Help Needed In Buying A Table Saw.

Self | 4/12/14 | Self

[Little Bill]

I am thinking about replacing my 40 year old Table Saw with a heavy duty type with an extended table. I have several projects planned and will need more beef. (Not as in Cow.)

[IronJack]

Ryobi, Porter Cable, Jet ... All make models within your price range. If you’ve got that kind of money, it really doesn’t matter what you buy, it’s going to be good.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Fine Woodworking Tablesaws -- 37 articles including lots of reviews.

I really like their annual Tool Guides: 2014 Tool Guide

Nobody knows tools, construction, and furniture making like the guys at Taunton.

[Fido969]

You can do small work on a big tool, but you can’t do big work on a small tool.

You don't want to get stuck with a saw that's too small.

[roamer_1]

*shrugs*

I would be looking for an old one to refit... Way better quality, way less money, and it will last forever...

Even if you want something reasonably new, there are always wood shops going out of business. The equipment is available on the used market for pennies on the dollar. Lay in the weeds and keep 500 bucks laying around... It’ll come.

[LoneRangerMassachusetts]

Go to a contractor's equipment supply store, one that specializes in contractors and not homeowners. See what they have. You can look at the physical piece to see if it meets your expectations. Then, you can cheat the system and shop on line.

[tomkat]

I've been a cabinetmaker for 35 years, and can tell you categorically that if you plan on any significant volume of work AND you have the room for it, there's simply no substitute for a solid cabinet saw.

Most of my stationary machinery has come from Grizzly Industrial for three primary reasons:
  1) I've found their professional level tools to be of excellent quality and reliability, esp. since all the others these days are made in Taiwan if you're lucky, or China if you're not;
  2) their pricing is the most competitive I've found given the criteria above;
  3) Grizzly is only 25mi up the road from me, so shipping charges aren't a factor, plus their huge showroom is both outstanding and a pleasure to wander around in.

Sorry for the mess, but this pic was taken in the middle of milling ~900 LF of locust fence rails.
10in / 3 HP (plenty) / 220v / 30" rails / 4" dust port / custom motor cover :)

             

[verga]

I know they’re a little more, but I’d sure take a look at a Sawstop. They’re great saws and the safety technology is unbeatable.

I will second this. I have been using one at the school I teach at for about 7 years. It is the most accurate saw I have ever used. If you can get it in 220 go that way.

[centurion316]

in the middle of milling ~900 LF of locust fence rails.

To be followed by a major blade sharpening operation.

I agree with you on Grizzly - highly recommended. Their sale days are worth the trip.

[Kirkwood]

Chances are you want to put on custom parts like a high-end fence. If so, then find out what tables those add-ons can be used with.

My table saw is an older Delta. I figure if it was good enough for Norm, it would work for me. I’m pretty happy with it, but I customized it with add-on parts.

[tomkat]

Yeah, I always keep a half dozen in various flavors of carbide in reserve, but that damned locust is some vey seriesly HARD stuff.

The paint that went over it was just for pretty .. that fence should still be standin' long after I'm gone, then the next guy can worry about it  :)

             

[hecticskeptic]

You can do small work on a big tool, but you can’t do big work on a small tool.

Ah... the voice of experience and I couldn't agree more. I have a relatively small table saw and when dealing with small pieces of wood, nothing is a problem. However, try putting a 4’ x 8’ sheet through it by yourself. Fortunately, I have now made up all kinds of ways to address that issue depending on what the specific task at hand is but it’s when dealing with big stuff that one needs to make the decision of what to purchase more carefully.

[Libloather]

any alternatives?

[TexasBarak]

Looks like a pretty clean shop to me! :)

[TexasBarak]

I’ve been running the heck out of a Jet contractor’s saw for 16 years now. I can definitely recommend the brand.

[Hot Tabasco]

Bosch

[fatboy]

I agree with those who recommend looking at Grizzly. Anyway, really consider a 220 volt cabinet table saw, make extension tables, be happy!

[TNoldman]

If you can only have one - Table first choice. Radial Arm Saw after a Drill Press.

[catnipman]

Powermatic used to be the benchmark for tablesaws. Made in China now, so don’t know how good they are anymore. Delta Rockwell was second best. Go 220 volts and get at least 1.5 horsepower no matter what you do.

Strongly consider an older use one if you can find one. The older stuff was way better than the newer stuff.

[Ace the Biker]

Grizzly best bang for the buck

[Little Bill]

After spending much time following up on the recommendations of the freepers who were kind enough to post and comments on other web sites I think it is down to Grizzly and Jet, 220 Volt.

Thanks for the input.

Bill