Customer Reviews

Porter-Cable 3802L 12-Inch Compound Miter Saw with Twin Laser

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this saw just before christmas. This saw if identical to the one sold without the lasers (and identical to the Delta version of this saw).

That saw has many features that make it a top of the line saw.
- good solid fence, good for crown molding and adjustable
- the degree scale is not etched , so it will not wear off
- the knobs are large and easy to use
- the dust collection is much better than other saws in this category
- it can be set up on 2x4s with special knotches for easy jobsite use, and has a well centered handle
- the twin laser does a great job, you can see it in the daylight, and is very crisp...also it keeps your head away from the blade and any chips/dust while you make the cut
- horizontal handle more natural for a CMS use on a table or stand (older CMS just sat on the floor and a verticle handle was fine)

if you have a chance to go by a hardware store with this unit, try to wiggle the the unit side to side and do the same with other CMS and sliding CMS...this unit is very tight. I never found a SCMS that didn't wiggle when the blade is moved side to side...i don't like that kind of play when doing finer work like picture frames

The same saw branded and sold by Delta has a two year warranty though instead of PC's 1 year...but this does no worry me as Delta/PC customer service has always tsken care of any issues if they come up, they are great!

My impressions of the saw when I first started using it were:

- The carry handle is center over the mass of the saw and makes it VERY easy to move the saw around
- The fit and finish are great, no sharp edges, everything clean, even the decals when placed squarely
- the saw was dead accurate out of the box with the left fence (which gets used by me most). The right fence was off, but adjusting it was easy. I found that the right fence was not flat. Called PC and 4 days later i had a new right fence and everything is fine. I'll have to find a use for the old fence...maybe a paperweight
- The wingnut in the back t change the bevel of the saw is big and easy to use
- When the motor starts there is no torque on the system, nothing moves...i could probably align my cut, take away my hand holding the wood and start the motor and the wood would not move...this is a nice change from my older CMS
- from the left the cuts were dead on from the factory...i mean dead on!
- The laser was also adjusted properly
- also the cord is made so that it remains flexible in my unheated garage
- the feet are big rubber knobs that are spaced well for a solid stance
- The dust collection on this is SOOOO much better than others I have seen and used...the amount of dust that needs to be picked up by a RAS type dust collector at the back of the saw in a miter station is greatly reduced...

One point about the saw: their is a heigh difference between the main table and the first left extension table...according to PC this is done for safety reasons, but I suspect that it is done because someone owns the patent on having the main table and the extension tables of a CMS coplanar (on the same plane)...this is not a problem however...when you attach the left most extension wing you can use a straight edge so it is coplanar with the main table...if you add the CMS to a Miter station, adjust the wings of the station so they are coplanar with the main table.

HTH

I actually bought this saw without trying or even seeing one up close. I researched all the saws out there and was trying to decide between the Makita 1220 and the P-C 3802. Both saws were highly rated and reviewed. But,the lasers clenched it for me. I have seen "Norm" use a laser saw on the New Yankee Workshop and I hoped that this saw would work as it appeared on TV. It does. After unpacking the saw, and attaching the table extension, I made some test cuts. The table and lasers were dead on out of the box. A lot of my cuts require that I line up the saw with a mark away from the blade. I used to "nibble" my way to the mark. Not anymore, the laser line accurately marks each edge of the kerf.
I had one concern with the saw. The cam lock on the table is so tight that the table actually moves when the lock engages. The local PC service center said that this is normal and will lessen with use. It doesn't seem to affect the cut. You only need to use it if you are in between detents.
Bottom line, I'm happy with my choice.

I eagerly awaited the arrival of this saw which took about 6 days. When it arrived I assembled the saw (easy assembly- about 20 minutes)and put it to work building a deck around our pool. This saw makes cutting angles an easy task!! Great power and easy to read gauge. The saw was accurate out of the box and needed no adjustment. The twin lasers were adjusted perfectly, and they definately make building a quicker and more enjoyable task. The laser is typically easy to see except in bright sunlight...on really bright days I had to pass my hand over the cut area to create shade to see the laser. The saw cut through 4X4 and 2X6 lumber like they were butter, and drew several positive comments from the guys that were helping me. I would highly recommend this saw to anyone. I would have given it 5 stars if the laser was visible in bright sunlight-but I guess to be fair, I don't know of anything that shows up well in the midday sun. Solid, heavy, well made...you'll enjoy the saw....

I looked at many different saws before purchasing this one. While most of the saws I looked at could do the job, I had a big concern with the way the trigger occassionaly pinched my fingers when engaging the blade of other saws. If you repeatedly engage the trigger using slight variations to your grip you may find the same problem I did. The grip on the saw is perfect, never a problem. The twin lasers also make cutting much easier. The cut they outline is dead-on. I did not buy the saw because of the laser feature, (I bought it for the grip remember)but now that I have it, I'm glad I do. I will never own a mitre saw again without the twin laser.

The construction of the saw is solid! Overall, a very good purchase I am glad I made.

I have been a remodeler/carpenter for twenty-five years,so I fully intend to use this miter saw almost daily. I was looking for dependability, consistant cut quality, and of course value. I really don't need a slider type or dual compound capability, perhaps if I had these functions I would grow to appreciate them too. The PC/Delta miter saw is not light weight, but it is very stable and the rubber pads on the feet make it more so. My first project was to make my version of the 2x4 saw table that the manual shows[the base is designed to sit in it], it has since cut a variety of trim. The saw needed no tweaking, I was satisfied with the accuracy out of the box. I had no trouble assembling the extension table and fence slide. The table rotated easily on mine but was stiff on a couple that I tried at stores. It is adjustable like almost every feature. With daily use the saw will need some adjusting as it wears from use and gets banged around in the van. One feature that is not common with the Delta is the bevel scale which is stainless steel on the PC and much easier to see for me. I had been using a Dewalt CMS and it gave me good service and is very worn now. I thought of going with another one, but I was intrigued by the dual laser thing. I am becoming more far sighted and it is getting harder to see in dimmly lit situations [like when you work under temporary lights and spotlights]. So I thought what the heck and gave it a try. I have found it helpful. I put a 80t Freud on her and she does a good job. By the way that 2x4 saw table works real good and is cheaper and lighter than the metal type[$10.00 in 2x4 material].
All in all I am very pleased. Its a battleship, rock solid construction. I think it will hold up to whats ahead. I was fortunate to find one at a closeout sale for the same price as the Delta. There seems to be about a fifty dollar difference between the two-is it fifty bucks more for the name or the color? One twist is that Delta gives a two year warrenty and PC one.
Thumbs up from Ohio!

The Miter Saw is just what I expected from a Porter cable product. Although a clamp to hold the short stock is not included. It is available.... You wont find it in the manual and I couldn't find it on-line. A phone call to Porter-Cable revealed there is one available. I found it difficult to hold the small stock in place without a clamp to make nice clean miter cuts as the surface is slippery.

I purchased the porter cable 12 inch twin laser in Feb of 2003. Easy to setup never even had to look at the directions. The laser's and the presets are dead on right out of the box. The reason I purchased this saw was to install crown molding around the ceiling in our dining room. I have never even messed with crown molding. With presets for both the mitre and bevel this saw made me look like a pro. The job turned out perfect. The ease of use for this saw is amazing. My wife wanted an octagon frame for a mirror. She cut the pieces herself. With its dead on accuarcy, prestes at 22.5 degrees, and ease of use this saw made it easy for her. Another job well done. My daughter who has never used one surprised me when she showed me some molding she had cut on it. The molding was small with fine scrollwork embedded in it. No chipping or splitting just perfect 45's all around. This saw has everything going for it. Either in the home shop or on the jobsite it can make an amatur look like a pro or a pro more productive.

Mainly used for cabinetry. On any other saw, pull the blade down to just above the material, then move it left and right. Note how much the blade moves on the material. Do this to this saw, and see the difference. If I were rough-framing, the DeWalt would be my choice, but not for my use. The rest of the features are pretty much immaterial - it just works.

I recently purchased this saw from Amazon and put it to the test. This saw came out in the end shining! Right from the start, the saw was easy to assemble right out of the box and the lasers were dead on right from the factory. The PC saw is much larger than the 12" DeWalt I was considering. The extension table is a nice feature as well. The only thing I wish is that Amazon carried the work clamp accessory that fits into the table on either side of the blade. I give this saw a full five stars partially because this saw and the Delta (same saw) are the only two saws that even have the laser option. Oh, I guess Craftsman offers the laser on their saws too. But since you are here reading this, you know why I pay no mention to the Playschool brand! To sum it up, this saw is built of high quality components and very easy to set up and use. Have no doubts in this saw.

This saw came out of the box true in all measurements......
Love the lazer......... takes all guess work and "try again" cuts out of life...... I have had the saw a month and have used it for woodworking projects, and general carpentry. I love it....
no complaints.....No problems.....
It isn't a big deal but like all saws, you need a better blade than that provided.... if you think it is what you need, buy it......You will be happy.