miter saw

[David]

I am about to purchase a 706 Dewalt miter saw 12 inch.Cant find much talk about it is a fairly a new new product.I would like to do some trim work ,decks,and frame work. at $450. kind of high
but I want something good that will last. what do you think?

[Ross Welsh]

I have seen the 706 in ads but don't know much about it except the specs. I own the 12" slide dual compound model which has worked out well. The new model appears to be able to cut 5 1/4" base standing up. The specs on my saw said you can stand up 5 1/4" material on the fence. They are right. The problem is that you cannot CUT 5 1/4" material standing up, it hits on the right side. I sent back a 12" non-slider because of this but kept the slider for cutting crown in position. The new saw looks interesting because it is cut back near the fence and appears to be able to make a deeper cut. They say "Capacity: baseboard against fence, 6 inches". You might want to ask if this means a full 6" or a nominal 6". I sounds like it might have good capacity, let us know if you get it.

Ross

[Ron Clemins]

I recently purchased the DW703 saw, which is basically the same as the 706, except in a 10 inch size. The saw is great! And will also cut 5 1/4 crown.

[Gary Katz]

I'm curious about the new DW 12 in. saw, too. It's a compound miter saw, not a slider. I saw it at a show in S. Ca. recently and it cuts almost 6 1/4 in. standing up--that means 6 1/4 in. base, in position. I have one being shipped to me now so that I can compare it to our Hitachi 15 in. saws. From what I've gathered, the DW is about 15lbs lighter and will do everything the Hitachi will do, except break your back. I'll let you know what I find out as soon as I have it in my hands.

Gary

[beezo]

Hey Gary, any way I could get one of those saws shipped to me to try out. That is the saw that I have been looking at lately since I want to upgrade before the end of the year. You mentioned comparing it to the Hitachi 15. I have heard lots of talk about the Makita 1013-I think that is the numbers. A 10 inch slider they make. The price is almost the same here in St Louis-$450 for the Dewalt and $480 for the Makita. My only concern about the Makita is the size of it. I too often am hauling almost too much stuff to the job and fighting for space. I thought the smaller saw might be a bit better but they also do not look lots smaller than each other. Right now the stores do not have both saws at the same time so I look at one, go to another supplier the next day look at the other saw and cannot remember all the details. If you have the Makita or know someone that does I would like some comparison between the two also. I may be asking a bit much since I know that you write about this stuff for JLC so just tell when it is coming out in the magazine and I will wait. Thanks.

[Gary Katz]

Beezo,
I KNOW that the 1013 is probably the very best choice for a slider---because Mike Guertin (FHB's Best on SCMS) says so. I even emailed him before we bought out last sliding saw, just to be sure. So if you are thinking about a scm, then I'd say buy it (I love their blades, too). I have the 12 in. Makita scm and can't say enough great things about it. Mike says that the cutting capacity difference between the 10 in. and the 12 in. is so marginal that it's not worth the hassle of having 12 in. saw blades and a heavier saw.

As for the DeWalt, I'm only interested in that because we still split the difference on the saws our guys carry--the Hitachi 15 in. has always been our choice for PRODUCTION trim work as it will cut the largest base/crown in position. I'm interested in the DW as a lighter-weight solution. I'll let you know what I learn as soon as I learn it. You won't have to wait.
Gary

[Carl]

Got a question to those with the 1013 Makita. Can you really read the numbers on the miter scale w/ material on the table of the saw? Just seemed to me that with any material on the table making adjustments would be hard with the pointer so close to the fence as it would be covered. Another point is that it miters less to the right than the 1212 does, have you missed being able to go to 60 deg? Carl

[Gary Katz]

Ah Hah! I never knew that about the 1013! I have the 1212 and love being able to go to 60 degrees. Thanks, Carl.
Gary

[Ross Welsh]

Gary Katz:

We too have been carrying the big ol' 15" Hitachi to cut 5 1/4" base in position. The new 12" DeWalt seems to be a light weight alternative. We found it necessary to mount our big Hitachi to a table with 10" wheels to make it portable for one carpenter working alone. I too am very interested in the new saw.

Ross

[Shane]

I bought the 706 yesterday and will be trying it out tomorrow. I'll let yall know how it works out on some 5 1/4 poplar base and 6 1/4 crown.

[beezo]

Please do let us know how it works out. I am considering upgrading and want to know how the Dewalt works out. Gary has promised that he is getting one and will let us know how it compares to his other saws. But another opinion is always appreciated. I do not know if I do enough work to justify the cost of the either saw but I sure do like to have the possiblities of having a great saw for those times that I do need the capabilities of these saws. I know it is hard to believe but I use my saw to do other things than just crown and base boards. My old miter saw sees a fair amount of action just cutting 2x materials for walls and decking, handrails-nothing fancy or pretty just something that I want to fit together tightly when I build my walls. So I really want a saw that will do some of both for me. That is why I appreciate all the input of these forums so I can get some ideas on how these tools work for those who actually use them regularly.

[David]

Cant wait Shane Im stuck on the 706 couldnt find
anyone who had one.its a toss up 706 or 1013
706 I hope.¿lets make some money"

[phil]

I will put 20 bucks on the 15" to last longer damn i luv hitachi

[Gary Katz]

Phil,
I wish that could be part of the test, honest. I think you're right. We've beaten up our 15 in.ers for LOTS of years and they keep on running (often need new guards, new springs, etc., from banging around--our guys don't baby their (our) tools.

I'll see what happens when I drop the new saw.
Gary

[Bill Harman]

For those of you looking for a quality miter saw, look no further. The DEWALT DW706 12" Double Bevel is the top of the line. If you cut trim material, this saw will cut 6" base board vertically and 6 5/8" crown vertically nested, (capacities equivalent to that of the Hitachi 15"). What's more is that the DW706 is a double bevel machine allowing for easy adjustment and the ability to flip the saw head rather than the material. If you're in the market for a new 12" miter, this is the saw that you need. Lightweight and portable, at only 44 lbs, this saw is easy to carry to and from the jobsite. It also offers excellent accuracy, with its patented stainless steel miter plate and pin, and with a price tag of only $449, its less expensive than its 15" competitors. For more information please visit DEWALT.com.