I'm currently a little tight on space, but need to get a better table saw before spring starts as my harbor freight style saw just isn't cutting it (no pun intended).
I'm looking at two table saws currently, or neither if everyone says to wait on a better deal.
An older emerson Craftsman 113 series with a 50" vega fence, stock miter gauge, and mobile base @ $260 firm
A slightly newer TTI/Ryobi built Craftsman with the stock align-a-rip fence, Osbourne EB-3 miter gauge, and mobile base @ $250 with potentially some wiggle room.
My main concern with the 113 series is the length of the fence, but the fence would be better than the TTI/Ryobi one. However, the newer saw has a well rated, and decently expensive for the price miter gauge that would be useful.
I definitely prefer the Vega fence, but it definitely takes up more space. You could cut it back, but it'd be kinda of a shame. The EB-3 is a great miter gauge and is worth ~$100….at least the Aligna-rip fence isn't terrible. Tough call….. You could always buy them both, combine the best of both, and resell the other!
I definitely prefer the Vega fence, but it definitely takes up more space. You could cut it back, but it d be kinda of a shape. The Eb-3 is a great miter gauge and is worth ~$100….at least that the Aligna-rip fence isn t terrible. Tough call….. You could always buy them both, combine the best of both, and resell the other!
Is the align-a-rip fence basically a bolt on to the 113 series? I still have a motor sitting in my garage I gotta put in my other car, so time isn't exactly plentiful at the moment haha
I would go with the TTI/Ryobi. The fence is OK, the miter gauge is very good, and the motor is OK at about 1 1/2 hp. The router mount is also convenient for a small shop.
I'd go with the older man. The fence alone would do it for me. Those two piece front rails can be a PITA. Also, the trunnion assembly and guts of the older saw are beefier than the same components of the newer saw, which features castings with stamped out webbings. My older 113 is better built than the also built by Emerson electric 10" ridged table saw I have.
I think $200-$225 for the Ryobi would be a good deal. Especially considering you could use that miter gauge when you upgrade to a cabinet saw. Then sell the Ryobi (without the miter gage) for $150-175 down the road when you get your new saw.
And yes, the align-a-rip in a bolt on for 113/315 saws.
I'm gonna go with the Emerson. For me it's all about the fence. I use the fence 99% of the time and miter gauge 1%. If the fence rails are too long, cut them down. The vega is worlds above that align a rip. As mentioned, it has a two piece rail which may or may not be in line with each other.
If it matters to you it looks like the second saw has a top that was severely rusty at one point. I see lots of pitting, not that the functionality isn't still there.
I noticed that there is also an older Craftsman cabinet saw listed for $360 on the same CL site. The ad doesn't mention the fence or the miter gauge but the internals are better than either of the other two saws.
+1 to what Scott said. You've found a few good saws for the money you have to spend right now. Get one of them.
Not,likely to find much better for the same money.
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