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Post by MrToolJunkie on Nov 27, 2014 13:52:46 GMT -5
Yeah...that was a good vid as was your straight-line video with the ripping blade. Good stuff...
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Post by jasonkehl on Nov 29, 2014 9:17:05 GMT -5
Do you find the KSS80 to be heavy in use? I have a KSS400 and love it. I use the 400 for framing, cutting 2x lumber and ripping sheet goods. It's an awesome saw and I want to get another for my 2 person crew. Instead of another 400 I'm thinking of the 80 so we have the greater capacity for the occasions that require it but I don't want a saw that's too heavy to use all day, every day when I only need the extra depth and power periodically.
Any thoughts or opinions on this would be appreciated appreciated.
Thanks
J
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Nov 29, 2014 11:21:51 GMT -5
Well, I do not have enough time on it yet to give a great answer, but I did use it for several hours yesterday. It is a big saw, but extremely well balanced, both on and off the rails and/or with the cross-cut track. It weighs 16 pounds without the track so it is pretty close to a sidewinder for comparison - maybe a pound heavier. On the rail it is around 19 pounds or so. Pushing it along it just goes and it is super smooth and the weight I think actually helps it cut smoothly. Nothing bogs this tool down. But, if you are picking it up and down hundreds of times a day I could see how it could get tiring. The biggest thing I am not used to is the blade guard mechanism - having to flip the cover up to get the saw to sit flush on a cut table after a cut is the thing I have been struggling with most at the moment as it is still not a natural flow to raise the saw. I am still learning with this style plunge mechanism as I have traditionally used a plunge-cut saw for working hardwood. This is different for me so I was certainly not as efficient as I will be and that caused me to do more lifting and positioning. I think with more time it will not notice it as much. One other thing that I need to spend more time with is the plunge depth stop rod to aid lifting and lowering the saw after a cut easier and more reliable.
The bottom line for me is that I needed this saw for what I need to cut and so it was perfect for my situation. If I was cutting 2x off a pile I do not think it would be a huge burden and it works really well on the bigger timbers. I could totally see adding a smaller 400 or 300 to the mix, though, for the smaller stuff. The KSS80 cuts anything, but for smaller pieces it has not been as efficient for me yet, and I say yet because I think this will improve with time and practice.
Hope this helps.
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Nov 29, 2014 12:50:27 GMT -5
I would properly go for the kss 80 over getting a second kss 400, a second would only be handy if you have to work on separate jobs. I have the 85 which is a similar weight to the ks85. When picking up the saw it obviously feels heavier but not uncomfortable. Then in use it takes about the same effort to push along. On certain tasks like ripping it actually feels easier with the added power weight.
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Post by jasonkehl on Nov 29, 2014 17:34:31 GMT -5
Thanks for your input guys. We are usually on the same site, but work independent of each other most of the time, hence the idea of 2 KSS 400's. The extra power and capacity of the 80 certainly is appealing, there are times it would be necessary for sure. It's just the repeated picking up and setting down that could get tiring. We usually use worm drives though, they are about 13 pounds. I'm leaning toward the 80, just need the Canadian dollar to gain some strength...
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 6, 2014 11:44:31 GMT -5
The new roller guide came in this last week...and I got some stickers to boot!! I am anxious to try the roller guide out and think it will work much better than screwing a wooden fence to the standard parallel guide.
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Post by thedude306 on Dec 6, 2014 14:20:58 GMT -5
nice! I hope mine get here this week so they can get everything shipped out before Christmas. Waited to ship it all together to save on importing and freight.
Pictures of the new guide vs the old?
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Dec 7, 2014 12:01:19 GMT -5
I took a couple of pics of them:
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 2, 2015 2:26:17 GMT -5
I am in heaven using this saw. Shot a couple of videos of it in action today. Love the roller edge-guide - that is a must-have accessory in my opinion:
The cross-cut track and blade change:
Ripping with the edge-guide:
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Post by mick on Jan 2, 2015 4:48:17 GMT -5
That's is great looks really smooth and dust collection looks good You will enjoy that saw for many years thanks for posting
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Post by wrightwoodwork on Jan 2, 2015 7:10:28 GMT -5
Great vid only problem is makes me want one. Maybe late in the year
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 2, 2015 8:54:09 GMT -5
Thanks, guys. LOL...yes, anytime I see a Mafell video it makes me want whatever it is.
DC is pretty good considering the open housing of the saw. It was better when cutting on the MFT top verses no support on the bottom of the cut, which makes sense.
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Post by thedude306 on Jan 2, 2015 9:45:49 GMT -5
Those are spectacular videos Scot. Very nicely done!
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Post by jonathan on Jan 2, 2015 9:47:28 GMT -5
MrToolJunkie, those Mafell videos of yours look great! I think you should do more 
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Post by MrToolJunkie on Jan 2, 2015 14:25:12 GMT -5
Thanks, guys! I enjoy them, but they sure do slow down the process! I should have had all my material broken down yesterday and I got one seat blank milled, LOL. More to come in time...this saw is very capable.
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