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Looking to get first table saw!

4K views 50 replies 13 participants last post by  Parkerdog 
#1 ·
Hi everyone! First post here on woodworking talk. I am looking to take up wood working as a hobby. Currently I have the following:
- Ryobi circular saw
- Ryobi jigsaw
- 12" Dewalt miter saw
- Makita palm sander
- Dewalt 18v cordless drill

I am looking to get some additional stuff in the near future. The first item being a decent table saw. Here are a couple of links (actaully a few) from craigslist that I was looking at. What do you think, and what other advice would you give? Im not looking to spend a lot, but these days I definitely only want to buy once.

http://baltimore.craigslist.org/bar/4270270225.html
http://york.craigslist.org/tls/4266215543.html
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/4203555766.html
http://lancaster.craigslist.org/tls/4260165375.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4272114076.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4246458185.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4262496880.html
http://philadelphia.craigslist.org/tls/4269031091.html
http://york.craigslist.org/for/4217292066.html

Also was thinking aobut trying to find a router and drill press. I assuming most of you would choose the router first? When buying a router, is it necessary to get a plunge or is a fixed base just fine?

Thanks for the help.
 
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#2 ·
Wow, just about all of those are over priced.

The Bosch is going to be a portable jobsite saw. The Delta is a brand new model that just hit the market so little is known about it. I havnt checked prices but Im guessing he is asking right about what he paid for it at Lowes. If you wanna take a chance on that model, Id go look at one still in the box that comes with a warranty. Of the others listed, IMO the best bangs for your buck is probably the second Ridgid saw listed for 250 and I dunno that I would pay more than 200 for it and possibly the Grizzly allthough Im not real familiar with any of thier contractor saws.
 
#3 ·
The ridgid model for 250 is a pretty decent deal. The older delta needs more info....being that it has a 48 inch side table, it may well have a bisermeyer fence which would make 300 bucks a good deal. The new delta is 600 plus tax new....so your getting 125+ dollars off for what he says is a new saw....I'd offer 450 for it if you want the benefit of a new saw.

Some real decent possibilities in your list.
 
#5 ·
Of those saws, I'd lean toward one of the Ridgids or the similar Craftsman....they have better fences than most. I'd offer less than asking price for all of those though. The Delta 2000 is worth asking what fence is on it, or getting a better pic that shows the fence. The other older Delta or that Grizzly could be decent saws with a fence upgrade, but that'd push the total cost sky high. I'd hold off on the new Delta until more is known. I'd skip the Bosch unless you absolutely need portability.
 
#13 ·
When new, that was a decent ~ $600 saw, good ~$125 router, ~$90 dado set, ~$250 router table. It looks to be in good shape and well cared for. Considering that it has no warranty, and outdated technology, $700 seems a bit steep, but that doesn't mean you can't take a look and make a reasonable offer....half the cost of new is a good rule of thumb....$550-$600 seems reasonable to me if all those accessories have value to you.
 
#14 ·
So I talked to the guy who has the $300 ridgid and he said he would come down to $250 or $200 without the mobile base. It looks way cleaner than the $200 one which makes me lean that way (table surface rust etc.). Both are about 1.5 hrs from my house so I would rather pay $50 more and not have any bad surprises. Know what I mean?

I found this dewalt router for $100 which seems like a decent deal. I figure I can make my own router table for one of my first projects. http://harrisburg.craigslist.org/tls/4169620751.html
 
#17 ·
You mean the one that comes with the plunge and fixed bases? Do I nee dthe fixed base? I figured $100 on a lightly used Dewalt would be better but I oculd definitely be wrong.

Also, any suggestions on a strater router bit set? Or should I buy them individually?
 
#18 ·
+1 on ridgid. Looks to be a 2412. Good starter/forever saw with 1.5 hp motor. Re: router, the recommended c-man has rec'd favorable comments and kits are usually better values than individual units.
 
#19 ·
kwolfe said:
You mean the one that comes with the plunge and fixed bases? Do I nee dthe fixed base? I figured $100 on a lightly used Dewalt would be better but I oculd definitely be wrong. Also, any suggestions on a strater router bit set? Or should I buy them individually?
The fixed base is useful for tons of stuff. By fixed, the height is adjustable. It's what you would use in a router table, and unless you need the plunge capability when using it free hand, it's lighter in the fixed base. I use my fixed base 90% of the time or more.

As to bits....I've opted to buy as needed....although I've come really close to buying a mlcs set.
 
#20 ·
kwolfe said:
You mean the one that comes with the plunge and fixed bases? Do I nee dthe fixed base? I figured $100 on a lightly used Dewalt would be better but I oculd definitely be wrong.

Also, any suggestions on a strater router bit set? Or should I buy them individually?
Buy bits as you need them. Sets suck in quality and some you may never use.

Al

Nails only hold themselves.
 
#22 ·
What Al B said: buy the bits as you need them. I have several straight bits and a quarter round which do all I ask for the little wood working that I do (coat racks, window trim, book shelves.)
Spend a lot on those few choices = their durability will be a lasting satisfaction.

Exactly the same advice applies to top grade wood carving tools, like Pfeil. Yes, you can buy sets. Some of which you will never use. Hand a bunch of chisels to a plumber or an electrician.
 
#23 ·
As luck would have it both ridgid a are now sold. Couldn't check them out this weekend because they were farther away. Guess I'll keep the hunt going. I emailed about the delta to see it but haven't heard back.

Keep hope alive!

Tried going in the basement just now and trying the delta 36-545 that was given to me for free. Reminds me of why I want a real table saw.
 
#24 · (Edited)
Are any of these within driving distance?

This PCB270TS is a pretty solid deal on a fairly current saw with a riving knife that looks like new....$275.

This Jet Proshop was a really nice hybrid....no price given, has a lot of extras and is accepting reasonable offers. I'd offer only for the stuff you want. I think it's the pre-riving knife model (708480 series), so guessing $500-$600 used is a fair price. A new one with riving knife (708490) is $910 to your door from Wholesale Tools.

Here you go! Bridgewood contractor saw with a Marathon motor, mobile base, and a nice Vega fence. These were sold by Wilke Machinery, but are no longer made....it was one of the many Mao Shan saws, was very similar to the Grizzly, General International, and Jets of the mid-late 90's. Right tilt, looks to be in nice shape, I'd look to get it for $300.
 
#26 ·
Good to know about the bridge wood. Looked like a solid machine in the add. I also found one more. The add said dewalt but it's actually a delat model 10 with the extended bies fence. Here is the link. http://harrisbiurg.craigslist.org/tls/4239739384.html

Also the pic of the fence he sent me.


The guy is retiring and has a bunch of wood working stuff to sell. I figured the fence made it worth the money. Which one would you pick? The bridgewood or delta. The bridge is closer but I want to get the right one. Getting close! Hopefully i will have a saw by noon tomorrow.
 

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#29 · (Edited)
The use is kind of the only thing that scared me a little. When I talked to him, he mentioned that he was retiring and selling off all his shop equipment. That means the saw got a lot of work. Hopefully I am going to go see them this morning. Is there anything in particular I should look for?

Do these motors last forever?

This is the other pic he sent. By looking at the piece covering the blade it looks pretty well used. Should I be concerned?
 
#31 ·
The use is kind of the only thing that scared me a little. When I talked to him, he mentioned that he was retiring and selling off all his shop equipment. That means the saw got a lot of work. Hopefully I am going to go see them this morning. Is there anything in particular I should look for?

Do these motors last forever?
They can last a lifetime or more, but some eventually give up their magic smoke. More often than not, something like a capacitor or centrifugal switch goes bad. Hard, frequent use is different than abuse. I wouldn't let the amount of use be big deterrent...just a small tie breaker between two otherwise comparable saws. Delta is a more recognizable name for resale, but since the BW is one of many similar saws from Mao Shan, parts availability shouldn't be a big issue with either. Which one do you like better?
 
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