Post by docharber on Nov 15, 2009 19:12:40 GMT -5
And now, what you have all hungrtrd for- my opinion. The point is made and needs to be emphasized that the old WF was a superior tool. I don't know about the new one- the blade certainly is inferior, and that's important. The new WF is also sold under the Craftsman brand. If you cn find an old WF with it's stainless top and open sump at a pawn shop, do it. i think the concensus id that the Hot Dog blade from MK is a pretty good blade for this tool and suts very smoothly. Cheap blades or those not intended for stone (like the concrete blades sometimes sold on eBay) won't las, will vibrate a lot, and will chip and hrow rock. Positioning yourself behind the blade with the back of the saw facing you will help keep you dry. Wear a waterproof apron or other protecting.
In a thread I came across quite a while ago, someone mentioned the Ryobi saw for about $150- it sounded like a very good alternative. At any rate, check out the included blade and realize, as I have, you WILL want a larger saw eventually as well as a dedicated trim saw if you do any cabbing or feceting. So just take out a second mortggage and buy a 24" Covington slab saw and be done with it.
Seriously, for the money you can't beat these little saws. once again, the quality of the blade makes a world of difference and at any rate, don't expect more thn about 3 hours use out of a blade. One more thing, avoid the notched rim "Turbo" blades. They chip a lot. The expansion slots in the Hot Dogare a different mmatter, though- they keep the blade from dishing with expansion/heating but don't affect the cutting performnce.
I do my cutting on the front porch- 2X6 decking- and the water runs off. I just hose it all down and I'm cleaned up. It's definitely not something to operate indoors- very wet.
Mark H.
In a thread I came across quite a while ago, someone mentioned the Ryobi saw for about $150- it sounded like a very good alternative. At any rate, check out the included blade and realize, as I have, you WILL want a larger saw eventually as well as a dedicated trim saw if you do any cabbing or feceting. So just take out a second mortggage and buy a 24" Covington slab saw and be done with it.
Seriously, for the money you can't beat these little saws. once again, the quality of the blade makes a world of difference and at any rate, don't expect more thn about 3 hours use out of a blade. One more thing, avoid the notched rim "Turbo" blades. They chip a lot. The expansion slots in the Hot Dogare a different mmatter, though- they keep the blade from dishing with expansion/heating but don't affect the cutting performnce.
I do my cutting on the front porch- 2X6 decking- and the water runs off. I just hose it all down and I'm cleaned up. It's definitely not something to operate indoors- very wet.
Mark H.