"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
I have the 743K. I got it at Sears about a month ago on clearance for
$78.00. Oddly, they were also clearancing the 347K for $119.00 I saw
one at a Home Depot the other day for $99.00. As someone else pointed
out, the base plate is perfectly 1.5" from the blade on one side and
If I recall correctly, 5" on the other. This is really nice for quick
alignment.
Negatives (not showstoppers)
It is kindof a pain to put in its case. The cord needs to be contorted
slightly to make it fit and the saw needs to be completely recessed in
its baseplate. Also, the dust port needs to be removed.
I didn't like the Riptide stock blade. I have had much better luck
with a Freud diablo and the PC Razor blades.
There are some out there, but difficult to find. The newer model has
tool-less blade change and pivoting dust port. I don't really like the
tool-less blade change that much and was glad to find last years
model.
On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 06:12:38 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
><snip>
>>>Yeah, Larry. That's what I meant. (TFIC) ;-)
>>
>> TFIC?
>>
>Tongue Firmly in Cheek.
Grok.
I was in Searz the other day for the first time in _eons_.
I had to replace yet another broken Crapsman tool, a 1/4"
spinner handle which had given me 25 years of service
before the plastic handle cracked in half. (I picked it
up shortly before they went completely downhill.) The
local Searz store didn't stock tools so they ordered it
and it was sent to my home. True to Searz, efficiency,
they instead sent a nice little 1/4" ratchet. I called
the local office about it and they were going to look it
up and call me back. True to Searz efficiency, they never
did.
I thought about returning the ratchet some late night, just
as the little old lady did in that fun Discount Tire Store
ad, through the front window. Nah, they might not like that.
<g> Besides, this store isn't to blame.
In any case, I'll have to return to the local Searz store to
deposit said ratchet in their hands so they can find some
other stock person (hopefully) who might have better luck at
finding the handle for me. I really -liked- that handle 'cuz
it had the female 1/4" recess so I could add the ratchet. I
got much more torque for breaking loose and final tightening
of the nuts/bolts.
Ayup, I just love Searz stores.
--
"I'm sick and tired of having to rearrange my life
because of what the STUPIDEST people *might* do or
how they *might* react."
-- Bill Maher
On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:33:48 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>Some where in the good Book, it says "if thine eye offend thee, pluck it
>out." Since the author was a carpenter, I have to assume the verse could
>be properly applied to tools, no? ;-)
Huh? "If thine eye offend thee, jigsaw it out."?!?
--
"I'm sick and tired of having to rearrange my life
because of what the STUPIDEST people *might* do or
how they *might* react."
-- Bill Maher
On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 08:36:06 -0400, "Norman D. Crow"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>743K? 748K? Can't remember right this moment, but I have that saw, LH blade
>& blade brake. Love it! Think Dale is correct though, it's being replaced
>with the "Mag" series.
347 right blade, no brake.
743 left blade, no brake.
Numbers are reversed for left and right blade.
447 right blade with brake.
843 left blade with brake.
First number increased by one in the respective left/right model
number.
I think someone at corporate just fell all over themselves come up
with that scheme.
- -
LRod
Master Woodbutcher and seasoned termite
Shamelessly whoring my website since 1999
http://www.woodbutcher.net
Hi,
I have one and am pleased with it. Not sure if you can still pick one up
though. Porter Cable is replacing them with their new "Mag" saws. I picked
mine up at Lowe's discounted because of the new saws coming in. Check
around and you may still be able to find them. Only thing I wish it had is
a electric brake. Other than that its a fine saw.
Cheers,
Dale
"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have
any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
>
>
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
>
> "Wyatt Wright" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> I keep leaving my POS Black and Decker jigsaw near the edge of the
>> bench hoping swmbo will knock it off, but no luck so far.
>
> Wyatt - the rules *do not* specify that the wife has to knock it off the
> bench...
In my shop, the rules don't even specify that it has to move towards the
floor. ;-)
Some where in the good Book, it says "if thine eye offend thee, pluck it
out." Since the author was a carpenter, I have to assume the verse could
be properly applied to tools, no? ;-)
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it!
Patriarch,
who believes POS tools are the ones you loan to the next generation, so
when they inherit the good ones, they won't screw them up so badly.
Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
> On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:33:48 GMT, patriarch
> <<patriarch>[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>
>>Some where in the good Book, it says "if thine eye offend thee, pluck
>>it out." Since the author was a carpenter, I have to assume the verse
>>could be properly applied to tools, no? ;-)
>
> Huh? "If thine eye offend thee, jigsaw it out."?!?
>
Yeah, Larry. That's what I meant. (TFIC) ;-)
I KNEW I would get in trouble with a Bible verse!
Patriarch
Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in
news:[email protected]:
<snip>
>>Yeah, Larry. That's what I meant. (TFIC) ;-)
>
> TFIC?
>
Tongue Firmly in Cheek.
"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
A couple of weeks ago swmbo knocked my POS Skil saw off the bench and
essentially "broke" it. I needed a working circular saw ASAP so off
to Lowes. I compared the Milwaukee, PC, and a few others. I ended
up with the Milwaukee mostly due to the ease of adjustment and other
ergonomics.
I use my for cutting down sheet goods in addition to some light
carpentry. The Milwaukee is a big unit, but it is powerful and
accurate. If I had more time to select a unit and if I was mostly
concerned with sheet goods, I might consider a mid-sized unit that
would be a bit easier to handle.
For what it's worth, FWW 2004 Tool Guide gave the Milwaukee a 4.49 and
the PC a 4.48 based on reader's surveys.
I keep leaving my POS Black and Decker jigsaw near the edge of the
bench hoping swmbo will knock it off, but no luck so far.
"Dale Lorenzen" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:URVXc.601$UI6.315@trnddc08...
> Hi,
>
> I have one and am pleased with it. Not sure if you can still pick one up
> though. Porter Cable is replacing them with their new "Mag" saws. I
picked
> mine up at Lowe's discounted because of the new saws coming in. Check
> around and you may still be able to find them. Only thing I wish it had
is
> a electric brake. Other than that its a fine saw.
743K? 748K? Can't remember right this moment, but I have that saw, LH blade
& blade brake. Love it! Think Dale is correct though, it's being replaced
with the "Mag" series.
--
Nahmie
The law of intelligent tinkering: save all the parts.
I have the lefty version. Although I am righty, it gives me a better view
of the cut. I would definitely buy it again.
There may be better saws out there, this one would *not* disappoint you.
-Steve
"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have
any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
>
>
"LRod" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 08:36:06 -0400, "Norman D. Crow"
> <[email protected]> wrote:
>
>
> >743K? 748K? Can't remember right this moment, but I have that saw, LH
blade
> >& blade brake. Love it! Think Dale is correct though, it's being replaced
> >with the "Mag" series.
>
> 347 right blade, no brake.
> 743 left blade, no brake.
>
> Numbers are reversed for left and right blade.
>
> 447 right blade with brake.
> 843 left blade with brake.
>
> First number increased by one in the respective left/right model
> number.
Thanks Rod. What I have is the 843. Rest of my comments still stand. There
may be better non worm drives out there, but this one ranks right up near
the top AFAICS.
--
Nahmie
The law of intelligent tinkering: save all the parts.
I had one for about a week. I returned it because it just didn't feel right
to me. I couldn't see the cutline very well due to the little dust port
thingy. I bought a Hitachi instead, which I really like, and it was cheaper
by $20 or so. I also like the Makitas a lot, but Lowe's stopped carrying
them.
Charlie
"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have
any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
>
>
I have the Porter Cable saw. I've been very happy with it. It's a
quantum leap above the Craftsman saw I used to build my shop. Fairly
quiet, plenty of power, pretty good veiw of the blade, and good
sawdust handling. And the edge of the sole is exactly 1.50 inches
from the edge of the blade. Clamp a straightedge down an inch and a
half away from your line and you're good to go. If I had it to do
over again, I'd spring for the one with the blade brake.
DonkeyHody
"Every man is my superior in that I can learn from him." - Thomas
Carlyle
"philly45" <[email protected]> wrote in message news:<[email protected]>...
> I am in the market for a good circular saw for reducing plywood sheets and
> other oversize lumber. What are the groups experiences with various
> high-end, high-power but non-worm gear circular saws. Does anyone have any
> experience with the Porter-Cable 743K? Is that model still available?
>
> philly
"Wyatt Wright" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I keep leaving my POS Black and Decker jigsaw near the edge of the
> bench hoping swmbo will knock it off, but no luck so far.
Wyatt - the rules *do not* specify that the wife has to knock it off the
bench...
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
On Sun, 29 Aug 2004 02:50:32 GMT, patriarch
<<patriarch>[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>Larry Jaques <novalidaddress@di\/ersify.com> wrote in
>news:[email protected]:
>
>> On Sat, 28 Aug 2004 23:33:48 GMT, patriarch
>> <<patriarch>[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>>
>>>Some where in the good Book, it says "if thine eye offend thee, pluck
>>>it out." Since the author was a carpenter, I have to assume the verse
>>>could be properly applied to tools, no? ;-)
>>
>> Huh? "If thine eye offend thee, jigsaw it out."?!?
>>
>
>Yeah, Larry. That's what I meant. (TFIC) ;-)
TFIC?
>I KNEW I would get in trouble with a Bible verse!
Ah, you betcha.
--
"I'm sick and tired of having to rearrange my life
because of what the STUPIDEST people *might* do or
how they *might* react."
-- Bill Maher