Replies

1. 
   Cramps | Oct 06, 2004 05:04am | #1

   Some of the things I would like to see in an article about table saws are:

   1) Ease of blade changes

   2) Fence performance-adjustability

   3) Low amp performance

   4) Stacked dado blade performance

   5) Sawdust bag capability

   6) Cutting performance, vibration, saw blade wobble

   7) Bade adjustment ease

   8) Useful attachments

   9) rate portable saw stands

   It might be useful to see a number grade for the features you feel are important, plus an overall score. I know you guys are not Consumer Reports but a good mix of objective measurement and subjective opinion should be good to read.

2. 
   notrix | Oct 08, 2004 08:52pm | #2

   From most to least important:

   Fence: Stable, accurate, easy to move

   Power: Gotta rip a 2x4 at least

   Cut Quality: Most portable saws aren't for finish work but the closer to a planed surface the better. This would be "run out" I suppose.

   Blade tilt: Accurate angled rips?

   Quality: Table flat? Rough edges? etc...

   Ergonomics: Weight, Controls, Stand, accesories, noise level.

   Warranty:

   Price: Used 2hp Contractors saws cost less than $500 and for long term jobs are a better alternative. A good portable should perform close to a CSaw and not cost much if any more.

   I'm still more tempted to put a CSaw on big wheels and make a special trip for it, but there is no denying the usefeulness of a just tossing the portable in the PU "just in case" which wouldn't be done with a CSaw.

   Good luck on the article!

   BTW We've been using a Hitachi and once set up works fine but the fence is a hassle. Has power, light weight, nice stand, good blade included, Overall a B- due to a cummy fence.

   Wha.

3. 
   ravenwind | Oct 14, 2004 03:12am | #3

           Most important to me are. 

   1. ease of portabilty, the large portable saws like DeWalt and Bosch are heavy the Rigid comes with a folding stand with wheels.

   2. a goog fence.

   3. can use a lg dado set

   4. dust collection ( bag or vac attachment)

   5. soft start

   6. on board tool storage/ miter guide, fence, blades, wrenches, safety guard and cord wrap.

   7. can be set up in a very short time by one person

                                                                   Dogboy

4. 
   cynwyd | Oct 30, 2004 05:20pm | #4

   suggest run out measurements be included

5. 
   jc21 | Oct 31, 2004 03:10am | #5

   Features I look for:

   Power, capacity, good fence, price, portability, dust collection, t slot for miter gauge, on board storage for fence, miter gauge, wrench etc and finally, a tool review that comes out before I buy one (g). Bought a PC 3812S a few months ago. I don't think any ratings are necessarily stupid; people have different expectations and some features will rank higher/lower or not matter depending on the person. For me the t slot matters; these saws have about half the distance from the front of the table to the blade that a contractor or cabinet saw does and having the t slot makes croscutting wide stock easier. It seemed like a serious ommision on the otherwise fine Bosch and DeWalt saws to me. To improve your tests, cover more makes and models and get some real world feedback and comments from your readers in your reviews. I think a better and more accurate review would be the result.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 09, 2004 06:37am | #6

   "To improve your tests, cover more makes and models and get some real world feedback and comments from your readers in your reviews."

   JC,

   I agree with you completely. All too often tools reviews seem to be performed in a vacuum, ostensibly to avoid undue subjectivity. How often have any of us asked tool users not to tell us what they really think? Whn I ask for tool opinions, I seek counsel from folks who use the tools enough to have formed an opinion - hopefully, performing the same kinds of tasks I'll use the tool for.

    I'd like to see the standard magazine tool review appended with the opinions of credible "power users" who explain what they do and don't like about a particular tool and why.

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.

6. 
   mudman | Nov 14, 2004 09:44pm | #7

   1. fence acuracy and reliability

   2. ease of set up (blade to miter slot, 45 and 90 deg stops, fence cursor) and how well the machine holds its settings in a REAL job site after a day of pushing plywood and ripping trim. Set it up, run the hell out of it for a day(or a week) in the dirt then check it again to see if it changed.

   3. Power, real cutting power not stated HP or amp loads.

   4. includes all the tools necessary to make all adjustments and stores them securely on board.

   5. Color

   Mike

   please excuse my spelling.
7. 
   jazzdogg | Nov 14, 2004 11:40pm | #8

   Dan,

   When I bought my Bosch portable tablesaw I immediately outfitted it with a Forrest WWII thin kerf blade - an ATB modified with the tips of the teeth ground flat. The thin kerf makes the most of the saws limited power, provides an admirable cut, and with the modified grind, provides flat-bottomed kerfs that I prefer when making partial-depth cuts. Having said this, however, I would quickly remove my [expensive] WWII before using the saw to cut framing lumber.

   Blade selection makes a huge difference with portable saws and should be discussed as part of any article on portable table saws.

   Thanks, 

   -Jazzdogg-

   Whether you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right.