LumberJocks Woodworking Forum banner

Recommendations for Table Saw

29K views 47 replies 27 participants last post by  ramon68 
#1 · (Edited by Moderator)
I know this is one topic that everyone has an opinion about.

I am in the market for a table saw for my shop. I am just starting my research, so any help is appreciated.

With the usual constraints of space and budget, what are your recommendations?

- Cabinet saw or contractor saw
- What brands are most reliable
- What are best features to look for (e.g. - fence, left tilt, etc.)
- What extras improve the saw (table extensions)

Thank you all for your assistance.
 
#2 · (Edited by Moderator)
Bill - Welcome to Lumberjocks.

I have a General (made in canada) contrator saw, left tilt, 2 HP motor. My previous was a used 8" Craftsman bench saw. This is like night and day for me, I have had this saw for about three years now. I do woodworking as a hobby, so cost was an issue for me that kept me out of the cabinet saw line. One thing I did after market was purchased machined pulleys and the Power Twist Link Belt. This virtually eliminated the vibration I had in the saw. I have also changed the belts on my lathe and drill press to the Power Twist Link Belt. I like the left tilt, no binding under blade and between fence. I know some will say move to the other side gives you the same on the right tilt, but sometimes I don't have the space for the fence.

It would seem to me that a cabinet saw would be easier at collecting the dust. I have recently purchased some Grizzley tools and have been very pleased with these tools and the support I have needed ( new bandsaw blade that broke).
 
#3 ·
I've been using a RIDGID contractor saw with stock fence for about two years now. They had some arbor issues with their older models, but I looked into it and do not have those issues on my model. I think I got mine for the low $500's; not sure where they price at right now.

It took just a Saturday morning to set it all up, and RIDGID made sure I had every part I needed. The tops were dead flat and the blade was set up properly off the line, as well. All I did was remove the grease and add some paste wax to the top.

I purchased a Power Twist Link belt, but the pulleys are designed to work with a special belt that RIDGID makes, so I'll have to get the right pulleys to complete that change… But I'm not sure how quickly I'll get around to that, as I have very little vibration as it is.

I've been very pleased with it, though, and it will probably be some time before I change it out with anything else. In fact, the only change I'll probably make with it is to switch it out from 120 so as to draw fewer amps; I'll have to wait for a new shop for that, though, as I'm not going to waste the time and money wiring the current shop up with plans to move within the next year.
 
#7 ·
I guess I would ask what you plan to do. I've seen some beautiful $10,000.00 sliding table saws worth every penny. Yet many days I us one of those crappy $89.00 and it does the job just fine. In my shop I have a very nice Delta 10 inch cabinet makers saw, with a 60 inch Biesemeyer fence that has held up great for years. My saw has a homemade laminated outfeed tables very similar to those in Marks blog.
 
#8 ·
Based on my work so far, the main uses for a table saw have been ripping boards to width, and cutting plywood panels to length and width. For narrower boards, I use a chop saw for length. However, I do sometimes need the table saw for the wider boards as well.

Because of the size of wood I usually cut, I am very interested in saws with large table surfaces, either as built or add-ons. Also, since my shop is just starting up, I need a reliable piece of equipment at a reasonable price.

It's nothing different than everyone else I guess.
 
#9 ·
Well I guess the one thing that i dont like about the Hitachi is the table. 24" on each side of the blade. And if we all lived in a 24" world, then, it would be perfect. But, alas … And at this time I don't have enough room to make a table, so I'm stuck at the moment. But if you compare it to anything else in it's price range, it's a better saw all around. And it is on wheels so I can just move everything around it and then lock the wheels and I got a little more room, but not a bigger table.
And to make matters more exciting, I'm entering a daily drawing for a Powermatic 4-piece shop.
 
#10 ·
Mark DeCou wrote a nice review on the Bosch portable saw on this site. Maybe you've already read it. I have the Bosch that is one generation older than the one he reviews. It's essentially the same, but mine has a bare aluminum finish on the top and the latest ones have some sort of coating. Some retailers still offer the old un-coated table.

Overall, it's a very solid saw. The fence is great, locks straight and solid every time, but I wish it were longer. The table is not huge but does extend to the right for cutting sheet goods up to 24" wide. There is a left-side support extension available as well as an outfeed support. In fact, I was suprised by the number of accessories you can get for it: dado insert, blank insert for making a zero-clearance insert, dust collection bag, etc. The only accessory I have for it is the outfeed extension.

Speaking of dust collection, the built-in port does a pretty nice job connected to my 1.5hp Delta DC.

With a good blade, this is a pretty nice saw. I think it's perfect for a hobbyist (like myself) if it's in your budget. I got mine for $400 on sale at a home store here, but it didn't come with the fancy wheeled cart that they come with now. I can't comment on how it might stand up to frequent use, but I've only heard good things from others in that regard.

Hope this helps.

-Tim
 
#11 ·
What ever saw you get do all the research you can. Check the saw out in person. Make sure it will fit in your shop. Don't go by price. I think the thing to look for is a solid accurate fence. I had a vega fence on my jet contractor saw and loved the fence but with the router ext and table ext it took up most of my shop. I have had a bench saw, a contractor saw and now I use a shopsmith 510. I have a very small space and the shopsmith allows me to build a project without having to move everything around. I also have a shopsmith jointer and shopsmith bandsaw and I am very happy with them. If you can buy used thats the way to go if $ is an issue. I sold my contractor saw, 12" jet bandsaw and drill press and bought a used shopsmith and still had money left to put towards my delta planer.
 
#12 · (Edited by Moderator)
Hey Bill,
After considering all the things mentioned, I've given this some thought.
Anyone who doesn't take price into consideration, I believe, is foolish. I bought my Hitachi because it was the most powerful table saw in it's price range, it was a known name, and it was available in my area. If you want a good table saw for $500.00 this is it. But I know something that ALL THESE OTHER LUMBERJOCKS DON'T !!! Go north about 15 miles take Nineth St and the little street that connects Nineth and Seventh Sts there is a place called RAYCO. They sell the higher end powermatic (I want one) for about $2,000.00 3 HP and 5 HP saws. They also have a large selection of everything, small power tools, large power tools, lathes, band saws, chop saws, drum sanders, New and Used. In back of the shop they always have a selection of used equipment.
The main questions are, I guess, these:
1) How much do you want to spend?
I also know where to get hardwood at a very reasonable price while you're in the same city
 
#14 ·
Bill: Grizzly saws are hard to beat. I have a 10" left tilt cabinet saw, I think is 5 hp, and I think I bought it for less than $800, with extra for shipping, and extra for the long extension arms. It came with a ShopFox fence that I love. I have been meaning to do a Tool Review on it, as I have had it 4-5 years now, and it works great. Thanks for giving me a little kick about getting the review written up, others might have the same question.

good to have you here,
Mark
 
#15 ·
I have the Ridgid 3650 and so far I like it very much. Assembly was easy, but took about six hours. When set up you have 36" on the right side of the table. Everything is cast iron and comes with its own easy-lift that works great. So far, I wouldn't be willing to trade it in for anything I found in that price range.

good luck!
 
#18 ·
Home Depot currently lists it at $549, but there are a few ways to knock that down a bit… I get a $25 off of $100 or more purchase coupon every now and again. You can also get a 10% discount if you sign up for the HD credit card. I believe I used both of those options and a gift card or two, making the total out of my pocket under $500.

I agree with Dennis; for the amount of money and time I've spent on it, my RIDGID 3650 has performed outstandingly well. At some point in time (many years down the road), I'll eventually want to get a cabinet saw, I'm sure. But for now, I'm totally satisfied with my RIDGID.
 
#20 ·
RIDGID Tablesaw has a 13 Amp motor that generates 1.5 HP. You can get all of the specifications on at at Homedepot.com - just look up the table saw and go to the specifications tab. It comes wired for 110, but you can rewire it for 220 if you have the extra juice going into your shop and want to draw fewer amps.
 
#21 ·
-- one good point about that Ridgid table saw that I have found and was a deciding factor when I bought mine, is that it comes with a lifetime warrenty against failure as does the rest of the Ridgid line of power tools including the batteries for those cordless works of wonder. And no, in the years I have owened it I have had no problems except with the inch markings on the front rail and then Rigid just sent me a new rail, right away and no questions asked. Also when setting the saw up I had questions to ask their service department and found them to be very helpful and full of knowledge. Just remember to keep those recipts.

This one has worked good for me and I use it quite often for ripping 2" planking and hardwood. When I really need to get down and rip, well thats when I go for my older Rockwell floor table saw.
GODSPEED,
Frank
 
#23 ·
Bill,

I recently acquired a Ryobi BT3100. It looks like this might be a discontinued model, but there are a few still showing up in Home Depots (new in the box) as they move from floor model displays to photo/spec sheet type displays. I was able to buy one for $239.00. With a 10" Freud blade and a 15 amp motor, it is a smooth powerful performer for my needs. My experiances with the saw so far have been excellent. It required almost no adjustment after assembly. It has a sliding mitre table and can mount a router under one of the table wings. Sears has the same model carried under the sears logo, it is the Sears model 21829. It comes with an accessory pack that cost the Ryobi owners 99.00. The Sears model also comes on a colapsible mobile contractors base. It was on recently on sale for $399 and the Craftsman Club discount brought it down to $359.

I am not a stock holder, employee, or sales person for Sears, Ryobi, Home Depot, Ridgid, Rockler, Lowe's, etc. I just like finding a godd product at an affordable price.
 
#24 ·
I bought the Ryobi BT3000 saw 5 years ago for about $299. The price also agreed with my pocketbook. One of the main reasons I got this saw was the sliding miter table. I've found it to be very accurate. There's room to crosscut over 16" with a 3/4" board. It has a 15 Amp motor with a belt drive @ 4800 RPM the cuts look like they've been run on a jointer. The base for the unit was rectangular in shape, so that made it easy to add some drawers. I have been very satisfied with this saw.
This past summer I ended up buying another Saw that I could use at my cabin. I bought it on Ebay. This one was the Ryobi BT 3100. It has most of the same features, but the company cheapened the quality of a lot of things. They put a direct drive motor with the same Amps as the other, but it don't seem to have the same OOmph. the cranking mechanism doesn't work as smooth either. The accuracy of the saw is about the same though.
I don't think Ryobi makes the BT3000 anymore which I think is a big mistake. It may be there looking for more sales with that cheaper price. I may be wrong, but I looked for the BT 3000 on the Internet, and couldn't find it.

My Saw with drawers in the base.
 
#25 · (Edited by Moderator)
Obi, sorry it took so long to get the info you wanted about the Ridgid 3650. Here's a link to a review that sealed the deal for me to buy one. And I'm still loving it. The price was $549. I had saved just about all I needed to buy it but something came along and my savings had to go. So I just went and put it on my HD credit card with interest free payments until 2008. It'll be paid off long before that… I hope.
http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/RidgidTS3650/RidgidTS3650Review.html
 
#26 ·
Thank you all for the advice. There are some great suggestions here along with the reasoning behind each one.

Currently, I am borrowing my dad's ridgid, so I am experienced with it. It is a very good saw. The couple of items I would like to see changed are the table size and the guard. I seem to cross cut lots of long boards, so a large table is important. Also, guard is sometimes difficult to line up with the saw blade. It can cause pinching of the wood past the blade, making it difficult to push through. If you make it too loose, then the wood can shift causing an off-cut or even worse, a kickback.

Overall, the saw is pretty good and does fit my pocketbook. But, I have not settled on any of them just yet. I will let you know how it goes.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top