Nothing lasts forever

[Masonsailor]

My miter saw died. RIP. It’s one of the original Makita 10” saws. We bought it in 1979 or 80 to use in building our first house. It has seen almost continuous use since. The seven years we lived on the boat was the only exception. It was made back when the entire saw was cast iron. It was a very quick death. The bearings went from just fine to completely trashed in just a few days. I could have the bearings replaced but my son, ever the modern woodworker is urging me to upgrade to the new and “better” saws available today. Still on the fence on this one but can’t wait long. I use the saw daily at this point. There are about three or four major brands and they all have different attributes. The biggest problem is I can’t find several of them in stock somewhere I can look at them. I am leaning towards the Bosch just because the glide system seems beefier that’s the tube system the rest of them use. The Festool gets the highest ratings but as usual it also is over double the price. Does anyone on the forum have the Bosch ?

Paul

[Gene Howe]

I have the Bosch Glide 10". I love every thing about it EXCEPT the dust collecter is absolutely worthless. I built a chute out of rubberized tool box liner to attach to their dust chute. Works pretty good.

One of the Bosch's many attributes is not needing any space behind it. 

Edited September 13, 2022 by Gene Howe

[Smallpatch]

Masonsayler, there is one place that displays I believe every thing in their catalog, and it is to be touched  and there are folks who will demo each machine for you... and compare different models. And yes there are lots of different brands to choose from and not just Grizzly brands. But all the machinery I can home with is Grizzly. And not one gripe in the 20 plus years I've owned these machines.

 It was when I retired and I wanted to changed out all my machinery which was all used stuff I had bought over the years since 1954.  So while I still had a little money. We took a trailer behind a long bed bed pickup and filled it up with machinery at Springfield, Mo.

  I thought I was completely happy when I got home with all these goodies. 

But after I started using a certain size band saw and I think it was a 16" model I called Grizzly and told them I was not happy with this band saw it's just not big enough and they said bring it back and trade it for a larger model.  I did just that and paid only the difference in price. Hey, this was in 1999 I think it was and I am still happy with every thing I got that day.

  A year or two later a remote starter for the big dust extractor quit, I called and told them, they said send it to Pennsylvania which was their repair place at that time .They sent a new one back, no charge.

  Now Grizzly only has two very big warehouses full of display items to choose from. Bellingham, Wa and Springfield, Mo

  I believe I could have spent three or four days in that the building in Springfield and not gotten around to seeing all that stuff on display.  

  They also have large displays of woodworkers things and I think these things are very high up on excellence and I figure they might not let me show my stuff

[Gene Howe]

23 minutes ago, Smallpatch said:

 

  They also have large displays of woodworkers things and I think these things are very high up on excellence and I figure they might not let me show my stuff

You're too humble. I'll bet they'd be MORE than happy to display your work. 

[Artie]

2 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

You're too humble. I'll bet they'd be MORE than happy to display your work. 

+1!

[Masonsailor]

I’ve been to the one in Bellingham. Grizzly is very impressive. I love their heavy machinery. I don’t think I have ever tried any of their hand power tools. 
Paul

[Masonsailor]

Well it’s down to wire on ordering the saw. I’ve researched it all ad nauseum and tomorrow it’s time to bite the bullet. I’ve talked to quite a few fellow woodworkers who’s opinion I trust (Gene and my son ). Thanks for your input Gene. It’s seems to boil down to three choices for me. The main decision is how hard and fast I want to stick to my guns about not buying anything Chinese. Only two out of all the saws available are not made in China. The Grizzly is made in Taiwan and the Festool in Germany. The Grizzly is not an option due to spacial limitations so then it boils down to Festool which is over double the price. Hard to justify. 
Paul

[Gene Howe]

I didn't know The Bosch was made in China.  

[Danl]

Paul, I was not aware that Grizzly made a miter saw.  What is the model no.?

Danl

[Masonsailor]

This is the Grizzly

https://www.grizzly.com/products/grizzly-pro-12-double-bevel-sliding-compound-miter-saw/t31635

[Masonsailor]

Don’t feel bad Gene I didn’t either. Thought they were also German. 

[Masonsailor]

I bought the Festool and have been using it for a few days now. So far it cuts as accurate as I could ask for. The double laser is extremely accurate. It completely eliminates the need for second cuts. It allows you to split a fine pencil line. The dust collection is really impressive. I made 10 cuts on a 2X4 and there is almost no dust. I will post a picture of the table behind the saw. 
Paul

[Artie]

Paul, I think the old saying, you get what you pay for, applies. The age old struggle, trying to figger out what tool, at what price, is the best value. Some of us have even bought RED saw blades. But we don’t tell Gene about them, LOL.

[Gene Howe]

31 minutes ago, Artie said:

Some of us have even bought RED saw blades. 

OMG

[John Morris]

You know, as much as folks complain about Festool prices, well, ya. Once someone gets one in their hands they are completely amazed.

[Artie]

I have a Festool vacuum. It is a VERY good vacuum. I’m not sure of what else they make I can afford. I doubt there is much they make that is not first class. Feel free, ANYONE, to give me all the Festool you want to. Even as an electrician, there are acceptable tools/brands. There are awesome tools/brands, and the more difficult to ascertain, the best value tools/brands. I kinda like Bosch for a lot of my power tools. But if I won a Festool equipped shop, I’d bet my life I’d be very happy with the tools. (And if I did win the aforementioned shop, I like and respect Gene enough, that no red blades would ever be installed on them). 

[Gene Howe]

8 hours ago, Artie said:

I But if I won a Festool equipped shop, I’d bet my life I’d be very happy with the tools. (And if I did win the aforementioned shop, I like and respect Gene enough, that no red blades would ever be installed on them). 

Dunno, you'd probably void your warranty.  

[Masonsailor]

I think Festool makes great stuff but it’s hard to just chuck a tool that is working well and buy one. A complete Festool shop would be incredibly expensive but having that level of dust collection must be very nice. One of my good friends who is still doing commercial work is edging towards all Festool products. I have used one of his routers and again the level of dust collection is almost perfect. My Makitas tend to spray chips all over the shop. For now I will just continue to be best friends with my shop vac. 
Paul

[Cliff]

On 9/13/2022 at 11:41 AM, Gene Howe said:

I love every thing about it EXCEPT the dust collecter is absolutely worthless. I

I got the 12" version  and you are so correct.  The DC  on it was at best an afterthought. It depends on the centripetal force of the blade to hurl the chips into a bag.  I've built  maybe three experimental cardboard  iterations of DC collection  I think the last one was pretty good but it wouldn't be any good at all but for the honkin powerful Felder RL 160 doing the work.

[Gene Howe]

@Cliff here is what I did. Works pretty good.