when planing to 3/4". Other than the few issues, this is typical of the kind of quality I've always gotten with Delta.

Good, solid and reliable
I bought this planer after passing on the new DeWalt because of reliability issues.

This is a solid machine with a lot of features to make planing a simple chore for the home woodworker. I do recommend getting the dust collector chute and hooking it up to a dust collector. This thing creates a LOT of shavings.

The wood comes out nice and smooth. I do like the zero depth stop feature. The thickness gauge is accurate once you've set it properly. I really like the instructional video that comes with the machine as it clears up any confusion with the manual's descriptions of different operations.

I use this planer in conjunction with a Ridgid jointer, so for a relatively low outlay of $$ I can start with rough timber. This is the quickest return on investment you can get as prepared timber is so much more expensive to buy.

Faithful & True
Being a user of Delta & Porter Cable products and builder of cabinets and fine furniture, once again, Delta's reputation of quality machinery stands true. I found the pre adjustments made at the factory were on target with no adjustments needed on my part. I broke the machine in starting with maple, walnut and oak milling down from 34" to 1/2" with no trouble and no sniping worth talking about. The finish was smooth as glass. However, I do recommend that you should purchase the vac attachment for the planer as you will build a mountain of chips that would put a beaver to shame. I have the planer hooked up to a shop vac which does the job with little effort and the area is clean after planing. If you are looking for quality work with simplicity in operating, you can't go wrong with the Delta 13" planer.

Very good first planer
This is my first planer. I am a hobby woodworker. I have been using this planer for about 3 months now and it has become a central peice of equipment in my shop. I have run several hundred board feet of lumber through this thing and I have never sniped a board unless it was my fault (like pulling up on the board in the end of the out feed). It leaves a glassy finish on most every wood. There is some tearout in curly maple which is to be expected. It is powerful, quiet, and most importantly accurate. I have never used a pro model planer but im not sure the difference. This planer planes to the desired thickness and leaves a surface that needs no sanding. What more can you ask for. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bosch's 1617EVSPK is a strong entry in the 2-1/4-horsepowercombination router market. Solid, all-magnesium construction makes theBosch durable and lightweight, while special touches, such as woodenhandles on the fixed base and contoured, soft-grip handles on the plungebase, add to the comfort of users and give the tool a look ofdistinction lacking in some of its competitors. Of course, looks areonly skin deep, and this router has plenty to offer below the surface aswell. At its heart, a powerful 12 amp, 2-1/4-horsepower motor deliversconsistent results at variable speeds of 8,000 to 25,000 rpm. Theexclusive precision centering design ensures bits are perfectly centeredin the router base, a handy feature for maintaining accurate cut lines.A wider-than-average base opening provides superior visibility andallows the Bosch to accept larger bits, while a micro bit-depthadjustment system makes fine-tuning fast and easy. Unlike manycomparable routers, the Bosch 1617EVSPK is designed to move from base tobase without the use of tools. Instead, it clamps solidly into place forquick and easy transfers. What's more, the motor never rotates whileadjusting depths, allowing you to stow the power cord on either sidewhere it's out of the way. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Quick clamp system on both bases for tool-free conversion - Move motor from base to base with ease
• 2.25 HP/ 12 AMP Motor 8000-25000 RPM Variable Speed - Most powerful on its class
• Variable speed dial, match speed to workpiece and task
• Soft-start reduces start-up torque
• Constant-Response Circuitry - - Maintains constant speed under load - Protects against overload

Reviews (54)

You'll love this combo kit Bosch 1617EVSPK 2HP
If you were looking at getting a combo kit now is your chance to get a 2 HP unit instead of the 1.5 HP units. The softstart and self center bits work great both as a plunge router as well as a fixed base and the 2 HP soft start and mag body makes it easy to control as well as light weight.

The 2 HP unit has plenty of power to be used in a router table a nd if you can only afford one router don't skimp for a few dollars more you get more power, variable speed and the bosch 2 HP variable speed router with the micro fine adjustments.

I have had the 1617EVS fixed based for over 6 months and the extra cost to buy the plunge router attachment added up to more than this whole kit with the storage case costs.

Bosch 1617EVSPK is Superb
I have several routers, and this Bosch PK serves a unique purpose. I leave the fixed base mounted under the router table, and put the motor into the plunge base for hand held work. It is like having two routers. With the simple twist of the motor, it drops right out of the fixed base mounted under the table, and drops into the plunge base. The big advantage is the micro adjustable knob. You may have experienced the problem of using lesser routers whose setting is lost completely when you release the clamping mechanism. It slides to another spot, then you test the setting again in frustration. With the Bosch, you get your gross setting in order, then tweak the fine adjustment knob to zero it in perfectly. Truly a precision way of working. The power is more than substantial for any task.
I have a Bench Dog router table extension for my table saw. The clear plexiglas router plate, allows the maple handles of the fixed base to show through. It is definitely impressive.
The variable speed is a necessity when using larger bits. The soft start feature is wonderful, especially when using it as a handheld, so it doesn't torque it out of your hands.
All in all it is definitely a 5 star piece of equipment. I just wish they offered the Free Deluxe Edge Guide when I bought mine.

A year of research
I considered the purchase of a router and router table or shaper for over a year. After much research and reading all of the reviews I could find I decided to buy both a router and a shaper separately rather than a router table.

I purchased this router and am very impressed with the smooth speed change and overall operation of the tool. It is physically more compact and better balanced than the Porter Cable equivalent tool. You will find that the Makita is most comparable in terms of quality, price, and features. But I have more experience with Bosch products and choose this.

It took me a minute to figure out that the depth guide is also the release lever to release the motor from the base (to switch from the fixed to plunger base). On my first use I setup the deluxe edge guide as a guard, rigged the router into a right-sized hole in my work bench, and used it as a router table. I'll eventually buy a separate shaper, but this setup was accurate enough to shape window dividers.

If you are considering purchasing the Bosch router table -- I'd advise buying a stand-alone shaper like the Jet JWS-18HO or the Grizzly G1035. Grizzly also makes a G0510 shaper with stand that is cheaper than the Bosch stand alone -- and you won't have to install and remove the router -- leaving your router free for free-hand work. Note that both the Jet and the Grizzly G1035 have router bit spindles available -- but that the G0510 does not and will only accept shaper bits, not router bits.

Bad switch design
This is a great router, BUT there is a design flaw with the switch. I have had mine for 13 months (one month out of warranty). I used it to make a cut, turned it off and then went to make another cut and it wouldn't turn on. There are many complaints in Amazon's reviews about this switch. Bosch needs to pay attention to these reviews and should redesign this switch! It ruined my woodworking weekend!

quality control
I purchased this router after considerable research. Upon receiving the kit I was fairly pleased. I used it for a brief period of time (less than two hours) on my first project and found the weight, feel, noise and control to be very pleasing. Upon trying to use it on my second project, the router would not switch on. I was not happy. I called Bosch, and of course they apologized and referred me to a service center, surprised of course because they had no idea that there was a problem with the switch. Upon setting up repairs with the service center they claimed that it was not a surprise because the switch used is undersized and it is not the first one they have had to replace. Just beware, I like everything about the router so far, but I am afraid that too many corners have been cut on their design and quality control.
I will replace the switch and will probably have to do so frequently. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Though this Porter-Cable tool is priced higher than comparable DeWalt and Makita models, the 557 is Amazon.com's top-selling plate joiner. Its success is perhaps due to its very powerful 7-1/2 amp motor--the largest in the industry--which turns the blade at 10,000 rpm and does an excellent job of making clean cuts in any kind of wood. As well as cutting slots for the standard no. 0, 10, and 20 biscuits, Porter-Cable's joiner features an exclusive, full-thickness, FF biscuit developed especially for cabinet face frames. Another unique feature of the Porter-Cable joiner is the 2-inch blade (included), which is small enough to make cuts in stock as narrow as 1-1/2 inches. We found the microheight adjustment works well, allowing for precise biscuit placement. The tool is well balanced and comfortable to use. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• The micro height-adjust knob allows precise biscuit placement
• The powerful 7.5 amp motor delivers smooth, accurate cuts
• Includes 2- and 4-inch diameter blades for standard and face frame biscuits
• The unique fence adjusts from 0 to 135 degrees to ensure accurate mitered joints
• The top handle is attached directly to the fence for maximum stability

Reviews (55)

Excellent Tool to Butter the Biscuits!!
I am now hooked on the biscuit joints! I use to like the ease and use of dowel rods for end joints, but was sometimes limited with the size and application of the dowel. But this PC biscuit joiner has changed my mind!

The ease and accuracy is simply amazing. The fence system is simple to operate and allows for a host of heights and angles, all with precise cuttings. The powerful motor (7.5 amp) always cuts a smooth and accurate slot. There is very little, if any, vibration that could cause distortion. Changing slot sizes is as easy as turning a knob. Includes the #0, #10, #20 and FF cuts. The smaller 2" blade, which is included, is a simple task to change over to cut even smaller frames.

This unit has a great dust collection system. The dust bag REALLY works! All chips are routed to the dust opening chute and neatly collected in the bag. The bag is easily removed and emptied.

This unit might be a little more expensive than other plate joiners, but the results are in the end product. Accurate, precise cuts yielding a smooth, strong joint are almost a sure thing.

Hard to improve on this one
Not everyone admits to liking biscuit joiners. Some people still like the discipline of slower, more labor intensive joining techniques. Some of these have their place. Decorative dovetails improve the look of some cabinets. Mortise and tenon joints are stronger and better for some applications, like a bench base. But for a fast, reasonably strong, no-nonsense joint, a biscuit joiner is tops.

The PC 557 is a fine and specialized tool. It cuts cleanly, allows for very small biscuits using the 2" blade. The fence is strong and accutate. It has all the power that you need. Could the dust collection be better? Maybe, but it is at least average and maybe better than average for a tool like this. The PC cases would benefit from real latches, not the cheap plastic clips that they use. But these are very minor issues. I can not imagine anyone being disappointed by this tool.

The main competitor for the 557 is the Dewalt. It is also a good joiner but Dewalt seems to have a lot of trouble with quality control. The tools work well, but I have too many friends who have had bad switches and other minor but annoying problems with Dewalt tools. PC, Delta, Ridgid, Makita all seem like better bets to me in general... and the PC 557 a better bet in particular.

Great Tool only minor changes recommended.
After much research, I purchased this tool from a local retailer. Right out of the box, this tool was very straight forward to use and laid out well. Within the first three days of purchase I probably jointed 200 biscuits, this thing rocks!, I was impressed. The accuracey and control design are excellent. I'm glad I spent the extra cash and went for the 557, the Dewalt and other brands seemed cheaply built. My only complaint is with the dust collection, It is useless. After all the use, I have yet to empty it, it just does not work.

Hobbyist wood worker and carver.
The porter cable 557 type 3 arrived yesterday, and I made a few test cuts today. After reading numerous reviews on the web on this and earlier models I had a couple of concerns. Noise: I was expecting something comparable to a 1 hp router, but was pleasantly suprised it is much quieter than that.
Torque: I expected a mild jump when the motor spun up, but noticed no jump whatsoever. I did clamp the piece to the work bench and used both hands on the tool. The handle which holds down the front guide on the work piece is angled back towards the operator and gives a very comfortable and secure hold on the tool. My cuts were made in scrap pine so I can't address jump as the blade enters a hard woood like oak, but on pine it is effortless. I dry fitted some #20 biscuits. They slid in smoothly with a light friction. The work pieces mated up perfectly.
Overall the components appear solid.

very easy to set up and use
This is my first plate joiner and even with that it was simple to set up and use. I have only used it for one small project so far.

I was impressed with the accuracy of the fence and smoothness of the cut. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Power, power and more power! The 18-volt 1/2-inch hammer drill/driver's high-torque motor churns out an impressive 500 inch-pounds of torque—imagine the jobs it could tackle. We were surprised by how good it feels in hand, thanks, we think, to its neatly balanced design that places the handle toward the center of the tool. A nice touch is the ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws for a superb hold on your bit. And the all-metal, three-speed transmission is so innovative that DeWalt patented it. All we know is that this is one powerhouse of a hammer drill/driver, no matter what mode it's in. The DC385 recip saw's keyless blade clamp wins points in our book for fast blade changes. And talk about fast—with its one-inch stroke length, it runs at 2,900 strokes per minute. Like the drill, it's well balanced and feels good in hand. It's compact, lightweight and offers great cutline visibility through the pivoting shoe's open top. Plus, we like that the blade will reverse for flush and plunge cutting. The circular saw slices into 2x4s like butter, and you can always see your cut because the blade's on the left. Bevel cuts are no sweat; the saw's easy to adjust and the scale's clear. If you're often working in tight spaces, you'll appreciate the design of the right-angle drill, which spans just 4-1/2 inches. Still, it's got two speed ranges (0-500 and 0-1,500 rpm) and reverse, and it packs 310 inch-pounds of torque. We like the multi-grip trigger, especially for cramped quarters. The grinder's hardworking with a nice three-position side handle. Kudos to DeWalt for the metal gear case and the longer life it'll give this grinder. Finally, the flashlight's neck is super flexible, shedding light in just about any direction for up to three hours. This is a great collection of tools, essential for the contractor and perfect for the skilled do-it-yourselfer.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Ultra-light, 4-1/2-inch long right angle drill delivers 310 in.-lbs. of torque for ample power in very tight quarters
• Kit also features a cut-off tool for cutting and grinding, a flexible neck flashlight and more
• 1/2-inch drill/driver/hammer-drill with 500 in.-lbs. of maximum torque for heavy-duty applications
• 6-1/2-inch circular saw cuts 2- x 4-inch stock at 45 degrees in a single pass for speedy framing, decking and more
• Reciprocating saw with keyless blade clamp for quick blade changes

Amazon.com

Sometimes, half an inch makes all the difference. But that's not the only reason to step up to the 735. Its powerful 10,000 rpm motor will handle anything you feed it--oak, walnut, exotics--with absolute ease. The three-knife cutterhead will make 96 or 179 cuts per inch, depending on which speed setting you choose. Mess is minimized with the fan-assisted chip ejection, which literally vacuums chips off the cutter-head and blows them out the exhaust. The 735's automatic carriage lock will save you from snipe by reducing the movement that causes it--what a great idea. We also love the redesigned thickness scale--it's big and super-visible, even in poor lighting. Those who do repetitive cuts will appreciate the turret depth-stop; set your most-used cuts to it once and you're always assured of accuracy. The home woodworker will be thrilled, and the professional's expectations will be more than met. This is a winner.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Solid 19-3/4-inch cast aluminum base provides for rigidity
• Three knife cutter-head for superior surface finish
• Fan-assisted chip ejection system aids in the removal of debris
• Two-speed gear box, 96 or 179 cuts per inch for the finest finish
• Automatic carriage lock minimizes the movement that causes snipe

Reviews (32)

A very good planner.
I had been shopping for a new planner for a few months and had settled on the Delta 22-580 when the DeWalt DW735 was announced. After a little research, I was sold. I have only had this planer for a few days, but so far I am satisfied in every way. I purchased this tool to replace an older Delta 12 inch planer. The difference is like night and day. Though the Delta did a good enough job, there was always a bit of snipe. Knife changes were a hassle and the dust hood was a cheap, flimsy device that never sealed well, and got in the way of the board as it came out the outfeed side. The De Walt has NO snipe, and the integral dust chute with fan assist works well and is trouble free. I don't know how it will be changing knives, but it should be much easier. The three knife cutter head gives excellent results. So far I have planned pine, birch and cherry. Even on the 96 cuts per inch setting, the planned surface is smooth and free of tear out. All controls are easy to read and use. The depth control is especially nice as it is a large easy to manipulate wheel. The unit is large and heavy for a portable, but as I will be using it on a mobile stand this will not be a problem. The noise level is high , as are most planners so hearing protection is a must. While the price is higher than some planners, I feel its worth it.

5 Stars for the 20 Minutes it Worked
I too had one of the sprockets sheer apart after a single day of use; and not even heavy use! I called DeWalt and they informed me that "some of the units had undersized bearings that caused the feed roller sprocket to break." They suggested I return it to the distributor and exchange it for a new unit since the newer production run corrected this problem with larger bearings. This isn't really a serious setback for me (except for the delay in playing with my toy) since I didn't buy it online, the dealer stood behind the product and it was less than 30 days old (DeWalt unconditional 30 day warranty). That said, however, I can imagine how much of a pain in the neck it is(not to mention costly) to ship the 90 pound defect back to Amazon! I'm disappointed that DeWalt (particularly on their highest end planer)didn't post some sort of recall if they knew the problem was systemic and offer to pay for the shipping back if you bought it online. In addition, DeWalt wouldn't tell me how to ascertain that the exchanged for planer had the larger bearing and was free from the defect. Perhaps the Serial Number would tell me? I asked. DeWalt wouldn't help. In addition, the dealer didn't know about the defect or which ones were "old" or "new", so he couldn't head off possible problems. I've decide to wait until the dealer receives a new shipment to exchange mine...which he says will be in another week. Anyway, the machine was terrific while it worked with virtually no snipe and a glass finish. We'll see if the "new" one I get holds up.

Update:

Well, I got a replacement...the dealer couldn't have been more accommodating. The new machine works perfectly and the cut quality is excellent. I'm giving it 4 stars instead of 5 because: 1. I had to go through the hassle of exchanging the defective product 2. It is so LOUD that it requires wearing Stihl ear muffs made for a chain saw when operating and 3. the placement of the dust collection port directly above the stock outfeed requires you to support the dust collection hose or risk having it interfere with the stock as it exits the planer.

By the way, I did not purchase the optional tables and don't feel they're necessary, a little practice feeding the stock straight in and there's no problem with snipe. Lastly, I bought the mobile stand...excellent, very well made, and a great value.

Defective Design - Awful Customer service
After about 200 board feet, the sprocket and chain drive broke on this tool. Brought to service center for warrantly work and they told me they have seen 5 or 6 like this recently. Obviously a design problem.

Been waiting a week for new parts - have lost 2 weekends of work (the service centers have banker hours and no weekends). When I call to find out when it will be done, just get jerked around and they act like I'm annoying them.

Save your money and buy a Delta Stationary Tool. Last DeWalt tool I will ever buy. (Which is too bad as this planer leaves a great surface finish)

Disappointing Results, Returned the Planer.
I am a professional woodworker, and I decided that I needed a portable planer in addition to my Powermatic 160. I bought this one over the others for two reasons: it supposedly did not need a headlock and the blower/chip ejector meant it was it's own dust collector (this feature worked well). The problem? The knives are GARBAGE! They last about 30 minutes before they are dull. At that point, two things start happening. The feed rollers start to need help pulling the wood through AND the supposedly self-locking head creeps upward as the wood is pulled through. These problems render this machine nearly useless. I understand that planer knives get dull, but these dull much faster than any other knives I've used, and because of the quick-change system (which is nice, I have to admit) they are your only choice. I was extremely disappointed with this machine. I own other Dewalt tools and am very happy with them. I returned the planer to where it was purchased.

And The Rough Places Made Smooth
I wouldn't be writing this if my new/old Delta single speed planer had managed to do what I needed. It wasn't very expensive, but faced with 100 board feed of maple it simply gave up trying. In desperation I bought this DeWalt 13" portable planer, and the day was saved.

For a portable, the DeWalt is quite solid. It really does weigh 100 pounds, and if you have the extensions on it the machine is a bit awkward for one person to move. The grips are good, but if possible, use two folks to move it.

The planer uses four very solid screw posts to position the head. The cutter and rollers are not going to be moved by any piece of lumber that a rational woodworker would feed into it. If you are careful feeding in the lumber (and buy the extensions) you will find that snipe can often be completely avoided.

By putting three knives on the cutter and allowing for two roller speeds the planer achieves 96 or 179 cuts per inch, more than enough for a fine surface. The type of cutter used is 'disposable,' and with portable planers, it's something for which you should prepare yourself. Careful planing using thin cuts is much better for the knives, but you won't get more than 50 board feed through before some wear begins to show up. Since the knives can be reversed, expect to replace a blade set every 100 feet - if you are a perfectionist. If you will be sanding anyway or are willing to lightly hone the knives you can get a bit more.

The cutter has two additional useful features. A small gauge tells you how much of a cut you are making and what the recommended cut should be. This allows for great precision and helps keep you from impatient over-cutting. You can also set a depth stop it you are doing a lot of planing to a specific thickness. You will probably also want the extension tables, which are surprisingly solid, and either the chip collector or a dust removal system - the fan blower in the DW735 will throw chips straight across the room without one.

In summary, this is the solidest portable planer I've used. It's also the most ergonomic. Maintenance and knife changing are equally easy. As with any planer with disposable blades, don't expect to plane a house full of wood without the knives wearing. And don't forget to buy some hearing protection. The DW735 packs a lot of power, and lets you know it. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Bosch builds good saws. This 10-inch sliding compound miter saw has the smooth, easy-to-control action we demand in a slider. This saw's built burly, too--here's a slider that looks likely to survive a tumble off the back of a pickup truck (not that we tested it). The blade guard has good action and retracts well, so visibility and motion aren't restricted when cutting and there's no danger of it binding or sticking. The grip is contoured and tapered for the human hand, no matter the size--but there is a safety switch that makes this saw difficult to use left-handed. Bosch has also cleverly mounted the important wrenches and keys on the body of the saw (exactly the sort of attention to detail that makes toolhounds happy). We tip our hardhats to the good people at Bosch; they've made a great saw. --Michael Shilling ... Read more

Features

• Dual rail design - For superior accuracy
• Powerful 13.0 Amp motor, 2.8 max. tool HP
• Crown miter detents - 31.6° miter and 33.9° bevel detents for quick, accurate crown cuts
• Large 25" aluminum base with 3" extension for 28" total length - Provides extra support
• Tall 3-1/2" Fence - For easy bevel set-ups and increased crown molding cutting capacities

Reviews (67)

Great Sliding Miter Saw!
After much thought and research I decided to purchase the Bosch 10" Sliding Miter Saw. It arrived via Fedex with a couple of minor "dings" in the box, but the packing of the saw was outstanding and no damage to the saw was evident. Set-up was easy and the "factory alignment" was right on except for a slight loose allen screw on the slide bearings. The saw is not light so i would hate to lug it around to job sites with out wheels of some type. My saw will stay in the shop on the bench. The Saw cut 2x4's with ease and all cuts were clean and accurate. I have also used it to cut 5/4"x6" oak and again the saw had no difficulty. The two reasons I didn't give this saw five stars are that blade changes are a pain complicated by having to remove alot of the guard and the operating handle is mounted vertically instead of horizontally which makes it difficult to operate with your left hand. Overall I would still purchase this saw again over everthing else out there. It was/is the best value for the money.

Bosch 10" sliding compound miter saw
I've had this saw for over six months now and am extremely satisfied. It's very accurate, easy to adjust and is particularly good for cutting crown molding. The blade which comes with the saw is OK for basic stuff, but has excessive tearout. For fine work you'll need a good 80 tooth blade.It's a little awkward for a left-hander at first, but easy to adapt to. The biggest complaint is the dust extraction - the dust bag is almost useless, and hooking a vacuum to the dust port makes no difference: dust shoots straight out the back, hits the frame and disperses in a huge cloud. This makes it impossible to use in a customer's home; if it's a row house, finding a safe, convenient outdoor spot for it can be tricky. Wintertime complicates matters. One reviewer said, so what if it takes an extra hour to clean up - it's a terrific saw. Well, it is a terrific saw, but time is money.

Great saw, as good as or better than competition
Background - I traded my 10" Delta CMS so needed a new one. I settled on getting a 10" slider based on the capacity of the sliding saws. I did not want a 12" SCMS due to excessive weight and size. Plus, I don't need that capacity. I decided against a 12" regular CMS because a 10" slider can actually cut wider lengths and 10" blades are easier to find and cheaper. Yes, a 12" CMS will cut taller pieces, but I have other saws I can use in this situaton (extremely rare for me).

Positives
+ lots of metal and very little plastic which adds weight but hopefully adds to durability
+ easy to read scales
+ tall fences
+ really solid detents; yes, there is a little play if you don't lock them in, but how long does it take to turn the knob two times?
+ wide foot print which translates to sturdier operation.
+ nice stock blade that I may actually keep on the saw.
+ almost dead-on out of the box as I spent more time double checking everything than making one minor adjustment.

Negatives
- not as portable as a regular 10" CMS, or even a 12" CMS as this saw is heavy.
- handle not the most comfortable
- single bevel (but I have never had a dual bevel and will not pay $200 or even $100 more for this feature)
- extensions must be purchased seperately; these only cost about $17, but a lot of other saws have them as standard features.

Other 10" SCMS considered (and why they were not purchased)
* Bosch 4410 - about $200 more for a few extra features: front bevel controls, dual bevel, adjustable handle and a fraction more power. IMHO these were not worth $200 more.
* Porter Cable - price seemed competive and reviews were favorable. However, I had a friend who had a Delta and I didn't like it. The PC model is not the Delta, but since they are part of the same company they may be too much alike for me.
* Hitachi - Looked at this saw first hand and did not like it. There was a lot of plastic on it and it was about $90 more ($140 if I wanted the laser). Also, the foot print seemed small. I just did not have confidence in this saw.
* Makita - I was really big on this saw but could not find one to look at in person. I read a lot of mixed reviews and $450 is a lot of money to spend on something you can't touch before hand.
* Milwauke - They make a lot of great products. Their regular CMS's are great and really accurate. However, customer and magazine reviews have been mixed on this one so for the $100 higher price tag I decided to pass.
* Delta - the Delta was never really in the running due to first hand use of a friends.

Many folks have complained about dust collection. First off, show me a miter saw that gets 100% of the saw dust anyways. I made 20 cuts on 4x4's and there was a lot of saw dust on the saw, stand and ground. However, I reached back and felt the bag - it was 75% full. If this is the biggest knock on this saw, I am looking forward to all my projects.

Best for the money
Half the price of a Dewalt 12", did not need that big of saw. Came with a clamp, did not have to pay extra, all dustbags are pretty much useless, I've always got sawdust when I cut a piece of lumber, hmmm. Top value as far as I'm concerned.

Not good enough for a pro
After using this saw for 3 1/2 years I definetly have mixed feelings. the split fence on the left was not in line with the right side and in one piece with no easy fix, a constant nagging problem. But it had a good motor, and adjustability was acceptable. If you notice all my referances are in the past tense, because as of this afternoon the thing is laying in two pieces in my work van. The casting broke at the turntable. I take great care of my tools, I buy the best and expect them to work very well for a long time as have the many other Bosch tools I own. I will not buy another Bosch chop saw unless they give a pro rated discount on a new one. This saw should not have broken so easily. If you work out of a van or truck,like every other carpenter on this planet does, I can't recomend this saw, it can't stand up to normal handling. If you want absolute accuracy from the fence don't buy this saw it may be hard to fix the split fence. I hope others who have this saw have better luck than me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Power, power and more power! The 18-volt 1/2-inch hammer drill/driver's high-torque motor churns out an impressive 500 inch-pounds of torque—imagine the jobs it could tackle. We were surprised by how good it feels in hand, thanks, we think, to its neatly balanced design that places the handle toward the center of the tool. A nice touch is the ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws for a superb hold on your bit. And the all-metal, three-speed transmission is so innovative that DeWalt patented it. All we know is that this is one powerhouse of a hammer drill/driver, no matter what mode it's in. The DC385 recip saw's keyless blade clamp wins points in our book for fast blade changes. And talk about fast—with its one-inch stroke length, it runs at 2,900 strokes per minute. Like the drill, it's well balanced and feels good in hand. It's compact, lightweight and offers great cutline visibility through the pivoting shoe's open top. Plus, we like that the blade will reverse for flush and plunge cutting. The circular saw slices into 2x4s like butter, and you can always see your cut because the blade's on the left. Bevel cuts are no sweat; the saw's easy to adjust and the scale's clear. The grinder's hardworking with a nice three-position side handle. Kudos to DeWalt for the metal gear case and the longer life it'll give this grinder. We're not as impressed with the impact gun, despite its 0 to 3,000 impacts per minute and how smoothly it runs without any kickback—-it's just that we'd like to see it take more than ¼-inch hex shanks. Finally, the flashlight's neck is super flexible, shedding light in just about any direction for up to three hours. This is a great collection of tools, essential for the contractor and perfect for the skilled do-it-yourselfer.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Lightweight, 6-1/2-inch long impact driver delivers 1,170 in.-lbs. of torque for optimal power in tight quarters
• Kit also features a cut-off tool for cutting and grinding, a flexible neck flashlight and more
• 1/2-inch drill/driver/hammer-drill has 500 in.-lbs. of maximum torque for heavy-duty applications
• 6-1/2-inch circular saw cuts 2- x 4-inch stock at 45 degrees in a single pass for speedy framing, decking and more
• Reciprocating saw with keyless blade clamp for quick blade changes

Amazon.com Review

Since its invention by the ancient Egyptians, the pocket holejoint has become a favorite among modern framers and other woodworkersinterested in creating strong joints for their projects. The Kreg K2000ProPack pocket hole jig contains everything you'll need to createperfect pocket holes, all from a trusted leader in the field known forproviding quality products. This kit is designed to help woodworkersplace pocket holes in their ideal location on any surface, regardless ofthickness, and even includes project plans and detailed instructions foruse. It's a must for any woodworker who either uses pocket hole jointsor has an interest in trying them. --Carl Thress ... Read more

Features

• Comes in a molded carrying case
• Horizontally spaces holes at 9/16, 7/8, and 1-7/16 inches on center
• Three positions to center holes in 1/2-, 3/4-, and1-1/2-inch thick material
• Two wing supports hold wider material
• Step block and riser block included for 1/2-inch and 1-1/2-inch material

Reviews (37)

This Kreg kit is one slick setup.
I've used my Kreg kit for several months now. It sure makes a difference in the speed of assembly. I whipped up a router table in no time and a lot of other projects besides. Works great on dimensional lumber too. Used it to make the 2X4 framing for a utility building addition as well as the framing for flooring in my aluminum boat. It's great having everything all packed in the carrying case ready to go. Setup is a snap and sure cuts down on the need for lots of clamps.

Holing Wonder!
I bought one of these to make face frames for some kitchen cabinets, but it has gotten a considerable workout in addition to the original project. The kit is very complete and comes in a nice plastic case. There are actually two jigs - the large one that you will need to mount on a board and the small, one hole "Mini Jig" that just gets clamped wherever you need it.

The large jig with the wings is the most useful. It has a built-in clamp to hold the wood securely against the drilling jig. There are three separate guide holes that allow for different spacing of holes. The "wings" are two separate parts that do not connect to the main jig. You will have to screw all three pieces to a piece of 3/4" plywood to get the most use out of it. That leaves a big vacancy in the case if you leave it setup, as I do, but that makes a good place to store additional screws.

The "Mini Jig" is great for those large panels that can't be mounted in the main jig. Just clamp it where you want it and drill the holes.

Depth adjustment is easy with the guide on the "wings." Just lay the special bit in the groove with the bit's shoulder aligned with the thickness of the material you are screwing to. Slide the stop collar on the bit shaft until it is against the side of the wing and tighten. You can't make an error. It does pay to check the collar every now and then to make sure it has not slipped. If you over drill, you will be going through the face side of your work with the screws.

I use this in place of biscuits in many cases, but don't throw out the biscuit joiner yet! On long, edge-joined pieces, it is helpful to throw in a few biscuits for alignment between the screws, not gluing them if you want to make it a "knock-down" cabinet.

I used to think I was pretty slick with a drill, cutting an occasional pocket hole freehand. That just is not as precise or repeatable as the results you will get with this jig. I would highly recommend adding this outfit to your shop - you will get more and better results! Oh, and do order some extra screws - you WILL have a use for them!

Kreg Pro Pack is great!
I recently purchased the Kreg K2000 Pro Pack. I had been using a generic pocket hole jig, and after setting up and using my new Kreg jig I can say there is no comparison. The Kreg jig is a slick set up. It made it easy to drill clean pocket holes. Also, use the Kreg screws. The Kreg screws easily bore into the wood, and so far I've had no problem with wood splitting. In fact a friend who is a carpenter was impressed when I showed him a project and he learned that I didn't have to drill a pilot hole in the receiving piece of oak. He was impressed that there was no splitting. This seems to be a really nice tool set.

Save time and labor
Don't be afraid to give this joint maker a try, you will be suprised how fast and easy you can make perfect joints. I just built an entire set of kitchen cabinets using the kreg pro, and it more than paid for itself in time and labor and frustration. Very easy to use. Great tool.

great joint maker
This is great tool for making easy joints, I have used them in outdoor tables where I don't want the joints to show. I am finding more and more uses for this product every day. The set up is easy and it really make a strong joint in seconds.
I have just completed a pie safe and the inside joints were made even beter with the plugs. They seem to disapear after sanding and finishing. ... Read more

Features

• Black scale shows the setting for fitting a single piece to an angle
• Perfect miter joints every time
• Direct reading - no calculations required
• Durable aluminum construction
• Red scale shows the angle for a miter joint

Reviews (4)

A Must for Every Trim Carpenter
What more can I say? This tool is a must for every trim carpenter. My advice to Starrett, however, is to create a line of these products. As an earlier reviewer mentioned, it would help to have one or two available that are a bit longer than this standard sized 12" model. If given the opportunity, I'd buy 3 different sizes (1) a 12" protractor, (2) a 24" protractor, and a (3) 32" protractor. The tape and mud at drywall seems (in otherwords, at every corner you are likely to measure) can throw-off standard-sized protractors. By having longer protractors, you can overcome the corner "bulges" for a more accurate reading. This suggestion aside, this is a high-quality protractor that should be in every trim carpenters' toolbox (or belt!!). Highly recommended.

Starrett 505A - Affordable accuracy
I can't believe the quality of this protractor for the price. I use it for everything from saw set-up to angle finding and checking. Using the 505A, I actually discovered that one of my combination squares (one that cost more than this protractor) was not square. The gauge is very easy to read. The feature I like best is the tension on the hinge. The 505A is easy to open and close to a specific angle but holds that setting firmly so it can be transferred to a saw blade or miter guide. No thumb screws to get in your way. The 505A is sturdy, accurate and has a flexible design that makes it indispensable for the woodworker. I highly recommend it.

Starret Protractor, needs larger scale.
Good tool, solid feel to it. Scale could be a bit larger and is hard to read in poorly lighted areas. Other than that it does a fine job and is easy to use.

instant miter cut settings for the miter saw
What a great new tool! All you need to do to get a perfect miter joint is to swing each of the two legs against your two work surfaces and read the angle indicated on the dial. That angle is what you set on your miter saw and you get a perfect miter joint, no matter what angle your work surfaces are. It is completely foolproof. Couldn't be faster to use. And it will also read for fitting a single piece too. I'm sure I will also use it for layout and transferring. It is the perfect angle tool for a carpenter like myself. It measures angles like a tape measures length.
This tool is beautifully made of aluminum. It has two matching 12" legs and a flush inset dial where the legs hinge at the ends. It operates smoothly and holds the reading without moving. It is very durable and obviously built for the jobsite.
I love this tool's simplicity and recommend it without reservation. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

Routers don't get any bigger and tougher than this Hitachi workhorse. It has the solid construction, horsepower, and features we've come to expect in a top-of-the-line router. Its heft goes a long way toward eliminating vibration, working with the soft-start motor to cut out torque at startup. Despite its nearly 12 pounds, it actually handles as well as most 3-1/4-horsepower routers we've tried in freehand applications. It has a 1/2-inch collet and a wide sub-base opening, making it suitable for working with all but the very biggest panel bits. It features electronic variable speed, so the router makes clean cuts in a wide range of different materials. We found the controls to be within easy reach of the handles, and though this isn't the quietest router we've used, it comes pretty close. We like the unique eight-position handles that let the tool be adjusted to the worker rather than the other way around. While this is a topnotch plunge router, it's also an excellent choice for table mounting, and many people choose this model for exactly that reason. This is an all-around solid tool that offers more bang per buck than many competing models. --Brian Trinen ... Read more

Features

• Hitachi exclusive 5 year warranty
• Powerful 15 amp motor
• Three-position side handle with easy-to-reach controls
• Electronic dial-in variable-speed control
• Multislide scale and scale index system

Reviews (55)

Great Value for a Solid Router
This is truly a Clydesdale among the industry 3HP+ router workhorses. Built like a tank, yet nimble enough to be comfortably used with the Leigh dovetail jig. The soft start is a tremendous help for this type of operation. It is a heavy but well-balanced machine, which is an asset when maximum stability is desired. The edge guide is top quality, easy to install and accurate. I used this router to plow out 3" raised panels in oak without phasing the beast. This was possible due to the variable speed settings for any sized bit. The router is also equipped with an adapter that accepts PC guide bushings. The height adjustment knob is a bit flimsy, but it works well and provides good accuracy. The only complaint I have is that the 1/4" collet will not sufficiently hold any of my 1/4" bits. I purchased an aftermarket slotted collet that does the job. The Hitachi collet simply was not ground accurately. However, now that the kit comes with the height adjustment knob, I'd say jump all over it. This is a great deal, and I'm elated with my decision to go with Hitachi's green machine. Wish I could give it 4 1/2 stars.

Good enought to get two
Two years ago I bought my first Hitachi M12V for the new router table I made. I read all tool reviews from magazines and web sites and decided that for that price and options this was the router to buy. I don't regret. I appreciate its power, variable speed, fine adjusment knob and its bright color (it brighten my workshop !!! and my pride !!!). Since I took off the handles and the springs to use it in my router table exclusively, since I wanted another router for heavy hand-held tasks, since I liked its smooth and easy locking mecanism, since the price is quite fair, I didn't hesitate to buy another one, even if the 1/4" collet takes a little more attention. After writing to The Router Workshop TV program hosts and Hitachi-Koki co. I know now that I have to align the slots of the collet and chuck and that using two wrenches brings me to a tight capture of the 1/4" router bits. On this second router I won't take off the wings (with a Dremel) that supports the brass bushing guides since I won't be using big router bits in hand-held routing operations. I'm a serious woodworker and this last is my seventh router.

Dedicated table router
After much review of 3 HP routers; I decided to purchase the Hitachi as a dedicated table router. The router arrived quickly, but the sub-base was cracked & the fine adjustment knob was broken. Amazon quickly replaced the router. At the time I placed my order, late November. Amazon.com had a $25 off Hitachi coupon, plus the $159 sale, & free shipping. A great deal for only $135!!
I have only used the router as a fixed & plunge. Very hefty, very smooth motor wind-up from 8000-25000rpm. I'm waiting for my unisaw to arrive, and to make a router table on the outfeed table. As noted by other M12V user's; If your going to use large panel bits, you'll have to remove the metal ears that are used to attach the guide bushings. Not a problem since I have other routers for fine template work. Thus far, I have been very pleased with the sound construction, ease of changing bits (1/2" & 1/4"). The router may a bit too heavy & bulky for jig/template work. But if you looking for a powerful router for your router table. This Hiitachi should be at the top of your list.

Great router
Bought this router with the idea of using it in a table exclusively. I Figured it would be too heavy for using it without a table, but I was wrong: the smooth slowstart feature and the router having no vibration makes it easily controlled.
I did end up mounting it in a table and it works great with large style and rail cutters.
I compared this against the larger DeWalt, but this one won based on price. As to performance, they are probably equal.

If you need a larger router for a good price, get this one.

Router Wins because of Comfortable Controls
Bought an expensive Dewalt router some three years ago and never became comfortable with it. I use routers solely for hand work and relegate all table usage (including panels) to my Grizzly shaper. Gave the Dewalt to a woodworking friend in gratitude for his help in moving tools to a new shop.
Saw the Hitachi on Amazon.com with their $25.00 coupon (at the time) and could not resist trying it out.
UNLIKE other reviewers, I like the tool because it is easy to operate outside of the router table. Both the on/off switch (soft start) and the depth lock are within easy reach of the right hand. It is no more heavy than any other powerful router and not as bad as some Porter Cable models I tried. I use custom side clamps set up for 1/4 and 1/2 inch bits in order to plough mortises easily (and with great accuracy). Unlike my experience with the Dewalt, I now enjoy reaching for the Hitachi (and allow me to stress I am a fan of many other Dewalt tools -- especially their large table saw and famous miter saws).
LIKE other reviewers I can attest to the following:
1. Your Hitachi might come to you with a stiff spring mechanism. Mine was so bad I had to to use a hammer to free it (and this is why I'm giving it 4, not 5 stars). I have noted that as you use the tool, sawdust builds in the channel and it requires attention. Not a killer problem, but not well done, either.
2. Half-inch router bits provide more operating security and finish quality than do their 1/4 inch counterparts. Have read this on the web and can second the comparative preference.
I do woodworking as a serious hobby. For me, it is as important that the tool be comfortable to use as it is that it produce a high-quality result. Can recommend the Hitachi in this ergonomic arena -- at the price quoted on Amazon it is a bargain. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

While mowing the lawn may never be considered a recreational activity, this rear bag mower from Black & Decker makes the chore as close to fun as it will ever get. With its 24-volt battery, which delivers 5-horsepower gas equivalent at peak torque, this cordless electric mower represents the top of Black & Decker's line of lawn mowing products. During our field tests, this orange powerhouse stood out above other mowers for ease of use and performance. Its versatile operation allowed us to mulch, bag, or expel the debris from its 19-inch cutting path. Switching between the three methods was as easy as removing the catch bag and the mulch plug--easily performed tasks when the mower is not running.

The most obvious difference between the new generation of electric mowers and the heavier gas-powered mowers of yore is the start-up. The ease with which this mower starts is almost stupefying. Simply pull and hold the thin handle lever, then pull the ignition lever, and presto!--the engine is running. To minimize safety risks to young children, a removable safety key must be inserted prior to starting the mower.

Once started, this mower runs like a dream and is much quieter than older gas-powered models. In addition to the lack of noise, vibrations were also dampened by the cushioned handgrips, a feature that makes mowing a much more comfortable experience. Another innovation is the method by which the mower is raised and lowered. Where once it was necessary to adjust each wheel individually, the height of the mowing platform is now controlled by a single squeeze of a single lever, which allows for seven positions from 1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches. While this mower is much lighter than a gas mower, we did find that this Black & Decker cordless model, weighing in at 76 pounds, is heavier than its corded relatives.

The only disadvantage this machine seems to have is in the power department. While there were no serious problems during our field test, it was necessary to slow down or go back over thicker sections of grass in order to make a completely clean cut. This cordless model also requires a substantial charging time when first out of the box: the manufacturer suggests at least a 16-hour period initially in order to get peak performance and maximum run time. According to Black & Decker, the battery will be 70% energized with four hours of charging. When fully juiced, this mower can be expected to cut between 1/2 and 1/3 of an acre per charge. Though the charge is one aspect that needs to be considered when deciding whether to purchase a corded or a rechargeable mower, we found the added maneuverability of the cordless over the corded model far outweighs the inconvenience of charge times.

When you've finished mowing, the handles fold back, making it easier to store this mower in a tight garage or shed. It comes with a 30-day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and a manufacturer's full two-year warranty. ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Convertible mulcher/rear bagger
• Cuts up to 1/2-acre lots on one charge
• One touch height adjustment (1-1/2 to 3-1/2 inches)
• Lifetime 19-inch 3-in-1 deck

Reviews (59)

6 Years and Running...
Huh. I've had one for 6 years now and never had a problem with charge capacity (I wonder if it's because I keep the charger connected all winter when not in use). It's been everything it was advertised to be - quiet, no fumes, reliable, easy to use, economical. I have an average size suburban lawn and have gone up to 3 mowings without recharging. It doesn't make as smooth a cut as a high-vacuum gas mower but that's an acceptable tradeoff considering the advantages (and the only reason I gave it a 4). The reviewer who claims you're using more fossil fuels (and creating more pollution) when using an electric mower is shortsighted. Electric power generation plants have very stringent pollution controls and the net effect is that electric powered devices contribute much less pollution to the environment and waste less fossil fuels than internal combustion engines. That reviewer should do some real research instead of spewing pseudo-science. Besides, the people who use that argument usually pull out a 2-stroke string trimmer to finish the job - talk about pollution (and noise). I'm actually considering buying a new CMM1000 since I gave my old one away. Sounds like there may be some reliability issues with the newer ones (orange, mine was old enough to be green) - I'll have to look into that.

Works fantastic and I don't miss smelling like fumes!
I have used a Black & Decker CMM1000 19" Cordless mower for over three years. While my lot is 1.5 acres, the open grass area is only about 1/3 of an acre. The battery life is plenty to cut this entire space with no problems. If your lot is bigger, you can still use this mower, you'll just have to break up the mowing over a few hours or two days (to allow recharge time). It can recharge to 50% run-time in only about 2 hours.

I have to echo others that the one lever height adjustment is a great design. It only takes seconds to alter the cutting height. No exhaust means you don't smell like gas fumes, and the low noise is also a plus. I have to say I have not missed the oil changing and other maintenance needed for a gasoline powered mower.

It should be noted that a replacement battery is only about $100. But even now as I head into my fourth year using this mower, I am seeing no loss of run-time from the original equipment battery that came with my CMM1000. Even if I need a $100 battery every five years or so, a maintenance cost that breaks down to only $20-$25 per year is cheaper than the cost of maintenance and gasoline you'd use on the typical gas powered mower over that amount of time.

Heavy plastic beast dies after 2 summers
Listen to the negative reviews. I bought a CMM1000 in early 2002. I have a very small lot, no hills - should be an ideal candidate. I had to put it out for large-trash pick up this morning.

It worked OK for the two years it would hold a charge. But it was just OK, not great.

Operation: It's not self-propelled, and it's a good deal heavier than any gas mower I've owned (that battery is a huge, solid chunk). That makes it hard to push, even for a fairly big guy like myself. It has small, hard-plastic wheels that tend to be slippery. I did like not having to keep a full can of gasoline or extra oil around in my garage, though.

Performance: It never cut grass very well, especially on the higher blade settings. Mulched OK, but had no blowing power. I wasn't able to bag clippings, really, because they clogged up in the expulsion chamber. The blowing power is so bad that you can't even blow clippings off your sidewalks with the mower.

Build quality: The entire thing is plastic, except for the blade, handle and wheel axles. The washer that holds the blade on is a tiny piece of plastic with a tiny overlapping edge. Mine wore out after the second time I sharpened the blade and tried to remount it. Even the padding on the handlebars shredded after only three months or so.

Longevity: Here's the worst thing. When I revived it for this year, it lost all ability to cut for more than about 3 minutes at a time. Starts up fine, but bogs down even on normally tall grass. The service center told me I need a new battery, and that's $100 plus installation.

I've always followed the battery instructions to the letter. Biggest waste of four hundred bucks I've ever seen. Wish I could give it negative four stars, but one will have to do.

CMM1000 19"
The Black & Decker CMM1000 19" works great, I purchased one to mow around my swimming pool. The mower mows great and holds a charge, the mulching keeps the grass out of the swimming pool while the mowing job keeps the grass looking great. If your looking for a mower that will not only do a good job, but will last, its the Black & Decker CMM1000 19"

Not as expected
I have used this mower about 2-3 times. The battery charge lasts about 45 minutes before it goes into yellow region of charge indicator (time to recharge). When cutting grass, the mower leaves some larger blades of grass partially uncut and you have to go back and recut the grass. This is not a big problem if you have a small yard but with a larger yard it can be very frustrating. This problem may be due to the narrow blade on the cordless mower which is much narrower than my gas mower. I have gone back to using my gas mower for most of my mowing since it doesn't choke down nearly as often and I don't have to deal with recharging after 45 min. or going back and recutting grass. ... Read more

Amazon.com Review

You'll get great results with this Black & Decker heavy-duty Edge Hog landscape edger, one of the easiest-to-use pieces of equipment we've come across. You'll be thrilled with how quickly you can get to work, as assembly takes only a few minutes. This is an electric model, so you'll need an extension cord and an electric outlet handy, but you won't have to deal with gas or oil. And it's so quiet you can edge at any time of day--even early Saturday mornings--without worrying about waking up the neighbors.

We found the Edge Hog has plenty of power in its 2-1/4-horsepower motor for both edging and trenching, and it's easy to switch from one to the other by simply raising or lowering the edge guide. The edger weighs only 12 pounds, which allows for easy transportation and great maneuverability around curved paths, but makes it more difficult to maintain a straight line when you're tackling a lawn that hasn't been edged in a while. If you're digging out quite a bit of dirt along with the edge you're creating, it takes some effort to keep the unit stable.

Undoing a screw toward the front of the edger and raising or lowering its leading wheel easily adjusts the depth of the edge groove you're making along with your edge. The unit can also be adjusted to fit the height of the user more comfortably by changing the angle on the guide handle. The blade requires only a pull of the trigger to start instantly and, unlike many gas models, stops as soon as the trigger is released---an important safety feature. ... Read more

Features

• 30 day no-risk satisfaction guarantee and full two-year warranty
• Exclusive pull up edge guide converts edger to landscape trencher
• 3-position blade depth adjustment for control of cut
• 2-1/4 hp high torque motor tackles tough overgrowth
• Adjustable handle

Reviews (29)

Fastastic Edger
This edger is fantastic! I hadn't edged the property in about 6 years and this edger had no problem with the thick and heavy overgrowth. I was concerned an electric edger wouldn't have the power to handle it, but there was more than enough power. The unit is very quiet too. I had intended to do just the sidewalk, but after I was done I was looking for other areas to edge.

The first time I used it, it did take a while. Mind you I was removing alot of grass and dirt that needed to be scraped away and cleaned up. It goes slowly the first time, but don't be discouraged. What took 3-4 hours the first time, took 20 minutes the second time and even less the third. Once you get it under control it is very easy to maintain a clean edge with this tool. The cleanup the first time is really the worst part after than you can use a blower to clean up.

Since you really don't need to edge every time you mow, I didn't want to buy a gas edger. I tried edging with my string trimmer, but once it gets out of hand you really need an edger to do the job properly.

This edger is quiet, light and easy to clean. It is so easy to use and push that you do need to be careful to stay on your line. It is a little too easy to get off the line and this unit will just slice away at your lawn.

Once general piece of edging advice. When you are removing alot of material, it is much easier to edge a dry lawn than a wet one. Removing 3-4 inches of wet dirt is not easy, but this unit was up to the task. It was just alot easier and faster when it was dry.

Unless you are doing an entire golf course, this edger is more than adequate for any home. You will not be disappointed.

Wow!! What an edger!!!
The Edge Hog works great. Got ours a few days ago, and went to work. We have zoisa in our front yard. Really thick grass with tough roots. Over 10 years it had grown out over our driveway and sidewalk, over 6 inches of overgrowth in some places. We had manually done some of the edging, thinking that the Edge Hog would be good for maintaining it after we had done the tough stuff. But we gave it a try on the fresh stuff and it was absolutely great. We did find that when doing this, since you're pushing the thing over sod and such, it will lift the entire machine up a little bit. So I set it for 1 1/4" depth and did the first run, and then repeated it at the recommended 1" depth to clean up the little bits that were left. Worked like a charm.

It is a little tricky at first trying to follow the exact edge of the concrete (or whatever you're edging around), but after a little while you get used to eyeballing it and you get a feel for the machine.

Someone already mentioned NOT using this when the ground is really wet. I certainly second that. Ours wasn't, but it did clump up a bit and I had to clean out the guard. But the best dirt is slightly moist, which someone else also mentioned. And cleaning out the guard is extremely easy - just turn the small lock knob, open it up and clean (after unplugging it, of course).

Overall a great little machine, especially for ~$90. I'm glad we got ours.

Piece of junk and B&D "customer service" is a joke...
I purchased this unit due to all the rave reviews. I have a rather large corner lot, but I don't consider it to be that big. The Edge Hog seemed to do O.K., but I was having to buy a new blade each time I needed to edge the yard. When you consider the initial cost of the unit, plus a $6 blade each time you use it, the costs mount up pretty quick. After going through this process a few times, I contacted B&D "customer service" to see if the blades were supposed to wear out that fast or if I had been getting defective blades. They would never give me a straight answer, and I finally gave up. I wasted a lot of time just going in circles with them. The second summer, I decided to buy a different brand of blade. I installed it and the thing was working like a dream. After 30 feet or so of edging, there was a noticeable power drop and then the unit started smoking. Well, needless to say, that was the end of the Edge Hog. It's now in the trash, and I will never buy another B&D product as long as I live. If I could, I'd give this piece of junk 0 stars. I've never had a B&D product that has lasted any length of time. If you're considering this unit, or any B&D product, be warned...

Tool You Can't Do Without for Lawn Maintenance
I can't say enough about this tool. It's a time saver.

I used to use a gas trimmer to do my edging. You get dirt all over. It's noisy and gives you fits if you're going to change or adjust the line in the spool. I even got those "AS SEEN ON TV" thing attachement and those things rip everything apart in its path. Needless to say, I don't use that anymore and use this tool solely for edging.

Great buy! Never regretted the purchase and I highly recommended! Spend more time with the wife and kids by getting this tool!! :)

The LE750 Edge Hog
I found this edge hog to be very usuful. For edging you do not need a gas powered machine. This edger has plenty of power. So much power infact, I never bogged it down all the way. This is of course for home use only, not for a landscaping service, however I find it keeps up really well, and I maintain it too. I bought this edger last summer and it lasted all through then. I have a lawn care service. And I do not mind using it for landscaping service purposes. This trimmer is only $90.00 bucks. This is the best electric edger you can buy. And the blade that it uses has jagged edges on it to help cut through better. And you can buy replacment blades for it as well. I use two 100 foot cords together to equal 200 feet. Yes hulling that much of cord is a bit of a pain, however, its still easier than trying to maintain a gass edger. However, I do not recomend that you use more than 200 feet of cord. If you do, you lose curent and your moter will burn up do to loss of power from outlet. I used this electric device to not only landscape a home owners lawn, but I also used it to landscape a buisines. Aftor doing so, there were never any complaints! This is a great buy! Go ahead and enjoy your Black & Decker Edge Hog! ... Read more

Features

• Runs on your home's fuel system - Natural gas or LP gas and automatically exercises itself once a week for 12 minutes
• 15,000/13,000 watt model with 12 circuits that is completely pre-packaged for easy installation
• System supplies back up power within 30 seconds, so you won't have to lift a finger when utility power fails
• Includes: Automatic Transfer Switch with built-in emergency load center, 30 ft. and 2 ft. pre-wired conduits, pre-wired external connection box, composite mounting pad, 1 ft. flexible fuel line and "Do-It-Yourself Instalation Guide"
• Powerful OHVI overhead valve industrial engine with pressurized lubrication and spin-on oil filter for long life

Reviews (6)

For Professional Installation Only!!
I have the 1999 model of the Generac Guardian 15kw system. This one is hooked directly into my panel and I have a subpanel hooked to the transfer switch. If you think you are going to buy a whole-house generator system such as this one you had better be a licensed electrician, pull all the permits, and have an electrical inspector (and gas inspector) licensed in your jurisdiction. You also better be licensed to plumb gas lines. If you don't, you could unknowingly risk the lives of the electric company employees and blow up your house. So many do-it-yourselfers think they know how electricity works but really have no idea--when you have the licensed electrician install this unit ask him for some horror stories.

On the bright side, this is a real generator, not a joke Home Depot portable. This generator provides two legs of 120v (240v) so it can run your entire house and several 240v appliances. Mine runs all circuits, including the hot water heater, but not the electric stove or the heat pump (a heat pump consumes 5 kw already, which brings you to the next higher Generac which is excessively cost-prohibitive.)

During Hurricane Isabel we ran our entire house for 5 days and ran an extension cord to run a neighbor's refrigerator for most of that time. We had hot water and every home comfort available to us except the electric stove and heat/AC. If you can swing the installation costs of such a unit (which easily costs more than the unit itself) by all means get this unit but if you intend to install it yourself you are a fool.

For people who don't have natural gas you will need to change out the regulator. I use propane so we needed a different orifice. Another reviewer stated that he needed a separate gas meter but I've not heard anything about that from our installer when we talked about natural gas vs. propane. If have a combination regulator and gas meter then the gas company needs to visit. If you have a separate regulator then you need to tap the line for your generator and its regulator before your house's regulator.

Everything was as advertised
I found the Guardian 15KW generator to be exactly as described in the literature. I did have to have the power company install a larger gas meter to get the required gas flow. The cost of the upgraded gas meter installation was $140. I am not an electrician but I have had previous experience with electrical wiring and I found the instructions to be very easy to follow. I was able to do the total installation except for hooking up the gas supply line from the gas meter. After the generator was installed I hired an electrician to assist me in testing the unit for proper output etc. Everything tested out according to the specifications.

There is a problem!
The manufacturer does not mention a minor detail. This generator consumes almost 200 cubic feet of natural gas per hour at 11-14" of water column pressure. This is TWICE the pressure of a residential intallation so this unit requires a seperate gas meter. Find out BEFORE you buy whether the gas company will switch out the meter and help with the piping. Your house will require two pressures, 6" for your regular appliences and furnace and 12-14" for the generator. The generator does work, but it is NOT easy to install.

Excellent Product
I would recommend the 15K Watt Generac Generator to anyone. Easy to install. I have had no problems with it. The only difficulty was the conversion from Nat Gas to Propane. It comes with the Nat Gas orifices installed. The difficulty was due to very little working room to remove the regulator. Other than that minor issue I would rate this 5 stars. You will get what you pay for and in this case you get a great product.

The Ultimate Home Security System for Your Family
We had the Generac 15kw generator installed in our new home construction about two years ago. 15 kw is adequate for emergency power for nearly any home, although larger models are available if you wanted to power everything in your house.

The generator has performed exactly as described without a hitch since our original startup. It automatically excercises itself once a week to keep the battery charged and everything working.

The current pricing on this item is outstanding--our construction schedule forced us to buy just before the big Y2K event. Prices are now around half what they were. Installation will go most smoothly with an electrician who is familiar with these systems which have been adapted for home use, so I would recommend locating the electrician before ordering. Routine maintenance is basically like servicing a car engine, can be done by nearly anyone. The nicest thing of all is that the unit is connected to our natural gas line, so we never have to worry about fuel.

This was an investment in our home I made mostly for my wife. I've never regretted it. We love it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

You've got to love combo kits, and this one might reign supreme in the contracting world. The king of recip saws, Milwaukee delivers here with their awesome cordless Hatchet Sawzall model with a six-position pivoting handle. The tool is only 13 inches long when fully pivoted, letting you cut between 16-inch on center studs, as well as between rafters and joists, with very aggressive orbital action. You'll like the super quick and easy blade changes, too. The 18-volt 6-1/2-inch circular saw easily cuts 2-by material at a 45-degree bevel in just one pass and packs plenty of power. The saw's excellent balance, all-metal upper and lower guards, and rigid aircraft aluminum shoe add durability you can feel. The soft-grip handle feels great in hand and dampens vibration. The hammer drill features reversible battery for working in tight spaces and, we think, better balance, too. The soft grip reduces pressure points and absorbs tool vibration, too--a nice feature considering the tool's got 495 inch-pounds of torque and up to 1,700 rpm. Last, the handy multiposition flashlight has a nice, strong beam and stays where you put it. Everything fits in the roomy, rugged bag–ready for transport when the work is done.--Kris Jensen-Van Heste ... Read more

Features

• Limited Warranty
• Hammer-Drill provides up to 495 in./lbs. of torque and features an all-metal ratcheting chuck with carbide jaws for the highest grip torque on bits
• The Hatchet features a 6 position pivoting handle and an Orbital action selector for aggressive wood cutting or straight reciprocating action for metal and plastics
• Circular Saw cuts up to 145 û 2x4Æs on one charge!
• Milwaukee's exclusive reversible battery allows users to adjust balance and get into tight spaces

Reviews (18)

WOW!!!
Not sure how else to title this review. I got this set about 2 months ago. Everything has come in handy. I used the drill (hammer drill, but haven't used the hammer option yet) and circular saw to redo my deck. Used the Hatchet a little bit, but not too much.

The drill has an amazing amount of torque. I bought this set for two reasons:
1) Milwaukee name. I figure that this'll last me for the rest of my life, or well past the life of the original set of Milwaukee batteries that came with it, and
2) I looked at just about all of the competitors, and the Milwaukee driver has the most torque of them all, as far I could find. I wanted this because I was driving screws through pressure-treated 2-by lumber without pre-drilling. And this worked like a charm.

The circular saw has lots of torque as well. With some sloppy cutting (not all, just a little bit, and some of this intentional), it was difficult to slow down the blade when it began to bind. In my book that's good.

Like I said, I only used the Hatchet a little bit, but I was impressed.

And even the light came in handy this last weekend as the big east coast hurricance blew through and zapped everyone's house power.

I was impressed with the batteries. I drove upwards of 900 long screws into my deck and made lots of cuts with the circular saw over several days. I only had to recharge the batteries 3-4 times. Not too shabby. And the Milwaukee universal charger (charges all of their batteries from ~9 volts up to 18 volts) is very nice too. A little light tells you the battery status, and the quick charge (an hour, I think) was nice.

The bag is nice and big. I haven't even bothered to put the tools in there yet, but there appears to be ample room and the bag is quite heavy and will probably take a good beating.

Overall, I'm extremely happy I got this set.

Hey use your oun
I work with a contractor on a regular basis. He uses all of that yellow stuff. I needed to replace my cordless drill. I looked around at what was available and decided to get the Milwaukee set. I don't have any of the problems described above in the other reviews. The batteries hold up great. The drill works super.I even bought a second one. You can't say enough about the hatchet WOW. My problem is that boss wont leave my stuff alone. He has me checking prices for him because he wants one. Great tools

Contractor
I've had this set for about 6 months. The drill is burn't up. The lock button is in an awkward spot so you tend to lock it on when using it. The chuck is not very good, the batteries are hard to change and it is too large to fit in many spaces. The sawzall works very well but eats batteries. The circular saw is a waste of money. The blade is on the left side and it eats batteries like crazy. It is not very powerful either. The light is the best piece of the entire set. All in all I'm pretty disappointed with Milwaukee on this one. I buy Milwaukee tools exclusively because they usually last. I think the higher voltage sets are not as good as say the 12 or 14 volt sets. The batteries really are ackwardly designed. If you do any drywall they are very hard to get off because the mechanism fills with dust.

Great Kit
I've had this kit for at least a year now, and I love it. Sure, it's heavy, but it's 18v, what do you expect? The drill has loads of power, and hasn't burnt up on me yet. Nor have I accidentally locked it. My biggest complaint on it is the Hammer action on it. Of course, I was drilling through solid concrete, not masonry, which is what hammerdrills are intended for. I've used the drill and the Skilsaw the most, and I'm glad the blade's on the left side, as a right-hander and wormdrive user. It will never replace my wormdrive, but when you have to cut over your head or hundreds of feet from any power source, it's most definitely worth it.

Pulling your chain
I have owned this kit for more than two years and it is still going strong, I love it. But I have to tell you I have never seen this kit at $900.00 plus. When I first saw it three or more years ago it was only $500.00 or so dollars. Just to let you know, you can go to Home Depot or Lowes and get it for about the same price. So someone is pulling your chain. ... Read more

Features

• DC410-6,500 RPM, 5/8"-11 spindle, ball bearing construction
• Type 1 (cut-off) and Type 27 (offset center) guards included
• DC988-DEWALT built motor for 500 in-lbs of maximun torque
• XRP Extended run-time batteries for long run-time and life
• DC988 - Patented 3-speed transmission: 0-450/0-1,450/0-2,000

Reviews (1)

Good Combo Hammer Drill and Cutoff Tool
I bought this kit mainly for the cutoff grinder tool.I have been using the cutoff tool as a grinder and it works great.This is for a field application were I needed cordless and this has lived up to my expectations.The battery life is good, the wieght and feel of the tool is great, and it is easy to use. Power for a cordless 4 1/2" grinder is excellent, you can lean pretty hard on it before it stalls, but remember it is cordless.The drill works well however I havn't used it enough to comment.Dewalt cordless tools are not cheap, however a good value. The reason for 4 not 5 stars is I want to see how long it lasts. ... Read more