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07-15-2011 10:58 PM
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I have been looking for a new stationary TS and been trying to decide on one that I will not outgrow as my skills progress. I have looked at the Porter Cable, Craftsman and Ridgid 4512. I also noticed that Menards has a version of the same just rebranded as the MasterForce. I am under the impression that these distributors are selling the same TS with all the problems I have read about. This particular line of new saws are in the $550.00 range.
None of these saws have impressed me enough to invest that amount of money. If I can wait and save a bit more and get something I am truly going to enjoy using. Of coarse buying used is always an option for a better brand name, but that also has draw backs. I bought a used makita 2703 and had it factory serviced after my entire investment I spent over $200. And it still wasn’t such a deal or saw I had hoped it could be. Then recently I bought a used Ridgid 14” band saw. $150.00, but then again its been costing me time and money to fine tune it and still is not the saw I would expect it to be.
I realize not all of us can afford or want to invest spending more than we have to, but in the long run will you be happy with your purchase, is it the tool you really wanted and would have been happy with. No matter what we spend the value comes from the enjoyment using the tool and not the frustration dealing with a poor quality tool.
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9 replies so far
#1 posted 07-15-2011 11:25 PM
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Save your money until you can afford a grizz.
-- Life is good.
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#2 posted 07-15-2011 11:29 PM
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Howie, After looking at the quality of your work, I would have to agree and take your advice.
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#3 posted 07-15-2011 11:49 PM
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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!
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#4 posted 07-16-2011 12:14 AM
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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--
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#5 posted 07-16-2011 12:46 AM
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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.
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#6 posted 07-16-2011 02:44 AM
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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--
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#7 posted 07-16-2011 03:20 AM
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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/
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#8 posted 07-16-2011 03:56 AM
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I vote with Howie. Go Grizzly. Buy a cabinet saw and spend your money once. I love my G0690.
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#9 posted 07-16-2011 04:08 AM
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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
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