Elmbonsai

Hello everyone,
I have been searching for a decent cheap "starter" table saw and all I have found is junk.
I need a saw that is small, because I do not have much space but I would like to saw large enough to accept jigs and a cross cut sled.

I recently bought a Skil table saw at a big box store that was having a sale. I couldn't get the blade to true at 90 degrees, I had to force it and then make the measurement and lock the blade angle. As soon as the saw started the vibration caused the lock to jiggle and the blade moved, making my cut angle off and ruining my cut.
I was cutting a larger board down to size and I chose to make gradual cuts so I wouldn't bog the blade down. Even after allowing the blade to rest at it's "natural 90 degrees" it wobbled making my multiple passes look horrible.

There are many saws available and I only have experience with my bargin saw. Either the accuracy of the saw is questionable or the "features" make the saw only usable to people who use strong ties. No offence to anyone who uses them, but if I was looking for only "generally straight" cuts then I would have bought a circular saw, which is what my table saw feels like.

I want to make boxes and you can't have generally straight cuts with finger joints and miters. I was thinking of just scraping the whole table saw idea and going with a router table but I would like to cut larger boards down to size and having never used a router table I am not sure if you can do this.

I was thinking of getting the Jet contractor saw offered by Rockler but after reading the reviews and finding out that the miter guides are the "new improved" type I am rethinking this decision.

Thanks everyone for reading my story and I look forward to your suggestions, I am truly at a loss and I don't want to spend a bunch of money on something that will just sit in the garage because I cannot use it.

knotscott

It'd be helpful to know what model Jet you are looking at and what your budget is. I agree that saws like the Skil, B&D, Tradesman, some entry level Hitachi, Craftsman, Delta, and Ryobi saws aren't easy to work with...hope you returned that one. It's better to go with a full size cast iron saw with a belt drive induction motor if you can find one within budget.

Elmbonsai

Hello KnotScott,

Thanks for the reply!

Ok, I am going to sound like I want everything here,
My budget is preferably less than $300 but it looks like I am going to have to go into the $500-1000 level.
I would like to stay in my current $80 range but I also would like to keep all my fingers.
If I had the room, I would drop the coin for a proper cast iron table saw but I am limited on space and I need the biggest bang for my buck.

The Jet is Rockler item number: 708315LSB
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19766
By the tone of the two reviews on Rockler I was expecting someone to say outright "don't buy this saw."

I am looking into the DeWalt (yellow B&D) DW745
http://www.coastaltool.com/a/dewalt/dw745.htm

These are supposed to be "finishing" saws.

I also like the fact that the miter guides are standard size and not the "short bus" guides.

The first thing I thought when I picked up the 2oz. miter gauge that came with my saw was "I'm gonna need to get a new one of these."
But I can't!

Also does anybody know of any plans to make a cross cut sled that only involve a table saw?
Some of the plans I have seen have you using a router and a drill press which makes little sense to me.

Thanks again KnotScott, I hope I have't narrowed the field too much.

rrbrown

Hi there Elmbonsai

OK your right it sounds like you want everything.
Really though from what it sounds like you want to do with this table saw you probably will need to spend more then $300 and probably in your $500-$1000 range unless you look for a clearance sale or maybe a used saw. Me personally I would stay away from the 2 you listed especially if you have to pay $95.00 shipping like the rockler saw. If you are limited on space then you don't want the contractor saw ( motor hangs off the back) You would do better with a jobsite saw or maybe even a Hybrid.

My wife works at sears and I go eat lunch with her a few times a month. I usually look at the tools why I wait for her to clock out. Hence the reason I have allot of tools that were bought on very good clearance sales. My point is I have seen $650 Dewalt and Hitachi saws for like $300 and the Craftsman professional hybrid saw for $700. This Craftsman saw list for $799.00 but you might find it for $500 on a clearance. The Rigid Hybrid style saws have some good reviews and are reasonably priced if you can actually find one. I don't care for the granite top but others love it. The economy being like it is allows you to find good deals if you look and these saws are heavy and powerful enough to do a good job. If you want a jobsite saw try and find a clearance like I mentioned on the Dewalt and Hitachi saws for half price, you spend the same amount of money as the ones you listed but get a much better saw.

Hey I recently saved $400 on a $579 joiner
$300 on a $350 Dewalt router combo
$200 on a $300 Dewalt Saw/Drill Combo

So look for sales and even used saws but try and get something that has enough weight and power unless you plan on dragging it to different jobs.

__________________
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Richard

Once A Marine Always A Marine.

Some choose to study history, but Marines choose to create history.

knotscott

A good used saw is probably going to be your best bet. $300 buys a pretty nice used saw. A decent used saw will still be worth what you paid later on so there's little financial downside.

That Jet 708315 is pretty small...it's only 18" deep total and weighs 72#. The working depth in front of the blade on that saw is going to be just a few inches. At 72# it'll be easy to move...whether you want it to or not , meaning it'll move when your cutting. It's possibly a better example of this class of saw that the Skil, Tradesman, etc., but it's still an entry level benchtop type saw with legs intended for Joe homeowner...a class of saw I'd advise to avoid for woodworking if you can. The DW745 is a portable jobsite saw, and isn't too much bigger than the Jet but is a bit more robust. Other portable jobsite saws like the Ridgid TS2400/2410, DW744, or Bosch 4100 are good examples of portable jobsite saws that you'll actually see being used on jobsites. They're still small, and loud, and don't have the features or the size of a full size saw but are capable of decent work.

The entry level class of hybrid saws like the Jet 708100, Hitachi C10FL, Ridgid R4511, and Craftsman 22114 are 27" deep with belt drive induction motors that are housed inside the enclosure so they take up a bit less space than the traditional contractors saw with the motor hanging out the back, which adds 12" to 13" in the back. There's close to 17" operating room between the front of one of these saws and the center of the blade, and they're much more stable at ~ 250-300#. They're more than $300 new, but sometimes drop into the $400's on sale, and are definitely within range used.

This article might help explain what your get and what you give up by changing saw classifications. The Right Table Saw for Your Shop

scott_03874

Even though you are only building boxes you are doing very precice cuts. The Skill saw you mentioned is anemic at best in that environment. I just purchased a hitachi table saw / contractrors saw to replace my Sears 10 inch table top saw.

It has a stand that comes with it complete with wheels which makes moving it around your shop pretty helpful. It folds up beautifuly and opens up the same.

It has a decent powered motor and the vibrations is not over the top. It has build in holders for the fence and miter. Very hand to have and you always know right where they are lol. May not be a big deal for all of you out there, but i have CRS cant remember chit lol

The only think about the saw that is proplematic is the handle that you lock down for the fence. you cant put in a piece of wood as a template to cut the same width. the handle in the up position interferes with the wood if it is long enuff to reach the end of the saw nearest to you.

This is something that i do a lot and find it a pain in the azz. Other than that the saw is realy nice and very portable.

jdixon

Remember Craigslist can be your friend. There are alot of good deals out there that would be nice saws in your budget. You have to keep your eyes open and be ready to pounce when one comes along.

John

bradleywellsoff

I have a 10" Ridgid I've been thinking of getting rid of. Got a new Powermatic, now the ridgid is just sitting. It's compared to a TS3660, not exactly sure thats the model # though as it's about 5 or 6 years old. It's in great shape, comes with the stand, fence and miter gauge (if I can find it), and it's cheap. $400 So if you live near Bishopville, Md., could be something to consider.

dbhost

Emmerson built Craftsman and Ridgid saws (the gray ones) are VERY highly regarded saws for their class, and are generally found in the $150.00 range (needs some elbow grease to clean up the rust and tune it up) to a high of $350.00 (Absolutely perfect condition and loaded with upgraded fence / miter gague etc...). At least that is what I see them for in the Houston Metro area, your mileage may vary where you live...

If you are going to consider Ryobi PLEASE only consider the BT3x00 series saws. And even then you need to make sure you get one with the miter tables for the jigs you are talking about. The BT3x00 (BT3000, BT300SX, BT3100, BT3100-1 etc...) saws are another well regarded saw for their class. (They are no longer offered in the U.S. under the Ryobi name, but can be had as the Craftsman 21829).

You mentioned space being cramped. For your own sanity, please steer clear of Benchtop saws. Like your Skil, the current Ryobi offerings, the B&D offerings, or even the little Delta benchtop saw. They simply are too small, and lack the accuracy you want.

You might consider a quality job site saw instead, like a Bosch 4000 or similar.

__________________
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mike65072

I have a small shop and after much deliberation I chose the Ridgid TS2400LS. While it is a portable saw the table is not much smaller than many contractor saws. The stand is very sturdy and the saw moves easily around my shop. The table has 2 T miter slots and the fence is very good. The miter gauge is average, so I added an Incra 1000 in its place. With a thin kerf Freud blade, this saw has handled everything I've thrown at it. Dust collection is not the best, but not bad either. With a 10% coupon, this saw goes for around $400....and it has the lifetime service agreement. Good luck, Mike