Power Saws Reviews

I purchased this tile cutter at Menards for $49.00. I cut 2pcs of 1/2" 18"x18" travertine stone tile and the motor quit. I had to use my Dewalt angle grinder to finish the job.

We are general contractors and we do a fair amount of tile work. We own several MK tile saws. We bought this saw 7 years ago as a joke. We could not believe that a tile saw for a hundred bucks could work. Diamond blades alone hover around that price. Since then, that saw has worked on EVERY tile job we have completed since! Every time I press the switch to start it now, I am in disbelief that it starts and We have done zero maintenance on it.

The saws advantages are that it cuts from the bottom so the back of the cut is longer, it has no costly pumps to replace (the blade dips into the water), it is very light weight easily carried w/one hand, it is completely selfcontained (just put water into it, plug it in and turn it on), no pumps to burn out and as tile saws go, it is a clean operating saw (very little mess, especially w/small tiles).

Its disadvantages are that it cuts large tiles very slowly (I would not recomend it for large tiles) and the fence is useless (we just clamp a piece of 1x to the saw).

By the way, I am not in the habbit of writing reviews.

David S.

Have not used this tile cutter yet, this new one is to replace my old one that I've had for 6 yrs which has served me well and is still running. The old guide bar got broken. So thought it time to have another machine.

I have tiled many kitchens and bathrooms with this old one and will continue to use it as a backup. Tools are as good as you are, if you do not abuse them they will last you for a long time.

For the price this *was* a nice little saw. It's not nice anymore since the brushes have gone bad prematurely.

I was expecting a better product from black and decker. It is light and tends to move quiet a bit while using it (leading to not so straight edges). The variable saw speed button is very sensitive and requires a lot of control (and setting it to a fixed speed is rather hard). Overall its not worth buying

I have used this saw twice. I handle the saw with both hands and both times I got my secondary (not trigger hand pinched) by the blade fastener after I turned of the saw (the blade take a while to stop oscillating. I have noticed that the new versions of the saw have a guard to prevent this.

I bought the 19.2 saw/drill combo and it was a total waste of money. The tools themselves are well built and sturdy but the batteries are complete garbage.I used the 2 batteries for maybe a total of 20 hours and one battery is already defective and you get about 5 cuts out of the saw before the battery dies!I can't even use this saw.When you use the drill the battery holds up better but who cares, I am a fencing contractor and thought it would be great to have a cordless saw to cut fence boards without dragging a cord and heavy saw out on the site, with this kit I still have to, if I do a small repair it might be useful if I don't need to cut more than 5 boards. Until they replace this 19.2 battery DO NOT waste your money.

I bought the driver and saw kit and the hammer drill kit. In the first year I replaced the drill/drivers three times...while under warranty. The saw worked well and the flashlight was the best part of this kit. Now it is a couple years old and the batteries are dead and at $90 each I am not replacing them. They were not used that much either...as the tools were broken half the time! I bought Hitachi this time with a five year warranty. I wasted $600 on the Porter Cable junk. Some sharp lawyer ought to file a class action lawsuit on this tool.

Bob Duren, NW Florida
First I am a die hard Porter Cable fan, they are the best hands down. I own about everything they make. I salute them for having an innovative approach to new battery technology but this "tower cell technology" or 19.2 volt network line is junk. They discharge too quickly and one of the two batteries included with this combo set is basically dying according to the charger diagnostics. I bought a new 19.2 battery and it also quickly discharging. I have requested two new batteries from porter-cable and will see if they stand behind their product as usual. I am a sub contractor and must mention they see serious use. All my other porter-cable tools are outstanding and I have NOT had to replace one over the years of use. This battery -19.2volt is a lemon. The saw and drill are excellent though. Wait until they correct the battery problem before buying this excellent combo. Meanwhile buy from another manufacturer. Caveat de emptor

The blades cut fairly well but they do not leave a flat bottomed cut. The dado does not cut the grooves it says it will. I used (4) 1/8" chippers plus the 3/32" plus the 1/16" chipper and still got only an 11/16" dado. Overall it is not bad for the money, but don't expect a top of the line product.

I bought the Avenger Products 10031 Premium 8" 30 tooth stacked dado set. It looks like this 10026 42 tooth set, has the one problem that the 10031 has, figured out. Let me explain.
Amazon was running a clearance on the 10031 set. The price was so cheap that I decided to take a chance with them. I have a Sears "Professional" 10 inch radial arm saw. Without getting into a complete bashing of the Sears saw, let's just say that I put a dado blade on it, leave it set at a 90 degree angle, and use it for that purpose only; crosscutting kerfs on long pieces. So that leads me up to; I have the Freud 8" dado set, which is not cheap, but does a perfect job. The bottoms are perfect (a little ridge shows looking down into the bottom but not enough to show on the outside edge, where it exits, or enters the wood, even with a magnifying glass) I wanted to use the Freud set on the table saw. (I have a Powermatic 66 with a dado insert)
So where that leads me is that I wanted to have a dado set to leave on the Sears radial arm saw, which eliminates set up time, and I wanted to be able to use the Freud dado set on the Powermatic. When I saw the sale on the Avenger set, I jumped at it.
Why was Amazon giving away the 10031 set at such a cheap price. Mainly this; They cut perfectly flat bottoms, have C4, yes C4 carbide tips, leave absolutely no tear out on finish grade ply, BUT the stacked set of chippers does not add up to the sizes marked. Why? Not because the chipper teeth are not accurate, they are, it is because the chippers are thinner than the teeth. The blades are meant to lay flat against one another, so to get a proper dimension, you would have to deduct the overlap. That is where all sorts of odd sizes show up. With the included spacers, you could spend a lot of time and come up with a combination for the size you want. Since I am using them on the radial arm to kerf out marked widths, the actual width of the blade is not important. I did manage to find a perfect 1/4" setting using the two outside 1/8" blades plus one of the smaller size chippers. It was exactly 1/4" without any shim/spacers.
So what does all of this have to do with the 10026 42 tooth stack dado set? Based on the other reviews, they don't appear to have the width anomalies. My suggestion is to buy them, if they don't spec' to your satisfaction, take advantage of Amazons great return policy. (If something is wrong with them, they even eat the return postage. That makes it a no risk situation.)
By the way the set I received was razor sharp as well. I apologize for not giving you a first hand review of the 10026, but I thought the information is relevant. Maybe you have a Sears, never keeps a setting radial arm saw. Lock it in at 90 and strap on an Avenger 10031 and have a nice kerfing station. Hope this helps.

I purchased this dado set locally and then found it at amazon for half the price so I ordered it here and will be returning my current one. But while I had it, I gave it a shot.

I was concerned after reading the reviews here on amazon about it not cutting a true 3/4 with 3/4 worth of blade and chippers and also about it not cutting flat bottoms. After I set it up using two blades and 4- 1/8 inch chippers, it read 3/4 exact on my mircometer and I ran a piece of walnut thru and the dado was dead-on 3/4 inch. I don't understand how someone didn't have the same results, my guess would be operator error. I then tried various widths from 5/16 to 7/16 to 5/8 to 1/2 and 1/4 and got perfect accurate widths everytime.

My next concern was that It would not leave flat bottoms. I use zero tolerance dado plates for accuracy and made a few for this set. I had very smooth bottoms and notices only the slightest of a deeper groove from the outer blades. I always leave my dados 1/32 shallow to accomadate for sanding to achieve my desired depth and doing so created a perfectly flat bottom which made the outer blade marks dissapear. My guess on the poor review for this would be that the user did not use a zero tolerance plate or ran the wood thru too fast.

My third concern was a review said it was confusing that the outter blades did not read "this side out", mine did. Maybe this is something they added after.

And fouth is the 4500 rpm max, my contractors saw runs at 3500, so this was not even an issue.

I was concerned to use full blade style chippers due to the excess weight on the arbor, but this was not an issue at all. If you want a professional quality dado and can't afford a couple hundred bucks, this is the way to go. It is all I need and I am very happy with it. And don't forget, a dado is not a joint that is shown off to often, more times than not, it is hidden by a face frame that would cover any slight imperfections. For a 8 piece carbide tip dado set with brass shims at only 30 bucks, it deserves 6 stars, but sadly, I can only give it 5.

Amazon is selling the saw without any power cord at all, and does not bother to disclose this in their promotional materials.
Home Depot is selling the same saw WITH POWER CORD for only $159.

Have you priced 25' extension cords with #12 wire lately???????
Shame on you, Amazon.

Here is a e-mail I just sent to bosch.

I needed a new Reciprocating saw to replace my favorite bosch with the orbital action. I was reluctant to buy the new RS20 because it did not have the orbital action. In fact I first bought a Hitachi instead and returned it for the bosch RS20 the next day. The bosch rep. assured me the RS20 did not need the orbital action and would out cut any Reciprocating saw on the market. Although the RS20 has many great features it is far from the Reciprocating saw Bosch use to make with the orbital action. In fact the Hitachi will cut faster but not near as fast as your old model. Also, after one day of use, my RS20's motor makes a weird squeaking noise when the trigger is released. I used to own a Milwaukee Reciprocating saw with the orbital action it was a great saw, but your old Reciprocating saw with orbital action would put it to shame. The bottom line is, I have no choice but to take advantage of your 30 day money back guarantee and shearch for another saw.
Disapointed in Kentucky

I love my Bosch RS20CX.

Pro's:

* Well formed grips for comfortable, easy and secure handling.
* Two speeds (Lo/Hi). I use the low speed for more precise cutting of drywall. The Hi speed tears through anything and everything (even double studs - no problem).
* Powerful 13 amp motor (compare to less expensive 10/11 amp)
* The joist handle is very handy indeed. I've hung the saw on my toolbelt and ladders, but not yet a joist.
* The cord connection is super tight to ensure a snug fit. Also, it has an additional cord thingy (for lack of technical term) that the cord clips into to ensure the saw does not come unplugged if there is tension on the cord.

So far, no signifigant cons. It does have a tiny LED headlight I noticed, but I haven't benefited from it yet. And, enlarging the case to fit the power cord would be helpful. However, chances are good the power cord will services three tools at any given time through the project.

Got two Black and Decker tools for Christmas and had to take them both back. One was a recepercating saw and only one of the blades would go in. The other one was the NaviGator powered handsaw/jigsaw. Used it one time and could not get blade out to replace with another blade. The idea of this saw is very good, I just wish some other company made one. I have never had much luck with Black and Decker tools.

The tool idea is good, however the power and quality of materials is inferior. Mine is already making an awful noise and "freezing". I used it to cut 2x4's during a room's renovation. I'll never buy black & Decker garbage again.

We bought this saw for tree trimming. First time we used it it worked great, sawed right through tree limbs 3" and smaller, also worked great trimming the fronds off the palm trees. But during the second use an internal part broke and the blade no longer stays in place, making the saw useless. Can't find the receipt, so we are stuck with it. Our next saw will probably not be a Black & Decker.

Like another reviewer mentioned, my saw is incapable of making a 90 degree cut. Don't buy it.

This saw is not accurately calibrated. For example a 90 degree setting does not produce a 90 degree cut. I can forgive that and use a square or another tool to set measurements; however, this saw cannot produce a 90 degree cut, maybe 87 degrees at best. I regret wasting my money on this and will give it away to a goodwill store. I can't, in good conscience, sell it to anyone else. Black and Decker shouldn't sell anything that it can't be proud of and no one can be proud of this mistake.

I have only used it once so far but it works great! Thanks! Shipping was fast too!

I,d like to write a review about these items,but they are not shipped outside of the U.S.

I am a potential buyer of this Crain Cutter 810H Super door Jamb saw kit, but I am confused. This is not the same saw that is in my Toolcrib Catalog for October, 2000. Please explain this to me, as I would like to know what I am going to get if I should decide to order this saw. Thanks Ron Mueller

Stay away from the 810. Crain has a great undercut saw. The 555 Multi Undercut saw. It is a great saw and you can get a nice cut. Also look for the heavy-duty version, you can undercut brick with it when using a masonary blade. The model number on this is 820. Also check out the Crain 795 toe kick saw. It is very nice and now includes a case.
Eric
Installertools.com

Delta should be ashamed to put there name on that toy ah tool and to call it professional. I was so dissatisfied when I opened the box and looked at the condition of the saw and the play in the blade and the material of the saws general construction. I closed the box and sent it back for a refund. Save your money so you can spend a little more and get a real table saw.

Rip fence broke almost immediatly. Every part is made
down to price. Look at Sears - for the same price you'll
get much better quality.

I own and operate a custom woodworking business and needed a table saw to take to job sites where I install my products. This saw fits the bill to a tea, it's light and small but with all the power you'll ever need. I own plenty of Delta equipment and have never had a problem with anything and they get many hours of use I would recomend this saw as a portable unit for cabinet installers but it's not the saw you would want to set up in your shop to build cabinets with.

I bought this saw today, used it once ("hot and heavy," not in a good way) and...now the blade won't come out (yes, the blade lock is off). I shall return it tomorrow!

The RS5 is one of only 3 recips with a comfortable fore-grip (the others are the Ryobi and Ridgid). Most recips have a big hump or step at the fore-grip so they are awkward and uncomfortable. The RS5 is one of the lighter recips at 7.2 lbs. The swiveling fore-grip piece is nice and unique. Now the bad news. Power is average. Vibration is average or slightly worse. The foot is not adjustable and sticks out too far. The blade release twist-button cannot be operated with gloves, so you have to fiddle around the hot area with bare fingers. Ouch! The cord is short. The trigger-operated speed control is nearly useless (the proper way to do it is with a separate dial like the Ryobi).
For infrequent use, almost any recip will do. For extended or pro use, there really isn't a perfect one. I tried them all. Comfort ranks high for me as a builder (it also makes it safer, as in good grip and not tired). So I will probably keep the RS5 for everyday comfort and the Milwaukee 6521 for occasional heavy-duty use.

I wanted a mid-priced, quality saw with variable speed control. The Bosch RS5 won my vote. The price point was good, solid name, and the right features. It's not the lightest saw out there by any means, but it's got plenty of power and good grips. I've used it on two projects so far and have had no issues.