I've given the Ex21 a shot

[JohnB]

G'day all,
I've given the new saw a bit of a test and these are my early findings.

It's quiet and I mean quiet. It's a bit hard to compare to "Old Yella" as she started to sound like a chaff cutter towards the end, but I'd say the EX21 is quieter.

It's smooth. The cutting that is, maybe not quite as fast as the Dewalt but like silk.

Vibration free - almost. Very little to no vibration, less then "Old Yella" and I thought she was smooth. There is a hint of vibration when the speed control is set between 3 and 4 o'clock.

Changing blades is easy, the same system as the Dewalt with the exception that the tensioning cam swings vertically rather than horizontal.
This presents my only concern at the moment, as the cam and arm are nylon. Maybe alright, but only time will tell.

BTW if you are trading up from a Dewalt, don't ditch your blade thumb screws as they are the same thread and should work with the EX.

The anvil set screws, that the blade is clamped against, turn easily, so I think I'll put some thread tight on them.

I cut some of my Alphabet cars out on it yesterday, they are cut from 45mm pine and they cut nicely. No hint of the blade bending and all cuts at 90o, neat.

I tightened a bolt at the rear, about a 1/4 turn and that was all that was requires to hold the arm up.

The blower works well, just like "Old Yellas' "

There is a bit more dust floating in the air, I think this is because the table does not protrude as far over the front of the machine as the Dewalts, thus dust tends to rise from underneath.

The table is sliiiiiiiick.

The other thing that impressed me was, straight out of the box she was ready to go, no assembly required

After plugging in and giving her some juice, you can settle down and unbolt the piece of ply the machine is bolted to for transport.

Now, as to whether, an EX-21 is worth the extra cash, on top of the Dewalt, I don't know. It's one of those things that time will tell.

I was impressed with "Old Yella" when I bought her, however very disappointed in her lifespan. If I hadn't had the trouble I had with her I probably would never have bought the new machine and I probably wouldn't be missing out on much.

As for a comparison, the saws are very simular, the EX-21 is finished better and has a higher quality look and feel.

After having the saw for only a few days' I'm happy and don't begrudge dropping the extra readies, well not much .

[minowevie]

Congrats John, I think, looks like your haveing a new jearny, with a new tool. or toy. not sure if your really injoying it. but maybe it will make do. looks like you are loyal to your old yellow. don't blame you . hope it will live up to, and maybe even surpase your old friend. awwww. what can I say. hope your great and creative sawing can continue. your friend Evie

[Wood Dog]

Ya don't sound convinced yet JohnB.....but your talent will over come any saw quirks/ bells & whistles / or problems. What ya got to show us cut on your new shop tool??????????????

[Mike Crosa]

Well I hope as time goes on you will grow to love your new saw. I know I have with my G4.

[JohnB]

Thanks for replying guys.
I'm sure I'll grow to love the saw and probably would never go backwards when the time comes for a replacement, which I hope is a long long long way away.

I'm not disappointed in it at all, it's just that when you go from a Delta to a Dewalt it's like stepping up from a push bike to a car. The Ex21 is just a better car, so not quite as much to get excited about.

Every new car is nice, what decides ones loyalty is the quality of build, distance between services and trouble free motoring. These only come after you have owned the car for awhile.

I also tried to make my comparisons very realistic, and tried not to sway people one way or the other, as It's their cash and they have to decide how they want to spend it.

I'd hate nothing worse than for someone to say " JohnB loved the EX and had only good to say about it, so I'll go and get one". Then they end up disappointed.

Lemons are also, always possibilities.
I don't think my Dewalt fell into this category, but maybe a Lime

I did a heap of research prior to buying it and found almost no criticism at all, only glowing comments.
I don't disbelieve the remarks, just that when people have strong loyalties some of the little bugs and vices are forgotten, and you don't want to look like a mug to your mates by talking something up, then admitting it was the wrong thing or not as good as you first bragged.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is that I'm trying to be brutally honest with my comparisons and finding.

Hope this makes sense.

[earlinjax]

I have never seen a EX but have owned a DeWalt. Is the EX prone to the same knocking problem the Dewalt had?

Hope it gives you a lot of cuts, John (in the timber).

Earl

[JohnB]

Originally Posted by earlinjax

I have never seen a EX but have owned a DeWalt. Is the EX prone to the same knocking problem the Dewalt had?

Hope it gives you a lot of cuts, John (in the timber).

Earl

G'day Earl,
I haven't come across that problem mentioned at all.

Actually when looking at the machine, it does not have the adjusting rod like the Dewalt, so the knocking shouldn't be able to happen.

Tightening the blade on the EX is done from the front, by means of a toggle that actually lifts the blade clamp, not the whole arm.

I'm starting to sound like a bloody expert on the Ex, I'm not, I've only had it for less than a week

I'm looking forward to doing some bevelled cuts as this looks like what the EX would excel at.