Buying First Table Saw and need advice
I am new to the FW forums so please forgive me if this topic has been covered.
I am in the market to purchase my first contractor style table saw. I have been searching endlessly via web and FW.com. There seems to be a good deal of information out there so I would rather just find out from you all what saw you would recommend.
I have been woodworking seriously for about 5 years and have converted me small one car garage into a basic work shop. I currently use a Skil 10″ portable table saw. I built a table saw station/router station around the saw and installed a Delta fence and rail system I picked up at Lowes two years ago. All-in-all it works OK. But I recently got the go ahead from the warden (AKA the wife), to upgrade.
I am looking for a contractor style saw that has a min right side rip capacity of 30″ – 36″. I would like to be able to use my current Delta fence and rail system, but it’s not a requirement. I would like to stay between $400 – $600. I would like to be able to install a router plate in place of an extension wing if possible in order to maintain a router station.
I typically use my shop for furniture making and around the house type projects.
For everyone who has recently bought or currently uses a contractor style table saw and has good or bad reviews on what the use, I would appreciate the feedback.
Thanks Everyone.
Replies
johnny,
why not just go ahead and get a 10" 3hp cabinet saw? you know you'll be going down that road soon-right? take a look at the grizzly machine on their web site.
eef
Take a look at the Grizzley and Delta sites. I think you'll find that "good" contractor's saws may already be above your stated budget. While they would likely be an improvement over your current Skil benchtop saw, how much so may be less dramatic that you're hoping for.
You might come closer to your improvement expectations by doubling the budget and going with a bybrid or small cabinet-style saw.
Or, consider looking on the used market.
I agree with others who suggest considering a cabinet saw. If you do, look at the Shop Fox. I have mine for 3 years and love it.
I've looked at Shop Fox and Grizzly and both saws would do me just fine. Are they the same company, or at least owned by the same company? If so what are the major differences between a Shop Fox TS and a Grizzly TS?
Griz and SF are owned by the same guy, and their contractor saws are nearly identical. The basic saw is the same from model to model...the differences from model to model are mainly tilt direction, motor power, and wing material. The newest models have a riving knife instead of a conventional splitter.
WIth that said, the traditional contractor saw design with an outboard motor is over 60 years old and is nearing obsolescence in today's market place. The motor was originally placed in the back to make it easy to remove for transport, which is rarely necessary these days. Moving the motor inside the enclosure takes up less space, has better dust collection, a shorter belt with better power transfer, less vibration, and no lifting hazard when the motor is tilted. You might look for a Ridgid R4511, Steel City 35920, Craftsman 22116, Craftsman 22124, Craftsman 21833, GI 50-220, Delta 36-715, or Jet Proshop.
If you've got 220v, you might even find a used cabinet saw.
One thing you should do is to give a serious look to Craig's List or other sources of used equipment. Some of the older model contractor saws are very solidly built, and being 20 years old wouldn't be a big deal if things aren't broken. You would be looking for saws from guys moving up to cabinet saws. Cabinet saws are nice, and have advantages, but I think you would have to be really lucky to find a good used one without stretching your budget.
As you look in the used market, be sure you are aware of whether the saws are 240 or 120v. Also be aware that a cabinet saw that seems really cheap for it's condidtion might have a three phase motor, which would require the added expense of a converter or a new single phase motor.
Just in case you're near NJ -
This weekend is a show
http://cms.thewoodworkingshows.com/cms/Home/SomersetNJ219221/tabid/92/Default.aspx
SA
Thanks Westchester. I missed that one but I will be going to the one Reading next.
Unfortunately, in the last two years power tool prices have gone nuts. Unlikey you will find anything new in that range. I would look on Craigs list or save a little more and go for a Jet ProShop. The Pro Shop is a nice little package and the dust collection is pretty good. Far better than any Contractor style saw.
You mention prices going wild, but my Grizzly 1023slx is cheaper now than wne I bought it 5 years ago. I'd reccomend saving a couple hundred more and buying a grizzly cabinet saw.
Bones, is that the revised 1023 with riving knife? That'd be a good deal!
I'd definitely be against getting a contractor style saw. I a Delta contractor style saw and used it for years and was always annoyed at the motor sticking out the rear. Bashing into it or dodging around it was a routine that I hated. Look into a hybrid or cabinet saw as you
Technically speaking, the saw was great. It had a Biesymeyer fence and a 1.5HP Leeson motor with ample power. I'm almost sad I sold it, but it found a great home.
Any way, if you do end up with a saw 1.5HP motor make sure it has both a start and run capacitor. The run capacitor was what gave my saw the oomph to cut anything I needed.
Thanks to everyone for their input. I have been looking at the Ridgid R4511 and looks like this may be the one for me. It's a little over my budget but after listening to everyone I should probably save a little longer and get something better than a contractor style saw.
If anyone has any reviews on this TS, I would love to hear them.
Thanks!
My Grizzly was just delivered and hooked up and I couldn't be happier. Accuracy has improve dramatically. It was on sale when I called and it was even cheaper when I oredered. You do need to order 3 table inserts and in my case the mobile base. I'm tempted to say if you don't like it ....
If you need a contractor saw check out the Ridgid. Voted best buy in Consumer Report. I had mine 5 years by then so I knew how good it was. Built lots of kitchen cabinets with that saw. Also check out the thin kerf blades for the contractor saw they seem to give your saw more power. I think the Freud blades can't be beat; but, that's what makes horse races. Keep making sawdust.
4RNR
Not sure what a Ridgid R4511 is! The one with the granite top? If so it had a recall for some reason. I am not sure it is availabe now? At least I think so.
Anyway, I have the original Ridgid TS3650. Is is NOT the best tablesaw on earth but it is, in my opinoin, FAR from junk. But then again, I loved my old Ryobi 3000 with aluminum slider table!
Yes the motor sticking out the back is a pain.. But it all depends on how much space you have to work in. I have little space. I DO admit that the motor sticking out is my main gripe about the saw. AND it seems to not like a dado set. I juse my routers instead.
I do not have a Grizzly saw but I have used a few of the older ones. Good saw for the price I'd say.
Keep your current saw and save your money in the mattrice and then get a beauty of a saw. I only say this because you never mentioned why you wanted a 'new' saw.
The R4511 has been discontinued and in the past week or two has become very scarce. You might still find some in your area if you look around (immediately). The Craftsman 22116 and Steel City 35920/35930 have the same guts as the R4511 but have a full enclosure...the 22116 and 35930 also have fence upgrades compared to the R4511.
I've not been disappointed at all with my Bosch 4100. I wish it were a Unisaw, but I also wish I could dunk a basketball. Neither can happen. Part of the appeal for me was the easy fold up and roll around stand. I can get the thing out of the way of my wife's car in a hurry.
The Bosch has an excellent fence given its peers. It also accepts a dado stack. The only negative is you can't use a blade thinner than (I think) .092, or the wood will bind with the riving knive, and it's not as powerful as the full blown table saws.
I have the Ridgid TS3650 and it is a great saw for the money. I bought mine last spring when they were clearance pricing them to make room for the R4511, I paid 350.00 + tax. HD and Lowes bring in a lot of new models in the spring and deals can be found if you have the time to look. With that said I really wish I had the money for a cabinet saw as the dust collection would be great.
Thanks Knotscott. I did some investigating based on your reply and Rigid has told me they have discontinued making the R4511. Home Depot, at least around me, said they can still bring some in. I'm at a cross road now because I'm not sure if I want to invest in a product that may not have support for too much longer.
IMO, if you're looking to upgrade as a hobby or DIY, the only way to go is a hybrid. I had a small tablesaw for almost 30 yrs, that I fought with consantly. It would take me 5 minutes to set up my fence, to make a 5 second cut. Vowed it wouldn't happen anymore. When I got the money together, I also started looking into the pros and cons of cabinet vs contractors saws. Cabinet saws are, hands down, better in the long run. If you only want to run on 110v, the hybrids will do it.
I bought the Steel City 35900. Its a hybrid, w/1.75HP motor, table board (it comes in handy), and riving knife. I went that way, because I only have 110v. The electrical will be getting upgraded in a couple years to 220v. I am planning at that time to upgrade the 1.75HP to 3HP. I already checked with Steel City. The only things to change are the motor, and a few bushings. Otherwise, its the same saw. Cost is $60 + the motor. Not bad.
I just bought the Ridgid R4511 for $299.00. There was one left at my local Home Depot. It is a lot of saw for that money. It is definetely worth your time to scour the local HD's for one.
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