which table saw for a tight budget

what sort of things are you looking to do with a table saw. like what will you use if for most often. i think that that will help to try and figure out what saw is right for what you plan on doing with it.

You might keep an eye out on Craig’s List in your area. I live somewhat near Sacramento and there are always a ton of woodworking tools there. Since the housing flop has hit I have seen entire cabinet shops closing business and selling everything. There was a hardware store north in Red Bluff that closed it’s doors (bankrupt) after 50 years of business. Auctioned everything off.

-- Scott - Chico California http://chicowoodnut.home.comcast.net

dremel should work fine for small projects.. Check the paper and e bay.. craigs list and more… there is more out there at a good price

-- making sawdust....

I picked up a 12 inch craftsmen tables saw on craigslist for 50 bucks. Added on a vega fence for 270 and i’m good to go. I should say I’m good to go friday when the fence gets here.

Craigslist or local auctions. I am amazed at what you can get for only a few bucks. Older Craftsman tables are really good, but I have one so I am partial to that brand. I also had a Delta 10” that was a direct drive (no belt – motor turned the blade) table saw that I could not over-work. You mentioned a fixed income so the the power-matics may be out of reach, but if you get a chance I wouldn’t turn it down. Used is definately the way to go as long as used is not abused. Good luck.

-- Brian, Lebanon PA, If you aren’t having fun doing it, find something else to do.

For my first table saw I took 2 free standing cabinets about 2-1/2 or 3 ft apart and put an discarded laminated counter top on top of the two, cut a hole in the middle and mounted an old (the all steel construction) craftsman skill saw mounted on a Plexiglas throat plate and dropped it in upside down, this also served as my first router table. Very rudimentary but it worked until I picked up an inexpensive contractor’s table saw that I still use.

-- Craig Barton, DFW, TX

I mounted a skill saw upside down on some ply wood for my first table saw

-- bryano

Great idea Craig! I find myself in the same boat as “oldfolks”....

May have to go that route… pardon the pun… LOL

-- Cheers!