Irwin Miter Saw blade

[os1kne]

I am planning to visit Rockler in the next week or so and they list a special on the Irwin Miter saw blade w/ laser-thingy. I need a new MS blade, is this a good one? Is the laser-thingy worth using? I've never used one, and haven't really heard anything good about the lasers that aren't built in to the saw. Thanks.

http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?p...=irwin%20blade

[Knottscott]

I don't know about the laser, but I think you can get a better blade for your money. There's about 10 brands I'd look to first unless the Irwin happens to be made in Germany by Leitz....unfortunately, that one is not.

Freud's LU91R010 should qualify for the 20% off their $58 sale price, plus get free s/h....~46 delivered for a very nice miter blade.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...lance&n=228013

[LCHIEN]

i have a laser on my miter saw. I find it marginally useless.
I can lower the blade to touch the cut line and line it us, then raise the blade and start the motor before lowering it to make the cut. Works just as well.

Now, on the DP, that's another matter, I love my DP laser pointer.

[91FE]

i have a laser on my miter saw. I find it marginally useless.
I can lower the blade to touch the cut line and line it us, then raise the blade and start the motor before lowering it to make the cut. Works just as well.

Now, on the DP, that's another matter, I love my DP laser pointer.

couldn't agree more...with both points.

[jwaterdawg]

The utility of the CMS laser I think depends a lot on the type: double line vs single, on with blade rotation or projected line, top and front kerf or just top. The aftermarket add-on is probably bottom-end from those I have seen. So, I guess I am saying save your money you would waste on the Irwin add-on and either get a great blade, or get a new CMS with twin-laser built in.

I love the laser on my PC CMS. Twin laser lines, on with switch (does not need blade rotation to work), top and front kerf illuminated. I did however swap out the switch to a rocker that I can turn on and leave on, instead of having to hold it down. This allows me to use two hands to position the cut, clamp it, and then make the cut.

I love the laser on my DP too. I wish I had one on the table saw .....

[wassaw998]

I am not impressed to date with blades made by IRWIN. I have had one of their "marathon" blades for a TS, which at first I was very impressed with, but, it dulled extremely fast, and thus went from impressive to waste of money. I currently have a 12" 80 tooth IRWIN / LEITZ blade on my CMS, again, not impressed. It's definitely worse then the stock blade Delta had on, which says a lot. Had it not cost so little, it'd be in the trash.

[os1kne]

Thanks for validating my suspicions. I was recently impressed with the performance of an Irwin circular saw blade (very inexpensive, bought on a whim).