So join me in fanboy worship as I provide a brief overview, history and review collection of this new saw currently available for pre-order.

SawdustStop? Controlling Air Flow Changes the Game…
What really caught my attention on this saw, thanks to the fine folks at the PopularWoodworking blog, is how the new SawStop PCS has harnessed the previously squandered power of airflow created by the spinning blade.

Here’s how PW’s Glen Huey puts it: “SawStop molded the blade guard and manipulated the lower dust shroud to move the air – and the corresponding wood dust – directly toward and into a hose connection in rear of the blade guard.”

Here’s the shroud top on the new PCS:

And the lower dust shroud:

You can also check the specs yourself here: SawStop 10″ Professional Cabinet Saw specs

An Early Mention of the SawStop PCS by Steve Gass at WoodNet
As far as I can discern, this thread at WoodNet: sawstop professional vs. orig cab is the first time that the PCS gets mentioned semi-officially by Steve Gass, SawStop inventor: “It will be a left tilt. It will also have a new guard design and fantastic dust collection performance (over and under). Production is currently scheduled for June.”

SawStop PCS Prototypes Released for Testing… Before Official Release
To beta test their new saw, SawStop offered a limited release for field testing. For a reduced price and early access SawStop requested feedback from its testers. The release also served to build buzz in the major woodworking forums (links below…).

Here’s a copy of the SawStop email pitching the PCS prototype:

SawStop is looking for people to test our latest cabinet saw. The Professional Cabinet Saw is slated for official launch this summer, but we need your help testing the first batch of production units.

We’re offering the new Professional Cabinet Saw at a discount off of the expected MSRP. In return we ask that you use the saw frequently and report back on your impressions and any issues you have with the saw. The saw will include our standard one-year warranty.

The Professional Cabinet Saw is a 3 HP, 220V cabinet saw that features SawStop’s patented safety system, advanced dust collection and premium levels of fit and finish. It delivers the performance you need from a cabinet saw at an affordable price.

Please see the attached document for more information on the Professional Cabinet Saw.

Here’s what you need to do to qualify to be a field tester:
·Pay for and receive the saw between March 23 and April 10
·Commit to use the saw frequently for 30-45 days after receiving it
·Report back on your experience using a questionnaire that will come with the saw

You may purchase either a 36” or a 52” fence system and you have the option of buying a mobile base.

Special field testing prices are as follows:
36” fence system: $2,499
52” fence system: $2,559
Mobile base: $175

Shipping is included in this price. Local taxes apply.

If you are interested in participating in our field testing and being one of the first to own the new SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw, please reply to this email or call Dylan Walter at 503-570-3200.

Act now. There is a limited supply of saws available for field testing.

Thanks,
SawStop

10 Reviews from Current SawStop PCS Owners
I pulled these comments and reviews directly from SawmillCreek and Woodnet forum threads… you can find all links to the specific forum threads in the resources section below. I hope these help potential buyers piece together a sense of the new saw’s quality. Overall, the SMC boys like it more. The Woodnetters are a notoriously prickly lot, though that’s what gives that forum it’s charm in my opinion. That said, the Woodnetters who were testers liked it alot – their compatriots just gave them he** for liking SawStops ;)

1) Paul Ryan Overall:
“And the saw, HO HO HO, it is a keeper. It seems to have lots more power than my 3 hp SC, it cut 7/4 hickory with the stock blade like butter. The dust collection is better than the SC, and the fit and finish is 2nd to none. The mobile base is real nice, just wish it had 4 swivle casters instead of 2. All in all I am very happy.”

2) barryvabeach Overall:
“I have one of the field test models, and while it has been beaten to death on the brake – marketing issues, I will say the same things as many others, although I bought it for the brake, even without it is a pretty nice saw. I haven’t seen the PM or new Unisaw in any detail, so I can’t provide that comparison, but the SS professional cab saw is pretty nice to use. It has a gas cartridge that provides some additional lift when raising and lowering the blade – so that works very smoothly easily, it has a zero clearance insert that locks in place and removes without any tools or screws – though as a downside , if you want to make you own zci – you would have to use a screw to hold it in place, the changeover from blade guard to splitter is tool free and pretty easy since both can be stored on the side of the saw. The miter gauge is pretty average, though it can be stored on the side also, the fence is quite good – but there is no onboard storage. The saw has plenty of power, and you can adjust nearly anything you can think of in a very precise manner ( you don’t need a hammer ) . I don’t use a dado blade so I can’t speak to that, but I change between a WWII and the Sawstop blade in a minute or two with no adjustments of the brake mechanism. Overall I am quite pleased.”

3) routerhead Overall:
“I use the Professional model for hobby use but it would be suitable for much heavier use. I wanted a lower cost saw than the Industrial version and have no regrets whatsoever buying it. I would be in line again to order another one if anything happened to the one that I got through the field tester program.

If you choose the Professional saw, take a look at purchasing the mobile base from the Industrial saw. The Industrial Mobile base is primo and will fit the Professional saw with a conversion kit that will be included.”

4) Tapper Overall:
“I also bought one of the field test models and so far, with limited use am quite pleased with it. It replaced a Unisaw – bought it primarily for the safety feature as I’m getting a little older and wanted to take the possibility of a serious accident out of the tablesaw equation.

Under the field test program the saw was $2,500 for the 36″ model with free shipping, quite reasonable considering that other competitive “new generation” cabinet saws without the safety feature are near this price.”

5) Tom Willoughby, Overall Review:
“As others have mentioned, I also had an unlevel right extension wing. A little masking tape above the bolt holes helped level things out but it still isn’t perfect. It is much closer than the wood I’m cutting so no worries.

I am very pleased with the SawStop PCS.”

6) rprice54, Overall Review:
“Once I got over the sticker shock, I am very pleased with my PCS. It seems to be a very well made and well thought out machine, even down to making adjustments to it (parallel, tilt axis, vertical axis, etc). I hope to never use the brake, and I still feel like I have a great saw. Is it better than some of the other high end saws? I have no idea, because I’ve never laid hands on them. It’s the best saw I’ve owned. Good ’nuff for me. I can’t imagine I’ll ever NEED more saw.”

7) Paul Ryan on PCS vs. New Delta:
“The new PCS saw is as much a cabinet saw as the new Delta. I own the new PCS so I may be partial to it. The trunion on the new SS PCS are mounted to the cabinet NOT THE TABLE like a contractor saw. I have had to adjust my table, it is really easy, not so with a trunion that is mounted to the table. I have looked over a new Delta very closely at my dealer. It is a nice saw but IMHO the trunion is no beefier than the new SS PCS, I think they are equal. The SS has a gas shock on it to help lowering and rasing the blade. I do like the table on the Delta beter because it is larger, that is really nice. The fences are equal in my opinion, the riving nife is much nicer on the delta. And then the SS has a blade brake too. The delta is a nice saw but other than the larger table I don’t think it has anything the SS PCS doesn’t.”

8) Rob Pierce on the Riving Knife and Brake:
“I’m liking the riving knife, I had to resaw some 1″ strips of walnut 1/4 thick from my 3/4 stock. I used pieces at least 2″ wide so the blade was never exposed. The ripped strips came out looking great, needing just a bit of sanding. No pinching or burning on the blade.

Now if I could just get it to clean up the shop while I’m gone it would be perfect….”

9) Andy Sowers on Assembly:
“Anyone else have to adjust the miter slot to blade parallelism? Mine was initially out by just over 0.01. After adjusting the table, I got it down to about 0.001. The table bolts were pretty loose initially, so that probably explains why it was out so much to begin with.

Everything went according to the manual instructions, except it was a pain to tighten the left rear table bolt because it was blocked by the trunion assembly. Tilting the blade away provided enough clearance to access the bolt, but this also required sliding the dial indicator out of the way. That made it tougher to check the alignment as you were tightening up the table bolts.”

10) Brent Bell on Assembly:
“I had only two small problems in the assembly. One was with the same bolt holes on the mobil base that others have described. The other was with leveling the extension wings. The right wing was especially uneven with the main table. I contacted Sawstop and was given several tips. One was to shim between the main table and the extension with aluminum foil. It did the trick. Now all of the parts of the saw top are very uniform – probably as good as I could possibly measure with my straight edge.”

My SawStop PCS Forum Thread Sources
New Saw Stop?
SawStop PCS Dedicated Thread
New Saw Stop PCS Dust Collecting Blade Guard
Old or New Saw Stop PCS
SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw Field Test – Just Ordered!
looking to start a fight maybe? Griz GO690 or Sawstop Contractor
Window shopping for Tablesaws again…

Other SawStop Resources:
SawStop Tackles Table Saw Issue #2
Sawstop vs. Powermatic PM 2000 in the Professional Wood Shop
First Reported Injury with Sawstop…
SawStop on Twitter

This 15 planer comparison should give you a good idea on which planers are the most popular, and provide a starting point for making your planer purchase decision!

Top 9 15″ Planers, According to Woodworking Forums:
1) Grizzly 15 Inch Planer: 88 Overall Recommendations

Grizzly G0453: 30 Recommendations
Grizzly G0453Z: 14 Recommendations
Grizzly G1021X2: 11 Recommendations
Grizzly G1021X: 7 Recommendations
Grizzly G0551: 6 Recommendations
Grizzly G1021Z: 1 Recommendation

2) Powermatic 15 Inch Planer: 35 Overall

Powermatic 15HH: 21 Recommendations
Powermatic 15S: 14 Recommendations

3) Delta 15 Inch Planer: 30 Overall

Delta DC-380: 10 Recommendations
Delta X5: 5 Recommendations
Delta 22-780x: 4 Recommendations
Delta 22-790x: 4 Recommendations
Delta 22-785X: 1 Recommendation

4) Jet 15 Inch Planer: 17 Overall

Jet JWP-15HO: 4 Recommendations
Jet #708529: 2 Recommendations
Jet JWP-1rDX: 1 Recommendation

5) Yorkcraft 15 Inch Planer: 14 Overall

Yorkcraft YC-15P: 4 Recommendations

6) General International 15 Inch Planer: 12 Overall

General International 30-115: 4 Recommendations
General International 30-125: 4 Recommendations

7) Steel City 15 Inch Planer: 6 Recommendations

8) ShopFox 15 Inch Planer: 6 Overall

ShopFox 1742: 3 Recommendations

9) King Industrial 15 Inch Planer: 5 Overall

King 385-FX: 1 Recommendations
King Industrial CT380C: 1 Recommendations

More Planer Resources:
14-16″ Planer Reviews from ToolCritic
Selecting a 15” Planner, Fixed vs. Moveable Bed *LINK*
G0453 15″ Planer ?
POWERMATIC 15HH Thickness Planer
grizzly 1021×2 or grizzly 0453z
Planer differences ???
Yorkcraft planer review
workshop accident (injury while changing planer blades…)

>> 17 More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib
8″ Jointer Comparison: Delta vs. Grizzly vs. Shop Fox vs. Yorkcraft and more!
Top 7 Cordless Circular Saw Comparison: Makita vs. DeWalt vs. Milwaukee and MORE!
Top Five 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009
Top 9 Woodworking Shop Vac Smack Down: Ridgid vs. Festool vs. Fein and More
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. Rigid
Most Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

Tags: 15, inch, planer

In this track saw comparison I read through several forum threads discussing track saws and counted up the purchase recommendations. I did not use any of these tools myself! I hope that this comparison of recommendations, plus the links to my sources, will help you to make a better decision on how to spend your heard earned dollars.

Track Saw Comparison:
1) Festool TS 55 (or 75)

Votes: 13
Dewalt DWS520SK vs Festool TS55EQ – long with pictures (best comparison thread I’ve ever seen)
Festool TS 55 Circular Saw in Action video
#5 on Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service

2) EurekaZone (best buy on a budget)

Votes: 8
EurekaZone Forum at SMC
#2 on Top 5 Woodworking Tool Companies with the Best Customer Service
DIY Table Saw Alternative: EZ Guide + Circular Saw (From 2 years ago, when I first discovered tracks + circ saws)

3) Dewalt DWS520SK Track Saw

Votes: 3
Dewalt Track saw owner

4) Makita SP6000 + Rail System

SP6000 Video (Canadian)

Cutting Grid for Breaking Down Sheet Goods:
Knock-Down Sawhorse Cutting Grid

Track Saw Forum Threads:
Which track saw?
Dewalt DWS520SK vs Festool TS55EQ – long with pictures
Festool Saw with Guide Rail, or Dewalt Tracksaw?
Dewalt Track saw cost
Table saw vs. Track saw
Dewalt TrackSaw vs Table saw?
Festool T55/75 vs cab saw..

More Resources:
Talk about ways to cut down sheet goods
Getting Sheet Goods Home: 9 Ways to Reduce the Pain
15 Free Table Saw Outfeed Plans: Mobile Tables, Folding Tables, Outfeed Stands and More!
How To Calculate Board Feet for Your Woodworking Projects

And even though we recommend a 6″ Jointer over an 8″ here it’s also true that an 8″ is the most often recommended width in the woodworking forums. So that’s why we researched the prevailing opinion on 8″ jointers. We only found one magazine jointer review, from 2005 and it was hidden behind FWW’s paywall.

If you’re not familiar with what a jointer is or how it works, scroll down to the video section below to watch “The Jointer’s Jumpin” from The WoodWhisperer. Or click here >>

If it’s just straight edges you want (and not a new power tool ;) then read 7 Table Saw Jointing Jig Plans: Straight Edge, No Jointer.

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
>> Top 9 Comparison: 8 Inch Jointers
>> 31 Jointer Recommendation Forum Threads
>> 5 Jointer-Related Forum Debates
>> 5 Jointer Videos
>> 16 More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib

>> Top 9 Comparison: 8 Inch Jointers
There are few surprises in here for folks who know their jointers. Except for maybe the Harbor Freight model there in the #9 position ;) I was not able to track down a company site for Yorkcraft… please assist if you have more information!

1) Delta DJ-20 (37-380) 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
47 Forum Recommendations
Delta – 8-in. Jointer 37-380
“The least noisy of the jointers tested, the Delta 37-380 has a fence that moves on a rack-and-pinion gear, making it very easy to move by turning a knob. The table infeed is adjusted with a lever; the outfeed, with a handwheel. The table-locking handle is sturdier and more comfortable than most.”
Delta 37-380 8″ Jointer by John H
Delta DJ20 vs Grizzly GO490 jointers

2) Grizzly 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
44 Forum Recommendations Overall
G0586: 7 Recommendations
G0593: 2 Recommendations
Grizzly Industrial – 8-in. Jointer G0586
“Priced at $625 (the lowest price of those we compared) this machine is an excellent value.”
Grizzly G0586 Jointer
Grizzly 8″ Jointer Model G0586 review
Grizzly G0586 8″ Jointer review
Grizzly G0586 8″ Jointer – Dust Collection
Grizzly G0593 8″ Jointer w/spiral cutting head
Grizzly Jointer G0490 & G0593
Reviews: Grizzly GO586 8-Inch Jointer
G0490X 8″ Jointer w/ Spiral Cutterhead
Review – Grizzly 8″ Jointer G0490
Problem with motor on Grizzly G0500 8-inch jointer

3) Shop Fox W1741

Ranking:
16 Forum Recommendations
Which jointer SF W1741 or Griz G0593
My new Shop Fox W1741 8″ jointer Gloat/Review
Shop Fox 8″ jointer – W1741 – review
Shop Fox W1741 Owners Manual (PDF)

4) Yorkcraft yc-8j 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
11 Recommendations
Yorkcraft YC-8J 8″ Jointer Review
Yorkcraft – 8-in. Jointer YC-8J
“The least expensive of the models tested, it’s the only jointer in the group that includes a rolling base.”

5) Sunhill 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
4 Forum Recommendations
Sunhill Machinery – 8-in. Jointer CT-204L
“The Sunhill has one of the longer tables of the models tested, but extensions must be bolted to both ends to reach the longer length. The table is adjusted with a handwheel, and the table-lock lever is small. The fence-locking lever is in back and tended to slip, causing the fence to get hung up.”

6) Powermatic 60B 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
4 Recommendations
Powermatic – 8-in. Jointer 60B
“The Powermatic combines wheel and lever table adjustment to offer the best of both options: a lever with a built-in dial that makes fine-tuning easy.”
POWERMATIC PJ-882HH 8″ Parallelogram Jointer Review

7) Jet JJ-8CS 8 Inch Jointer

Ranking:
2 Recommendations
Jet – 8-in. Jointer JJ-8CS
“The fence-locking lever on this model is located in back, and it had a tendency to slip and hang up the fence. Finally, the knives arrived nicked and had to be honed before using.”
JET 8″ Closed Stand Jointer JJ-8CS Epinions
Jet JJ-8CS Jointer Review from ‘98

8) Steel City 8 Inch 40605 Jointer

Ranking:
1 Recommendation
Review: Steel City 8″ Industrial parallelogram jointer 40605
Steel City Tool Works 8″ Industrial Jointer (40605)

9) Harbor Freight 8 Inch

Ranking:
1 Recommendation
Harbor Freight 8″ Jointer Review
“Overall, I’m more than happy with this jointer for the price. There was no shipping cost or long transport as I ordered through the store and picked it up a week later. I’m very happy with it!”
HF 8″ jointer worth $320
Feedback on Harbor Freight Jointers
8″ Rabbeting Jointer

>> 31 Jointer Recommendation Forum Threads
Cheap 8″ jointer if you had to buy today… ???
“Jointer shopping burn out!” (2007)
8 inch jointer
buying a new 8 inch jointer
The DJ20 also takes up a lot more shop space. Is it really that much better?
8″ Jointer and 15″ Planer -Delta or General? (2004)
Oasis 8 inch Jointer Knockoff of Delta (2004)
8″ Canwood Jointer
Which Grizzly 8 inch jointer G0656 or G0586?
HELP! 8″ Jointer Advice, Pick Your Favorite
used 8″ griz jointer price?
Opinions on Delta DJ-20 8″ jointer
Harbor Freight 8″ Jointer or 6″
best 8″ jointer (with requirements)
Which jointer?
Open the can of worms Jointers Shaper, and Planers oh my
Craftex 8″ Jointer
Help with purchasing an 8″ jointer!
Looking at an 8″ jointer
Makita 8″ jointer
New 8″ Jointer Arrived
Shopping for 8″ Jointer
Grizzly G0490/Shop Fox W1741 8″ Jointer
Car Analogy for Jointer Decision… Help…
buying a jointer
Lookin for advice on a jointer
What size, type of Jointer to buy?
Which jointer?
Considering the G0495X jointer
I want a quality Jointer

>> 5 Jointer-Related Forum Debates:
Cabinet Saw or 8″ Jointer
Minimax 14″ J/P vs. Grizzly 20″ Planer & 8″ Jointer
Jet JJP-12 Combo versus 8″ Grizzly Jointer and DW735 Planer
Jointer reviews
What to buy next? Jointer? or Thickness Planer?

>> 5 Jointer Videos
Woodworking #6 – The Jointer’s Jumpin’

WOODWORKING – Jointers – Setting & Using

Powermatic PJ-882HH 8″ Parallelogram Jointer Review

How to Use Basic Woodworking Tools : What Is a Jointer Used For?
8-in. Jointers Under $1,400 (2005 video)

>> 16 More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib
Top 7 Cordless Circular Saw Comparison: Makita vs. DeWalt vs. Milwaukee and MORE!
Top Five 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009
Top 9 Woodworking Shop Vac Smack Down: Ridgid vs. Festool vs. Fein and More
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. Rigid
Most Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

Tags: 8, jointer, comparison,, 8, jointer, review

Primary negatives cited:
-frequent battery pack burnout/replacement in daily use situations
-when deviating off of the line, binding eats a lot of batteries
-sacrifice torque for convenience

Primary suggestions noted:
-LI is the only way to go, end of story
-18V or higher
-Use thin, sharp blades (ie replace factory blade asap)

That’s enough ado. Check out the top 7 cordless circular saws.

1) Makita
Makita BSS610 LXT

Ranking:
9 Overall Makita Recommendations
3 Makita LXT recommendations
Ranked “Best Cordless”: ConsumerSearch
Makita’s 18-volt LXT Lithium-ion Circular Saw
Makita – LXT400 Cordless Combo Kit
“The 6-1/2-in. circular saw was sturdy and powerful, with excellent controls and adjustments. A dust blower kept the cutting line clear, and an LED light aimed at the leading edge of the blade was a genuine help when I was working in any conditions less than bright sunlight. I didn’t like the saw’s horizontal grip, but the light weight of the battery pack compensated by making the tool easy to handle.”

2) DeWalt
DEWALT DC390B 18-Volt Cordless Circular Saw

Ranking:
12 Overall DeWalt Recommendations
9 Recommendations: DEWALT 18V

DeWalt DW939 Cordless 6 1/2″ Circular Saw Lumber Jocks Review

3) Milwaukee
Milwaukee 0730-22 V28 Lithium Ion 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw

Ranking:
8 Overall Milwaukee Recommendations
1 Milwaukee 18V Recommendation
5 Milwaukee V28 Recommendations

Mike Guertin in Fine Home Building:
“On my last few remodeling projects, I set aside my corded circular saw and relied solely on the new cordless Milwaukee V28. Even though I was crosscutting 2x lumber, ripping full sheets of 3/4-in. plywood, and trimming MDF (medium-density fiberboard) panels, I had to keep reminding myself that I was using a battery-powered saw.”
Milwaukee – 0730-20 V28 Cordless Circular Saw

4) Ridgid
Ridgid R845 Cordless Circular Saw

Ranking:
10 Overall Ridgid Recommendations
4 18V Recommendations
5 24V Recommendations

Ridgid R922 18v Cordless Combo Pack Review (including Circ Saw)

5) Ryobi

Ranking:
10 Overall Ryobi P500 Recommendations
1 Don’t Buy counter-recommendation
Ranked “Best Budget Cordless”: ConsumerSearch
“it is what it is… with the proper expectations you won’t be disappointed”
Ryobi Cordless Saws – Ryobi Fan expressing adulation

6) Bosch
CCS180 18V Litheon Circular Saw

Ranking:
5 Recommendations

7 tie) Hilti
Hilti WSC 70-A36 Cordless Circular Saw

Ranking:
1 Recommendation

7 tie) Hitachi
Hitachi C18DLP4 18-Volt Lithium Ion 6-1/2-Inch Circular Saw

Ranking:
1 Recommendation

7 tie) Panasonic
Panasonic EY3551GQ 18-Volt NiMH 6-1/2-Inch Cordless Circular Saw

Ranking:
1 Recommendation

>> Forum Sources:
Cordless Circular Saw Recommendations
cordless circular saw? Recomended or not
Need advice on cordless circular saw
Lowe’s Firestorm cordless circular saw advice
DeWalt cordless circ saw
Good Cordless Tools
24V Circular Saw R885
6 1/2″ cordless circ saws – blade speed
People with cordless tools, still use corded ones?
corded vs. cordless? your vote = my purchase…(Long)
buyers remorse – just venting on my cordless vs corded dilemma
Cordless Combo Kit
Another Cordless bites the dust
Cabinet installation tool kit (2004)
Scribing a Template to Fit A Countertop Between Three Walls
Cutting notches (best method ?)

>> Other Sources
Consumer Search on Circular Saws
Circular saws: Plug them in – anti-cordless circ saw propaganda from Consumer Reports
Lithium-Ion Hands On -Though I value the effort that went into the Tools of the Trade overview of Lithium Ion cordless tools, they don’t explain the hierarchy of the tools, or indicate if there’s any preference of one tool over the other. Also, they only talk about the positives. Good overview, but not super useful for decision making in my opinion.
Bosch 18-Volt Cordless Circ Saw (2002)
Cordless Circ Saw videos

>> More Circular Saw Articles from ToolCrib.com
Woodworking Without A Table Saw
Best Circular Saw Under $100
Q/A: Converting a Circular Saw into a Table Saw
DIY Table Saw Alternative: EZ Guide + Circular Saw
Getting Sheet Goods Home: 9 Ways to Reduce the Pain

>> More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib
Top Five 10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009
Top 9 Woodworking Shop Vac Smack Down: Ridgid vs. Festool vs. Fein and More
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. Rigid
Most Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

Though there are significantly more than 5 10 inch SCMS out there, only 5 got repeat mentions from woodworking forums…

If you’re having trouble deciding between a 10″ or 12″ check out: Buying miter saw question 10″ vs. 12″ See the similar Sawmill Creek thread too: 10″ VS 12″ Compound Miter Saw.

In regards to sliders vs. non sliders for fine woodworking we defer to Mr. Lumber Yard in woodnet “…sliders have their place but I’ll take my Bosch 12″ Dual Bevel non-slider any day of the week for fine WW over any slider.”

If you’re looking to improve the accuracy of your SMCS after purchase we direct you to the sage words of WoodNet’s Mr. Bill_de: “I have a Bosh 12″ which wasn’t too accurate until I put a Forest Chopmaster on it. The original blade was labeled “Construction” and that’s what it was good for. After awhile I realized while it was much better, it was still lacking something. For critical work I started using the hold down. Voilà!”

Without further ado, here are the top five 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saws of 2009 (thus far…):

1) Makita LS1013FL

Ranking:
45 Forum Recommendations
Woodworker’s Journal “Close Second” Pick June 2008
Makita in Fine Woodworking – no special award in 2006
Editor’s Choice 2004 Popular Woodworking
Makita LS1013 Dual Slide Compound 10″ Miter Saw Problems
Price at time of publication: $452.46

2) Hitachi C10FSH

Ranking:
22 Forum Recommendations
Woodworker’s Journal Third Place, Bargain Pick June 2008
Hitachi Review in Fine Woodworking 2006 – no special mention
RokJok’s big Hitachi but on WoodNet: “* * * B U T * * * there is one thing that I hate on [my Hitachi]. Changing from partial-depth cuts (cutting a dado) to full-depth cuts (to cut off the one piece you forgot to cut with the rest of the batch ) or any other cut depth change is a huge P.I.T.A. !!!! That is due to the saw’s depth adjuster being a threaded rod with jam nuts (a wing-nut above and a couple hex-nuts below a threaded piece of casting) to lock the depth. That arrangement doesn’t allow for quick changes.”
Price at time of publication: $361.63

3) Bosch 4410

Ranking:
10 Forum Recommendations
Best Overall Workbench Magazine 2007
Best Overall + Reader’s Choice Fine Woodworking 2006
Editor’s Choice 2004 Popular Woodworking
Price at time of publication: $543.99

4) Festool’s Kapex KS 120

Ranking:
6 Forum Recommendations …Note – I did not include Festool Forums ;)
Woodworker’s Journal Top Pick June 2008
Gary Katz Tests the Kapex (Video + Pics)
Price at time of publication: $1300

5) Chicago Electric SCMS by Harbor Freight

Ranking:
2 Forum Recommendations
Chicago Electric – 90891 Sliding Compound Miter Saw in Fine Woodworking 2006
Price at time of publication: $119.87

Source for Magazine Review Input:
Consumer Search Miter Saw Review Sources

Forum Threads Reviewed:
If you were going to buy a new sliding compound miter saw
Your pick for most accurate Compound Miter Saw or SCMS
10 Inch Sliding Compound Miter Saw- SEEK ADVICE
Which 10 inch sliding miter saw?
Bosch 4410 vs Makita LS1013
sliding compound miter saw, Dewalt
10″ SCMS – Dewalt? Bosch?
Hitachi SCMS Problems Anyone?
Makita vs Bosch SCMS
HELP! Sliding miter saw recommendations
I need miter saw advice!!
if you were to by a SCMS today which would it be?
Advice for a newbie on a compound miter saw?
10” SCMS – Bosch 4410 or Makita LS1013
Sliding Compound Miter Saw recommendations.
Bosch 4410 SCMS Impressions (Long)
The new milwaukee scms is the schizzle!!
Makita LS1013L 10-Inch Dual Bevel Sliding Compound Miter Saw With Laser
Makita Compound sliding miter saw

Good Reviews but Too Old for Consideration:
2004 Popular Woodworking Review of 10″ Sliding Compound Miter Saws (PDF)
2003 Workbench Magazine review of 12″ SCMS (PDF)
2002 Tools of the Trade SCMS Review
2001 Comparison Test: 8 Sliding Dual Compound Miter Saws

>> More Top Tool Comparisons from Tool Crib
Top 9 Woodworking Shop Vac Smack Down: Ridgid vs. Festool vs. Fein and More
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. Rigid
Most Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

Tags: best, 10, inch, sliding, compound, miter, saw

Note on Shop Vac Dust Collection Usage:
-NOT recommended as sole dust collection approach (but better than nothing)
-Ideally for portable tools only: random orbit sanders, miter saws etc
-Compare CFMs as relative power baseline
-Check hose compatibility with your tools
-Some may still require hearing protection

Gore CleanStream Filter Recommended Over and Over…
…and over and over by woodworkers. They’re 99.7% efficient at 0.3 microns which means they get the nasty stuff out of the air and help protect your lungs.

Mini CV06 Clearvue Cyclone Recommended Over and Over…

“The only requirement is that your container be sealed completely and be strong enough to withstand the vacuum created by the shop vac..”
(halfway down that page, no way to link directly)

And now, ladies and gentlemen, the top 9 woodworking shop vacs! Enjoy, and don’t miss all the links and resources at the bottom of the page!

1) Ridgid 16 Gallon Shop Vac WD1851

Ranking:
-22 Forum Recommendations
-9 MORE Forum Recommendations for >>Clearvue Ridgid Conversion + Ridgid WD1665 or WD1670
-Ridgid WD1450 named #1 in Popular Mechanics 2007 >>

Related discussion:
Advice Needed – 16 Gallon Ridgid Shop Vac
Ridgid 16 Gallon Wet/Dry Vac with Detachable Blower Model WD1660 review in Epinions

2) Festool – Cleantec (CT) 33 Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
-6 Forum Recommendations
-Editors’ Choice in Fine Home Building 2007
-top-rated shop vac in a survey of more than 9,000 readers of Fine Homebuilding and Fine Woodworking in Taunton’s 2008 Tool Guide
-ranked second to the Fein Turbo III in FWW/FHB Taunton’s 2005 Tool Guide

Related discussion:
Festool CT22e Vacuum Review
Festool CT22-E Shop Vac Eval…..PICS
Festool vs Hepa shop vac cartridge
Review of the Festool CT 22 E Mobile Dust Extractor
The Best in Shop Vacs – Fein vs. Festool

3) Fein – Turbo II Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
-5 Forum Recommendations
- “best value” in Taunton’s 2008 Tool Guide

Related discussion:
>> Fein – Turbo II at Consumer Search
>> Fein – Turbo II at Taunton
The Best in Shop Vacs – Fein vs. Festool

4) 16 Gallon Craftsman Shop Vac 17761

Ranking:
-7 Forum Recommendations

Related Discussion:
>> Craftsman 17761 at Consumer Search
Craftsman Shop Vac question
Big Craftsman shop vac to circular saw

5) Shop-Vac 18 Gallon

Ranking:
-8 Forum Recommendations

Related Discussion:
Shop-Vac Ultra Pro at Consumer Search

6) Porter-Cable – 7812 Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
-2 Forum Recommendations
- Taunton’s 2005 Tool Guide recommend the Porter-Cable 7814 for heavy-duty workshop use
- earns top ranking from Fine Woodworking 2003

Related Discussions:
>> Porter-Cable – 7812 Shop Vacuum at Consumer Search
>> Porter-Cable – 7812 Shop Vacuum at Taunton

7) Nilfisk-ALTO / Wap – Attix 12 RDFD XC Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
-2 Forum Recommendations
(far too expensive for most home shops)

Related Discussion:
>> Nilfisk-ALTO / Wap – Attix 12 RDFD XC Shop Vacuum at Consumer Search
>> Nilfisk-ALTO / Wap – Attix 12 RDFD XC Shop Vacuum at Taunton
Nilfisk-ALTO / Wap – Attix review

8) Bosch – 3931A Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
-3rd place in Taunton’s 2008 Tool Guide
-ranks at the top for power, but loses points for noise and awkward mobility in Fine Homebuilding 2007

Related Discussion:
>> Bosch – 3931A Shop Vacuum at Consumer Search
>> Bosch – 3931A Shop Vacuum at Taunton

9) Milwaukee – 8936-20 Shop Vacuum

Ranking:
No forum recommendations I could find.

Further Discussion:
>> Milwaukee – 8936-20 Shop Vacuum in Taunton

More Shop Vac Reviews:
Wet/Dry Vacuum Showdown: We Test 6 New Clean Machines
Wet/Dry Vacuums
Shop Vacuums
Choosing a Woodworking Vacuum

More Forum Shop Vacuum Discussion:
Shop vacuum recommendations (04-25-2008)
Shop vac as dust collection system for small tools (03/28/08)
Advice Needed – 16 Gallon Ridgid Shop Vac
Shop vac. vs. Dust Collector question (newbie)
Festool CT22-E Shop Vac Eval…..PICS
Craftsman Shop Vac question
Festool vs Hepa shop vac cartridge
Big Craftsman shop vac to circular saw
Shop vacuum recommendation request
Anything New in the Shop Vacuum World?
Dust collection recommendation
Saw/Shop Vac Review
Dust collection for small shop
Dust collection- Oneida “Dust Deputy” mini review
which shop vac?
Need help deciding on a new shop vac.

Related Shop Vacuum Forum Discussion:
shopvac filter
Shop vac remote turn on
Shopvac filters
How to quiet a Noisy shop vac motor question………….
Muffler for shop vac

Dust Collection Resources from ToolCrib.com:
Woodshop Dust Collection on a Budget
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly

>> More Top Tools Comparisons from Tool Crib
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Cyclone Dust Collectors: Gorilla vs. Clear Vue vs. Grizzly
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More
Table Saw Fence Buying Guide: Biesemeyer vs. Unifence vs. Vega vs. Incra
The 18 Gauge Brad Nailer Showdown: PC vs. HF vs. Bostich vs. Senco and MORE!
Combination Blade Showdown: Forrest vs. Freud vs. Tenryu and More
Best Plunge Router: DeWalt 621 vs. Bosch 1617 vs. Festool OF 1400
Dovetail Jigs: Leigh vs. Akeda vs. Porter-Cable and More
7 Best Sandpaper Brands: Klingspor vs. Norton vs. 3M in the Sanding Supplies Showdown
Compact Drivers: Bosch vs. Milwaukee vs. RigidMost Used Belt Sanders: Porter Cable vs. Dewalt vs. Bosch
Best Table Saw Miter Gauge: Incra vs. Osborne vs. Kreg
The 11 Top Woodworking Power Tools That Give 100% Satisfaction or Better

>> 5 Problems with Trusting Magazine Power Tool Reviews:
These are problems that Family Woodworking members noted that crop up sometimes, not standing issues with every single magazine power tool review. I hold magazine reviews in high regard – as a writer/tool researcher for ToolCrib.com. Here are some of the problems mentioned in the discussion:

1) Missing Model Syndrome
Where there’s a new or even old model missing – like if someone left the Bosch Colt out of a trim router comparison.

2) Improper Category Groupings/Comparisons
Say if a hybrid saw ended up in a cabinet saw comparison.

3) Bias in Testing to Favor Advertisers
This is alleged of course. One kind of bias cited is when the tests themselves are skewed to favor the new feature set of a new tool. That happens to be advertised heavily in the magazine…

4) Won’t Say It’s a Total Dud
Reviewers seem reluctant to proclaim a no-buy status for tools, when often times they should. Some think this is out of fear of losing advertising dollars.

5) Tester Overload – Too Many Tools, Too Many Comparison Points
Sometimes there’s just too much data for one person to sort through. You can see this especially when it comes to the writing.

>> Problems with Trusting Forum Recommendations:
There are some inherent problems with trusting forum recommendations too – the same pretty much goes for user reviews in Amazon or Epinions or the like.

1) “Purchase Justification” Bias
This was well put in the Family Woodworking thread by Bill Satko: “It is hard to spend that money on a tool and be honest about it. There is a lot of justification that we need to do to feel good about the purchase. We also tend to be brand loyal. Just look at the Lie Nielson vs Vertias handplane posts in SMC & Knots.”

2) Haven’t Used All Tools in Category
How many people IRL (in real life) have used all the tools in a particular category? Even the seasoned veteran woodworker hasn’t used ALL the band saws out there. Maybe half of them, but never all of them.

>> What Does the Perfect Review Look Like?
There’s no perfect review except for YOUR review, but here are some of the ideas from the thread.

1) Consumer Reports
No ads = no bias. Still, they sometimes leave out important models, and can they really justify extending into the power tool space?

2) Multiple Unbiased Forum Reviewers
While this would be pricey for manufacturers, this idea from Chuck Thoits would give other consumers a pretty good direction to go in: “So the only way to fix that is for all the tool companies to send one of each of there tools to every member here with a list of tests. We test them and send the info to a central location to be compiled into one test result. You know. We had one hundred WW test these tools and the XYZ came out on top with 79% voting it best in its class. And here is what they said. XYZ cut faster had less hand fatigue blaa blaa blaa Tell me if you read a tool test like that you wouldn’t know which one you where going to look for in the store. ”

3) Multiple Editorial Reviews
This concept comes from Art Mulder, a sometimes writer for Canadian Home Woodworker: “That is one of the things I like about reviews in Canadian Home Workshop magazine — they have three reviewers. Each of the three tries out ALL the tools, puts them through the same paces, and then writes up their thoughts. They never totally agree. And you get different things like “I have small hands and this tool fit my hands better”, and so on.”

4) Aggregate Magazine Reviews, Forum Reviews and User Feedback
For the comparison reviews I write for ToolCrib I find all the magazine reviews I can, all the blog and web reviews as well as all the forum recommendations I can and stir them together in a very unscientific way… While I think these comparisons serve as a great starting point for purchase decision making, they could benefit from some objective process and some sort of ranking format (which I am working on by the way). MetaCritic and ConsumerSearch are two of my inspirations for this direction.

Here are a few of recent examples:
Top 16 Trim Routers: Bosch Colt vs. Makita vs. PC310 vs. Ridgid R2400 and MORE!
Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws: Craftsman vs. Grizzly vs. Steel City vs. Jet and MORE!
Best 14″ Bandsaws: Grizzly vs. Rikon vs. Powermatic vs. Laguna and More

So… how do you make your power tool purchase decisions?

Read more at Family Woodworking: Whats your view on Magazine Tool Reviews?

>> Trim Routers: the What, When and Why
>> A Note on Variable Speed (just say no)
>> A Note on Pat Warner Bases (just say yes)
>> Top 16 Trim Routers
>> Router Table Plan for a Trim Router: 3-in-1 Multi-Tool
>> My Trim Router Expert Review Sources
>> Forum Trim Router Recommendation Sources
>> More Trim Router Resources
>> More Top Tools Comparisons from Tool Crib

>> Trim Routers: the What, When and Why
First and foremost some of you are asking why a trim router (aka laminate trimmer, laminate router or palm router)???

Here’s why – it’s small, gets into tight corners, is easy to control with one hand, offers greater precision on smaller jobs, trims edges like a champ. As RFeeser says in the WoodNet thread What’s so good about a trim router? “It’s the difference between a tack hammer and a framing hammer.” The funny thing is that many trim router users find themselves reaching for their trim routers as much as or more than their full size routers.

Note, most folks would NOT recommend that a trim router be your first or only router. Lumber Jocks sum this sentiment up nicely here: Thoughts on Bosch Colt Palm Router as first (and initially, only, router) If you’d like to read a bit more discussion to wrap your brain around the different applications of spinning cutters see the luthier forum discussion Dremel vs. laminate trimmer vs. router: which jobs for each?

One final consideration – Trend has begun making “hybrid” routers. They have more power than trim routers but still fit comfortably in one hand. The Trend T4 plunges, which was an ongoing forum gripe.

>>A Note on Variable Speed
I read time and again that variable speed is not a needful function on the trim router. For example, here’s challagan over in Router Forums: “There test showed that there just wasnt any advantage for the size of bits that these machines will use in having variable speed. Basically if the VS is needed then you are using too big of a bit in the machine. So if anyone is interested in this unit save the extra 20-25.oo and get the non VS machine.” Here’s that whole thread for anyone who’d like to read more: Laminate trimmer – is VS important?

>>A Note on Pat Warner Clear Bases for Trim Routers
Get one. Your trim router experience will improve because of increased bit visibility. This is the message I got time and again from forum goers. It doesn’t appear that he makes bases for all the available trim routers (who could?). He does have one for the Bosch PR20, which took the #1 trim router spot in our trim router top 10.

>>ToolCrib.com’s Top 16 Trim Routers
So let’s get crackin’. Here’s the ToolCrib.com top sixteen trim routers.

1) Bosch PR20EVSK Colt Palm Grip
There really was no contest for the #1 spot. All reviews and discussions point inevitably and relentlessly towards the Bosch PR20. Save yourself $20 bucks and go for the non variable speed. And BEWARE… some woodworkers had major issues with the Bosch that got them in a rage and posting horrible reviews due to spindle lock problems… we cover how to handle that below.

Ranking:
33 Purchase Recommendations from Forums
2 forum recommendations for the PR10e non variable speed version that’s cheaper.
#1 Editor’s Pick by David Thiel for Popular Woodworking
Best Overall by Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics
Overall winner: John White for Fine Woodworking, June 25th, 2008
Highest Rating: Richard Tendick for American Woodworker in Mar. 2007
Top Ranking by Chris Marshall in Woodworker’s Journal, Dec. 2006
5 out of 5 Stars from Canadian Woodworking
#1 Overall: Bosch PR20EVS Brent Hull for Tools of the Trade in 2005
The Bosch Colt Palm Router Revisited: Rockler re-reviews the Bosch Colt based on customer feedback
Bosch Colt Palm Router Kit Review by Chris Baylor
Bosch PR20EVSK Palm-Grip Router Kit Review by Tom Hintz
Bosch Colt Variable – Speed Palm Router Kit PR20EVSK 3 Stars at Epinions

4of5 stars, 62 customer reviews in Amazon

NOTE: Shaft Wrench Spindle Lock Problems with the Bosch Colt!!
“There is a shaft wrench available free from Bosch. I called and requested it after reading about its availability on the WoodNet fourm. P.N. is 2610993579

Bosch Customer Service # 800-346-4103

I called Bosch at the number in the post and spoke with Mark. I told him I was looking for the part number in the post. He immediately knew what it was. Said they have them and if you mention there is a problem with the spindle lock they will send it out at no cost.”
wjt on WoodNet in Bosch Colt… you need three hands

>>Bosch Trim Router Forum Discussion
Bosch Colt palm grip Router
Bosch Colt PR20EVSK in Consumer Search
Bosch Colt V. Ridgid
Bosch Colt small router (question)
Porter Cable 7310 vs. Bosch Colt PR20EVSK
Bosch Colt
Festool 1010 vs Bosch Colt

2) Porter-Cable PC310
Though it’s no longer in production the PC310 takes second spot due to the heavy emphasis it gets from Pat Warner and many of the early trim router adopters.

Ranking:
7 Forum Recommendations
Pat Warner recommendation: “In my view, the PC 310 is the best of trimmers, not cheap, not perfect but a great tool nevertheless.”
No longer in production, may still be some PC310s left at Betterley Tools.
PC 310 trim router is lots nicer now! (SMC)

3) Ridgid R2400
The Ridgid is a steady performer with consistent good results in expert tests and from forum members. It has a tendency to run hot though.

Ranking:
14 Forum Recommendations
Top Ranking by Chris Marshall in Woodworker’s Journal, Dec. 2006
#2 Overall Brent Hull for Tools of the Trade: “Ridgid comes next. Just about everything is well thought through. The accessories are basic but well made, and although the base isn’t the best, the lifetime parts and service warranty is a great feature.”
“During testing we were pleasantly surprised by the power offered in such a small package. On the opposing side, the base design makes visibility difficult. This is the first trim router manufactured under the Ridgid name and while they got a number of things right, we still see room for improvement.” – David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008
“The fine-adjustment thumb wheel should be larger.” – Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics
-multiple complaints that it runs too hot to handle
Ridgid Heavy Duty Laminate Trimmer Review by Tom Hintz
“Ridgid’s new R2400 laminate trimmer has several nice features and one glaring liability. The tool feels good in the hand, and height adjustments are easy. The variable-speed motor has a soft start and is quiet even at high speed. Bit changes, however, are awkward. Instructions suggest removing the base first, but that’s easier said than done. If you leave the base on, there is barely enough clearance to work a pair of wrenches on the collet.”
Kim Carleton Graves on the Ridgid R2400 for Fine Woodworking

Ridgid R2400 Trim Router in HGTVPro

“simple, basic machine, nice fence, no fine adjustment; very nice soft start” – John White for Fine Woodworking

Ridgid Laminate Trimmer
Bosch Colt V. Ridgid

4) Harbor Freight Chicago Electric Trim Router 44914
What the #%^$&$# is a Harbor Freight tool doing in the top ten? You’ve heard of the Harbor Freight Gems, right? We call them Harbor Freight tools that are “Good Enough…” This is one of them. The LOW cost/good-enough-quality ratio PLUS the number of forum recommendations buoyed this trim router up in our rankings. As always with Harbor Freight though… BUYER BEWARE.

Ranking:
10 Forum Recommendations
3of5 Stars LumberJocks: Harbor Freight 1/4″ Trim Router
3of5 Stars LumberJocks: Harbor Freight 1/4″ Trim Router
A bit of a scary situation with HF Trim Router from review:
“I was flush trimming 3/4 cedar attached to a 1/4 melamine/hardboard template last night and the bit climbed about 1/4” upwards out of the collet. I can deal with a lot of short comings, but that is a bit scary. I tried to check the variables (bit, collet, etc.) and couldn’t put my finger on the problem. The bit shank is fine and the collet was prperly tightened. That leads me to believe the collet must have loosened under load. I might have to stick to my Bosch trimmer.”

Forum Discussion:
Chicago Electric ¼-inch trim router, Model 44914 Forum discussion

5) Craftsman 28212 Trim Router

Ranking:
2 Forum Recommendations
Best Value: Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics
Best Value: John White for Fine Woodworking, June 25th, 2008
5of5 Stars in LumberJocks Review

Craftsman 27715:
“Considering the $100 price we would have liked to see a collet lock on this router, and we would certainly expect a base that doesn’t slip during operation.”
David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008

Forum Discussion:
Sears Palm Router (RouterForums)

6) Makita 3707FC Laminate Trimmer

Ranking:
3 Purchase Recommendations from Forums
Editor’s Pick by David Thiel for Popular Woodworking
“During testing we found the Makita to have reliable power and the quietest operation of any router in the test. The Makita is comparable in performance and visibility to the Bosch, earning it an Editor’s Choice Award. The fine adjust is less convenient than on the Bosch, and we would have liked to have a spindle lock. That, mixed with the highest price in the test, makes it finish in second place behind the Bosch, but still worthy of recognition.”
“no fine adjustment, but nice machine, very basic and sturdy with good set of accessories” – John White for Fine Woodworking

Makita 3708FC: “Somebody overlooked the fine-adjustment knobs, which are annoyingly small. Also, the shaft that connects the knobs is too short. One careless turn too many unthreads the fine-adjustment assembly, which then falls apart.” Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics

Could’a Been: Makita 3708FC: “The Makita is a mixed bag: The work light and plastic base were great, but the the nuts, bolts, and washers required for adjustment, along with the handle design, could use improvement.” Brent Hull for Tools of the Trade

7) Festool Trim Router
If you’re a Festool user you won’t be swayed AWAY from it. If you’re not a Festool user then you won’t be swayed TOWARDS it. That’s Festool for ya ;) By all accounts you will absolutely love your Festool trim router.

Ranking:
“superb manufacturing, fit and finish ; more for specialty machine work ; very limited range in bit size” – John White for Fine Woodworking
MFK 700 Modular Router: Member Feedback
In the Shop: Festool MFK 700
Festool 1010 vs Bosch Colt

8) Ryobi Cordless 1+ Trim Router:

Ranking:
3 Forum Recommendations
“an adequate machine in situations where you can’t use corded – bearings in the collet aren’t great” – John White for Fine Woodworking
Ryobi One+ Cordless Trimmer/Router
Any Experience with the Ryobi 18V trim router?

9) Trend T4 Hybrid Router
There is not yet a great deal written about the Trend T4. Initial reaction from reviewers and users tells me there will be. It’s defining a new class of tool (hybrid router) and it has plunge functionality. You can be certain that the big league tool manufacturers are watching how this rookie performs.

Ranking:
2 Forum Recommendations
Hybrid plunge router has plenty of power
Trend T4 review
Trend Router

10) Porter-Cable 97310

Ranking:
#1 for Laminate Work: Porter-Cable 97310 “If you do a lot of laminate work, the Porter-Cable is an ideal system. The basic tool design and base setup were the simplest and cleanest.” Brent Hull for Tools of the Trade (2005)

11) DeWalt DW673

Ranking:
“During testing we found the DeWalt to have good power, but the base design makes it very difficult to see where the cut is taking place.” David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008
5 Stars in Epinions DW670
Kim Carleton Graves on the DW673K for Fine Woodworking
“Advantages: The DeWalt is nicely balanced and has a side switch that can be operated with one hand.
Disadvantages: I couldn’t change the bit without taking off the base.”
4of5 stars in Amazon, from 6 reviewers
DeWalt D26670
“DeWalt (or Porter-Cable) should find a better way to mount the base to the motor so that you can slip the base on and off in seconds instead of fiddling with small parts. A tool this simple deserves simple base-mounting.”
Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics

Forum Discussion
Used DeWalt Laminate Trimmer – Worth It?

12) Freud FT750T Trim Router

Ranking:
“While priced competitively with most of the pack, the Freud router is lacking in features, ergonomics and power.”
David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008
“-too heavy use for horizontal work -no fence, no way to add it”
John White for Fine Woodworking, June 25th, 2008
Forum Discussion
Freud FT750T Laminate Trimmer / Router (TalkFestool.com)

13) Grizzly H7790 Trim Router

2 Forum Recommendations
“While the Grizzly H7790 was significantly less expensive than the other routers in the test, we didn’t feel that its performance and ease of use gave it enough of an advantage to call it out as a winner based on price.”
David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008

14) Porter-Cable 7310

Ranking:
6 Forum Recommendations for the PC7310
“When compared to the similarly priced models in the test, the Porter-Cable tool falls short in performance and visibility.” David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008
Porter Cable 97311
“Advantages: This Porter-Cable model felt great in my hand, the switch is well placed, and the machine is stable.
Disadvantages: The round vertical-adjustment knob, which was only slightly knurled, was difficult to tighten. Vertical adjustment for the 90° base was hit or miss: The bit fell and tilted as I adjusted the height, then rose and straightend as I retightened the knob.” Kim Carleton Graves on the PC 97311 for Fine Woodworking

15) Ryobi TR45K

Ranking:
RYOBI TR45KT: “Performance was slightly better than the Craftsman during cutting, and as mentioned, visibility was slightly better. One obvious benefit over the Craftsman is the $20 savings. Unfortunately, that still leaves it at an $80 price which doesn’t make up for a balky base attachment, minimal features and less-than-perfect visibility.” David Thiel in Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008

Ryobi TR45: The crummy cord—it’s as stiff as a piece of frozen rope. Roy Berendsohn in Popular Mechanics

Ryobi TR45 in RouterForums.com

16) MLCS Marvel 40 Trim Router
The Marvel 40 looks promising, we just didn’t have enough info on it to place with the others.

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation
Video: MLCS Marvel 40 1HP Trim Router Demo 1

>> Router Table Plan for a Trim Router: 3-in-1 Multi-Tool

This sweet little table makes it more of a PITA to use your trim router by hand. That’s why you need at least 2 trim routers!

>> My Trim Router Expert Review Sources:
The main benefit that expert reviews usually bring to the table are that they’re looking at multiple tools at the same time and comparing them based on the same standards. That’s why they have weight in the ToolCrib rankings.

Trim Routers by David Thiel of Popular Woodworking October 22, 2008
7 Routers Trim, Cut and Shape Woodworking: PM Lab Test (1-29-09) by Roy Berendsohn
Super Size: Bigger isn’t always better. Brent Hull for Tools of the Trade July/Aug. 2005
Video Tool Test: Trim Routers by John White

>> Forum Trim Router Recommendation Sources:
trim routers (RouterForums)
Trim Router Question (WoodNet)
Trim Router Advice (SawmillCreek)
Are there any Trim Routers that can… (SawmillCreek)
Laminate trim router reccomendations (SawmillCreek)
Trim Router Advice (Family Woodworking)
Trim Router recommendations (Router Forums)
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Tags: trim, router, reviews,, trim, router, comparison

Here’s what you’ll find in this article:
What is a Hybrid Table Saw? A Working Definition
When You Should Go for a Cabinet Saw Instead of a Hybrid
ToolCrib.com’s Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws
Hybrid Table Saw Ranking Resources

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Update: See the New Ridgid R4511 Granite Top Hybrid Table Saw. It’s liable to rank highly on this list once we get more information about it!

What is a Hybrid Table Saw? A Working Definition
In short, a hybrid table saw is larger than both the benchtop and contractor style table saws and smaller than the cabinet saw in terms of amperage. Some other key distinctions of the hybrid table saw include:

>usually cheaper than a cabinet saw
>has a cabinet for better dust control
>the motor’s inside the cabinet
>typically runs on 110v circuit
>often use contractor-style trunions

If you enjoy arguing on the internet you might appreciate the overly long semantical warfare of this WoodNet thread debating the difference (or lack thereof…) between cabinet saws and hybrids. It’s occasionally funny if you appreciate “zingers” and open hostility low-end cabinet saws vs. “high end” hybrids.

Also see:
Dumb question… what the heck is a “hybrid”?
Hybrid Table Saws
DIY Network: Exploring Hybrid Saws

When You Should Go for a Cabinet Saw Instead of a Hybrid
The Craftsman 22124 got 24 forum purchase recommendations, more than any other hybrid saw out there. I didn’t count them all, but I bet there were TWICE that many recommendations that woodworkers get a cabinet saw instead of a hybrid. Over and over (and over and over and over) woodworkers recommend to each other on forums that they spring for a low-end or used cabinet saw instead of a hybrid. This is not always an option for many woodworkers due to space, electric, or cash restrictions.

That said, if you’ve got upwards of $1,000 to drop you should at least consider the Grizzly 1023 (the #1 cheap cabinet saw recommendation by woodworking forum members).

ToolCrib.com’s Top 10 Hybrid Table Saws
Without further ado we proudly present the top 10 hybrid saws.

1) Craftsman 22124

Ranking:
24 Forum Recommendations
#2 ranking at Consumer Search >>

Craftsman 22124 Reviews:
Craftsman – 22124 Hybrid Tablesaw in Fine Woodworking
Craftsman Professional 10 in. Table Saw 22124 in Epinions
Craftsman Professional 10″ Hybrid Table Saw Lumber Jocks
Craftsman Professional 22124 10″ table saw in Lumber Jocks
Craftsman 221240 10-Inch Professional Tablesaw in Lumber Jocks
consumer review aggregation for Craftsman Professional 10 in. Table Saw
Craftsman Professional Table Saw Review in Palatable Woodworking

Forum Discussion on the 22124:
Craftsman 22124 compared to the GI 50-185M1 (sawmillcreek)
Sears 22124 vs Steel City 35670 saws (sawmillcreek)
Craftsman saw (woodnet)

List Price On 01-02-09:
$1199.99 >> (You can probably find it sub $800 if you wait for the right sale…)

2) Grizzly G0478

Ranking:
5 Forum Recommendations
Picked #1 at Tools of the Trade
#2 by Tom Begnal at Fine Woodworking
#2 in Popular Woodworking
#4 at Consumer Search

Grizzly G0478 Reviews:
Grizzly G0478 2 HP Hybrid Cabinet Saw Lumber Jocks
Grizzly 2 hp hybrid cabinet saw Lumber Jocks
4 1/2 stars with 11 reviews at Amazon

Forum Discussion on the G0478:
“Grizzly G0478 Hybrid Cabinet Table saw”
Grizzly G0478 or Jet JPS-10 (708482k)
Grizzly G0478 Cab Saw, anyone have one?
Before I leap, let me ask around! Buying the Grizzly G0478, (excellent grizzly fan flame war – funniest line: “Have fun humping your Griz when it arrives.”)
is this Grizzly hybrid a quality saw?
grizzly hybrid table saw

List Price as of 01/02/09:
$775.00 >>

3) Steel City 35670

Ranking:
6 Forum Recommendations
#1 in Popular Woodworking
#1 in Consumer Search

Steel City 35670 Reviews:
Steel City 35670 10 inch with 30-Inch fence, 1.75 hp, Cast Iron top in Lumber Jocks
Steel City 35900G in Consumer Search (a stoned, hybrid relative of the 35670)

Forum Discussions:
Anyone have the Steel City table saw 35670?
Sears 22124 vs Steel City 35670 saws
Steel City 65720 review
Jet ProShop vs SteelCity

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,099.99 >>

4) JET JPS-10

Ranking
13 Forum Recommendations
Tom Hintz reviewed and recommends this one regularly in forum discussions about hybrid saws
4 stars + 9 reviews in Amazon

Reviews of the Jet ProShop:
JET JPS-10TS ProShop Saw review by Tom Hintz

Forum Discussions:
“Jet ProShop Table Saw – Experiences or Opinions”
Jet Proshop vs TS3650 (Ridgid Forum)
Delta Hybrid or Jet Pro Shop (WoodNet)
Jet ProShop vs SteelCity

Video: JET ProShop Table Saw Review by Tom Hintz

List Price 01-02-09:
$999.99 >>

5) Woodtek 148-271

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation
#1 at Fine Woodworking for Value and Performance (which made this the most over-discussed saw of 2008…)
#3 at Consumer Search

Woodtek Reviews:
Woodtek – 148-271 Hybrid Tablesaw brief review by Fine Woodworking

Forum Discussion:
Wait for Woodtek 10″ Hybrid…or

List Price 01-02-09:
$929.99 >>

6) Dewalt DW746X

Ranking:
3 Forum Recommendations
#3 at Tools of the Trade

DeWalt DW746X Reviews:
DeWALT DW746X TABLE SAW
DeWalt Woodworker’s Table Saw DW746 (epinions)
4 stars, 17 reviews at Amazon

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,174.93 >>

7) Delta 36-717

Ranking:
2 Forum Recommendations

Delta 36-717 Reviews:
Delta – 36-717 Hybrid Tablesaw in Fine Woodworking
Delta 36-714 10-Inch Left Tilt Hybrid Saw Lumber Jocks
4 Stars + 34 Reviews at Amazon

Forum Discussion:
Delta Hybrid or Jet Pro Shop (WoodNet)
Delta 36-717 Hybrid/Biese BT3Central
Delta Hybrid SMC

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,149.00 >>

8) General 50-220C M1

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation

General 50-220C M1 Reviews:
General International Table Saw Model 50-220CL M1
General Int’l 50-200 Cabinet Table Saw Epinions

Forum Discussion:
General 50-220C Table Saw (SMC)

US Distributors for General >>

9) Shop Fox W1748

Ranking:
1 Forum Recommendation

List Price 01-02-09:
$979.99 >>

10) Hitachi C10LA

Hitachi C10LA Reviews:
Hitachi – C10LA Cabinet Saw – Roland Johnson in Fine Woodworking
Hitachi C10FL 10″ Stationary Table Saw Lumber Jocks

List Price 01-02-09:
$1,407.78 >>

Hybrid Table Saw Ranking Resources
The “forum recommendations” mentioned above are any time a forum member makes a purchase recommendation (”I have/had this saw and love/d it”) for a given saw. In the case of the Woodtek, which got great reviews from Fine Woodworking, there weren’t any forum/user reviews available so we ranked it lower than other more tried and true favorites. In cases where a saw had multiple thumbs up from magazines we ranked these above saws more popular in the forums. We tend to skew towards forum recommendations as a key indicator for making our recommendations though there are certainly issues of objectivity. That said, magazine reviews are far from objective too. ALWAYS try a saw before you buy to make sure it fits your needs and expectations. If you can’t try it, don’t buy it.

Pro Review Sources:
Hybrid Table Saws (Tools of the Trade)
Hybrid Saws (ConsumerSearch.com review aggregation)

Hybrid Table Saw Resources from ToolCrib:
Grizzly 1023 vs. Delta Unisaw and Craftsman Hybrid
A Table Saw Buying Guide: Benchtop vs Contractor vs Cabinet vs Hybrid

Hybrid Table Saw Forum Discussions:
Best Hybrid Table Saw?
Hybrid Table Saw
Hybrid table saws
hybrid table saw review
table saw
Newbie needs help picking out a hybrid table saw
contractor vs hybrid table saw
New Table saw
Wait for Woodtek 10″ Hybrid…or
is this Grizzly hybrid a quality saw?
grizzly hybrid table saw
New Tablesaw Purchase – Hybrid or Cabinet?
Need table saw recommendations/advice
Steel City hybrid saw with riving knife and granite top
table saw?
Hybrid Saws
Anybody got a Hybrid Table Saw?