HF 12" SCMS $119 less 20%. Deal or No Deal?

[DaveS]

When buying tools at HF, I always use this rule of thumb: if it has a plug, put it back on the shelf and walk away (*)

* - unless it is the 2HP dust collector

[rjwaldren]

I decided to pass on it after wiggling and playing with it at the store around Christmas. The displays had play at the stops and no reliable enough looking way to zero them in. A SCMS isn't really a "close enough" tool in my opinion.

On the subject of the Coupon, it should say right on it if it can be combined with others. They usually are fine with sale prices but not with other coupons. When I tried to stack at my local store the register wouldn't allow it, it wasn't up to the cashier. It required a manager to back out of it, as did every other shoppers purchase before me. Surely a manager could override it if so inclined, but the terms are clearly stated on the coupon itself, so their certainly not obligated to do so. YMMV.

[jgscott987]

I'm pretty happy with this saw. I've never used a high dollar SCMS so I don't have a frame of reference, but overall this saw is fine. I just built a stand with folding wings for mine this weekend.


Pros:

• It seems pretty accuarate once you tweak the fence and the miter stops.
• It has plenty of power- I've never had it bog down.
• Great cutting capacity.
• The 'slop' in the sliding mechanism seems to be about the same as other brands I've fiddled with at the big box stores. It will move a little side to side if you push it, but as long as you bring it down straight, it seems to be spot on.
• The laser is accurate (on mine) and is always visible, not just when the blade is spinning.
• The sliding action is surprisingly smooth. Even when the rails are covered in sawdust, the slider wipes away the dust and moves very smoothly. (How does it do that???)

Cons:

• Requires some tweaking. The fence was not coplanar, and the miter stops were off by a couple of degrees. Pretty easy fixes, though.
• The handle and trigger are very close to the blade guard. You really can't pull the trigger with your left hand, as the blade guard will catch on your knuckles
• The laser runs on AA batteries, and is switched on and off manually. I like the fact that I can leave the laser on, but some see this as a con.
• There is some tearout, and the cut is not a mirror finish. I assume this is the fault of the blade, not the saw. I haven't been able to bring myself to buy a $50+ blade for a $100 saw.
• It's loud, although I think this is common to miter saws.

I wouldn't use it for critical joints like picture frames, but otherwise I think it is absolutely fine. It sure is a lot nicer than trying to use the BT3100 to cut a foot off of an 8' board!

[just started]

Where did you find a current 20% coupon? All the ones I've seen lately were only good for a 3-day weekend. As far as stacking goes, if it's the 20% off entire purchase they will but if it's the 20% one item it depends on the store personnel.

[gjat]

Since it's not an overwhelming 'DEAL', I think I'll pass. I tend to rough cut with corded or battery skil saw and square cut on the BT. I've gotten by with minimal tools for so long, it's hard to justify if it's not a deal. I still use hand saws for convenience. No cords, no batteries, and CHEAP.

Thanks for the insights and opinions.

[Uncle Cracker]

I don't think you can stack the coupon for the saw with the 20% off coupon. At least, my HF (Raleigh, NC) doesn't accept it.

This is a valid point, and I think it's the reason that HF has gone to more coupon deals on specific items of late, rather than just putting them on sale. The fine print on the 20% coupon does state that it can't be used with other coupons, and at least one of my HF's will not stack them. I haven't tried the other one yet.

[Lonnie in Orlando]

gjat:

I have HF SCMS #91852. Bought it for less than $100 a few years ago. It's been worth the money to me.

> As noted, the casting are not as thick as $500 saws.
> It doesn't sound and feel quite like the $500 saws.
> The motor smells bad when first used.
> The fence on mine was off a little --
see fix in this thread: http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...highlight=scms
> The blade doesn't make a mirror finish cut.
> The orange color tells the world that you bought a cheap saw.

But -
>> It probably cuts as accurately as most SCMS's.
>> The slider moves smoothly.
>> Customer service at HF HQ and at local store is good.
>> I enjoy the cutting capacity.
>> It satisfied my "cheap" gene.

- Lonnie

[Nil]

I have the 10" SCMS from Harbor Freight. After 1 time to many of never being able to cut a perfect 90 or 45 (there was just want to much wiggle/slop that allowed the blade to move about 1/4 back and forth), I bought a Ridgid SCMS. If you're doing rough carpentry, or even paint grade trim work it'll work great for you, but if you want to do stuff where a 45 has to actually be a 45 like picture frames or any furniture work, I think you'll be frustrated for a long time until you eventually upgrade.

[master53yoda]

With HF Tools I buy the 2 year extended warranty so that if the motor fries I take it back and get a new one. I always take my HF home and work the crap out of it for a few days and find out what the bad points of that particular tool are.

The real snag with HF tools is that the factories don't have good quality control and they also don't typically use the same manufacture for all the same parts causing differences from one tool to the next. There was an article in Wood I think that brought this up. I have also found it in the tools that I have bought.

With the saw I would buy some 2x4s and do a bunch of different cuts to verify the saw is acceptable if it isn't take it back and get another one until you get one that is. I treat tools at HF just like I do lumber at the lumber yard and pick through till I get what I want, if I'm buying the extended warranty they don't gripe at me about bringing stuff back.

I also assume that I will end up changing 1/3 of the bearings in a year but that still makes them a good cost value when your done IF you have the time as I do.

[LCHIEN]

the probelm with the saw like that, it'll probably be built not quite like a tank, and the sliding mechanism will be sloppy, the castings thin and it probably won't make the most accurate of cuts.

But it will do and you keep reminding yourself of how it was only $96 bucks and you'll not take it back and be somewhat disatisfied every third time you use it. If that's the kind of experience you want then go ahead.

OTOH, you need the capacity of a 12" slider and you leave your equipment in a theft prone area (or maybe the 1st floor of a Galevston Bay beach house) then you might want to consider this saw.

I'm not down on everything HF, but Im not sure I trust their power tools.

[windmill]

I don't think you can stack the coupon for the saw with the 20% off coupon. At least, my HF (Raleigh, NC) doesn't accept it.

[dbhost]

Not sure how you got burned on HF clamps. Most of mine are HF and they are holding up to a pretty good amount of abuse and doing a dandy job... Having said that I have blown the snot out of the threads on 2 of my 6" by applying gorilla forces to them...

My local HF is pretty good about taking returns on broken stuff.

I think the only truly awful thing I have gotten from HF so far is 4 truly pitiful corner clamps. They were cheap, too cheap to want to take back...

I am not sure about a SCMS from HF, but I have read reviews posted ostensibly by a couple of pro trim carpenters that use these saws, they report good service from them, with acceptable accuracy over the long haul, and as an added bonus, a LOT less need to lock up the HF miter saw than their coworkers DeWalt and Makita saws...

I am not in a hurry for a new miter saw, but I might actually consider one of these...

[gjat]

Harbor Freight has a coupon sale for their 12" sliding compound miter saw w/ laser for $119.00 and I have a 20% off coupon to make it $95.99. I have no idea about the quality/value of the saw. I'm a hobbiest, like most on this board, but have been burned on HF deals before (clamps, LOL). Is this an okay deal, or a great deal?