TS Look A Likes

Save your money until you can afford a grizz.

-- Life is good.

Howie, After looking at the quality of your work, I would have to agree and take your advice.

I know that some tools are made in the factories with other labels on the next line. This may or may not mean they are all the same and have the same problems. I once worked for a major company making rubber hoses. If the hose was perfect we branded it with our company name. If it was not perfect then it was reworked (my job) and it was branded with another name. It still met their spec so it was good. Most of us have used some of those reworked hoses on vehicles we have bought or hoses we purchesd for those vehicles. I am not saying the hoses were better or worse. They did meet the specification that the purchasing company wrote and sent. Sometimes that can change a lot of things. I do understand wanting to make the right decision when making that major purchase too. good luck!

Unfortunately, it seems that you get what you pay for. Despite all the political discussions about it, have you tried out a Saw Stop? The Contractors version starts at around $1500 but I’d recommend the professional version at around $2800. A very solid saw with a very good fence.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

Rance you are right about the fact you get what you pay for. It is actually unfortunate that what we call cheap and of lesser quality is just that. But then to have to pay the premium price for something better. I don;t think it matters much the cost, because in alot of cases if someone is spending $500 or $5000 it is still alot on hard earned dollars. A Saw Stop is the Rolls Royce, but how many of us can really justify the cost or value in spending that amount of money. (Not to mention the shock the wife would have at that price tag).

I think my point here has been the marketing of these tools as being something new, different and better from the competitors and it all being the same suit in a different color. Everyone wants those hard earned dollars. Why did Ridgid change up their line of table saws so quickly, Why did Sears put out a problematic TS that so many users became so frustrated. Price sounded good, looked new and improved. Why does a Saw Stop have to be almost unaffordable. Howie suggested a grizzly, which in my opinion is a very affordable quality saw, but then again purchasing online and not being able to actually see the workmanship advertised until it arrives, a person hesitates to invest so much money.

You are correct about all your observations.

How much can you afford?
What do you ‘need’?
What do you plan on building? (case work vs. tiny boxes)

I’m sure you realize that the most important feature on a TS is the fence. Not that it is used the most, but it is the part of the TS that can easilly make or break the saw. IMO, most fences on ‘Sears’ level of saws are crap. To get away from that, you usually see the acceptable ones in the TS’s ranging in the $700+ range. It sounds like you don’t like tweaking, but if you did, you could build your own ‘T’ fence. There are many tradeoffs. Lesser money means you sacrifice the fence, accuracy, noise, longivity, and a number of other things. You have to pick what means the most to you(including cost) and then you’ll know your target saw.

-- Backer boards, stop blocks, build oversized, and never buy a hand plane--

The 4512 and similar saws that you’re referring to, from what I can tell looking at them at the store, are crap in my opinion.
I have an older model, a Ridgid TS3650. I am thrilled to death with it. If you run across one, they’ve been selling around here for around the $250-$300 range, grab it. I don’t think you’ll be dissappointed.
The only thing I don’t like about my 3650 is my miter gauge. I hope in the future to upgrade to an Osbourne or and entry level Incra. I don’t think this is anything against this saw. I’ve seen top of the line saws that had the same type miter gauge that came with my Ridgid.

-- http://wddsrfinewoodworks.blogspot.com/

I vote with Howie. Go Grizzly. Buy a cabinet saw and spend your money once. I love my G0690.

Hermando, I will add to the chorus recommending saving up your money and getting a quality saw. When I first started this hobby a friend of mine, who is a pro, told me to always buy the most tool my budget would allow. The times that I have gone against this advice invariably I have come to regret the tool purchase.

As Rand and the others have suggested you might want to take a look at the Grizzly products. I have always been impressed by the quality of Grizzly’s line of tools and their customer service is great.

-- Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful- Joshua Marine