Anybody use a makita 5008fa saw?

I was lusting after the 5008 mga since my current makita wont cut a 2x4 through. I just found a makita 5008fa in a local pawnshop. It was in great shape but the blade wouldnt turn at all. I got it for 40.00. I took it home and removed the blade and the saw ran. I put the blade back on and no movement at all, just smoke . It turns out there is a spacer between the saw and the blade, it has a flat side and a stepped side. I reversed it and the saw now runs fine! It just barely fit the smart base. Its mounted and I used it on my powerbench to cut up the parts for my smart table. I cut down some 1x12 boards to 1x3's then trimmed them to 12". I was tempted to just cut them to size on the radial arm saw...I just set up my square blocks, marked a cutoff line on the boards, lined the line up with the bridge and sliced them up. nice and ez!
My Radial arm saw is now up for sale, I'm afraid I wont be able to sell my table saw but its only because its got sentimental value. Its an old sears craftsman 100 that belonged to both my grandfather and my dad.
Thanks Dino for a smarter safer way to work
Brian

Brian,

I had looked at the 5008FA a couple of times before I purchased the 5008MGA. That certainly sounds like a super price. I had one of the 5007fa's and it was a good saw. I've had 7 different Makita saws on the EZ ralls and they all performed well.

Enjoy.


Burt