Tne Onrcrrunl WooDWoRKtNG AND Home ... - Wood Tools

Porter-Cable's 9543 was introducedto the market after the other sawshere, so its designers had a chance toincorporate the competition's bestfeatures. It has toolless blade changing(right) and shoe adjustment, andthe only shoe with stops at anglesother than 0o and 45o.Plus, this saw has the highestampmotor of any saw in the test.And that powerful motor is usefulfor driving the blade with ease atany chosen speed.Once you've got a blade in placein the 9543, it stays put well, and staysstraight. What's tough is getting ablade in or out. The spring-loadedtabs (right) are small and have a strongspring, so you really have to squeeze.Combine this with a tight openingfor the blade, and the process seemstougher than necessary.Virtues: Completely toolless; bevelstops on shoe; comfortable handle.Vices: Bladechangng mechanismpicky; more vibration than expected.Verdict: A well thought-out saw,but needs improvements to theblade changing system.Specifications:Amperage: 6.0Speed (SPM) 500-3,000Blades: Unlv./TshankBlade Change: ToollessShoe Adjust: IoollessPdce: s160In most tests, the Makita 43047performed well. In fact, the shoeadjustment may be the best in thebunch, with a simple lever thatreleases and locks it in place (right).Of all the twist-sryle blade releases,this one is easiesto use, too. Andthe saw grips T:shank or universalblades with equal ease.The Makita Gll off the others'pace, though, with the speed set atless than about 60%. When ripping2x Douglas fir at half speed, a testconducted with each saw, theMakita stalled repeatedly.With a 5.5-amp motor (fourthmost powerful in the group) thistendency to stall seems odd. Keepthe speed wound up, though, andthe 4304T is a great performer.Also, the blade guard does make itdifficult to see the blade and cut line.VirtueS: Great blade change andshoe adjustment; good feel; smooth.ViCeS: Power drops way off at lowerspeeds, causing some stalling.Verdict The adjustments are firstrate,and the saw is very compact, butit needs more low-speed power.Specifications:Amperage: 5.5Speed (SPM) 50G3,000Blades: Unlv./T+hankBlade Change: ToollessShoe Adlust: ToollessPrice: s160The Craftsman 27251 is a goodbasic saw, but lacks features foundon the others. It's the only onewithout toolless blade changing, ithas the least-powerful motor, and itdoesn't come with a case like therest of the saws tested.The trade-offfor this lack of featuresis a price that's at least 10%lower than the other five saws. Somestores may discount the price evenfurther. So if the other prices seemtoo steep, but you want a variablespeed,orbital action saw, check outthe Craftsman.Requiring hex wrenches for theblade and shoe isn't awful, but thissaw uses a di{ferent size wrench foreach. On the plus side, the bevelscale is adjustable (rrglrr).The 27251 is an adequate saw, butisnt in the same league as the others.Virtues: Aggressive orbital action;lowest price in test; light weight,Vices: Takes two hex wrenches;vague speed adjustment; cheaper feel.Verdict: This is a capabte saw withadequate power, but lacks the featuresand refinement ofthe others.Specifications:Amperage: 4.5Speed (SPM) 0-3,100Blades: Univ./T-shankBlade Ghange: Hex WrenchShoe Adjust: Hex WrenchPrice: $140woRKBENcH tr MARCH I APRIL 2OOO 49