What kind of table saw is right for me? - Woodworking Talk

jdp8402 · 06-30-2009, 03:18 AM

I'm Looking for a table saw and don't really know what to get. I only have 110v. in my garage, but is there a saw that can be wired for 110 or 220 for future growth. I haven't done any kind of woodworking since highschool, but loved it and want to get back to it. I need some guidanceon what to get or to look for. Any advice or help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Jeff

GeorgeC · 06-30-2009, 07:24 AM

There are saws with motors that are capable of being wired for either 110v or 220v. Are you interested in long distance ordering or "buying off the shelf" locally. If you want to go locally just go to the stores and ask about the saws.

Of course 220v is not absolutely necessary now or in the future. There are many, many of us that only have 110v saws and have no need to change. The 220v motor comes into its own when you are doing heavy duty sawing on a production basis. If your future looks like mostly hobby work I would not even be concerned with the voltage. Of course if your shop is already wired for 220v then it makes it easier to go that way.

g

ACP · 06-30-2009, 08:34 AM

This is an often asked question. A lot of the answer you must provide yoruself. How much room do you have, how much are you going to spend, do you require mobility or is it going to set in one place till it dies? Lots of variables to look at. Is it inside your house or in a separate building (b/c dust collection is important anywhere, but especially inside your home).

woodnthings · 06-30-2009, 09:33 AM

Since you said were just getting back into this, start with a "budget" either for your dream shop in total, or one tool at a time. You know it doesn't just end with one tool, right? I would go online to www.grizzly.com and look at all their equipment to get an idea of types and prices. You can do a lot with a tablesaw, bandsaw and router. A jointer and planer can come later. Tablesaws last a lifetime so any investment made now will be with you a long time, so make it the very best you can. I own Craftsman, Powermatic, Mini-max, and Grizzly in order of their acquisition. I started with Craftsman 50 yrs ago and still have every tool I bought since then except one TS and I "retired" that one. They made good tools back then and their upper lines are good today. A used Craftsman TS with the motor out the back is a reasonable tool to start with but collecting the dust will be a problem with the motor exposed. The fences aren't great, but on a low end budget the're reasonable. You can search local papers and craigslist in your area for Craftsman, Delta, Rigid, and others. I hear both good and bad about the new granite TS top. I hear good things about Steel City also which also offer granite tops. For portability in a garage, weight may be an issue without roller stands. I think Grizzly is the best buy for the money today. I just bought a new 19 " bandsaw, and it is awesome! Dust collection is vital to your health, so you should think about that now. Tablesaws and bandsaws make lots of "dust", planers and jointers make lots of chips. There is a difference and you collect them slightly differently. A "whole room" air filtration unit can be built from a furnace blower with pleated filters or as a complete unit for around $300. Penn State Industries is a place to look. as well as Grizzly. Well. that should get you thinking!

bill

jdp8402 · 06-30-2009, 12:34 PM

I want to get into furniture making. I guess I shold have been more specific with my questions. Can any one tell me the difference between a unisaw and a hybrid? What is the difference (or benefit) between a left hand tilt blade and a right? What kind of fence does a peson want? I was looking at Deltas, you can get them with a T2, Unifence or a Biesemeyer. Are Deltas even good saws? If I wanna build furniture am I better off with a cabinet style as compared to a portable saw? I don't want to spend $3000, but I also don't want a cheap one that won't do what I need it to. I would be willing to spend up $1500 right now but would like to keep it around a $1000. Is that possible?

woodnthings · 06-30-2009, 01:15 PM

Like I said go to Grizzly and you will see a great saw for about $1075.00. You don't really want a portable, nor a hybrid, but a cabinet saw 3 hp min for serious furniture making. Biesemeyer is a great fence, I have 2, and a Delta Unifence which is also good but doesn't automatically go to square like a Biesemeyer. Left tilts are the industry standard, for good reasons. A 220v 20 amp circuit should cost under $100 to install. Let us know what you think.

bill
http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-L...e-Saw/G1023SLW
This saw has the built in router table!

rrbrown · 06-30-2009, 04:36 PM

Ok Bill nice choice for a saw and I like what you said about a budget for his shop. You seem to have left out the part about doubling the budget or as in my case adding a little extra even after doubling it. I've heard it on here many times "you can never have to many tools".

woodnthings · 06-30-2009, 04:58 PM

Sometimes you even end up doubling some of your tools!

bill
Twin engine 84" span Craftsman tablesaw(s)

The overarm dust collector sucks up just as much dust as the $400 ones. There are dust collection ports off the bottom for collecting the "chips" with the 1 1/2 HP Jet Dust Dog operated by handheld remote. The shop vac on the overarm is operated by the remote on the fence.Edit Picture
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rrbrown · 06-30-2009, 07:32 PM

Ok stop showing off Bill.

woodnthings · 06-30-2009, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrbrown

Ok stop showing off Bill.

You mean I should have posted under Show and Tell?

bill

ACP · 06-30-2009, 11:30 PM

Can any one tell me the difference between a unisaw and a hybrid? What is the difference (or benefit) between a left hand tilt blade and a right? What kind of fence does a peson want? I was looking at Deltas, you can get them with a T2, Unifence or a Biesemeyer. Are Deltas even good saws? If I wanna build furniture am I better off with a cabinet style as compared to a portable saw? I don't want to spend $3000, but I also don't want a cheap one that won't do what I need it to. I would be willing to spend up $1500 right now but would like to keep it around a $1000. Is that possible?

Lets see, unisaws are a delta model of saw, hybrids are a class of saw. Hybrids are usually 1 1/2 to 2 HP saws with enclosed cabinets for better dust control. They are similar to cabinet style saws but have less power and mass generally. They are superior to contrtactor styles in footprint, dust collection, and usually mass. Left tilts have the blade arbor on the left and it is more natural for a right handed user. Right tilts are opposite. When you angle your blade on a right tilt it tilts, well, right, which is toward the fence usually. Most folks use left tilts, but it is personal preference. Delta makes good stuff and junk too. I agree that Grizzly probably has a superior product for the price. You will get a lot more with them. You certainly won't be getting a new unisaw for 1000-1500 dollars. And lastly, yes, the cabinet style would be superior to a jobsite saw. I own a contractor saw, the Ridgid 3660 which I really like. It fit my meager budget and I am happy with it. I have no problems doing what I want to do, but I do notice it lacks things that cabinets have. Someday I will upgrade to a bigger cabinet saw, but I have no problems making things now. Hope that helps a bit. Google search saws or hit up the library and you are sure to find a wealth of info to study that will help your decision and make your new hobby safer when you do start. I don't know when you were in high school, but if it is like a lot of people on this site technology has changed a bit.

knotscott · 07-01-2009, 09:43 AM

The Right Table Saw for Your Shop (...a good read on picking a saw)

The difference between a cabinet saw (Unisaw) and a hybrid? A hybrid and cabinet saw look fairly similar from above and will both make good cuts, but an industrial cabinet saw is simply more substantial, heavier duty, more powerful, more stable, with excellent reliability....note they also require 220v. If you're limited to 120v, a hybrid is a great choice, but if you can swing 220v, a cabinet saw has all the advantages.

A pic is worth 1000 words...

Here's the guts of a Grizzly G0478 hybrid saw ($944 shipped):

Here's the guts of a Grizzly G1023SL industrial style cabinet saw for $1075 shipped (a bit less prestigious, but similar to a Unisaw).

DPJeansonne · 07-01-2009, 02:47 PM

I agree with the Grizzlys being a great value for the money. If you can afford the 1023sl and provide the 220v source then I would recommend it.
I went the hybrid route with a Craftsman 22214 and am satisfied but today I would buy the Grizzly 1023 for so close to the money. But the Craftsman is made by Orion with a Biesemeyer fence which I believe is the best fence around.