Help deciding on my first table saw!

Portable saws are not as accurate as contractor’s saws.
The insides are lighter in weight and the materials are flimsier.
That translates to inferior performance in joinery applications.

They have their place in carpentry but if you intend to
cut joints get a used contractor saw for $100. That’s
my advice.

BTW – you CAN actually get pretty good panel-cutting performance
from a portable saw with the Jimmy Jig -

-- Would you like to recession-proof your present business using the internet? - my revealing 9-page free report gives you the straight facts: http://copymatch.com/rec/cap.html

Ultimately, you have to go with what you like, not what someone else choice is. There are good things and bad things about Bosch and Craftsman. Neither of them is the quality they used to be though. I agree that even if you only have limited space, you should try to get a portable contractors saw, rather than a portable tabletop saw. Their great (sometimes) for small non critical things, but if you want accuracy, or more accuracy, you need a contractor’s saw, at the very least.

I will saw, get something with a 3/4” miter guage slot though. Most table saws anymore have special sized slots, and off the shelf more accurate miter guages won’t work with them. That’s what I hate about my Hitachi contractor saw, but love about my MUCH older Craftsman Saw.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

A used Contractors saw for $100 ? That MIGHT get him a wore out Craftsman Contractor’s saw with stamped steel extension wings and a crappy fence if he’s lucky. But in the $429 – $600 dollar range I think you can do far better than a plastic jobsite saw unless you plan on draging it around to jobsites. At Lowes you can get a Delta 36-979 Contractor’s saw with cast iron extension wings and a Delta T2 fence, all for $600 that will run circles around any plastic jobsite saw. But if your dead set on a smaller size saw, Delta/Rockwell use to make a 34-608 nine inch Contractor’s saw that is aproximately 25% less in physical size than the ten inch Contractor’s saw. I got lucky and bought one in pretty darn good shape last fall at a rumage sale, it has cast extension wings and a Unifence, it’s a great little saw for a shop thats cramped on space. http://lumberjocks.com/reviews/517

It looks to me like you are going to spend between $450 and $600 for your two choices of saws. For that price I would get a contractor’s saw, hands down.

There are many ways you can account for the size difference, such as removing the base of the contractor’s saw and using a cabinet (which will save you space elsewhere), or using the surface of the contractor’s saw as a worksurface.

Contractor’s saws are also typically built better, and I am guessing both the bosch and craftsman are direct-drive.

Unless you do a lot of off-site work, I would not get a portable table saw as a main saw for woodworking.

Heed oldskool’s miter slot comment carefully. many of the smaller saws have miter slots that are not just hard to use with various accessories, but are also don’t even work well as miter slots.

If you are going to spend $429 for the Craftsman, why not visit HD and look at a reconditioned RIDGID TS3650 for $447?
link

I understand your space constraints but the TS3650 is just a whole ‘nother universe in wood working for about the same price! The fence is definitely usuable, the table and extensions are real cast-iron, and no crappy universal motor. It comes with the HecuLift (??) mobile base so that may help moving it out of the way.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

If it wasn’t for my Hitachi having an odd miter slot size, I would have saved (at the time anyway) lots of money on medical bills when I nearly sliced my thumb off, cutting pieces to make a saw Sled.

Also, try NOT to get an aluminum top if you can avoid it at all. Not the best and at least on my Hitachi, it leaves ugly grey and black marks on the underside of the wood. There’s nothing I can do, but sand that stuff off, and that takes my valuable time away from something else. If I could go back in time, I’d go with another saw, instead of staying within my budget at the time.

And yes! Build your own cabinet for underneath, even a portable one. Those wheels on the stand deals, are a joke at best, and some you even have to buy separately.

-- Respect your shop tools and they will respect you - Ric

I have a TS3650 and love it. It’s the workhorse of my shop.

Hmmm, better hope you can pick that up at the local HD! Shipping adds $211! Hell, you can buy a new one (not reconditioned) for $550. Not quite the deal I thought it was!

On the other hand, I did see a TS3650 go for about $400 on the local CL just recently.

-- "Find out what you cannot do and then go do it!"

Of the two saws listed I would buy the Bosch 4100-009. HOWEVER: I would recommend the Delta 36-977 Contractor Saw. The Delta saw is about the same price as the Bosch and a contractor saw is a better way to go as others have pointed out.

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

I second the good used contractor’s saw. Here in CT, not that far from Loren, it would cost $300-400 if in good shape. I would give the Ridgid 3650 a close look.

When I sold it a tad over five years ago, my mid-90’s stamped wing Jet, with a 30” fence and mobile base, returned $450 of the $500 I paid for it in 1995. It lasted exactly 3 hours in the “Bargain News”, which serves CT, MA, RI, and the NYC Metro / North Jersey area. Other purchasers were still calling while the purchaser loaded it up that evening. Checking right now, there is ONE listed for sale in the BN, a Delta for $300.

As the others have posted, standard slots, an iron top, and belt drive are must haves. Heavy is GOOD, if it’s not being hauled to sites.

If I were planning on moving on to a cabinet saw later, I would definitely stick with a good, used, well-known contractor’s saw,as you’ll probably get your money back at resale.

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The RIDGID TS3650 looks like a good saw also, but the things I don’t care for about it is, the tiny 2 1/2” dust port. I supose it’s ok if your only useing a shop-vac for dust collection, but if a person has a dust collector, a 4” port would be alot more practicle. Plus I’m a little leary of a saw that doesn’t have a Biesmeyer fence, or a Delta Unifence, or a Delta T2, or a Vega fence, etc.

My two cents worth. I am a tool buyer for a union contractor. We have gone to using the portable ridgid table saw for the jobsites. They have held up to the jobsite abuse very well and if you have ever dealt with union carpenters they are picky on what tools they use. I have a ridgid ts3650 at home and I would put it up against any other contractor saw on the market. As woodchuck mentioned about the smaller dust port is true. I do have it connected to a dust collector but it doesn’t allow all the debris to go in the collector.

-- Dustmaker, Kansas

Wow, this is some great advice! Okay, I think you have all been very effective in persuading me against going with the portable saw, and it’s funny that the Delta saw at Lowe’s was mentioned as this was the saw I was looking at before switching my thinking to a portable Bosch.

I was trying to stay with Sears, as I have a $200 gift card there for a saw, but that can’t be what drives this decision. So with all that said, what are your thoughts on the Delta 979 (or the 980 due to the cast iron) Vs. the RIDGID TS3650? I don’t know much about RIDGID products at all

On the LB tool review there are two tool reviews on the Delta 979 saw. In fact there are 40 saws listed there now. Good luck!

God Bless
tom

-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa

Regarding the Delta 36-977: It looks to me like that saw has stamped metal wings. The TS3650 has full cast iron wings. It looks like the 980 is a better comparison.

I was skeptical of RIDGID products until I read about how many people like their 3650 and the value. I could see and pick it up locally as well. I also have their thickness planer and think it’s a great deal too.

The 3650 fence is a little flimsy, but easy to workaround. The 2.5” dust port doesn’t work great, but any dust collection book you read says you must have overhead dust collection on a tablesaw anyway.

The mobile base of the 3650 looks easier to use than the 980, but I know from experience the 3650 base is hard to move on uneven floors.

I don’t think you can go wrong with either the 980 or 3650.

I am sure you will still be able to use that $200 sears card on something else like hand power tools, tool chests or accessories.

The Delta 36-979 is a cast iron winged Contractor’s saw with no fence, the last I seen, Lowes had it for $450, Lowes aslo had the Delta T2 fence for $150. The Delta 36-980 is the same saw, and comes with the Delta T2 fence.

Why not visit HD and look at a reconditioned RIDGID TS3650 for $447? I’ve had this saw for a couple of years and if it was stolen I would buy another. They are great saws with a Life Time Warranty.

-- Only the Shadow knows....................

I have a great deal of empathy for the guy who must work in a small garage space. Before I built my “Workshop in the Woods” I never had more than 230 sq ft to work in.

I looked at the specifications ( such as they would give) of both the Craftsman and Bosch saws. It appears to me that the Craftsman and possibly also the Bosch are powered by universal type electric motors – a real “turn off” for me. With their light weight and portability they are certainly well suited for contractors at a job site, and this is probably their intended design use. However, a woodworker in his shop, trying to build furniture and craft items, would likely come to a fairly quick decision to find something else.

That being said, everyone has their own table saw preferences and there is no perfectly right saw for everyone. My choice for working in a very tight space was a Shopsmith, which has it’s advantages and disadvantages, but none-the-less is capable of high precision work.

-- "Heaven is North of the Bridge"

I recently bought a cheap portable saw. It is not accurate. In addition, when I push big lumber through it, Table can move due to its light weight. I would recommend a heavy-duty saw.

some posters seem to not read what the original post said. The man is limited on space. I very recently purchased a new Ridgid 3660, and I love it….BUT, it takes up a lot of space. If space is a question, I would suggest that the originator of this post take a look at the Bosch fold up.

-- "non illegitimis carborundum"

checkout out “SAWSTOP” thats the mothership of tablesaws

-- urningit

No one could be more cramped for space than I am. I have a Grizzly G0575 table saw on a base with wheels. Works fine for me. All of my larger tools are on wheels. The saw does usually stay in the same place in the shop, but everything else just comes out when I need them.
-JJ

-- JJ...... I guess you could say I'm a 54 year old "juniorjock". — Make things with wood.

Check Craigslist in your area.

This was listed today on the Houston Craigslist:

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/975360416.html

Think that’s one of the models you listed, Bosch 4100. Maybe this is enough savings to make your decision for you.

Also a decent looking Rigid:

http://houston.craigslist.org/tls/969315701.html

Hope this helps. I love Craigslist for the deals I have found. Haggle a bit, there’s probably something in it for you.

-- Just 'cause a cat has kittens in the oven, it don't make 'em biscuits.

Again, thanks for all the comments.

As I look at the RIDGID and the Delta side by side on their respective seller’s websites (after reading all the reviews on this site of course :) I can’t figure out why there is a $100 price difference between the two (R=HD and D=Lowes).

Also, there are holes on the wings of the RIDGID whereas the Delta are solid. Should this be something that comes into my decision making process?

The Delta has a better fence, a good fence is VERY important. And yes, I wouldn’t be too wild about the gaps in the top with the RIDGID. In the long run I think you’d be alot happier with the Delta.

I worked with a tiny portable saw for several years, and recently picked up on a factory reconditioned Ridgid for $409 with free shipping from CPO, It has been the best buy of my life! The saw was indistinguishable from brand new (fully crated, parts sealed in plastic), and has performed beautifully. I too have a tiny shop, but the mobile base lets you move this heavy saw around with a feather touch.

-- Charlie M. "Woodworking - patience = firewood"

The Delta has a mobile base too. Another feature I like on the Delta is the motor is easy to unplug and remove from the saw incase you want to push the backside of the saw up against a wall at the end of the day like I do. I’m not sure if the RIDGID offers this also.

Wow, again, thanks for all the help. This is a great community!

So yesterday I went to a HD that is shutting down and they had ALL their power tools for 20% off! As I searched through think and thin for the 3660 I was discouraged as I could not find one, when suddenly I looked down and saw a big box (cue halleluiah chorus and spotlight from heaven) that had 3660 on it! I was so excited, but knew I could not leave this spot because there were dudes everywhere waiting to pounce on items that were left alone. The saw was sitting on a pallet so I grabbed an associate and asked if he had a pallet jack I could use so I could take the saw up front and purchase it. He said he didn’t and that I needed to grab a cart. So I politely asked him to stay by the saw so nobody would take it while I went to grab a cart, assuring him I was going to buy it. Sure enough, when I came back there was no saw and no associate, I was horrified (okay, maybe a bit dramatic, but I’m sure you can all feel my pain). I finally tracked the associate down and asked what happened. He said, “As soon as you left somebody came with a cart and grabbed it”. When I asked him why he would let that happen when all I did was take his direction to go get a cart to put the saw in, he said, “Sorry, I’m not allowed to hold products for anybody”. I don’t think I have to tell you how ticked off I was…….

Anyway, through several circumstances I have come into a $700 gift card at Lowes. After reading product reviews, as well as your comments here, I’m comfortable going with the Delta as it seems that both the Delta and RIDGID are very similar.

Now the question I have is which fence to go with? I didn’t like the T2 so I’m trying to decide between the 36-U30 Unifence or the BIESEMEYER fence. What say you?????

Each of those fences offer a standard and a commercial version. I have the standard version of the Unifence that came with the Contractor’s saw I bought new in 1995, it’s been a very good fence. The Biesemeyer isn’t a bad choice either, alot of professional cabinet shops have them, but if you didn’t like the T2 I wonder if you’ll like the Biesemeyer, you never said why you didn’t like the T2. The T2 I think is a scaled down and less expensive version of the Biesemeyer. All in all I don’t think you can go wrong with either of your two choices. One thing I’d like to mention on the Delta 36-979 is you will probably want to change the stock V-belt out for a Fenner Drives PowerTwist link belt, where I live I can buy them locally by the foot at Motion Idustries, they are also sold online at IN-Line Industries I have the belt on three of my saws, next will be the bandsaw.

I have a delta with a Uni-fence. I have only one gripe, it is a bit of a challenge to adapt shop-made jigs to such an odd looking fence. It can be done, but it can be a bit awkward.

A couple of years ago I bought a replacement fence from TTrack, the Uni-T-Fence. It mounts to the Delta fence guide. The benefits are obvious if you look at the web page link.

I love my Uni-fence, but I have not switched back to the stock fence.

I don’t think you can go wrong on your decision. Delta offers great fences no matter what the configuration.

-- Just 'cause a cat has kittens in the oven, it don't make 'em biscuits.

Out of those two you where asking for, the Bosch looks quite nice. I have a cheaper Craftsman than you are looking at and it does pretty good for just about everything. Remember that the miter gauges of bench top saws are not as accurate and same goes with the fence but that doesn’t really matter because you can make a cross cut sled which is quite easy to make to have perfect 90 degree angles, and as I did, you can make a 45 degree miter jig that cuts perfect 45’s for picture frames! I don’t see why the Craftsman or Bosch shouldn’t make you happy. As everyone else has said the bigger contractor saws are obviously better, but if you don’t have enough room for one than that is out of the question. Well hope that helps, if you have any questions on my Craftsman saw please don’t hesitate to message me.

-- Tyler, Illinois

Bosch is made as an on site heavy duty contractor saw. 15 amp motor, big and sturdy wheels to go up and down stairs, built in extension table. It has a heavier duty fence for accuracy. Craftsman is made for the home user so it isn’t built as heavy-duty as the Bosch Table Saw.
Craftsman is made for Sears by some other company. They do not manufacture there own product like Bosch. So it is a lot easier to get parts and service center help with a Bosch product than a Craftsman product, especially in a product that is 5,6, 7 + years old. We repair all brands of Power Tools and Machinery and there is no comparison between the availability and convenience of the Bosch.
Aside from that side note…..Bosch is a much better built portable table saw and you will be very happy with it!

-- Don, Utah, www.toolsandmachinery.com

The Bosch is NOT a heavy duty Contractor’s saw, it’s a Jobsite saw. Theres a big difference between the two, and I shouldn’t have to tell you that, being your in the tool bussiness.

Thanks for all your feedback! I have officially purchased my Delta 979 table saw as well as the Delta Unifence!!

I’ve got the same table saw, only with the Biesmeyer fence. I’ve since tricked it out with a Fenner belt, zero clearance insert, and a Freud thin kerf 50 tooth all purpose blade. The blade and belt change make it quiet enough to run in the basement at night without waking anyone up. My next accessory is going to be the Incra 1000SE miter gauge.

-- "It's a good thing my woodworking is done afterhours so my 2 year old daughter can't hear the swearing."

Congradulations dlux, I recommend that you run the saw on a dedicated 20 amp, 120V circuit ( only one outlet on a single breaker ) or a 240 V circuit, and if you use an extension cord, make sure it is of apropriate size. If you do all that, your saw will cut to it’s maximum hp and your motor will last longer.