Retailers have begun posting “beat the price increase” notifications for SawStop table saws and accessories.

The SawStop price increases are said to go into effect on August 1st, 2023.

It has not yet been published which SawStop table saws or accessories will be increasing in price, or by how much.

One SawStop dealer shared a sampling of the price increase for example purposes, showing that two cabinet saw models will increase by around 2%, a dust collection accessory will increase by around 4.6%, and the SawStop brake cartridges (standard and dado) will increase by $4 each, reflecting increases of 4.2% and 3.5%, respectively.

Increases on SawStop table saws, attachments, and accessories could add up. If you were planning to make a big purchase, you might want to think about placing your order before the increases go into effect.

There’s no word as to whether the freight fees for portable and cabinet saws are also going up.

With the increases going into effect August 1st, the cut-off for ordering at current pricing will be July 31, 2023.

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Makita has finally launched an XGT cordless jig saw, model JV001G, which from the product specs looks to outperform their 18V model.

The new Makita XGT cordless jig saw features a brushless motor, barrel-style grip, variable speed dial, and 3 orbital settings.

At this time, only a barrel grip model has been announced, and there is no indication as to if or when a D-handle jig saw might be released.

Features & Specs

• 800 – 3500 SPM (strokes per minute)
• 26mm stroke length
• Bevels 45° left and right
• Soft start with disabling function
• Wider base plate for less wobbling
• Twin LED lights
• Tool-free blade clamp
• Weighs 1.91 kg (~4.21 lbs) tool-only
• 84 dB(A) noise level

Makita’s 18V brushless jig saw model (DJV181Z overseas, XVJ01Z in USA), is advertised as delivering up to 390W of continuous rating input. The new XGT model is said to deliver a continuous rating input of 700W. The18V model is slightly quieter with a 78 dB(A) noise rating.

Note: Makita lists the top speed as 3000 SPM in some places, and 3500 SPM in others. I would assume that 3500 SPM is correct, to match the max speed of the 18V model.

I would think this difference in power – 700W vs 390W – might deliver improved performance or faster application speeds under heavier loads, similar to what Makita advertises for their XGT cordless router compared to their 18V model.

Makita USA has failed to bring many XGT cordless power tools to the USA market in a timely manner – and sometimes at all. Because of that, there is uncertainty as to whether the XGT jig saw will launch in the USA, or when.

For example, Makita came out with an XGT cordless brad nailer more than 2 years ago, but it still isn’t available here in the USA.

Overseas, there’s also a new cordless power station and USB charger, cordless microwave, USB-C charger with LED light, and others.

Makita USA blacklisted ToolGuyd (again) without any explanation – seemingly after we reported on their numerous price hikes and recent company-wide layoffs – and so there’s no one to ask about potential USA availability.

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Harbor Freight has come out with a new Hercules universal portable band saw benchtop stand.

They say that the new attachment “turns just about any portable band saw into a powerful, precise, horizontal or vertical benchtop cutter.

it’s designed for use with “most brands of portable deep-cut band saws.”

The Hercules benchtop band saw stand can be used in two configurations – horizontal or vertical.

Horizontal band saws are often lowered to a workpiece to to make straight cuts in metal, while vertical band saws are often used to make straight, curved, or intricate cuts in a metal workpiece.

The base has angle guides at 0°, 30°, 45°, and 60°, and a clamp slot for securing workpieces (clamps are not included).

Pre-drilled mounting holes allow for the benchtop stand to be secured to a work station for more permanent placement.

A quick-release gas strut holds the saw in an open position for making horizontal cuts.

Harbor Freight says that the base is compatible with deep-cutting band saws from their Hercules and Bauer brands, as well as Dewalt and Milwaukee.

The base comes with a vertical table stand and mounting brackets for “popular brands.” The user manual provides instructions for securing Milwaukee (corded and cordless) and Dewalt (corded and cordless) deep-cutting band saws.

Price: $99

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What is the best size miter saw for you? Let me try that again – what’s the best size miter saw for YOU?

The Dewalt DWS779 12″ sliding miter saw is one of the most popular and best-value miter saws on the market.

The DWS779 has a maximum cutting capacity of 14″ when cutting 2x dimensional lumber at 0°, and 10″ at 45°. This is about the largest cross-cutting capacity you can find in a miter saw.

But there’s a tradeoff – it’s a large and heavy saw.

In this image from quite a few years ago, I placed the Dewalt DW713 – which has since been replaced by the DWS713 – next to the DWS780.

The DW713 and DWS713 are single bevel 10″ miter saws, and the DWS780 is a 12″ sliding miter saw.

12″ sliding miter saws are often considered the best you can get, but who are they best for? Larger blade sizes are better for cutting wider trim pieces, such as crown molding or baseboards, either vertically, flat, or nested in the case of crown molding.

Sliding miter saws offer increased cutting capacity for cross-cutting wider boards, such as larger 2x dimensional lumber and boards for shelving or other projects.

This is the Dewalt DWS716XPS, which offers a compromise. It has a 12″ blade and dual bevel capabilities, but isn’t a slider.

It has greater cutting capacity than a 10″ non-sliding miter saw, and is considerably smaller, lighter, and more portable than sliding 12″ saws.

Some will point out that, the larger the blade, the greater the potential for deflection, and this is generally true. With all other things being equal, a non-sliding 7-1/4″ or 10″ miter saw has the potential to deliver higher precision on average than a sliding 12″ miter saw.

Then there are 7-1/4″ sliding miter saws, such as this Dewalt 20V Max cordless model.

Smaller-blade sliding miter saws, such as 7-1/4″ and 8-1/2″, can cut wider boards and 2x lumber, but aren’t well-suited for applications such as cutting nested crown molding. If you don’t need to cut trim, your back and arms will appreciate more compact size and lower weight.

The difficult part is that it can sometimes be easier to pick a less than ideal size.

The Dewalt DWS779 is hugely popular partly because it has become the standard holiday season model; volume sales allow for very aggressive pricing.

At the time of this posting, the DWS779 12″ sliding miter saw is $399 at most retailers, with at least one offering it for $349. It might dip back to $349 at more retailers for the Father’s Day shopping season. Even if not, $399 is still a very good price.

The DWS716XPS 12″ non-slider is $355 right now.

While the DWS716XPS has something the DWS779 doesn’t – the LED shadow cutline indicator – the larger miter saw delivers greater cutting capacity for less than $50 more.

There are occasional sales on other 12″ sliding miter saws models, such as the DWS780. The DWS780 is similar to the DWS779, but features the LED cutline indicator, crown stops, and I believe a better starter blade.

Because of volume and promotional pricing considerations, the ideal size of miter saw isn’t always the one we buy.

If a 10″ sliding miter saw is priced at $400, and a 12″ sliding miter saw $350, would you still buy the 10″? Or would you spring for the greater capacity and slightly greater size and weight of the 12″ at a lower price?

Dust collection is a sore point for every miter saw I have ever used. Dust bags collect a little dust, and dust extractors connected to the same port do just a little better. But, dust and chips will still cover the surrounding area. Dust hoods can help contain the coarser spray, but the one I tried was a greater hassle than cleaning up when I was done.

I would gladly accommodate a larger miter saw than I need if it had near-perfect dust collection.

To simplify things, let’s ignore single vs dual bevel considerations for the sake of this discussion. Following are the most common sizes you can buy today.

• 7-1/4″ sliding
• 8-1/2″ sliding
• 10″ non-sliding and sliding
• 12″ non-sliding and sliding

I have used and tested quite a few miter saws over the years, and if I had to pick one today, it would likely be a 7-1/4″ slider. I might eventually try an 8-1/2″ miter saw that offers better dust collection, but I have other tools for cutting wider boards too large for smaller miter saws.

If I could pick two, maybe I would add a 12″ saw on top of that, or maybe a non-sliding 10″.

Portability has become a high priority for me, and so I wouldn’t want a 12″ slider to be my only miter saw. But, I also don’t cut trim or shelving material on-site. I feel that there’s a mentality that 12″ miter saws are the best one can get, but they just haven’t worked as well for my personal project needs as more compact miter saws.

Which miter saw size or sizes are best suited for your needs? Is that the size of miter saw you own?

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Festool has announced a new cordless miter saw, KSC 60, a 36V saw that’s powered by dual 18V batteries.

The Festool KSC 60 is part of the Kapex miter saw family, which in the USA includes the corded AC-powered KS 120.

The Festool Kapex KSC 60 has a 216mm blade size (8-1/2″), and works with blades with a 30mm (1-3/16″) arbor hole diameter.

Festool is also launching a line of 216mm blades suited for different applications, ranging in price from $115 to $150.

• Universal Wood-Cutting (576927) – $115
• Fine Wood Cutting (576928) – $135
• Aluminum and Plastics (576929) – $140
• Laminates (576930) – $150

The cordless sliding miter saw has a maximum cutting capacity of 12″ for boards and panels up to 2-3/8″ thick.

Additional features include a 60° miter angle (left and right), and bevel angles up to 46° (right) and 47° (left).

Festool describes the saw as being suited for right or left-handed users, with a centrally-positioned handle and switch.

The saw comes with attachable “elevation feet” that bring its support table up to the same height as the included Systainer tool box. This allows the Systainer to be used as outfeed support when both it and the tool are placed on the floor.

The saw ships with a dust collection bag, saw blade, hold-down clamp, angle gauge, dual-port charger, 2x 18V 5.0Ah batteries, plus a Systainer tool box to hold all of the loose items.

It weighs 38.14 lbs, presumably tool-only, as the same figure is given for the two kits that come with and without batteries.

Price: $1298 for the kit (KAPEX KSC 60 EB 5,0 I-Plus), $999 for the tool-only kit (KSC 60 EB-Basic) which leaves out the batteries and charger.

Discussion

Dewalt, Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, Metabo HPT, and other professional tool brands all offer cordless miter saws with competitive cutting capacity and great runtime while being powered by a single Li-ion battery.

I suppose that an 18V x2 dual-battery 36V cordless miter saw is better than Festool not being able to offer their users any miter saw at all.

While I strongly prefer single battery handheld cordless power tools, dual batteries are more acceptable on benchtop tools and similar types of equipment.

The new Festool 216mm blades have a 30mm (1-3/16″) arbor hole, which implies that the saw has a 30mm motor shaft.

What this means is that you’re not going to be able to use off-the-shelf 8-1/2″ sliding miter saw blades with this saw.

Diablo’s 60T 8-1/2″ fine finish blade is priced at $46 at Amazon, and the Freud 48T fine finish 8-1/2″ sliding miter saw blade is $54 at Amazon. Festool’s 60T 8-1/2″ fine finish blade will be priced at $135.

I mention this because Festool advertises the saw as having a 8-1/2″ blade in some places, which I tend to interpret as 8-1/2″ x 5/8″. Freud and Diablo’s 8-1/2″ saw blades have a 5/8′ arbor hole.

Makita’s XGT cordless 8-1/2″ sliding miter saw works with blades that have a 5/8″ arbor hole.

Other brands do make 216 x 30mm blades, but the ones I’ve found only ship from Europe.

This is just something to take into account. Festool makes decent consumables, you’ll just have to stick with their blades or find another source for 216mm x 30mm sliding miter saw blades.

Blade compatibility and selection is always a concern with tools from European toolmakers. My first (and only) corded Festool track saw only has a metric cutting depth gauge. It’s something you get used to.

Here’s what Festool says about their new cordless miter saw’s dust collection:

Chip collection bag for dust-free work, even without a mobile dust extractor.

They also advertise it as being “healthier.”

From Festool’s promotional videos, the Kapex KSC 60 cordless miter saw still sprays fine sawdust around and behind the saw, just like other brands’ sliding miter saws.

This shouldn’t be surprising – dust bags usually collect some dust, but I’ve never seen any miter saw chip collection bags ever deliver “dust-free work.”

The saw also has a Festool-standard vacuum port.

Festool uses the words precise and precision no less than 27 times on their product page. The big question is if the Kapex KSC 60 delivers any better results compared to other brands’ cordless and sliding miter saws.

In other Festool News:

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SawStop now has 5 different classes of table saws, all of which feature their skin-detection and blade brake technology.

I have been considering buying a workshop table saw for quite a while now, and SawStop has frequently landed at the top of my list.

There are a lot of options to think about and sort through, and I thought a quick guide might help anyone researching their own potential purchases.

5 Table Saw Classes

• Compact Table Saw
• Jobsite Saw Pro
• Contractor Saw
• Professional Cabinet Saw
• Industrial Cabinet Saw

SawStop Safety Technology

SawStop says that:

There is a table saw accident every 9 minutes, and more than 40,000 table saw accidents every year. SawStop has the ability for their saws to stop on contact with skin in less than 5 milliseconds and has saved the fingers of thousands of woodworkers.

SawStop’s Active Injury Mitigation (AIM) safety technology features two main aspects – skin-detection and braking.

A small electrical signal is transmitted through the blade, and changes when it comes into contact with any part or extension of the human body.

Once skin contact is detected, an aluminum brake springs into the path of the blade. The blade is quickly stopped and is then driven beneath the table. The saw can be reset in as little as 90 seconds.

All of the SawStop’s table saws feature their skin detection and braking technology. All of their saws also feature a test and bypass mode that can be manually engaged when cutting conductive materials or wood with high moisture content (such as pressure-treated).

Note: SawStop was a recent advertising partner. I previously received a test sample of their first-generation Jobsite Saw, and a Compact Table Saw that I am still testing.

SawStop Compact Table Saw

The Compact Table Saw, or CTS, is SawStop’s newest, most portable, and most affordable table saw.

It features a 10″ blade, rack and pinion fence, quick-tilt bevel, on-saw accessory storage, and the brand’s iconic safety system.

Our testing has shown the SawStop CTS to be a highly capable portable table saw that delivers an exceptional user experience on top of competitive cutting performance.

I particularly like the attention SawStop engineers gave the controls – seasoned pros and beginner hobbyists alike should find the saw to be intuitive and easy to use.

The bevel angle micro-adjust provides the easiest and most accurate blade angle adjustment I have seen on a portable table saw.

See Also: SawStop Compact Table Saw Review (CTS)

The CTS can be put to work quickly when paired with the optional folding stand.

SawStop took their time with this saw, but as far as I can tell so far, they did everything well.

SawStop CTS Key Specs

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 24-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 68 lbs

Price: $899

Who is this for? Anyone looking for a portable table saw featuring SawStop’s renowned safety tech. I have found it to be a reasonably precise table saw that’s on-par with the performance and precision of competing brands’ jobsite saws.

Recommended Accessories

The folding stand, CTS-FS ($129), features non-skid feet, tool-free saw attachment, and compact storage. It’s sturdy and easy to use.

I typically avoid folding table saw stands, but I really like this one.

SawStop Jobsite Saw Pro

The Jobsite Saw Pro is – in my opinion – SawStop’s portable workhorse.

I tested this model’s predecessor, and found its rolling base to be excellent. It delivered precise cutting and an overall excellent user experience.

The JSS Pro table saw’s blade height adjustment mechanism absolutely ruined other portable table saws for me. Instead of cranking, cranking, cranking, you can raise and lower the blade with just one turn of the handwheel.

The current version has a 2″ deeper table than its predecessor, providing greater workpiece support. SawStop says that the JSS delivers a “class-leading” table depth of 24-5/8″.

It can also work with 8″ dado stacks, just be sure to pick up the appropriate safety cartridge and throat plate.

There are two dust collection ports – one at the rear of the saw, and another built into the blade guard.

SawStop JSS Pro Key Specs

• 10″ blade
• 8″ dado-compatible*
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 25-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 113 lbs with cart

*requires optional dado safety cartridge

Price: $1579

Who is this for? Pro users who want a portable jobsite saw with SawStop safety tech. Woodworkers who don’t necessarily need the rolling stand might benefit from the larger table support surface and dado capabilities.

Recommended Accessories

You will want to consider an extra safety cartridge, dado cartridge, and zero clearance dado plate. These can always be purchased afterwards, as needed.

Be sure to read up on dado blade compatibility – SawStop has extensive guidance about this on their website. There are a number of popular options, and SawStop also has their own premium dado set with a 1/4″ to 29/32″ cutting range.

SawStop Contractor Saw

The Contractor Saw (CNS) is SawStop’s most affordable workshop-oriented model, with a larger table and greater configuration options compared to their portable saws.

Standard features include a cast iron table, steel extension wings, aluminum fence, and 30-1/2″ rip capacity. Stepping up from the 30″ size to 36″ or 52″ configurations provide a larger table with greater ripping capacity, and an upgraded T-glide fence assembly.

The Contractor Saw can be equipped with optional add-ons, including cast iron wings, a mobile base, dust collection panel, and inline router table.

SawStop CNS Key Specs (30″)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 30-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 245 lbs with stand

Price: Starting at $1979

Who is this for? The Contractor Saw provides greater workpiece support than either portable table saws, and at a lower price than SawStop cabinet saws.

Recommended Accessories

SawStop offers a mobile base specially made for this saw. If you choose to source your own, pay attention to the weight and footprint (25-3/4″ W x 27″ D).

SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw

The SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw, or PCS, is the brand’s top-selling cabinet saw. It’s described as delivering unmatched fit and finish and best-in-class performance.

Standard accessories include a 30″ premium fence assembly, cast iron extension wings, and 30″ rip capacity (right of blade).

Stepping up to the 36″ or 52″ models give you increased rip-cut capacity, as well as an upgraded T-Glide fence assembly.

The standard 30″ saw has a smaller footprint, with the 36″ and 52″ models including additional legs for added wing support.

There are several decisions that need to made at the time of purchase.

Power – 1.75 HP vs 3.0 HP

The standard 30″ model comes with a 1.75 HP motor that can be powered via 120V and 14A circuit. Users can also change the saw over to 230V power with an optional electrical assembly (priced at $81.65 at the time of this purchase).

Upgrading to the 3.0 HP model bumps up the price and requires a 230V circuit.

Many users have shared about their excellent experiences with the 1.75 HP model. The 3.0 HP model provides added power for cutting thicker hardwood boards.

In my opinion, 1.75 HP is the way to go if you only have 120V outlets or are under a strict budget. Users who plan to power the saw via 230V outlet might want to go with the 3.0 HP model.

Fence Style and Table Size

The 30″ model takes up less floor and shop space, whereas the 36″ and 52″ sizes give you a greater table surface and an upgraded T-Glide fence. Stepping up to the 36″ size and T-Glide fence is a $224 premium at the time of this posting.

Having checked out the T-Glide fence at a woodworking show a few years ago, that’s the one I would go with.

SawStop offers numerous dust collection options, including a dust collection guard assembly (included with the 3.0 HP saw), overarm dust collector, and floating dust collector.

Attachments include an inline router table, two sizes of sliding crosscut tables, and a folding outfeed table.

SawStop PCS Key Specs (1.75 HP 36″ T-Glide)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 36″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 408 lbs

Price: Starting at $2849 ($3073 for 1.75 HP with 36″ T-Glide)

Who is this for? This has become an iconic cabinet saw for hobbyist woodworkers and smaller production shops. Its weight makes it sturdier than the contractor saw.

Recommended Accessories

The integrated mobile base option can be a good choice if you don’t plan to move the saw often. The industrial mobile base is a more premium mobile base option that is widely lauded as a good ideal fit for the PCS.

In my opinion, the 36″ T-Glide (or 52″ T-Glide if you need the added rip capacity) is the best way to go unless you require free clearance under both extension wings.

The 1.75 HP option is your only choice if you don’t have any 230V electrical outlets in your shop – and many people have had great experiences with it. If you do have 230V, or can add it, the 3.0 HP upgrade is best done at the time of purchase, as you also get the guard with dust collection port.

My research has suggested that the overarm dust collection arm, which requires a 4″ dust collector, offers some benefits. There is a lot of praise for the floating arm dust collection option as well, but my research – and rough understanding of the airflow requirements – suggest that a larger dust collector is needed to take full advantage of it.

SawStop PCS PROMO – Spring 2023

A new SawStop promo is running from March 1, 2023, thru April 30, 2023:

Thousands of woodworkers get injured by table saws every day, costing them time, money, and quality of life. SawStop, known for its revolutionary table saw safety technology, is running a limited time accessory upgrade promotion with the purchase of any new Professional Cabinet Saw – SawStop’s most popular model. You can choose between an Integrated Mobile Base* or the Overarm Dust Collection system** , a $289 USD value.

*Not compatible with the In-Line Router Table

**Overarm Dust Collection requires a Dust Collection Blade Guard (TSG-DC), which is included with the 3.0HP Professional Cabinet Saw but must be purchased for the 1.75HP model.

Basically, if you buy a SawStop Professional Cabinet Saw in March or April, you get a free integrated mobile base or overarm dust collection accessory.

SawStop Industrial Cabinet Saw

The Industrial Cabinet Saw, or ICS, is SawStop’s heaviest, most powerful, and highest quality table saw.

Its standard model features a heavy gauge 36″ T-Glide fence assembly and 3.0 HP 230V motor.

The fence assembly can be upgraded to 52″, and the motor can be upgraded to 5.0 HP 230V or all the way up to 7.5 HP 480V 3-phase, with additional options in between.

The ICS weighs a whopping 700 lbs, with its hefty cast iron and steel construction delivering stability.

SawStop ICS Key Specs (3.0 HP Industrial 36″ T-Glide)

• 10″ blade
• 3-1/8″ max depth of cut at 0°
• 36-1/2″ max rip cut (right of blade)
• Weighs 635 lbs

Price: Starting at $4715 (3.0 HP, 36″ T-Glide)

Who is this for? When you need – or want – the best cabinet table saw with SawStop AIM safety tech, this is the beast to get.

Recommended Accessories

I would consider the mobile base a must-have.

Availability

SawStop Table Saws can be purchased at many tool dealers, such as:

Pricing tends to be consistent at all SawStop authorized dealers, and the same goes with shipping fees, which are not included in the base pricing. You can save on freight if or when store pickup is an option.

In my experience, SawStop products are very well packed, and they come with industry-leading setup instructions.

SawStop has a convenient and easy-to-use configuration tool on the website, where you can sort through standard upgrades, accessories, and add-ons.

Learn More

Compact Table Saw at SawStop.com
Jobsite Pro Table Saw at SawStop.com
Contractor Saw at SawStop.com
Professional Cabinet Saw at SawStop.com
Industrial Cabinet Saw at SawStop.com

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I have been testing the SawStop Compact Table Saw (CTS), and will be discussing its design and performance in this review.

The Compact Table Saw, model CTS-120A60, is SawStop’s most affordable table saw yet, and it incorporates similar flesh detection and blade brake technologies as the brand’s jobsite, contractor, and cabinet saws.

SawStop provided a sample for testing and review.

SawStop Flesh Detection and Blade Brake Tech

If you’re familiar with the SawStop brand, you probably already know about their flesh-detection and blade brake safety features.

The saw sends a small current through the blade, and constantly monitors the signal. If the saw senses that the signal has changed, such as if a user’s fingers or hand are brought into contact with the blade, the brake activates. Once that happens, a block of metal is thrust into the blade, which is then propelled down into the machine. All of this happens within 5 milliseconds of skin contact detection.

The user often walks away with just a scratch, rather than what could have been a severe life-altering injury.

A new cartridge is required to reset the machine, and usually a new blade as well.

All of this is standard for SawStop table saws.

For the bulk of this review, I will be looking at all of the other aspects of the saw, everything else that makes it special.

SawStop Compact Table Saw Fence

Let’s start with the fence, which has a rack and pinion-type of adjustment mechanism.

I found the fence to be easy to adjust and use.

The fence attaches on both sides via lever-action clamps.

It was spot-on from the factory and perfectly aligned with the blade and miter slots..

What I like about the SawStop Compact Table Saw is that its controls are intuitive and well-labeled.

How do you unlock the fence? Ah, you pull the knob. And to lock it, you push the knob back into place.

Here’s the fence unlocked.

To adjust the fence position, rotate the grey knob. It’s as precise as I would expect from a portable jobsite saw.

Spring-action stops prevent the fence from getting too close to the blade, and they can be easily overridden if needed. Simply push either tab inwards to move the fence past it.

The auxiliary fence shelf can be set to two positions, or lifted out of the way.

Shown here, it is folded down over the table, to provide support for narrower rip cuts without having to remove the blade guard.

With the fence extended past the table top, the shelf can be placed in its lower position for material outrigger support.

A handy diagram reminds you of the low fence and support shelf positions and their purposes.

The saw provides a rip cut capacity of up to 24-1/2″ at full extension, to the right of the blade. To the left, it can provide a maximum rip cut of 9-1/2″.

Blade Guard Assembly

Here is where SawStop’s engineering starts to shine through even more.

The blade guard breaks down into 3 pieces – the riving knife, anti-kickback pawls, and clear automatically-adjusting shield.

The Compact Table Saw also comes with a basic riving knife, for when the guard isn’t installed or partial cuts are needed.

Assembly is easy and fairly intuitive, although I had to refer to the user manual the first time I attached the anti-kickback pawls.

I’m pleased with how the guard comes together and breaks down quickly and easily.

Here’s the blade guard installed.

Attaching or removing the guard or riving knife is easy.

As with other jobsite table saws, you raise the blade, remove the throat plate, and then unlock the riving knife clamp.

I would rate the process better than average, which is important. The easier safety features are to install or remove, the greatly the likelihood users will actually use them.

Accessory Storage

All of the safety attachments tuck away inside a removable compartment that installs to the rear of the saw.

Intuitive diagrams will help clue you in as to where everything goes.

There’s a lot of plastic here, but it works well. Subtle textures provide clues about what to press to release different attachments or accessories for use. The miter saw is a little fickle to remove, and I only mention it to be thorough.

A lot of portable jobsite table saws will have me going back and forth to the user manual to figure out how and where the safety attachments all stow away.

It all works well.

The Miter Gauge

The miter gauge is no better or worse than the ones included with other jobsite table saws.

It has a T-shaped bar to fit the T-shaped slots.

SawStop Compact Table Saw Power and Bypass Switches

After plugging in the saw, you turn on the power via a rocker switch. The key-shaped switch next to it is used for bypass mode.

The bypass mode should be used when cutting conductive materials that might otherwise trigger the safety mechanism, such as wet wood.

Once powered up, the saw will go through a self-test process, with its two LED indicators flashing green and red until a solid green light signals that everything is set and ready.

There’s no guessing as to what’s going on – a color-coded chart helps with troubleshooting.

Blade Adjustments

The controls are straightforward.

Squeeze the knob assembly to tilt the blade, and crank the handle to raise or lower it.

Unfortunately, the saw doesn’t have the same one-turn adjustment as the jobsite saw, but I didn’t really mind it. Raising or tilting the blade is easy.

Do you see how it says “micro” in two places, on the part of the adjustment knob behind the “squeeze to tilt” part?

Here is the blade purposely set slightly out of alignment.

And here it is perfectly dialed in.

This isn’t the best example, as the 0° stop was perfect out of the box and can be recalibrated as needed, but I hope you get the idea.

You can make a coarse bevel adjustment by tilting the blade, and then sneak up on the exact angle you need with the micro adjust.

The micro adjust setting can be locked-in by pushing the outer ring. Squeezing the dial for tilt adjustment unlocks it again.

I can see this coming in handy. Precise bevel angles are possible on most table saws, it’s just a matter of how quickly and easily you can get there. The CTS’s micro adjust speeds up the process.

Nice Touches

If you should activate the blade, refer to the user manual for instructions on how to reset the saw with a replacement cartridge and blade. Can’t find your user manual? There are clear instructions printed on the side of the saw.

Power and Performance

The saw has a 15A motor and operates at 4,000 RPM.

I mainly tested the saw by ripping plywood (baltic birch and basic ply from the home center) and 2x construction lumber. I performed some cross-cuts just to get a feel for the table.

One thing to keep in mind is that this is a 10″ table saw, whereas most other saws in this class now have 8-1/4″ blades. I have been told that current safety guidelines dictate how large of a saw blade can be used with respect to table size.

As such, the saw has a maximum cutting depth of 3-1/8″ at 90°, and 2-1/8″ at 45°.

I can feel and hear resistance when pushing thicker wood with more effort. It’s important to listen to your tool and respond accordingly.

The saw performed on-par with other saws of this class.

SawStop ships the saw with a 24T ripping blade pre-installed. It is also equipped with a standard throat plate, but zero clearance plates are also available separately.

Portability

The saw has a comfortable rubber-gripped carrying handle.

I like that the power cord wrap is on the same side as the handle, as it lowers the chance of it being trapped between the tool and ground.

There are thicker rubber pads at the corners.

The base is trapezoidal, and very different compared to the box jobsite table saws I’m used to. I shouldn’t be surprised – a lot is different about this saw.

One negative about the saw is its weight. At 68 pounds, the SawStop Compact Table Saw is not as light or easily maneuvered as other portable table saws.

It is manageable, however, and not overly cumbersome.

I would say that it’s a little heavier than I would have preferred, but not too heavy for me to work with. I can carry it with one hand, but prefer two.

SawStop Compact Table Saw Folding Stand

Simply put, the saw is perfectly paired with its folding stand, an optional purchase.

The stand was easy to assemble, and is very easy to use.

Before placing the saw on top, ensure that the locking tabs are oriented in such a manner that it can accept the saw’s roll cage.

I start by seating the rear roll cage, and then the front. A quick quarter-turn rotation of the locking tab, and the table saw is secured to the stand.

This is the easiest folding stand setup I have used. It’s simple, but effective.

Compared with the SawStop Jobsite Saw

I made some quick comparisons before donating my older jobsite table saw sample.

The SawStop Jobsite Saw is decent, and I loved its one-turn blade height adjustment, most of the time. However, I always felt it to be a large table saw with SawStop safety tech added in. That’s not bad, and it felt like a polished product, but I preferred using other table saws a lot better.

SawStop’s newer Jobsite Saw Pro has a slightly larger table depth than the version shown here, with both being considerably larger saws than the Compact Table Saw.

The SawStop CTS handled rip cutting with ease, and I would add outfeed support for longer workpieces or larger panels of sheet materials.

The Jobsite Saw feels more powerful and faster-cutting. At the time of this posting, the Jobsite Saw costs nearly 76% more than the Compact Saw ($1579 plus freight).

SawStop provides a detailed rundown of the differences on their website:

The main differences you will find on our Compact Table Saw (CTS): Lighter weight at 68 lbs. for the saw body vs 84 lbs. on the Jobsite Saw (JSS). Max rip capacity CTS 24-1/2″ vs JSS 25-1/2″ The CTS is even more portable with an easy-carry handle, whereas the JSS has a built-in mobile cart. The CTS has a rack and pinion fence vs JSS has T-style with ergo lock (self-squaring) Multi-turn blade elevation on CTS vs JSS has the one-turn elevation Standard blade guard on CTS vs JSS has dust collection blade guard. CTS is a direct drive motor vs JSS having a belt driven motor. The CTS is not able to support the use of Dado blades.

Warranty

The CTS is covered by a 1-year warranty.

SawStop’s documentation has always been top-notch, but in verifying a technical spec for this writeup, I found that they have an 87-page service manual for the saw (PDF), detailing all of the different replacement and repair operations users might someday have to do. There’s a separate 77 page parts list (PDF).

Some users might not like having to repair their own tools, but when we’re talking about a 68 pound portable saw that can’t be easily shipped back to the factory, parts availability and servicing instructions can help minimize downtime.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the SawStop CTS feels like a well designed and engineered product. This is the company’s first saw of its kind, and their most affordable model. I expected some hiccups or niggles, and was glad not to find any.

Everything from the fence to the blade height adjustment, is user friendly.

The motor and adjustment mechanisms are better shrouded than I’ve seen in other saws, but I’m not sure if there are any functional advantages there.

There’s a single 2-1/2″ vacuum port at the rear, and the saw sends most of its sawdust out the chute, whether a dust collector or vacuum is attached or not. At this time, there is no option for dust collection via the blade guard.

I have definitely enjoyed using the SawStop CTS. I have been using it alongside other portable jobsite-style saws, to get a feel for how its features and performance compares.

Strip out the SawStop-specific safety tech – the blade brake and flesh detection active injury mitigation (AIM) tech – and it’s still a fantastic portable table saw.

This has been the tricky part to determine. Without the safety tech, is this a recommendable portable or jobsite-type table saw? So far, yes, I think so.

There are some compromises. I wish the table top surface was a bit smoother, and for the saw to be a little lighter. The miter gauge is practically disposable, although this seems to be a universal truth for portable table saws.

The anti-kickback pawl attachment doesn’t seem as robust as I’ve seen on other saws, but I have had zero problems with it so far. I actually like how easy it is to swing out of the way if needed.

The CTS table top measures 23″ wide and 22-5/8″ deep, and provides more workpiece support than smaller 8-1/4″ table saws. Additional outfeed support, such as with a portable roller stand or platform, helps with larger cuts, and I feel the same about all portable table saws.

It does not work with a dado stack, but the same has been true for most table saws this size. Dado stack compatibility typically requires stepping up to a model that comes with a roller stand – such as the Jobsite Saw Pro.

The CTS costs approximately 3X as much as other portable table saws – and even more than that in some cases. But you’re not just paying a premium for the SawStop safety tech, you’re paying for more features and what so far seems to be superb build quality.

Even if we ignore the SawStop safety tech and unique micro bevel adjustments, the CTS is a very good portable table saw that’s very easy to set up and intuitive to use, thanks to an abundance of attention given to written, graphical, and tactile guidance.

SawStop didn’t reinvent the portable table saw, but it seems they did their best to improve the user experience while matching the performance of top competitors’ tools.

Please let me know if you have any questions!

Pricing and Availability

Prices are accurate as of the time of this posting.

Price (CTS-120A60): $899 + $75 shipping (similar across all retailers)

Accessories

Folding Stand (CTS-FS): $129
Zero Clearance Insert (CTS-TSI): $25
Replacement Brake Cartridge (TSBC-10R3): $95

Thank you to SawStop for providing the review sample.

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Bosch has launched two new 18V cordless circular saws, GKS18V-22 and GKS18V-22L. Both feature brushless motors and a 6-1/2″ blade size and have one big difference.

One of the new Bosch cordless circular saws is “blade-left,” and the other is “blade-right.”

Many users have preferences regarding circular saw blade direction.

Blade-left saws, for instance, tend to offer better cut-line visibility for right-handed users. Similarly, left-handed users might prefer the better cut-line visibility of right-handed saws.

I have also heard opposite preferences, such as where right-handed users prefer blade-right designs. Such users might prefer saws that can be held and used without having to cross their arms over the path of the blade.

Many users have preferences that come from long-time use of corded saws.

Bosch is not the first brand to offer blade-left and blade-right versions of the same circular saw, but this is the first time I have seen this done in the cordless realm.

You might also have noticed that cordless 6-1/2″ circular saws tend to be blade-left, and 7-1/4″ circular saws blade-right.

With these two saws, users have a choice.

The blade-right model is GKS18V-22.

The blade-left model is GKS18V-22L.

Features & Specs

• 6-1/2″ blade size
• 0-5,000 RPM
• 50° bevel range
• Bevel detents at 0, 22.5°, 45°
• Pivoting dust shoe
• Electronic brake
• Cut-line LED light
• Weighs 6.1 lbs (tool-only)

Tool-Only Model Numbers: GKS18V-22N, GKS18V-22LN
Kit Model Numbers: GKS18V-22B25, GKS18V-22LB25

The kits come with a charger and 2x Core18V 4Ah batteries.

Price: $199 for tool-only, $349 for the kit

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Festool has announced their first-ever cordless reciprocating saw, model RSC 18.

The new Festool cordless reciprocating saw is advertised as being “really powerful,” “really fast,” “extremely robust,” and “for heavy duty sawing.”

Festool USA has not provided press materials, and it is unclear if or when the new reciprocating saw will launch here.

The Festool RSC 18 is described as being “made for the toughest day-to-day applications at construction sites.”

It features a brushless motor, variable speed trigger, and LED light. Festool says the saw’s anti-vibration system “reduces machine vibration by 40%.”

Features & Specs

• 32mm stroke length (1-1/4″)
• 0-3000 SPM
• Weighs 4.10 kg (9 lbs)

The saw is kitted with 2x 5.0Ah batteries, a charger, Systainer tool box, dust extractor attachment, and reciprocating saw blade.

As Festool is known for their attention to dust collection, it’s not surprising that the saw will ship with a vacuum adapter (RSC-AV).

These batteries will NOT fit the new Festool CTC Sys 18V cordless vacuum, or the brand’s cordless sanders. They should work with the brand’s new cordless table saw, as well as their other 18V cordless power tools.

Price: £589.82 excluding VAT (~$630 at the time of this posting)

Festool is also launching a line of bi-metal reciprocating saw blades. The blades will be color-coded yellow for cutting wood, and blue for cutting metal.

They say:

The Festool saw blade range has the right saw blade for any application, be it wood, metal or particularly abrasive and hard materials.

There will also be carbide saw blades for “extreme demolition work in all kinds of construction material.” These blades have a red finish.

The saw and blades will be launching in Europe in May 2023.

Update: Festool USA has not provided press materials, product details, pricing, or an ETA, but replied that yes, it will come to North America.

Discussion

Festool says that their new recip saw is “extremely robust” and “for the toughest construction sites.”

It’s interesting to see Festool enter new product categories.

Nearly 3 years ago, Festool launched their first cordless power tool combo kits, which was the first time I considered their 18V products as part of a system, rather than a collection of individual solutions.

I described Festool’s 18V impact driver as being perfectly unexceptional. To put it plainly, I felt it was an average tool. In my opinion, a tool like that exists almost exclusively for Festool 18V tool users, which isn’t a bad thing, as opposed to the type of tool that can pull more users towards the brand. Might the same be true here?

Does this new reciprocating saw fill a hole in Festool’s 18V cordless power tool system? Yes. Will the saw deliver on Festool’s promise of being “really powerful,” “really fast,” and “for the toughest construction sites?” Will it be exceptional and competitive, or simply average?

I can’t say that “Festool” and “extreme demolition work” go together, at least in my mind. But, we’re living in a world where Milwaukee has become one of the biggest hand tool and mobile storage brands, and Harbor Freight’s professional hand and power tools, Icon and Hercules, have been gaining popularity.

This could be convenient for Festool 18V cordless power tool users – at the least. The more tools one can use with fewer types of batteries and chargers, the better – right? At best, are there any qualities that might pull tool users towards Festool’s cordless lineup?

There’s also the question about price. At the time of this posting, the UK launch price converts to around $630 for the two-battery kit with 5Ah batteries.

Can Festool’s first-ever cordless reciprocating saw win over demanding users, including existing Festool fans, given the competition from pro cordless power tool brands’ latest, greatest, and most powerful saws?

Would you choose a Festool reciprocating saw over Dewalt FlexVolt, Milwaukee M18 Fuel, Makita XGT, Hilti Nuron, Bosch Profactor, Flex, or other brands?

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Festool has announced another new track saw, the TSV 60, a plunge-cutting saw with scoring function.

This news follows Festool USA’s social media livestream and influencer announcement event last week, where they showcased the new cordless table saw and TS 60 track saw. Festool still has not provided press details for either tool.

At this time there is no indication about if or when the Festool TSV 60 track saw might be available in the USA.

Festool says that this is their “most versatile plunge-cut saw to date.”

They say:

You can now precisely cut even large panels without splinters with the new TSV, not just in the workshop but also anywhere on the construction site.

It has never been seen before in this form – mobile and simultaneously precise, splinter-free sawing to exact dimensions

The scoring function, which can be turned on or off as needed, helps to ensure “splinter-free results.”

The new Festool TSV 60 track saw also features a KickbackStop anti-kickback function that stops the blade when kickback motions are detected.

The TSV 60 is compatible with all of Festool’s guide rails, as well as their FSK cross cutting guide rails.

Like the TS 60, the TSV 60 works with new 168mm circular saw blades to provide a 60mm depth of cut.

It will be available in Europe starting in May 2023.

Festool’s European announcement only mentioned an AC corded model; as with the TS 60, there is no indication whether there will be a cordless version.

We asked Festool USA to confirm whether the TSV 60 track saw will be launching here, but have not yet heard back.

Update: Festool USA has not provided press materials, product details, pricing, or ETA, but replied that yes, it will come to North America.

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Why are track saws so expensive?

Personally, I think it’s simply because they are more complexly built compared to ordinary circular saws.

The new Milwaukee M18 cordless track saw just started to ship, and there are already numerous discussions floating around the internet and social media where tool users are complaining about the price.

Similar conversations follow nearly every every new track saw launch or announcement.

Some tool users will always bring up how franken-saws – circular saws with bolt-on parts or guide plate attachments – are so much less expensive.

It seems immutable. Track saw? $$$$$

There are a couple of lower-priced models by value tool brands, but they still cost more than standard circular saws.

Many brands also ship track saws in pricey modular tool boxes, usually with customized inserts. This surely contributes a bit to the premium pricing.

Track saws are absolutely worth it – IF you understand and weigh the benefits and can justify the price.

Although some models are considerably less expensive, just one glance at their largely plastic construction tells the whole story.

Competition should have brought pricing down, but it hasn’t, which leads me to believe their premium pricing is tied to the greater number of parts and need for high precision.

The fact of the matter is that track saws carry a steep premium compared to like-powered circular saws. It’s just the nature of such tools.

I think that, rather than asking why track saws are so expensive, it might be interesting to ask why this question comes up so often.

When stepping up from a circular saw to a worm-drive (or rear handle) saw, the latter’s higher pricing is almost always attributed to a more powerful motor and beefier gearing, and sometimes the changeover to magnesium components (such as the guard or shoe).

When comparing a circular to a track saw, the physical differences are obvious but don’t seem proportional to the pricing increase.

What are you getting for the extra money? Plunge-action cutting, better dust control or collection, a flush-cutting design, adjustable guide rail slots, clear markings, precision cutting, a premium blade (usually), and a custom tool box. Did I miss anything?

There’s overlap between what circular saws and plunge-cutting track saws can do, but they’re are very different tools.

Speaking about the new Milwaukee M18 cordless track saw in particular, it’s $399 for the tool-only, or $639 for the kit with an XC HO battery, rapid charger, and Packout tool box.

Makita’s XGT 40V Max model is $429 for the tool-only, and their 18V X2 model is $389 for tool-only. (Both are still eligible for ongoing holiday season battery bonus offers.)

Bosch’s 18V cordless track saw is $519 for just the tool and a tool box, or $649 for the 1-battery kit.

Festool’s similarly sized corded track saw is $599, or $549 for the tool-only cordless model.

Dewalt’s FlexVolt cordless track saw is $490 for the tool-only with a track, or $619 for the kit and a 59″ track.

Ryobi’s is $289 for the tool with a track, or $399 for the kit.

Mafell’s is $860 for tool-only, or $1360 for the 2-battery kit.

If you want a track saw but your budget is tight, look at corded models. I still use my corded saw on occasion when doing repetitive cuts on smaller panels. Personally, I strongly prefer cordless, as I almost always bring my saw to my work, and it’s easier to do so without having to worry about plugging in and taming a power cord.

See Also: Is Festool’s Track Saw Now Obsolete? Corded vs. Cordless in 2020

But if you go cordless, brushless motors, high capacity and high output batteries, and fast chargers add significantly to the price.

I wish that good track saws didn’t cost so much, but they do. If it was possible for tool brands to cut costs without compromises or sacrifices to track saws’ precision or performance, wouldn’t they?

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Ridgid has teased of something that is “on track to release 2023.” The sole image is of a Ridgid-branded guide rail that often accompanies track saws.

So, by simple deduction, it seems that Ridgid is going to launch a cordless track saw.

Or, maybe it will be a corded track saw, but I doubt it; how many AC/corded power tools have major tool brands launched in recent years?

I wonder – is Ridgid set to launch an 18V cordless track saw, or will it be a dual-battery track saw?

Ryobi launched an 18V cordless track saw in mid-2022, and Milwaukee Tool is just now launching their highly-anticipated new M18 cordless track saw.

Reminder: TTI develops and manufactures cordless power tools for both Ryobi and Ridgid, for sale exclusively at Home Depot.

Makita, one of Home Depot’s flagship cordless power tool brands, has offered track saws for years. Has Home Depot ever featured them in stores? For that matter, I don’t believe I have seen the Ryobi at any Home Depot stores since it launched last year.

There are 4 main types of track saws:

i) Regular circular saws with clamp-on cutting guides, accessory shoes, or other tracking implements.

ii) Value-priced track saws – such as by Ryobi and Kreg.

iii) Premium track saws, such as by Makita and Festool.

iv) Specialty track saws, such as by Mafell and Festool.

With Ryobi offering a value-priced cordless track saw, and Milwaukee offering a premium solution supported by a system of accessories, where will Ridgid fit in?

Will the Ridgid cordless – or corded – track saw be an online-only product like the Ryobi, or will it be sold in stores?

Searching Home Depot’s site for “Ryobi guide rail” or similar keywords doesn’t turn up much. I also can’t seem to find any consumable parts or accessories, such as replacement anti-splinter strips.

As a long-time track saw user, I have purchased additional guide rail sizes over the years, as well as replacement anti-splinter strips. I’ve purchased things like clamps, and also 3rd party accessories.

Cross-compatibility is nice, but can be confusing and difficult to navigate. Track saws are best supported by an ecosystem of add-ons, accessories, and replacement products.

Milwaukee seems to know this – they’re launching their new cordless track saw with guide rails, a case, saw blades, track connectors, clamps, and replacement anti-splinter and non-slip strips.

Will Ridgid’s potential track saw be a standalone product like Ryobi’s, or part of a system like Milwaukee’s?

Maybe Ridgid and Ryobi will share a common track style and accessories? That would be a good idea. Or will the Ridgid be compatible with Milwaukee tracks and accessories?

I started off excited about Ridgid’s teaser announcement, but now I’m not so sure. We’ll see.

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Milwaukee Tool launched a new M18 Fuel circular saw kit, model 2732-21HO.

This isn’t a new circular saw; it’s just a new and less expensive kit option.

The 2732 is an M18 Fuel brushless 7-1/4″ circular saw that’s advertised as delivering the cutting power of a 15A corded saw.

It features a 5800 RPM motor, electric brake for quickly stopping the blade, an all-magnesium guard and shoe, and a built-in rafter hook.

Previously, Milwaukee offered the 2732 M18 Fuel circular as a tool-only and as part of a kit, 2732-21HD, where it’s bundled with a 12Ah battery, Rapid charger (M18/M12), and tool bag.

This new kit, 2732-21HO, features the saw bundled with an XC 6Ah battery, standard M18/M12 charger, and a tool bag.

The HD kit is priced at $449, while the new HO kit is priced at $299 at the time of this posting.

To highlight the differences:

2732-21HD Kit: 12Ah battery, Rapid charger for $449
2732-21HO Kit (NEW): 6Ah battery, standard charger for $299

The 6Ah HO (High Output) battery is a 10-cell battery pack, while the 12Ah HD HO battery has 15 Li-ion cells.

Is this a holiday season “special buy” that escaped my attention until now, or a new addition to Milwaukee’s regular product catalog? Either way, it seemed newsworthy.

Price: $299

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Harbor Freight has a new Hercules beam cutting attachment that turns your 7-1/4″ standard circular saw into a beam cutter.

They advertise that the new beam cutter can cut beams up to 12″ thick in a single pass, and that it can be used to cut beams, posts, rafters, stair stringers, railroad ties, and logs.

Regarding tool compatibility, the “chainsaw bar and chain mounts securely to most 7-1/4″ circular saws.” Harbor Freight also says it can “securely mount to both conventional and worm drive saws.

The Hercules beam cutter attachment features a low-profile anti-kickback chain, guide bar the entire length of the chain, and automatic oiling system.

Harbor Freight encourages shoppers to compare their new Hercules chainsaw attachment with the Prazi beam cutter attachment, which is currently priced at $169 at Amazon.

There are other attachments from generic no-name brands that are less expensive than the Prazi, but I haven’t seen any as low as the $60 Harbor Freight is charging for the Hercules.

Price: $60

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Makita has launched a new 18V compact cordless reciprocating saw, XRJ08, designed for cutting in tight spaces or overhead.

The new Makita XRJ08 reciprocating saw is designed to be “compact, lightweight, and balanced.”

It features a brushless motor, tool-less blade change mechanism, rubberized soft grip, and LED worklight.

Makita says that the new model delivers 40% lower vibration, compared to their XRJ07ZXB subcompact reciprocating saw, thanks to an internal counterweight mechanism.

The saw can make up to 90 cuts in 2×10 lumber, or up to 50 cuts in 1″ schedule 80 steel pipe, when powered with a fully charged 5Ah battery.

Key Features & Specs

• 7/8″ stroke length
• 0-3100 SPM
• Brushless motor
• Tool-less blade change
• 14-3/8″ overall length
• Weighs 4 lbs (tool-only), or 5.5 lbs with a 5Ah battery (sold separately)

Price: $169 (tool-only, XRJ08Z)
ETA: Shipping Soon (preorders are open as of 12/2022)

Discussion

Makita’s product page advertises that their new saw is up to 55% faster cutting compared to competitive models.

Let’s take a look at competitive specs:

Makita 18V XRJ08Z: 7/8″ stroke length, 0-3100 SPM

Dewalt 20V Max Atomic DCS369B: 5/8″ stroke length, 0-2800 SPM

Milwaukee M18 Fuel 2719-20: 7/8″ stroke length, 0-3000 SPM

The maximum linear cutting speed would be the stroke length x strokes per minute. This gives us the linear cutting rate in inches per minute (ipm).

Makita: 2713 ipm

Dewalt: 1750 ipm

Milwaukee: 2625 ipm

It seems as though the new Makita one-handed brushless reciprocating saw has an edge on their competitors, at least on paper. With respect to on-paper cutting speed specs, the Makita bests Milwaukee’s M18 Fuel saw by 3.4%, and Dewalt’s Atomic saw by 55%.

As SPM specs typically reflect no-load speeds, performance can vary in real-world settings.

Compact one-handed reciprocating saws are best matched to lighter cutting tasks, especially in tight spaces or overhead, but it’s good to have power in reserve.

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Dewalt has announced their next-generation FlexVolt 60V Max cordless 12″ dual bevel sliding miter saw, model DCS781.

The Dewalt DCS781 cordless miter saw features efficient dust collection, Regenerative Braking Technology, and delivers 20% more power than the leading competitor’s comparable model.

Additionally, unlike Dewalt’s first-generation FlexVolt cordless miter saws, this 12″ sliding miter saw works with just one battery, rather than requiring two.

The Regenerative Braking Technology is designed to extend runtime by redirecting lost energy back into the battery while the bevel-drive transmission reduces power losses that may occur with belt-driven designs.

Additionally, Dewalt says that the efficient bevel gear transmission delivers fast, reliable cutting.

The new miter saw is said to capture up to 94% of dust generated (when cutting 2×10 SPF using a 9Ah battery and DWV015 dust extractor).

The dust port is compatible with Dewalt’s standard AirLock-equipped vacuum hoses, and also standard 1-7/8″ and 2-1/2″ wet/dry vacuum hoses with the included adapter. It also comes with a dust bag.

It also features a Cutline LED blade positioning system for accurate cut line indication, which basically shines a light along both sides of the blade to cast a kerf-width shadow on the workpiece that’s to be cut.

The DCS781 cordless miter saw has a maximum horizontal cutting capacity of 12-3/16″. It can cut baseboard up to 6-1/2″ vertically, and crown molding up to 6-1/2″ nested.

The saw weighs 50.9 lbs (tool-only), and features a large carry handle. It also has outriggers on both sides for workpiece support, as well as a rear base stabilizer.

Dewalt says that it can make up to 675 cuts in 3-1/4″ MDF base molding, or 255 cuts in pressure treated 4×4 timber, per fully charged 9Ah battery (DCB609).

As a reminder, the DCB609 battery (180 Watt-hours) has 9Ah charge capacity when used with 20V Max cordless power tools, and 3Ah charge capacity when used with 60V Max cordless power tools. For simplicity, ToolGuyd describes FlexVolt batteries with respect to their 20V Max capacity.

The saw will be available in tool-only (DCS781B) and kit (DCS781X1) configurations. The kit comes with a 6A charger and 9Ah battery.

Price: $699 for the tool-only, $849 for the kit
ETA: February 2023

Discussion

Dewalt says that their new FlexVolt miter saw, when equipped with a DCB609 9Ah battery, delivers 20% more power – based on MWO test results – compared to Milwaukee’s M18 dual bevel 12″ sliding miter saw, model 2739-21HD, when equipped with an M18 HD HO battery (48-11-1812).

I’m not sure this will sway anyone’s purchasing decisions. And, to be honest, I am far more interested in learning more about the runtime-extending regenerative braking tech, the high efficiency dust collection, and “easy controls” referenced in press materials.

The new model bears some similarities to the first-generation model, DHS790, which launched more than 6 years ago, but is different in meaningful ways.

The power and motor drive systems are completely different, with the new model featuring a bevel gear drive and only requiring a single FlexVolt battery to operate.

The dust collection scoop appears to be larger, and is positioned much closer to the saw blade, which undoubtedly is behind the “captures up to 94% of dust” claims.

The side workpiece supports are also new, and related to updated miter saw safety guidelines.

I wonder, will anyone miss the AC adapter that could be used with the first-gen model in lieu of 2x FlexVolt batteries?

I’ll follow up as I learn more. Do you have any questions I can add to my own?

What do you think about Dewalt’s newest flagship cordless miter saw?

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It’s official – the Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless track is nearly here!

The new cordless track saw – and all of its supporting accessories – has been delayed until early 2023. But, it’s nearly ready to launch, with retailers now accepting preorders.

The newly opened-up preorders clue us in about the available configurations, as well their finalized pricing.

• Milwaukee M18 Fuel Track Saw, Tool-Only (2831-20) – $399
• Milwaukee M18 Fuel Track Saw Kit (2831-21) – $639
  • Includes XC 6Ah battery, charger, Packout tool box
• Milwaukee 31″ Guide Rail (48-08-0570) – $79
• Milwaukee 55″ Guide Rail (48-08-0571) – $129
• Milwaukee 106″ Guide Rail (48-08-0572) – $249

Retailers are accepting preorders on the track saw, guide rails, track connectors, saw blades, accessories, and replacement parts such as anti-splinter strips.

There are different kit options and configurations, but it seems they are all retailer-created product collections for shoppers’ convenience, rather than discounted bundles.

For example, one retailer has a bundle with the track saw kit and a 55″ guide rail for $768, which is exactly the same price as buying the two components separately.

But, there are some savings to be had. Another retailer has the kit with a 55″ guide rail, track carrying case, and clamps for $860. A separate accessory set with track, bag, and clamps is $225, and so buying it separate from the kit would cost you a total of $864, or $4 more.

One last thing to be aware of is that guide rails might incur extra shipping fees at some retailers, due to being oversized, but not others.

Key Specs & Features

• 6-1/2″ blade with 20mm arbor
• 2-1/4″ cutting capacity
• 2,500 to 5,600 RPM
• Variable speed dial
• -1 to 48° bevel angle
• Splinter guard and riving knife
• Weighs 9.8 lbs without battery
• Up to 90% dust collection efficiency
• 5 year warranty

For those of you who plan to buy the Milwaukee cordless track saw, are you reserving your place in line with a preorder, or will you wait until it officially launches and starts to ship?

Pipeline Announcement Video

Pipeline 2022 New Tools Refresher

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It looks like Bosch is finally launching an 18V cordless table saw in North America!

A reader emailed in, pointing towards a new Bosch Profactor 18V cordless table saw that they found on Amazon, model GTS18V-08. Thank you Luis for the heads-up!

Bosch has previously launched a BiTurbo brushless table saw in Europe, but it never appeared on this side of the world.

Not only is the Bosch GTS18V-08N cordless table saw new, it is very different from previous models.

Looking at the front of the saw, there’s a rack and pinion-style fence, similar to the style Dewalt has been known for over the years.

More brands have been launching portable jobsite table saws with rack and pinion-style adjustable rip fences, but I – and presumably many others – associate this feature with Dewalt.

And now, Bosch has it too.

The great thing about this type of fence design is that it allows for quick, easy, and accurate adjustments. In my opinion, rack and pinion fences cannot be beat on smaller jobsite table saws.

Features include:

• Smart guard system
  • Modular blade guard
  • Anti-kickback pawls
  • Riving knife
• On-tool storage for rip fence, miter gauge, guards, push stick
• Rack and pinion rip fence for “true square cuts and easy micro adjusts”
• Rip fence attaches with dual locking latches
• Restart protection
• Overload protection
• Soft-start motor
• One-handed portability

A aside handle allows for easy carrying.

Large feet extend the base for stability and also provide flat surfaces for when resting the table saw on its side.

Specs

• 8-1/4″ blade size
• 5,500 RPM
• BiTurbo brushless motor
• 25-inch rip capacity
• “Can tackle 2x” construction materials

Bosch says that the saw is part of the Profactor System, which pairs BiTurbo brushless technology with a Core18V Profactor battery.

Price: $449
ETA: TBA

I reached out to Bosch USA and was told that more information will be available closer to the saw’s launch. I’ll keep you posted as I learn more.

Discussion

The new Bosch cordless table saw looks to check all the boxes for what their 18V cordless power tool users have been asking for. All we need now is a price and an ETA.

I’m excited about the rack and pinion style fence adjustments, which I believe is a significant deviation for the tool brand – in a good way.

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The new Milwaukee M18 Fuel cordless track saw missed its original ETA of October, 2022, and is now expected to launch in January, 2023.

Following is a recap of its features and specs (or click the above link for the Pipeline 2022 preview):

• 6-1/2″ blade with 20mm arbor
• 2-1/4″ cutting capacity
• 2,500 to 5,600 RPM
• Variable speed dial
• -1 to 48° bevel angle
• Splinter guard and riving knife
• Weighs 9.8 lbs without battery
• Up to 90% dust collection efficiency
• 5 year warranty

The track saw will launch will a selection of blades, guide rails, track clamps, rail connectors, a carrying case, and replacement anti-splinter and non-slip strips.

Here’s our first-look video:

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Bosch Tools quietly launched a new 18V cordless jig saw, model GST18V-50N.

This is a top-handle cordless jig saw with brushless motor, tool-free blade change system, and “corded performance.”

The new Bosch corded jig saw seems to have competitive features and specs. I reached out to Bosch marketing, asking for added context – to see how it might stand out from other popular models – but have not yet heard back.

Bosch GST18V-50N Features & Specs

• Top-handle
• 0-3,500 SPM
• 1″ stroke length
• Brushless motor
• Tool-free blade change
• Variable speed trigger
• 1/8″ max cutting in steel
• 4.9″ max cutting in wood
• Die-cast aluminum footplate
• 4 orbital-action modes
• Integrated dust blower
• LED light
• Bevels 45° left and right
• Works with T-shank blades
• Weighs 4.2 lbs (tool-only)

The jig saw comes with a plastic overshoe, anti-splinter insert, and starter jig saw blade.

Price: $159 (tool-only)
ETA: Available Now

See Also: What’s New with Bosch Power Tools – 2022 Update

Update: “Variable Speed Dial” Clarification

Bosch advertises that the new GST18V-50N cordless jig saw has a speed dial:

It provides a variable-speed dial allows matching the speed to material. It has a variable-speed trigger, which provides further control over the operating speed by feathering the trigger.

Where is this variable speed dial? I can’t identify it in any of the product images I have seen.

I asked Bosch: Product listings also reference a variable speed dial that is not visible in product images. Is this an error?

Barrel grip jig saws often have an on/off switch and a variable speed dial. Top handle jig saws usually have a variable speed trigger switch and lock-on function.

There are tools with dual controls. The newest Makita 18V brushless jig saw, for example, features a variable speed dial AND a trigger switch.

Bosch advertises a variable speed dial for their new cordless jig saw, but they don’t show it. So is it on the side of the jig saw hidden in product images, or is there a minor error in the product listing?

Bosch Tools USA got back to me with an official response:

The variable speed dial refers to the red speed trigger on the Jig Saw pictured below. The amount of pressure applied to the trigger will control the SPM (strokes per minute). The SPM’s are 0-3,500 for this jig saw, so with little pressure on the trigger the result will be a very slow cut speed, supporting the users’ customization of the speed.

Frankly speaking, this does not make sense to me.

Again, Bosch’s marketing copy says:

It provides a variable-speed dial allows matching the speed to material. It has a variable-speed trigger, which provides further control over the operating speed by feathering the trigger.

To say that “the variable speed dial refers to the red speed trigger” must be a mistake. So does it have a variable speed dial or not?

I requested additional clarification and will report if or when I hear back.

For reference, “variable speed dials” typically describe rotating electronic switches, with or without detents, that provide “set and forget” speed selection.

“Variable speed trigger switches” are typically pressure-sensitive electronic switches that allow for speed control from zero to maximum speed.

When a variable speed dial is used with a variable speed trigger switch, the dial usually sets the speed range, and the trigger switch allows for control of the speed within that range.

Update 2 – Yes, it has a Variable Speed Dial

I emailed Bosch, repeating my question as to whether the new jig saw has a variable speed dial or not.

After 7 days, Bosch finally replied that yes, the jig saw does have a variable speed dial, and that no, it is not the same as a variable speed trigger.

Update History

10/6/2022: Original posting
10/7/2022: Updated with Bosch clarification
10/14/2022: Updated with Bosch response.

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