The 15 year old Craftsman chop saw is really biting the bullet here. I was looking in the Harbor Freight catalog and noticed they have a ten inch compound mitre saw reconditioned for $99. Does anyone know if Delta is a decent brand of saw? or have any suggestions for me in the chop saw line? Thanks!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), January 10, 2002

Answers

Delta; Good stuff!!!! I have a sliding compound mitre saw [craftsman] that is great......more capasity[sp] because of the slide..your qoestion; Delta makes very good stuff!

-- Jim-mi (hartalteng@voyager.net), January 11, 2002.

Yes, Delta is a very good brand. We bought my father-in-law a Delta table saw for Christmas and he is very pleased with it. I know what a mitre saw is but what is a chop saw???? Craftsman used to be very good tools but they are making them in China now, at least most of their small hand tools. Ryobi is a good brand too. If it is something you will use a lot you are much better off buying quality tools.

-- Barb in Ky. (bjconthefarm@yahoo.com), January 11, 2002.

Doreen: I've got a Delta chop saw and like it. Use it alot. The Delta brand has been around a long time and is good stuff.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 11, 2002.

Delta has several different varieties of tools. Some better than others. I have a cheap "happy homeowner" model and am very pleased w/ it.

-- John in S. IN (jdoofus@hotmail.com), January 11, 2002.

Thanks folks! It may need to wait a bit, but it sounds like a good deal on that saw. It's just that Harbor Freight has some really cheesy tools along with some good ones, so I thought I'd ask all of you!

-- Doreen (bisquit@here.com), January 12, 2002.

I agree with the cheezy tools comment but generally I've had good luck with them. My general attitude is if I'm gonna use a tool alot I'll bite the bullet and buy the best I can afford. On the other hand if the tool is only gonna be used now and then I'll "settle" for something less than the best.

For example I bought the 18v cordless drill from harbor freight several years ago. I knew it was gonna be something I used alot but just couldn't swing the big bucks needed for a delta. I'm glad I did because I have used the drill ALOT and its doing just fine. I'm very pleased with it. I see now they have the same drill for $40. The same deal with the electric impact. I needed one to drive alot of big lag screws and a milwaukee woulda cost about $300. Harbor Freight was $80. That too has been real good. The trouble is ya just don't know until you get it.

-- john (natlivent@pcpros.net), January 12, 2002.