Swarts tools 305mm 12" sliding compound mitre saw drop saw

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I'm a newbie so please excuse any clumsiness in this post.

Forum members might be interested in the new cheapo tools on the market through eBay - Swarts brand. I recently found myBosch GTM 12 combination mitre and table saw, although a high quality machine, did not have the capacity that I needed to cut tapers on some 90 mm Huon Pine table legs for a table that I am making so I upgraded to a Hare and Forbes SB-12 and decided to sell the GTM-12 (would be nice if the ebay buyer would pay me!). That potentially leaves me without a drop mitre saw so I started looking around. Now, I am a hobbyist so spending a lot of money is not sensible and having purchased a new table saw I thought that I should look for an inexpensive mitre saw. I read about the 909 and read the review by Jordswoodshop but was concerned that the supplied blade is quite coarse. A better blade for fine work adds at least another $100 so the saw cost goes to close to $400.

The Swarts tools 305 mm saw on eBay, however, comes with a 100 tooth blade. I emailed the seller and asked if the saw cut true and if there was any wobble in the blade (a real problem I had with a past Ryobi table saw). He said the blade ran and cut true on his saws. The saw has similar (not quite as good but OK for my use) spec to the 909 saw except that it only offers one sided (left) bevels instead of both sides. It lists at an eBay "buy it now price" of $275 including freight. I decided to be cheeky and made a "best offer" $50 lower. To my surprise that was accepted and the saw arrived very promptly via Couriers Please.

So - what is it like? The basic build quality seems OK but the finishing of unimportant items like decals is poor. Out of the box the set-up was poor to non-existent. The fence was crooked and the stops on the bevel angle were wrong. Don't even think of using this saw without going through a setup routine. BUT, the good news is that the machine is more easily adjustable than many more expensive saws (e.g. the Bosch) and can be set to make accurate cuts. The blade does run true as far as I can tell so far and certainly makes lovely smooth cut surfaces. The laser guide is a bolted-on battery operated one but does seem to be pretty good and at least is in-line with the blade, unlike the Bosch as supplied which needed to be adjusted with a very clunky setup.

Overall, a cheapie but a goodie for a weekend warrior that knows how to check their angles.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

A bit of an update for you on the saw. It's still going, but overall I think that its a good example of "you get what you pay for" and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. I guess I shouldn't be given the price, but I have had some trouble getting it to keep correct cutting angles so a fair bit of fiddling around required. I bought a digital angle finder to help and that has improved things, but my earlier review was a bit too positive I fear. Live and learn, at least I still have the Bosch as the eBay buyer defaulted!

[Swarts Tools]

A bit of an update for you on the saw. It's still going, but overall I think that its a good example of "you get what you pay for" and I have to say I'm a bit disappointed. I guess I shouldn't be given the price, but I have had some trouble getting it to keep correct cutting angles so a fair bit of fiddling around required. I bought a digital angle finder to help and that has improved things, but my earlier review was a bit too positive I fear. Live and learn, at least I still have the Bosch as the eBay buyer defaulted!

I understand your concerns about the saw, alot of manufacturers would not like this but we welcome it. We are only new in the market and are still working to make our tools perfect. We constantly strive to make our tools better and I am happy to inform the readers that the problem has been solved and our Australian quality control team will work harder to make sure it doesnt ever happen again. We double check all the angles in our Australian quality control and adjust accordingly. As readers would know it is important to be able to adjust the rip fence, as sometimes you need to do that unique cut but now we make everything perfect before it leaves so you dont have to. It was a simple problem with an easy fix. It is only loosening 4 bolts. Please note to all future customers we do have a 30 day money back garuntee if you are not satified and a full 2 year warranty, not that you will need it. We have one of the lowest return rates in the industry.

Thank you
Swarts Tools

[spbookie]

I have not bought or used a Swarts tool and have no connection to the company in any way. I am however really impressed with this thread.

The original poster Xanthorrhoeas posted a good clear review and then kept it current with his experience. The vendor then clearly accepted his comments and addressed them. Going into detail on how the issue would be fixed ongoing.

What a great example of an effective product review that can only occur on an independent forum like this.

Kudos to both of you.

Spbookie

[ubeaut]

New information coming.

[Swarts Tools]

I'm a newbie so please excuse any clumsiness in this post.

Forum members might be interested in the new cheapo tools on the market through eBay - Swarts brand. I recently found myBosch GTM 12 combination mitre and table saw, although a high quality machine, did not have the capacity that I needed to cut tapers on some 90 mm Huon Pine table legs for a table that I am making so I upgraded to a Hare and Forbes SB-12 and decided to sell the GTM-12 (would be nice if the ebay buyer would pay me!). That potentially leaves me without a drop mitre saw so I started looking around. Now, I am a hobbyist so spending a lot of money is not sensible and having purchased a new table saw I thought that I should look for an inexpensive mitre saw. I read about the 909 and read the review by Jordswoodshop but was concerned that the supplied blade is quite coarse. A better blade for fine work adds at least another $100 so the saw cost goes to close to $400.

The Swarts tools 305 mm saw on eBay, however, comes with a 100 tooth blade. I emailed the seller and asked if the saw cut true and if there was any wobble in the blade (a real problem I had with a past Ryobi table saw). He said the blade ran and cut true on his saws. The saw has similar (not quite as good but OK for my use) spec to the 909 saw except that it only offers one sided (left) bevels instead of both sides. It lists at an eBay "buy it now price" of $275 including freight. I decided to be cheeky and made a "best offer" $50 lower. To my surprise that was accepted and the saw arrived very promptly via Couriers Please.

So - what is it like? The basic build quality seems OK but the finishing of unimportant items like decals is poor. Out of the box the set-up was poor to non-existent. The fence was crooked and the stops on the bevel angle were wrong. Don't even think of using this saw without going through a setup routine. BUT, the good news is that the machine is more easily adjustable than many more expensive saws (e.g. the Bosch) and can be set to make accurate cuts. The blade does run true as far as I can tell so far and certainly makes lovely smooth cut surfaces. The laser guide is a bolted-on battery operated one but does seem to be pretty good and at least is in-line with the blade, unlike the Bosch as supplied which needed to be adjusted with a very clunky setup.

Overall, a cheapie but a goodie for a weekend warrior that knows how to check their angles.

Hi Everybody,

Just a note from us hear as Swarts Tools.

Please not that the saw mentioned in this forum has not been sold in over a year. It is referring to an old model.
We launch our new Belt Driven SW1045 model over a year ago now. Our new machine far surpasses the old in features, quality and accuracy. We have had it on the market just over a year now and are glad to say we have a 0% return rate. We also have a new method of checking the accuracy during our Australian quality control where it is all digital now.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

I am really glad to hear that the new model is much better than the one that I bought, as it has been relegated to its carton and sits gathering dust in a storage shed. If you would like to swap me a new model for the old one I'll gladly update my review for you!

[Handyjack]

I have just looked at the saw on this page Swarts Tools 305mm 12" Sliding Compound Mitre Saw Belt Driven Double Bevel Drop Saw (SW1045) - Swarts Tools A user review would be worth while.
At face value, having a horizontal clamp is something I have not seen on any other compound saw. It comes with a 100 tooth blade and will bevel left and right and has a reasonable price to boot.

[Diddums]

I came across this thread when researching for a SCMS and I was a bit off put by it. Until I spoke to Sam and had a look at his range in person.

So I bought one of the NEW Swarts tools SCMS and I'm very happy with it.
It was well set up out of the box and didn't need any adjusting except for the guard trigger, which was very easy to fix.
All of the issues listed in the Original post have been fixed with the new model.
I'm using it at the moment to build a bookcase out of laminated particleboard and it's great.
The 100t blade makes nice clean cuts and doesn't chip the laminate.
I also bought the mitre saw stand and that is another great product. It's very sturdy and makes using the saw a breeze.

Anyone looking for a good, cheap SCMS, I recommend you take a good look at these.

I am not affiliated with Swarts tools at all, just a happy customer attempting to turn this thread around.

[Binary01]

Thanks for the update on the new model Diddums.
I'm tempted to push the button on one of these via Ebay - on back order currently but still accepting orders.
I'd be coming from a Maktec compound mitre saw (non-sliding) and the main gripe with this one is that a small amount of side-ways pressure on the handle during cutting can change the cut angle by several degrees - I've tried to improve the amount of flex in the whole setup but to no avail. It may have been abused by a previous owner. Using the table saw for cross cutting long lengths is cumbersome.
Can you comment on the rigidity and repeatability of the movement with this saw? I happy to do an initial setup.

I'm in two minds about whether I should be saving for a Bosch Blue / Hitachi in the long distant future, or try my luck with another cheaper saw like this one / 909 / or Bosch Green. My current Maktec is almost useless for woodworking.
Edit: Sorry, can you also tell me if the dial for the mitre angles is metal or a paper sticker? I can't quite tell from the photos.

[Handyjack]

Thanks for the update on the new model Diddums.

I'd be coming from a Maktec compound mitre saw (non-sliding) and the main gripe with this one is that a small amount of side-ways pressure on the handle during cutting can change the cut angle by several degrees - I've tried to improve the amount of flex in the whole setup but to no avail. It may have been abused by a previous owner.
My current Maktec is almost useless for woodworking.

I also own the Maktec and do not like that the trigger switch can be operated by a single action.
The blade guard does not cover the whole blade so that could also cause a hazard.

Being non sliding it is limited as to what it can cut, but as I move it in and out of the workshop and car weight is a factor as is space in the car.

I have had no problems with it accuracy of cutting, just an understanding of what it might be able to do.

[Binary01]

I also own the Maktec and do not like that the trigger switch can be operated by a single action.
The blade guard does not cover the whole blade so that could also cause a hazard.

Being non sliding it is limited as to what it can cut, but as I move it in and out of the workshop and car weight is a factor as is space in the car.

I have had no problems with it accuracy of cutting, just an understanding of what it might be able to do.

At the risk of taking this thread off topic, I do suspect my maktec unit is worse than others with free play, and for this reason perhaps even another less expensive saw like the swarts would be improvement enough. Tightening the main bolt on my maktec at the pivot enough to improve the free play makes the drop action too tight.

[bassbuddy37]

First time poster, long time reader.

Looking into one of these Swarts machines myself and couldn't resist chiming in! This SCMS model is like a UK companies with their 'SIP 01504'

check out their video,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XQaTTFsrX0w

in response to Binary01's questions regarding the dials for the mitre angles being plastic or not from the video its very likely plastic and the needle pointer is its only adjustable part. Im almost convinced its actually a sticker

At a distance the SIP version 'locking mitre' post and bevel angle display look identical to, if not, very similar to the Bosch PCM 1800 SD. The Swarts version does have a slightly different base so the video probably doesn't help clarify if the mitre angle guide as first thought.

Hope this helps someone else take the plunge to road test one of these! Diddums I would love a little more information how your mitre saw is now going. Can you confirm the plastic mitre angle indicator plate? any dramatic slop or lateral movement in the blade?

Im very curious myself how close to a wall you can put this thing. whats the measurement from the front of the working fence to the back of the guide posts?

[tdrumnut]

One interesting feature of this saw is the 3 year warranty.

[Xanthorrhoeas]

One interesting feature of this saw is the 3 year warranty.

Aldi have a 3 year warranty too, but in their case if you raise a problem (have just done this) they just send you a new unit. Swarts do not do that.

My Swarts version had a two-year warranty. I thought that impressive at the time, but despite my early positive view of the gear now I find that I am stuck with a dud in a carton in a storage shed. That original unit was a crude machine with significant accuracy problems but Swarts was not prepared to replace it when the model was found to be faulty compared to its replacement version. I haven't been able to bring myself to offer the machine for sale as I would feel guilty if someone were to buy it.

Swarts are keen to rescue their reputation and boast about their new gear but are not prepared to replace their earlier (by their admission) dud. What does that tell you about them? I'll leave it up to you, but I am not impressed and will never deal with them again. OK it was only(!!!) a couple of hundred dollars (still hurt$ when a total waste), but a dud product is a dud product (even if later versions are claimed to be better) and poor support is poor support. A decent company would replace or refund for a dud, not obfuscate, like they have. IMHO there is no excuse for that.

I have some really good gear (Hammer, Minimax etc.) so I know what quality is. But, for less-used gear I usually buy less expensive stuff. I am only a hobbyist after all. I still expect goods to be "fit for purpose" under Australian law. Swarts failed that requirement for me and did not come to the party when I invited them to.

If others wish to purchase Swarts then do so at your own risk and good luck to you. I hope that you have a better experience with Swarts than I have. I would recommend that you spend a bit more and buy better quality gear. In my experience the quality pays off long after the pain of the price is forgotten.