Table Saw Rec?

[C6H12O6]

I have the cheaper Delta they sell at Home Cheapo. I built a really cool rolling cabinet that allows it to be slid under my bench, then pulled out into the garage. It is just barely adequate. The accuracy is horrible, the arbor moves too much for anything very precise, the fence is nearly worthless, the motor is too weak to cut hard woods, and the accessories it comes with are a joke. I just use it for basic around-the-house stuff, so super accuracy isn't really a big deal, but after ruining more than one cut after spending 5 minutes adjusting the fence and re-measuring everything, I know better than to attempt anything that needs to be perfect.

If you have the room and you want to be doing any kind of finish-grade cabinetry or furniture with it, get a non-portable model and spend the money on a great fence. You could easily spend your budget on a good fence alone, so maybe buy a saw that you could grow into and add a fancy fence to later if you develop the skills and need to be really accurate.

If you must stay with a smaller contractor-type saw, the advice above about a cast top, decent fence, powerful motor, etc. are all great tips. I have a Bosch hard-on for most of my smaller power tools (drill, miter saw, jig saw, etc.), but I haven't played with their table saws much. They've never done me wrong, though.

My dad has a kick ass Jet full size saw that I borrow for anything that needs to be perfect.

 

[lcruzrlvr]

I've had several saws over the years... but this is the best for the $$... it's so smooth running

I have the same table - the right side is movable and I have mounted my to it - convenient.

Pretty good value for a reasonable buck. At $150 used - it would be a fantastic find.

Troy

 

[Johnnymiz]

I had a cheap Delta from Home Depot. worst money I ever spent...$300-400 wasted. horrible accuracy and the wimpy motor died after a year. got a powermatic contractor saw (model 64) with the Accu-fence(similar to Biesmeyer on delta). What a difference! cast iron top, cast iron trunnion (it's very rigid...very important), 110/220 motor (never bogs down), amazing accuracy. costs more, but it's worth it. the higher end delta/grizzly/jet stuff should be similar.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I have always been happy with my Craftsman Contractor Table saw. Cast steel extension tables and a lot of attention to setting it up gave me very good accuracy. The extra weight of the cast steel extension tables helps eliminate vibration. And I spent many hours tweaking the set up to get repeatable cuts. If I was working wood for a living I would probably make anothe choice, but for the weekend warrior type of stuff I do the Craftsman is fine.

One thing that helped me a lot was building my shop bench the same height as the top of the saw table. I can easily rip a 4'X8' sheet alone because the bench acted as an outfeed table.

If I was to get back into wood working the first thing I would do is upgrade the fence. The fence's that most saws come with are crap, you waste a lot of time making sure the fence is square to the blade.

 

[Junk]

So what's the difference between a table saw and a tilting arbor saw? Looks the same to me but there has to be a difference right?

 

[Johnnymiz]

contractor saw is a table saw.....trunion attaches to the cast iron table with motor out the back....can cause a slight lack of parallelism to the fence when the blade is tilted.
tilting arbor saw is a cabinet (expensive) saw like a delta unisaw or powermatic model 66. trunion is attached to the cabinet with motor out the side. very accurate when tilting. bigger, beefier, better.

 

[jccruiser78]

table saw rec

Go with the Bosch-I am a profesional carpenter,it is the best portable that is around

 

[john_eckels]

I build furniture for a hobby. Attached is most recent project. The bottom section of this secretary was built last year (this is why the cherry is darker) and I finished the top section a little while ago. I also included a dovetail blanket chest. I have a 1949 Delta cabinet saw with a Beismeyer fence. My advice is to get the Ryobi BT3000 unless you are willing to spend $1200+ on a good cabinet saw. The dowside fo the Ryobi is the obnoxious motor noise, like a circular saw. The sliding talbe and fence system allow you to do decent miters too. Not quite as good as a miter saw though. With this unit, you can get the functionality of a table saw and a miter saw in one unit.

 

[Ryan S.]

The portable Rigid that Home Depot sells has been a good saw for me. I also had a gift card there. The cart is sturdy and easy to set up/take down. The table expands to rip about 26". As long as I keep a sharp blade, the have been no problems; it can rip a 4x4.

 

[beaufort-fj60]

Any advice? Thanks!

keep the fingers you want away from the blade.

 

[Junk]

I build furniture for a hobby. Attached is most recent project. The bottom section of this secretary was built last year (this is why the cherry is darker) and I finished the top section a little while ago. I also included a dovetail blanket chest. I have a 1949 Delta cabinet saw with a Beismeyer fence. My advice is to get the Ryobi BT3000 unless you are willing to spend $1200+ on a good cabinet saw. The dowside fo the Ryobi is the obnoxious motor noise, like a circular saw. The sliding talbe and fence system allow you to do decent miters too. Not quite as good as a miter saw though. With this unit, you can get the functionality of a table saw and a miter saw in one unit.

Dude, that blanket chest looks awesome.

 

[john_eckels]

Plans can be had here
http://www.woodsmith.com/plans/blanket-chest/

I built my wife one out of curly cherry (rare and expensive stock) and it is really nice. Purged the pics from my computer otherwise I would show it off. Its a nice project and it realy not too dificult. If you dont want to get into the dovetails, just miter the corners. If you are interested PM me with your email address and I can send you the PDF with the plans

 

[Junk]

Plans can be had here
http://www.woodsmith.com/plans/blanket-chest/

Yeah, but where does one purchase the skills? Looks great but no way could I make anything like that. I am great at making saw dust.

 

[flem0061]

Saw

I picked up a used Grizzly for $225 four years ago. It's a wonderful saw. It has been quite a workhorse as we've been restoring our little turn of the century house. I've also taken on the hobby of building furniture since then. I've run just about everything through it and am on blade number 10.

You won't be disappointed in the Grizz.

 

[Junk]

Mossman, just paid for a late '40's delta unisaw. Won't actually get it in the garage for a few months, but got it for under your budget and the thing should last forever. Yeah, it's 3 phase, but I already have 2 phase converters in the garage for the mill and lathe anyway. He's got a few more of them (cabinet shop), so let me know if you want his info.

 

[tltaylor22]

I've got the ryobi bt3000 and have liked it well enough. It will struggle a little on ripping 2x material, but I've cut probably 500 sheets of 1/2" mdf into 9" strips, wifes business stuff, with it with no ill effects. Not a bad saw.

 

[Jason YY]

I have rigid portable unit that home depot sells. I have had it for 3 years built fences, decks, kitchens bath rooms. Its a great portable saw easy to store when not in use. Fence is good. I don't know what else to say.

If it and the Bosch saw were the same price I would have bought the Bosch. But at the time the rigid was 200.00 less 499.00 on sale
Jason

 

[reffug]

If your contemplating building furniture of quality a contractor grade saw will not cut it. Its just not made for that type of work. The delta X5 is an excellent option IMO.

 

[Junk]

IMO.

Which doesn't count for much

 

[nikos8]

Go with the bosch. I have one and I think the only other contractor saw better is a dewalt model for a lot more money. The bosch will get you where you are going.