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Vol.3
No.2
August 2004
By George Hoffman
Q. I am looking for a miter saw that will cut precise angles, such as 22.5 degrees. I would like to find one that doesn't have any play in the cut and that will cut pieces 5/8 inch thick. Do you have any recommendations? I am investigating one form Rockler called the Nobex Proman. Have you heard of it? Please give me any input you can. I would appreciate it so much! Thanks.
-Nancy
A: Dear Nancy:
Re; Non-powered miter saw, I searched on the web and after consideration of the reviews available at on-line dealers it would seem that the NOBEX Champion Miter Saw while more expensive is far more advantageous to buy. It offers a solid stable blade movement and more pre-set accurate angle degree settings.
The others shown below seem to have more negative issues, considering their cost it is easy to see why. In my opinion finding the right tool is to pay a little more and get a top quality more accurate tool that will last long
enough to be passed on for further use.
I hope this helps or at least confirms your selection. By the by just what are you going to use saw for ? As Julian pointed out due to tools size it looks more like a dollhouse building tool.
Note: The final decision for spending a higher price for any tools depends on how deeply you are involved, do you feel that you will continue or is this just a fanciful whim that will pass. Perhaps the biggest concern to
most will be how much you can afford.
This tool may or may not fit the needs of every miniature makers shop. Rather large for mitering small moldings etc.
- George
A: Julian`s: George, I read your answer and fully agree with it. Unless Nancy you are planning to build a lot of dollhouses or a full size house, I don't see why anyone would want a miter saw this big. However, the Champion is the saw if you are planning a lot of miter work in a larger scale.
Nancy's Response:
George & Julian, Thank you for your response about the miter saw. I have not done anything about it yet. What I`m working on at the moment are two gazebos, which are going to be lamps. They are octagon shaped and require a lot of compound as well as straight miter cuts. I`ve been using my scroll saw which works okay. It is not as precise as I would like it to be. Right now I`m making the roofs. My desire is for them to have open slats, 1/8 in. wide to let light in from the top. I know what I want to end up with, but am having some difficulty getting there. ( This question will be answered later in a follow-up posting...... geo)
I`ll let you know what I decide to do and will send pictures of my project, when it is finished.
Thanks again, Nancy
By George Hoffman
TIP
Hi George!
Just thought I'd pass along a tip that has enabled me to obtain accurate miter cuts when making miniature picture frames with my Proxxon miniature power saw.
When cutting miters to make sure the cut is accurate, I don't rely on the accompanying miter gauge as it isn't always completely accurate and as you know, if the miter is off the teeniest bit it will be noticeable on a mini frame. I use a combination square with an aluminum edge to check to make certain that the 45°angle is right every time I change the angle. As a result, I'm able to get accurate cuts. The combo square shows that a correct 45° angle doesn't always line up with the 45°line on the gauge that comes with the saw. I'm showing a photo of the C.S. I remove the ruler and line up the straight bottom edge with the saw blade and line up the miter gauge with the angled edge or vice versa. Works perfect most every time.
I'll bet you already knew this, but just in case you didn't...
Great info in the Forum by the way.
Best Regards,
June
A.
Dear June:
Thank you so much for sending a great tip Re; Accurate miter Cuts
"I'll bet you already knew this, but just in case you don't... "
Your right I was aware of using a square but time has taken its toll on the brain it is slow and lazy, so I never recalled it, but you saved the day.
Actually years ago after my purchase of a Craftsman 10" radial saw I found very quickly that a 45° cut on the left was okay but moving saw to right for another 45° cut... it was off. So moving saw back or forward you were rewarded with some other angle than your original 45°. If you wanted some other angle you had to check it before cutting.
Thank you again and keep sending your question and/or tips: george
Jorgensen 64016 Precision Miter Saw - $49.99
This Saw seems to have a number of mixed reviews too many on the negative side. http://www.growinglifestyle.com/prod/B00002244D.html
Stanley 20-800 Contractor Grade Clamping Mitre Box - $50 (39.99)
This brand saw does not seem to measure up, review is negative
Review from the web: If your needs are limited to the occasional baseboard replacement, science project, or picture frame, this tool will do the job extremely well. We tend to work on home remodeling projects as a family, and this would be a very good tool for use by adolescents, or others intimidated by power saws. The cam hold-downs do an excellent job of keeping little fingers away from the business end.
We felt there are three drawbacks to the saw.
1. We felt the saw stroke was shorter than we would have liked and would concentrate wear on one section of the blade. However, we made nearly 100 cuts in fir and the blade still looks good.
2. You can't adjust the vertical angle. For most users this shouldn't be a problem, but if you are cutting very wide crown molding, you can't make compound cuts in one pass.
3. If you need to cut at an angle other than indicated on the protractor base there are no detents to go between the preset angles, not a big issue unless you are making science/engineering project to cut some gadget at 53.7 degrees.
Nobex Proman Miter Saw #93675
- $89.99
The automatic locking device adjusts to give you the correct angle for a variety of different frames plus 90-degree cuts. Preset positions at 20°, 25°, 40°, 50° and 55° for compound miters.
Nobex Champion Miter Saw - $154.99 ($139.99 Woodcraft Site)
Cut accurate miters every time with this frame saw system from Sweden. Picture framers, cabinetmakers, and carpenters will appreciate its large cutting capacity and many design features. 20" long bed and 7" high back is
machined perfectly flat to provide a solid base for your stock. An innovative front clamp system, with two clamps, pivots and adjusts for maximum stability of the work piece. The large, robust tension saw frame
holds a 25" blade and rides smoothly in durable metal guides that assure a straight cut. Frame swivels 90° and can be locked at any angle with a handy
rear lever. Positive stops are provided at 90°, 45°, 36°, 30°, and 22.5°. An auxiliary rod-stop specially designed for mitered material can be set for repetitive cuts up to 26" long. Cutting capacity is 7" thick X 8" wide at
90°, and 5" wide at 45°. Includes two fast-action clamps that can be mounted in two positions to hold work piece securely, an 18 TPI saw blade with hardened teeth for cutting wood or soft metal, and a full instruction manual covering all mitering work.
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