I have a Delta contractor saw I picked up used on craigslist a while back for about $75 and I’ve spent some time getting setting up right and what not and although I like it, it takes up a lot of room. Since making the move geared towards more hand tool work, I seldom use it, but I find myself putting small quick projects to the side because I don’t feel like digging it out of the corner and cleaning everything off the “table top” work surface that it has become in my shop. There are things here and there I would use a table saw for, more like dimensioning lumber, but that’s about the only use I’d been using for it. I was debating picking up a more portable type table saw for those times when I just need to quickly dimension stock (more for those honey do projects that need to get done quickly) as opposed to dimensioning by hand (which takes more time than my wife would like.) I’ve thought about something like the ridgid portable saw with the stand, or the bosch, or even something smaller like the compact Dewalt or ridgid table saw that came out not too long ago. These will come with full riving knives and safety equipment and whatnot (something my contractor saw lacks.) is it worth the switch? My contractor saw is much quieter, but lacks a lot of the standard features of the portable saws (like dust collection and safety gear). It also takes up a lot of space when it’s not being used which is a good majority of the time. Is there anyone else who has made this move and been happy with the results?
I had 3000 some-odd feet of hardwoods put in my house and I paid real close attention to what the guys were using. They had two Bosch portables and they brutalized both of them. I asked the guys if they’d been happy with them and they gave me a resounding “yes”. If anyone’s interested, they were using the big Hitachi sliding miter saw, a big DeWalt Emglo 2-tank, Paslode nailers, a Fein multi for undercutting, and a Grex finisher. Made an impression on me. Good luck!
-- My dad and I built a 65 chev pick up.I killed trannys in that thing for some reason-Hog
I will say, I made the move UP because I wasn’t happy with the results I got from my portable jobsite saw. The difference between the two is night and day. From a jobsite saw perspective, I have heard and read the Bosch and Dewalt are the best in that category. If you can find a way to make it work in your space, I would try to hold on to your contractor saw.
That’s what i was afraid of. I may try to reorganize the space again and see if I can fit it in. If anything I might spend the money and may upgrade to a newer contractor saw. I really hesitate in using my table saw because there is no riving knife or splitter, and no blade guard, so I use it sparingly. Plus, there is no dust collection set up on it. So it makes a mess. Maybe I’ll look into possibly the ridgid contractor saw or the like. I don’t think a full cabinet saw is necessary for my uses, however.
One idea is to put the saw on a mobile base (if it isn’t already) and make a large shelf or table to park it under. That way all the “stuff” that usually accumulates on the saw table will accumulate on the shelf, and you can just roll the saw out when you want to use it.
I have it on a movable base, but it still takes up a fair amount of room. Does anyone know of aftermarket riving knives or blade guards for the Delta Contractor Saw II, I think that’s it. It’s been hard to find aftermarket parts for my exact model contractor saw I’ve noticed. Even the BORK won’t fit my model. It had one at one point, but I really like the easy to use blade guards on the new saws that seem to easily move out of the way. Even more than the blade guard is a riving knife with an antikickback feature. I really like all 10 of my current fingers, but nothing beats a table saw for certain projects, like dimensioning lumber to size. It can by done by hand and I’ve done it by hand, but it’s not something I particularly enjoy doing by hand. Cutting mortises, dovetails, dadoes, etc, I love doing by hand.
Now which bosch? The larger portable saw or the small portable saw? It’s seldom that I use the rip capacity? If I’m doing larger panels, it’s usually a panel saw or the circular saw depending on the task at hand? I just think it’d be nice to have a smaller portable table saw to stow away. I’m still not sold on that. If I could get my shop more organized, I think I’d upgrade to a new contractor or cabinet saw or even one of the new hybrid saws that grizzly sells. But I just hate having it take up space and seldom get used and have stuff sit on it all the time.
I have a 12” old Rockwell contractor and a Ridgid portable on a wheel stand. I put wheels on the Rockwheel and have not used the Ridgid since. The 30 year old 12” Rockwell is just a much better saw and it will surprise you how easy it moves on a wheel stand. I had to make a 2” ramp to bridge the gap between the garage and driveway. Still no problem.
For your infrequent use I would keep the cont. saw. I still have two of them and use them for job saws. One is about thirty yrs old, the other is mid 80s vintage. Also for infrequent use dust collection would be low priority in my book, as well as a riving knife. As madts stated, his rigid is parked and I know why. Wish you well with your decision. JB
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