WTB: Miter Saw either by Bosch, Maktec, Makita or Hitachi

[bslee]

The Makita have a blade braking mechanism built in, will kick in when lifted from work piece. This is important, if it doesn't work, take it back immediately for warranty service or exchange.
Place the machine FIRMLY on a very flat floor. As with these things, EXTREME CARE and NO kids around. Very dusty without the collection bag used.

[CS Chua]

The Makita have a blade braking mechanism built in, will kick in when lifted from work piece. This is important, if it doesn't work, take it back immediately for warranty service or exchange.
Place the machine FIRMLY on a very flat floor. As with these things, EXTREME CARE and NO kids around. Very dusty without the collection bag used.

I went to the shop you mentioned at Rahman Putra. It is more in automotive tools than any other tools and they would not sell me dealer price even though it was pasted on the machine. They are mainly supplier to shops and dealers. They do not even have a hand saw. Everything was downstairs in a small lot. The hand tools are Sealy but the rest are of brands not hear of. The table saw is cheap at around RM1100.00 only. The miter saw was more than RM1100. Anyway bought a Seally tire gauge since I am there. The sales is in September and it will be 50% off.

[bslee]

Yes, that place coincidently stock lots of tools for the automotive trade, but thats because of some brands they carry just happen to specialize in automotive tools. There's another brand they carry, Einhell from Germany which are quite fairly priced for the amateur, much less than Bosch or Makita. Einhell produce lots of tools for many trades, including bench drill press, grinders, table saws, circular saws, etc. THAT was what I intended for you to look and see. After all, since you're there, there's actually quite a lot to see on display compared to some local small hardware store, not just looking around for a very specific tool. I made that trip there to get my drill press because their price was most appealing compared to lots of trash made in PRC easily found in many local tool shops.
Anyway, they're on my list of a well stocked and supported tool shop, which for any reason, I may buy more stuff from them as and when the need arise. I was looking to buy a Einhell angle grinding attachment to enable my Bosch angle grinder to cut metal hollow tubes or anything else metal that need cutting. They didn't have stock at that time. Pity.

[CS Chua]

Ya, that is the brand, Einhell. Very reasonable as you pointed out but not popular. I have seen Metabo for only RM700 for a miter saw with laser and yet it is not so popular like Makita. I guess those who use the tools frequently know which to buy. Is there a shop with many brands of miter saw in SJ/USJ? I noted that many are in Balakong or Cheras but too lazy to drive there.

[bslee]

You just have to shop around. I do that whenever I've the time, KIV them in case the need arise. Mitre saws aren't something people buy everyday and lots of hardware or toolshops either stock little or none, order on request. Sad!
This isn't US or EU, large well stocked toolshops exist. Labor is expensive there, therefore the need and large market for DIY. Countless books on DIY from A-Z. Here NONE published by anyone. Here people rather just pay money to have the job done. DIY is still very scarce trade mostly at hobby or fun factor.
Metabo?, again another reputable make but hardly dealer supported brand. I'll buy things based on agent support, build quality, safety factor and appealing price. These are things I cannot afford to replace at whim. Reminds me of Black and Decker tools...you get what you pay for. I'd never want to buy this make anymore. They don't last.

[CS Chua]

You just have to shop around. I do that whenever I've the time, KIV them in case the need arise. Mitre saws aren't something people buy everyday and lots of hardware or toolshops either stock little or none, order on request. Sad!
This isn't US or EU, large well stocked toolshops exist. Labor is expensive there, therefore the need and large market for DIY. Countless books on DIY from A-Z. Here NONE published by anyone. Here people rather just pay money to have the job done. DIY is still very scarce trade mostly at hobby or fun factor.
Metabo?, again another reputable make but hardly dealer supported brand. I'll buy things based on agent support, build quality, safety factor and appealing price. These are things I cannot afford to replace at whim. Reminds me of Black and Decker tools...you get what you pay for. I'd never want to buy this make anymore. They don't last.

Talking about B&D, I got a B&D cordless dual speed drill/driver for screws. It has been very good for wiring and some jobs in the house. But can it screw in a screw into a hard wood? The box says for wood it is 13mm capacity. Not sure what it means. I am trying not to hammer nails in if possible. Most people recommends drilling in the nails/screws for some reasons.

[bslee]

13mm capacity is the maximum drill bit diameter the drill chuck can accept. If screwing in an ordinary wood screw, its best to drill through a pilot hole, only then power screw it in to fasten securely. You're not supposed to use the same screw and blindly force screw it in, UNLESS its a self tapping screw with a boring tip. For example you have a ordinary mild steel screw to fasten 2 pieces of wood. You're supposed to drill through a guide hole short of length of screw, about the same diameter as the screw core body, then easily and effortlessly screw it all in till flush.
Blind force screwing is not always a good idea and often can result in stuck halfway and wrong angle through. Worst case is the screw is broken off because of too hard work material.

This is not a problem with thinner materials. Its sometimes all these techniques seem simple, straightforward and elementary, but knowledge of advanced techniques in this trade is often very beneficial and turn out a better result. As for nailing, I now exclusively use my pneumatic air nailer. They're far more effective in furniture related restoration or repairs. Without this tool, my last job of installing window architrade would be hell! Makita mitre saw + air nailer = PERFECT precision and effortless job!.. nothing else beats this!
Speaking about drills, have to look into overhauling my AEG 500W hand drill, I think the main bearings need replacement, because of years of heavy use from general purposes to boring holes in walls and ceiling. Purchased for Rm105 back in 1985.
Lastly, many people can easily claim some make last for many years, but this is mostly based on occasional use. I used these tools numerous times a year and I highly depend on its reliability. I've lost confidence in B&D, where cost was a primary concern. Lessons learnt. I spent 2-3 days free time to calibrate and slightly improve areas on my Einhell drill press. Now its a superb and calibrated machine. Machines are machines and quite often they're not exactly perfect out of the box. Just me...a perfectionist, thats why cannot do business with this trade.

[CS Chua]

13mm capacity is the maximum drill bit diameter the drill chuck can accept. If screwing in an ordinary wood screw, its best to drill through a pilot hole, only then power screw it in to fasten securely. You're not supposed to use the same screw and blindly force screw it in, UNLESS its a self tapping screw with a boring tip. For example you have a ordinary mild steel screw to fasten 2 pieces of wood. You're supposed to drill through a guide hole short of length of screw, about the same diameter as the screw core body, then easily and effortlessly screw it all in till flush.
Blind force screwing is not always a good idea and often can result in stuck halfway and wrong angle through. Worst case is the screw is broken off because of too hard work material.

This is not a problem with thinner materials. Its sometimes all these techniques seem simple, straightforward and elementary, but knowledge of advanced techniques in this trade is often very beneficial and turn out a better result. As for nailing, I now exclusively use my pneumatic air nailer. They're far more effective in furniture related restoration or repairs. Without this tool, my last job of installing window architrade would be hell! Makita mitre saw + air nailer = PERFECT precision and effortless job!.. nothing else beats this!

You got a Pneumatic air nailer?? I am so jealous!! I will love to have one but not enough work to justify one....yet. Problem is, need a pump too so it is costly. But with the pump, can do so many things, including respraying the car, the doors, the cat, and the dog.

[bslee]

You got a Pneumatic air nailer?? I am so jealous!! I will love to have one but not enough work to justify one....yet. Problem is, need a pump too so it is costly.

A 2HP air compressor costs something like Rm400. (PUMA brand, available from CT Hardware) Air nailer somewhere Rm90 - 120 (Taiwan made). How does your RM900 mitre saw justify against the former? An air compressor opens the door to a whole new lot of air tools and widens the DIY avenue. I bought my air compressor about 20 years ago at about RM650, FIAC 1.5hp, Made in Italy. Been a flawless machine eversince for countless jobs I've done. Yes, this machine also need periodic maintenance, but nothing too complicated. You'd also have to learn the rudiments of operating air tools, the right air pressure applied and how to maintain them. No worries, tons of documentation to be found on the internet, even Youtube. No need for bokstore books, but they're also very useful.
Up to you if you want to acquire one, I could list down lots of uses, even blowing clean your laptop or pc internals to surgically clean result. Blow all dust out from furniture, cobwebs, inaccesible nooks and crannies, other household chores you can imagine. Only major precaution, NEVER let a child near it or play with compressed air, very awry things can happen. I didn't think too much, I just headed out to the shop and bought one, same like buying a hi-pressure water pump washer. Pneumatic tools are quite easily acquired if you know where to find them.

P.S. Air compressor also need an external moisture filter for dry air output. This is important as moisture in the air is a no no for spray painting and air tools. Moisture will damage the air tool. Price of filtration accessories vary. Another Rm100+ here.
Make you jealous!... got one more tool can make your jealousy even higher. I got a Ingersoll Rand impact wrench!.. the very tool tyre shops loosen your wheel nuts.! Ingersoll Rand is a premium pneumatic tool from USA.. very costly now.

[CS Chua]

A 2HP air compressor costs something like Rm400. (PUMA brand, available from CT Hardware) Air nailer somewhere Rm90 - 120 (Taiwan made). How does your RM900 mitre saw justify against the former? An air compressor opens the door to a whole new lot of air tools and widens the DIY avenue. I bought my air compressor about 20 years ago at about RM650, FIAC 1.5hp, Made in Italy. Been a flawless machine eversince for countless jobs I've done. Yes, this machine also need periodic maintenance, but nothing too complicated. You'd also have to learn the rudiments of operating air tools, the right air pressure applied and how to maintain them. No worries, tons of documentation to be found on the internet, even Youtube. No need for bokstore books, but they're also very useful.
Up to you if you want to acquire one, I could list down lots of uses, even blowing clean your laptop or pc internals to surgically clean result. Blow all dust out from furniture, cobwebs, inaccesible nooks and crannies, other household chores you can imagine. Only major precaution, NEVER let a child near it or play with compressed air, very awry things can happen. I didn't think too much, I just headed out to the shop and bought one, same like buying a hi-pressure water pump washer. Pneumatic tools are quite easily acquired if you know where to find them.

P.S. Air compressor also need an external moisture filter for dry air output. This is important as moisture in the air is a no no for spray painting and air tools. Moisture will damage the air tool. Price of filtration accessories vary. Another Rm100+ here.
Make you jealous!... got one more tool can make your jealousy even higher. I got a Ingersoll Rand impact wrench!.. the very tool tyre shops loosen your wheel nuts.! Ingersoll Rand is a premium pneumatic tool from USA.. very costly now.

I did not know an air compressor costs so little. What I saw costs more than a thousand. So, there are smaller units. Thanks, will check it out.

[bslee]

The ones you assumed costing thousands are higher powered ones catering larger or industrial requirement, twin cylinder types. 2HP is about appropriate for the amateur and many contractors use the same machine because of its compact and easy mobility. You can park it in your small home storeroom easily. I've done that all the time without irritating anyone else.
Coincidently, I recommended one to a buddy of mine, he went straight to CT Hardware branch, got it bundled with a flexhose air gun for somewhere Rm400+...Its a good and not so noisy machine as mine. Mine is quite noisy, due to its design...can't do anything about it. Remember, periodic maintenance is needed. Consult the shop.