What to examine in a used/older table saw?

obviously you want to hear and watch it run. Check the
blade for run-out if possible. Make sure the adjustments
work.

If the table top is badly warped you’ll have problems with
some cuts. If the arbor has bad run-out you’ll have to get
it flange-faced, which means taking it out and a trip to a
machine shop.

I’ve had good luck in general. Older machines from reputable
manufacturers sometimes have adjustment issues but they
were well made.

If you are looking at some no-name Taiwan saw from the 80s
or the 90s watch out – quality control was all over the map.

Table saws are simple machines. It’s faulty manufacturing and
broken castings that can sour a machine purchase.

-- http://amherstcabinets.com - also a marketing consultant with expertise in direct response marketing for woodworking and online businesses - http://COPYMATCH.COM

I bought my Fay-Egan and didn’t notice that the top was bowed. It looks like the blade was raised up to the highest point for all of it’s 60 years. The motor pressed against the cast-iron and it bowed upward.

The motor arbor is the blade shaft. No belts

-- Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com

Its tough to throughly inspect used equipment. Turning it on and seeing how it runs is one way, but if they let the belts degrade the run quality will not be there and its a simple fix.

It also depends on the price. A good cabinet saw should go for about $500 used. If its less than that you could be getting a deal for the price of new belts or a couple bearings.

If its more then you need to be getting something really special thrown in with it.