Hi, Cathy:
I have both the DeWalt and the Excalibur (21") and I love them both. However, I do have the 'older' (Type 1 motor) DeWalt, which was made a bit different than the new DeWalt saws are made today. My DeWalt weighs 13 lbs more than the newer DeWalt saws (they use cheaper materials now that are lighter in weight), and the company has changed hands a couple of times since I purchased my saw in about 1998.
I will give the plus sides for both saws, but keep in mind my DeWalt is an older model. You can still get them on Craig's list, or from private sales (Look for Type 1 on the motor) and you will probably be better off than getting a new one.
The Excalibur saws are beautiful precision machines. The ability to adjust the motor (See my partner Keith's article on it here on our site:
http://www.sheilalandrydesigns.com/articles/excalibur-tuning )
With the saw adjusted properly, there is very little front to back motion of the blade, making even the sharpest turns possible and allowing the least amount of chatter. You can easily perform micro-cutting on this machine with little problem, as there is also very little vibration.
Another consideration on the Excalibur that sold me was the tilting head. I like to make my candle trays and self-framing plaques, which require bevel cutting. While the DeWalt has a table that tilts, the HEAD (upper arm) of the Excalibur tilts, allowing your work piece to remain perfectly horizontal. This makes it far easier to work with and while you do get used to cutting with the piece angled on the DeWalt, I prefer the Excalibur for this reason.
One other consideration is the service. Excalibur has the best service record of any saw around (and I hear from LOTS of customers on this issue!) If you purchase a new DeWalt and you have problems with it (many do - I have heard many, many horror stories) the places that you purchased it from may be spotty with helping you after the sale. I know that there have been some circumstances where this wasn't the case, but for the most part, I hear the same thing over and over again from my customers - service from DeWalt is poor or non-existent. That is sad when you just plopped down about $500 USD for a tool. Most best-case issues are solved by the companies giving a new saw - although this doesn't happen often - and then it is once again hit or miss as to the integrity of the replacement machine.
On the GOOD side for the DeWalt - It is a great work horse saw and because of its slight front to back movement, can get you through cutting at a greater speed. I used mine yesterday to cut out 14 large Christmas trees and bases on 3/4" MDF and it sailed through it beautifully. I could have used my Excalibur, but I would have had to re-adjust the motor (as stated in the article) to allow it to cut more aggressive and I guess I was lazy and wanted to get the job done quickly, so I went to the DeWalt.
I also want to note that I did ONLY own the DeWalt until 2011 when I got my Excalibur and I was able to learn to do intricate cutting on it. It is not impossible, it is just easier on the Excalibur.
I purchased my Excalibur saw from Ray Seymour at Seyco (
www.seyco.com) even though I live in Canada. The reason being is that he is the known expert on the saw and his customer service is impeccable. Anyone here in this forum can attest to that. I always recommend you buy through him because I want him to stay in business a long, long time because he is so helpful on every aspect of the saw. You wouldn't think phone support could be so thorough, but with Ray, it is.
So the bottom line is this - If you like cutting detailed work, get the Excalibur - no contest. You will spend more initially, but both my partner Keith and I feel that the saw brought our skills up to new levels. It is that good!
If you cut larger, less detailed stuff and want to get through your pile quickly, get the DeWalt. But try hard to get an older, "Type 1" saw. The new ones are labeled "Type 2" and it is kind of a crap shoot as to whether you will get a good one or have headaches.
Sorry for the long recommendation. But these are things I really believe.
Good luck on your purchase. Let us know what you choose.
Sheila
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