The wife has finally given in and will be allowing me to get a table saw in the near future (birthday or Xmas). I really dont know what to look for in a table saw, but I do know the following:

1. Looking for a good quality product at a decent price. Under $300-$400 if possible.
2. I used my father in laws Ryobi and it sucks.
3. Sturdy stand would be good, and wheels are nice.
4. Good support structure for repairs if neccesary.

Appreciate any help.

I dont think you can find a good table saw for the price you are setting. I'd look into something used.

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iaJim
I dont think you can find a good table saw for the price you are setting. I'd look into something used.

Really? I figured $300-$400 would get me something decent considering my Pop In Laws Ryobi was like $170. Hmm...I really wanted new (warranty and such).

This will likely be my next table saw when my $90.00 Delta pos dies:

[www.lowes.com]

Why did you choose that one, just out of curiousity? What features make this the right saw and what will you be using it for?

Try here: $95.00 all the way to $9,995.00.

[www.grizzly.com]

I have a Jet 10" table saw that I like a lot. I think I paid around $500 a couple of years ago. It's not the best, but I had been using cheap, crappy saws for years and this Jet is a real pleasure in comparison.

Don't underestimate the value of used saws. Good ones will last a lifetime, and I suspect the time actually used is only a little better than most treadmill's. A lot of people will buy a saw, build something, then it becomes just another table in the garage to stack stuff on until it's time to move (or use the space for something else). A used $500-1000 saw will make you much happier than a new $300 saw (and may actually cost you less).

Keep your eye open for estate sales. When my friend's husband died a while back, she sold off all of the tools in his wood shop. Most of his were quite new and in good condition, and my son got an extremely nice lathe for only $100. My son also is still using an old Craftsman table saw that belonged to my dad, who died in 1986. It was a good saw to begin with, and it is probably at least 30 years old by now but still going strong.

A good used saw with a cast iron table, belt drive for less blade vibration and above all a good fence. A Delta UniFence (mine) or a Biesemeyer fence are two that come to mind. Nothing beats a good blade that is SHARP. My blades run between $60 and $100 alone, but I can re-sharpen them many times. Most saws under $400 are fine for weekend projects, but a good saw requires less re-calibration and easier and better cuts for detailed projects and/furniture. They also will last a lifetime. That's why good used saws have been recommended. My Delta is over 30 years old and used for light shop work with only a new switch needed. $18 I think

Ditto the used saw posts. Why do you need a warranty? After all, a table saw is just a table, fence, motor, switch and belt, all easily replaceable if they break , and most of them last for decades. Leave the warranties for inherently unfixable items like iPods and laptops.

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Hmm...never considered the ease of replacing parts myself.

So used seems to be the consensus here. I'll keep my out for estate sales and craigslist and see what I find. Thanks all!

So - contractor's saw? Portable saw?

Used is okay if you find a good to very good saw, however burned out motors can be very expensive and bent saws will never run true. A bad saw is a nightmare, just be careful.
It is a very competitive market in the $500-$600 price range for contractor's saws. Less expensive saws are often portable saws like the one Harry links to at Lowes. Some companies offer refurbs - I know Delta does this. Check for sales/closeouts at woodworking stores, check for used saws at the same stores - people are often changing saws for one reason or another.

This one will save your fingers: [www.sawstop.com]

Looks like you missed this one:
[cgi.ebay.com]

That's an awesome shop full of awesome equipment. The edge sander awesome.

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Grateful11

Hmm...I looked on Craigslist and found some.

What do you guys think of these:

[allentown.craigslist.org]

[philadelphia.craigslist.org]

It really depends on what you intend to do with it as well as where.

Are you taking up woodworking or just using it for general homeowner stuff ?

I've owned a couple over the years - a Delta contractors saw (forget exact model number)
and a few others - but the workhorse is my Makita 2708 (yje original portable) that is well over 25 years old now.

I have used it extensively for remodeling work and even built some furniture but i you were going that direction
and didn't need the portability then a contractors saw would be better. The old cast iron Craftsman
and Deltas can be found for a few hundred bucks

If you are going portable (like me) I like the Dewalt and Bosch models (Makita too) and they tend to get good reviews.

My neighbor has a Bosch and i have to say there are a lot of convenience features (pull out out feed supports etc ...)

If you can fit it in the budget and want something that gives you the best of both worlds
(portability and semi-precision) try to work a Rousseau stand into the mix
[www.rousseauco.com]

They are not cheap - as much as the saw itself , but it will give you more room, and the ability to
add a better fence and out feed table options

First decide what and how you will use it and the start reading reviews (Fine Homebuilding etc ...)

Fence alignment and accuracy are main items to consider as well as ability to adjust or even replace.

Also figure that the blade you get with any of them is going to be marginal (or junk) so add
another $100 to the purchase price to buy a couple good blades and a fre extras like featherboards
unless you want to make them yourself

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Right now I am wanting to do basic stuff like window jams of various widths. Thats the main focus for now, but it will change as I get more skilled, I would like to start trying to make some built-in bookshelves for the family room as well. I dont plan on being Norm Abrahms, but I would like be able to work on my skills.

That one Sears on Craigslist has the absolute worst fence of any large saw ever made.
I used to have that same fence.

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Grateful11

Do you want / need portability or do you have the room for a permeant set up ?

If you have shop space and don't need to move it I would look at a a good basic Delta or similar
and look at an upgrade fence (UniFence, Biesemeyer etc...)

Maybe shop the fence first and see what the common fit saws are .... and good blades

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I would like some portability. I can always get a mobile base like this [www.grizzly.com] .

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Stavs
I would like some portability. I can always get a mobile base like this [www.grizzly.com] .

No I meant portability as in picking it up and taking it to a different site

I end up doing a lot of remodel work for my moms house (did a kitchen and two baths in the last 5 years)
and rebuilt a porch for my uncle as well as various projects for my many sisters and their
husbands have helped me on various projects in kind (worked on a laudry room remodel today)

Wheeling around the shop is one thing and good if you have limited space but if you are going out
"on location" you need something in the way of a portable saw. If your needs are modest
and doing homeowner stuff the portables are convenient even if it's a matter of hauling the saw
to the second floor to cut trim or what not

Think about how you will use it first and then start narrowing in

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I dont see myself moving it around, but I guess I do se it being borrowed every now and then.

The second saw (the Rigid) is a pretty good one, it has a mobile base. It probably weighs about 250lbs, so you won't be loading it in your car very often. I'm sure there are some reviews of this saw online.
Grateful is right about the fence on the first one, don't go near it.

I have a Delta 10" contractor saw. Stock fence. I added an outfeed table and a left side table that doubles as a router table, making it a poor man's shaper. Tese also let me handle sheet goods safely by myself.

The saw is very accurate. I can cut to within 1/32" easily.

I lso agree that good blades are a requirement.

Also, make yourself a good panel cutter.

And learn good technique to be safe and accurate. Get a good book. Watch a buch of New Yankee Workshop. Or sume such.

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Don't ask who the bell's for, dude. It's you.

I have a Ryobi BT3000 - it's not the $179 one that sucks, it's a great saw, with many fans (and websites devoted to it) that has a sliding table, as well as many other attachments. I beleieve that the current one is the 3100.

Cuts smoothly, very precise, a great saw (IMO).

Cary

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Cary
I have a Ryobi BT3000 - it's not the $179 one that sucks, it's a great saw, with many fans.
Cary

Great. A table saw that sounds like a Quicksilver G4!

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Don't ask who the bell's for, dude. It's you.

>
>Also, make yourself a good panel cutter.
>

Absolutely - here is a simple one

[www.cabinetmaking.com]

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Quote
lafinfil
>
>Also, make yourself a good panel cutter.
>

Absolutely - here is a simple one

[www.cabinetmaking.com]

Stupid question...what will a panel cutter do for me? Keep in mind I am relatively new to table saw usage and my only experience with these is rippng down plywood.

They are handy for a number of things - think of it as a big extension of your miter gauge

It will allow you to cut down panels without relying on the fence to guide the cut which cn be dangerous.

Say you have a piece of plywood that's 24"x36" and you want to take a couple inches off.
The inclination is to set your fence for the amount of material you want to cut off and use the fence as a guide.

The problem is that if the panel binds against the fence (and it probably will) it can kick the material back
and injure you pretty good. (also never stand directly behind the work)

A miter gauge is too small to use on sheet goods so your best bet is a panel cutting jig.
Mark your cut line and lay the material on the panel cutter - it will be 90 degrees to the blade
and travel freely so there won't be any binding - hope that make sense.

Personally if I am cutting sheet goods down from a size larger that the table I use another cross cut jig
with a circular saw and then do the finish cuts on a table saw - much safer

Buy good blades and use the proper accessories - push sticks, feather boards etc ... and you'll save you hands

Here's some good info here too to start you out [www.newwoodworker.com]

The table saw is a wonderful tool but it is unforgiving if you slip up so learn to do it right the first time.
My dad and brother-in-law both ended up with damaged thumbs from table saws.

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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 09/03/2007 08:59PM by lafinfil.

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sscutchen

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Cary
I have a Ryobi BT3000 - it's not the $179 one that sucks, it's a great saw, with many fans.
Cary

Great. A table saw that sounds like a Quicksilver G4!

LOLOL

Cary

Quote
lafinfil
T

Here's some good info here too to start you out [www.newwoodworker.com]

That was a pretty good link. Lots of good stuff.

I have been reading some reviews, and if I dont go with a used one, I think this might fit the bill for me: [www.homedepot.com]

I've seen a lot of stuff on the Ryobi BT3XXX but thats discontinued , although there is a $450 craftsman version with the portable stand.

Lots of research to do I guess.

If you are interested in some additional info check out the July 2006 issue (#180) of Find Home Building

There is a very comprehensive article on table saw usage there. (back issues are available)
Also in 2005 or so they did a review / comparison of portable saws under $600 (Porter Cable and Bosch did pretty well)

It might be worth joining online for a year ($40) and downloading a bunch of the articles

[www.taunton.com]

Example - available to online members

[www.taunton.com]
[www.taunton.com]

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