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First Post, another Which Table saw?

2K views 41 replies 16 participants last post by  Marty5965 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
Since this is my first post here is some background: I am a 20 year Navy vet and I am currently retired. I have done extensive home improvements including a deck and some minor furniture pieces all using basic tools (circular saw, jig saw, miter saw, drills, etc…. I was a Machinist Mate and therefore not unfamiliar with tools.

I want to build a bedroom suite, an entertainment center, picture frames, some boxes I.e. jewelry boxes and keepsake boxes for the grand kids. Maybe a kitchen table.

I have a small cordless circular saw and drill and a Ryobi CMS. I have purchased a Bosch router set, Bench dog router table (which looks good on the 4512), Porter Cable jig saw, a bosch ROS along with an Incra miter gauge, some bits and blades, clamps, so on…

I have a SMALL area for a shop. It is in an attached enclosed porch and measures 9×12 with some storage area in the other half of the porch. There is a single outlet rated for 20amps, but is shared with some other outlets in the house. I also have a 12 gauge ext cord that I can run from elsewhere in the house.

I recently purchased an R4512, but have discovered it has the blade alignment problem. I think I would have loved it if it hadn't been one of the bad ones. It is going back this weekend. If they have another R4512 in the store and let me check it out and it's good, I may go that way. Otherwise my choices are: Steel city 35990SS, Grizzly G0732, Makita 2705 the Bosch 4100. I would rather have a full size saw, but need to watch the weight due to the flooring in my space. I am considering the job site saws due the size of the space and I could take them outside to breakdown sheet goods. A smooth accurate cut is the most important, but I also would like it to have standard miter slots and be able to use a dado set.

Sorry for the lengthy entry. I am having a difficult time making this decision! Some opinions would help. Thanks for indulging me and I look forward to gaining a lot of knowledge here!
 
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#2 ·
Hi Brenda, shop space is always a problem. If you're just doing limited work with it, fit the spot and your budget. It really comes down to buy the biggest and best you can. But like most of us, you'll start small and trade your way up.

Welcome to LumberJocks
 
#3 · (Edited by Moderator)
Comparing full size stationary saws with belt drive induction motors to portables with direct drive universal motors is never a fair fight. The mechanical and performance advantage weigh heavily in favor of the bigger saw. If the R4512 would have worked well for you, I would encourage you to at least stick with that class of saw. If a small portable just makes more sense, then so be it, be know that you're giving up some saw in comparison. Also, cutting sheet goods on a portable is a tall task….better to have the home center rough cut them for you, or do it with a circular saw, then trim to final dimensions on your TS. Some reading to help… Making Sense of Table Saw Classifications


The G0732 is smaller than full size, offers steel wings, and a bit of a lesser fence compared to some in this price range, but it still has some advantages over the portables (more mass, belt drive induction motor, std miter slots). while retaining some portability.

The Porter Cable PCB270TS should at least be on your list if you're looking at full size saws. The Steel City has a similar reputation to the other entry level full size saws….pretty decent, but isn't all things to all people. The Cman 21833 is about the same saw as the R4512, but with a slightly bigger motor.

Have you looked for any used saws in your area?
 
#6 ·
I used an edge guide like the one in the popular mechanics article when I was building my kitchen cabinets. I made a couple of really long saw horses using some of those folding metal brackets you can pick up kinda cheap. I set them up right behind my van in the driveway. Slide a 4×8 sheet out of the van and onto the saw horses. I put 4ft pieces of 2×4 laying ACROSS (from one saw horse to the other) a pair of 8ft long saw horses. I could then break down the 4×8 sheets into sizes that were more manageable (I work alone about 99% of the time). Cut everything just a bit oversized, carried it back to my shop, final cut on table saw, build cabinets, carry it BACK up front to the garage for my wife to do finishing.

My shop doesn't accommodate passing full sheets through the table saw and without a proper setup and room, I just don't feel it's safe for me to handle such big pieces by myself.
 
#7 ·
Thanks for the ideas! I agree that cutting things down to size with the circular saw is probably best and the edge guides are a great idea! So I do want to get the most saw possible. I think the jobsite saws and the 0732 are out. I wouldn't really save much space with the 0732 and I want more table space than the jobsite saws offer.

I am thinking maybe the Grizzly 0713. I am worried about the weight, but the floor held the 4512 with my Benchdog router table, so the 713 should be close to the same weight and would mount the Benchdog RT to save some space. I don't think I want to go heavier. I am really concerned about the flooring.

Anyone have opinions on the G0713? I couldn't find much info on it other than the website and the manual.
 
#8 ·
The G0713 is essentially the same as the G0661 but with a slightly smaller motor (1.75hp vs 2hp) that's easier on 120v circuits. The G0661 is a fairly well proven hybrid style saw….solid cast wings, nice fence.
 
#9 ·
I am get my g0661 tomorrow. I am upgrading from a Bosch 4100. I found the Bosch pretty good but want cast iron and the dust collection was horrible plus the riving knife seemed to getting knocked out of wack easily. I always had a pile of dust on the floor even with a shop vac hooked up. I will try and post a review of the g0661. I would consider it my first real saw. The reviews were good for the g0661 vs the 715p. If you can swing it try not skip the portable phase. At the same time want to buy a used Bosch?
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
maybe lay some ply down on the floor first
with some screws into the floor joists
to pull it all together
it will distribute the weight better
and keep from localizing on any one or two floor joists
cut it down if needed
or make some tapered 1×2 borders for it
(once you chose a saw)
to keep from tripping and help with sweeping

best of luck with a better saw

and welcome to LJ's
 
#13 ·
The floor is framed out with 2×4s placed on 2ft centers with 3/4" ply on top. There are some vertcal braces toward the center. It was rotted and that is how the management fixed it. I offered to upgrade the materials, but it didn't happen. It also has a small sloop. I rent so I don't have the final say.
 
#15 · (Edited by Moderator)
if you cover the whole floor
(good idea)
just offset the second layer
so the seams to width and length
don't land in the same place
(like at 2' for the width and 4' for the length)
so it spans even better
and maybe some screws to bond both layers too

you can always take it up later if you move
and have it for some new shop
or shelves there
(even with screw holes it will still be good)
 
#18 ·
Brenda, I have the 4100 and it's a nice saw, but very small; more so than I'd like.

I would get the steel city, but not the ss version; that one has stamped steel for the main table as well as the wings. I'd get the granite or cast iron version.
 
#19 ·
Thanks NiiteWalker, I think I have ruled out the 4100 although it looks nice. The Steel City saws do look nice, but I wish I knew if I could attach my router table to them. The CI and Granite ones seem to be heavier than the Grizzly I'm considering also, but I still haven't ruled out the CI one, the granite I think would be too heavy for my space.
 
#20 · (Edited by Moderator)
The G0713 is essentially the same as the G0661 but with a slightly smaller motor (1.75hp vs 2hp) that's easier on 120v circuits. The G0661 is a fairly well proven hybrid style saw….solid cast wings, nice fence.

Brenda T...I have the G0661….It's been a great performer…no issues in the 4 months I've owned it…

Here's my review

http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/3218

They are currently on sale…
 
#21 ·
I want to go back to the start of the thread. You say your saw has a blade alignment problem. It is not uncommon for contractor-grade saws to have the arbor out of alignment with the top (and the miter slots). It is easy to correct by loosening the arbor nuts, tapping it into alignment the tightening them back up. There are plenty of guides available on the Internet on how to do it. That would seem like a better way to go than returning the saw and looking for another one.

By the way, thanks for your years in the Navy. - I spent 24 years in the Army. We old servicemen need to stick together.
 
#22 · (Edited by Moderator)
Thanks Kdc, I am really leaning toward the 0713. I read your review and it looks like a good piece of machinery.

Sgmdwk, it wasn't just the alignment, it was that the alignment changed every time I adjusted the blade height. Any movement on the blade height adjustment caused the blade alignment to change from + .04 to -.035 with no consistency. Not something that should be lived with. Thanks for the years you did also. It is something I did that I can be proud of.
 
#23 · (Edited by Moderator)
Brenda T.... I read your shop description…I think the G0713 would probably work with your shared 20 amp circuit fine…The G0713 is rated at 14amps …You would need a dedicated 20 amp circuit for the G0661 at 16 amps….....It is a good piece of machinery…the accurate fence is so nice….nice dust collection shroud….solid feel….Good luck in your decision
 
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