Replies

1. 
   BruceS | Apr 16, 2008 04:22am | #1

   Andy, Andy, Andy!   Before you take this step and let your $$ burn a hole in your pocket.  Ask yourself.  Will this saw do what I need it to do ?   You will graduate from this saw too soon to be happy with it.   Set your sights a little higher and work like a fool to save the $$ you need to get a better saw.

   Work Safe,  Count to 10 when your done for the day !!

   Bruce S. 

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 16, 2008 05:05am | #3

   Bruce, Bruce, Bruce!  ;)

   I personally can't go bigger than that. My shop limits me to size, and as of right now I don't have a working TS so, i don't have months to save up. I do belive this aw can do it for me 

   Look ma, no jigs!!!

2. 
   forestgirl | Apr 16, 2008 05:05am | #2

   That saw is direct drive, so it's basically a bench-top saw on a stand.  As much talent and drive as you seem to have, methinks you'd be very dissatisfied in a short period of time, and you'd have wasted $250.

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 
   
1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 16, 2008 05:07am | #4

   what do you mean by direct drive? the motor goes right to the blade? This saw has a motor, connected to the arbor via poly V-belt, like a contrator saw 

   Look ma, no jigs!!!

1. 
   forestgirl | Apr 16, 2008 06:16am | #5

   OK, technically, you're right and I'm mistaken.  When I see "15 amp" and "5000 rpm" my brain translates to "direct drive."  Jet's come up with a different design from what's common, and put a short belt on a small motor, and calls it belt drive.  That's fine.  But it is not "like a contractor saw."  If that little motor actually develops 2.5 HP, we'll be landing on Mars soon.  That's the other dead giveaway that it's being hyped beyond it's true capabilities.  An 18 amp, TEFC Jet motor is rated at 1.5 HP (the standard on contractor saws).

   That's not to say it mightn't be a great saw for your situation.  You'll find that most of the members here will steer you away from such machines unless you specify in your original post the constraints you mentioned in your second post.  forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-) 

3. 
   veggiefahmah123 | Apr 16, 2008 01:46pm | #6

   Bosch's contractor's saw is also on sale, reconditioned, free shipping.  I have one i paid more for. Pretty good fence, enough power, accurate after a little tweaking here and there, light enough for my son to borrow.  someday I'll give it to my son an get myself a real saw.

   Hope this helps,

   Tom

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/16/2008 6:47 am ET by veggiefahmah123

4. 
   blewcrowe | Apr 16, 2008 04:07pm | #7

   15 amps. Don't you think it's a mite slight on the power side?

5. 
   JsHerbel | Apr 16, 2008 04:17pm | #8

   Go for it. Maybe someday, woodworking will become a big enough hobby to justify having more space.

   The worst thing about tabletop saws is the direct drive part and the vibration (and noise!) that comes with it. This saw might be a lot smoother with the belt. Another crummy thing about many tabletop saws are the fences they have which won't always lock down parallel to the blade. Looks like this fence may be better than some.

   A few months ago, I worked on a large onsight cabinet cabinet making job. I used an el cheepo Hitachi tabletop saw. It wasn't what I was used to, but it worked fine.

   A small tablesaw is better than no tablesaw!

    

   http://www.ithacawoodworker.com/

    

    

1. 
   andyfew322 | Apr 16, 2008 09:40pm | #10

   I have the justification for a bigger space, but there is not enough room in the house 

   Look ma, no jigs!!!

6. 
   Knotscott | Apr 16, 2008 08:31pm | #9

   It's got a mighty small surface area to work with (18" deep), which will be a source of frustration and a safety hazard every time you use it. At ~ 72# it's also pretty light which makes it unstable....another safety hazard. Compared to others in it's size, class, and price range, it's got some advantages with the poly v-belt, but compared to a better class of saw it pales. I'd bet dollars to donuts that you'll be wishing for a bigger saw in about 6 months.

   Can't help but wonder if a used full size contractor saw isn't a better value even if you're short on space. Maybe something like a used Ryobi BT3100 is a better choice too.