Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??

 
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Old 12-07-2007, 04:18 PM   #1
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Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


Shopping for a 14" gas powered saw. For general use both on slabs and also cutting block and steel. Makita DPC7311 is $700, Stihl TS420 is $1100. I have had good luck with other Stihl products, but am not sure it is worth $400 difference. The Stihl can be mounted to a dolly for making straight cuts in slabs, and this is a value. The dolly is $275. Any opinions???

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Old 12-07-2007, 04:27 PM   #2
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


Every company has their pluses and minuses on tools

Stihl is world known for concrete saws, Hilti for rotary hammer drills, Makita for cordless drills, Milwaukee for the sawsall and holehog, Skil for the wormdrive...the list goes on...buy Stihl, the biggest repair I have done is replacing the pull cords
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Old 12-07-2007, 05:34 PM   #3
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


I have 2 partners with a 16" blade. I would never buy another saw without this capacity. I'ts easier to see what you're cutting and that extra cut depth is great. I bought a dolly with it, but used it once. I didn't have much luck with it. I can cut straighter without the dolly.
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Old 12-07-2007, 05:37 PM   #4
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


Home Depot tool rentals trust the Makita's. I used one and it worked great and it had been put through hell by everyone else who rented it.
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Old 12-07-2007, 06:08 PM   #5
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


I have rented just about every brand made, from Target to Hilti, and bought a Partner. I had a hard time choosing between the Partner and Stihl, and basically went with the one that had a service center closest to my house.
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Old 12-09-2007, 12:49 AM   #6
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


Husq makes a 14" gas powered ring saw which has a 10" cut capacity. Its $2500 dollars which might out of your price range. I've been wanting one since I first saw it.
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Old 12-09-2007, 01:04 AM   #7
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


We have a old Stihl TS350 and a CutQuik cart for it. We have never had any problems with it and have only done routine maintenance. We use this saw for everything like cutting ductile iron pipe, beveling pipe, and of course cutting asphalt and concrete.

I think the cart is great, and sure beats bending over cutting a long line.
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Old 12-09-2007, 10:23 AM   #8
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


Get the Stihl. I used to work for a road crew and we beat the crap out of that thing for 7 years that i was there, put gas and oil in it, dropped it out the back of the truck at 45 mph, straightened the handle out with a shovel and it is still working just fine. They are tough and reliable, might be a little more money but worth it.
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Old 12-09-2007, 11:05 AM   #9
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


I spent 2 yrs. repairing commercial equipment and saw Stihl's that had been abused in every way possible leave the shop operational. Stihl would be my first choice and easily worth the extra $$

If you can find an older Homelite, they made a very tough saw too.
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Old 12-09-2007, 03:14 PM   #10
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


I would go with Stihl. I have had nothing but and have nothing but good work out of them. The Stihl TS400 is a very good saw and you can get it for around $800.
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Old 12-09-2007, 04:01 PM   #11
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Re: Handheld Concrete Saw: Stihl Or Makita??


i personally dont own one but i have used both the stihl and the partner 14 inch saws.i like the partner,and i thinks its a lil cheaper than a stihl.
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