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I had a Makita table saw before and this Bosch performs so much better. as a carenter by trade I highly recommend this table saw.
Used it for one month and motor went to half speed. Sent it back to factory for repair, then used it for another month and it did the same thing. Called repair center and asked if this is a problem; he said it shouldn't do it that soon, but they do have problems with it. I used it on the jobsite where I have to use extension cords - do not purchase if you have to use extension cords.
$400+ is still a little more than I have to spend but just out of curiosity, I go home and pull up all of the glowing reviews on the 4000-09 here at Amazon. Didn't want to spend HUGE bucks but also didn't want to buy cheap junk. I cross-examined him - Is it the right model. Every cheap tool I ever bought I ended up throwing out and going back for the better one that I knew I should have bought in the first place.I was getting a little disenchanted because what I could afford, I didn't want, and what I wanted, I couldn't afford.So I'm in Sears about 2 weeks ago and I see this saw sitting off to the side with a "Clearance" tag on it.
It's obviously had a lot of hands touching it (lots of finger smudges on the table, rip fence ruler a little scratched up from people sliding the fence back and forth, etc). It's marked at $434. They also have the newer model on display, the 4100-09, at full price ($600). Have been shopping around for a saw to handle my upcoming hardwood floor installation project. Manufacturer's warranty is still in force as a "new" saw.So I went out on a limb and bought it. I about fell out of my chair.
Does that include the stand., etc etc. I got all of the right answers so I lickety split over to Sears to grab it.When I get there and inquire further, I discover that this has been the display model at Sears for over 1 1/2 years and was put on clearance when the newer model came in.
Haven't tried it out yet so I'm holding off on my 5th star but I am extremely impressed with the quality of the build, the solid feel, and that very excellent gravity rise stand.I'm spared the pain of having to put it together. Trying to economize on tools usually ends up being a false economy.
They don't have the packaging or manuals, but all of the parts are in place and everything looks to be in excellent working order. Now I know I've found the saw I want but it's still a little pricy.I continue to do some shopping around, checking out rentals, etc, but finally arrive at the conclusion that I'm going to have to buy a saw and I better get quality so I can keep it and use it for several years.
So I call Sears back to see if they still have this one on clearance and the salesman says "yes", checks the computer and tells me it's going for $290. The guy that sold it to me told me he assembled it himself on the floor 1 1/2 years ago and it's never left the store and never been turned on.
And I was able to downloaded the manual from Bosch and use my computer to delete the pages with the French and Spanish instructions before printing.Will be carefully checking all of the alignments and then will post an update after I've run a few boards through it.
Second is some sort of crosscut sled or good miter fence. I have a very small basement woodworking shop and I've been using this for some time now. After some research I got this one. I have it outfitted with a Forrest woodworker II but any good quality blade would do I would think. The fence is solid with no slop in it. Very happy with it so far.
I built a crosscut sled for it and it now produces perfectly square cuts. Since my space is quite limited a cabinet or even contractor saw is really out of the question so that left a portable. The miter gauge that comes with it is not accurate enough for anything other than rough cuts. Two must haves on this saw to make it perform to woodworking standards. One, a new blade. The stand is easy to use as well and a nice addition.
While I doubt this could compete with a good cabinet saw it is an excellent saw for the small shop.
I ordered this saw for this year's birthday in April. So now I wait for the Bosch folks to get back to me about replacing the manual. But I didn't open the battered box (my bad) until yesterday, June 29th. I found the saw insert was broken off in shipment, and of course, as everyone had warned, the manual was gone. It looks like I'll have to order (and pay for) the insert myself. In any case, I'm looking forward to using this saw.
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