I’m looking for my first table saw, have done a little research and at this point I know that a unisaw is out of reach. So narrowing it down to something along the lines of a contractor’s saw, I’ve got a couple of questions.
What do I need in the way of hp?
Any brands to steer toward or away from?
I’ve looked at a few used saws and assuming I can find one in good condition, is this something I should consider? As an example, I’ve found an older Rockwell contractor’s saw with a 1hp motor that is in fairly good shape. Should I pursue this?
I’ve almost convinced myself that a table top saw is not what I want, but if you think I should reconsider that, please let me know.
Thanks in advance for the advice.
Replies
With regard to a bench-top saw (assuming that's what you meant by "table-top saw"), I'd agree that's not likely to be satisfactory unless you're doing very small stuff and not needing much in the way of accuracy or pwoer, or unless you're incredibly patient. I had a great little portable saw, but I just got tired of all the maneuvering I had to do to cut anything bigger than than a foot square (exaggeration, maybe).
1hp seems a little light-weight to me. Contractor's saws with belt-driven arrangement are 1.5hp and up nowadays. What size arbor does the Rockwell have? (be sure you're not going to have to be drilling out arbor holes or buying special blades).
Several of us here at Knots are happy with our Jet CSs, Deltas and (yes) Grizzly's. If you get one of those, and want to upgrade to a better fence in the future, it's easily done. I'd stay away from saws with direct-drive (i.e., not belt-driven) unless you're very much an occasional user and not likely to need more in the future.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
>>Several of us here at Knots are happy with our Jet CSs, Deltas and (yes) Grizzly's...
And, sigh, yes, our (my?) Ryobi BT3000. But FG and the others are entirely correct. It depends on a) what you want to do with it, b) what you're willing to put up with, and c) your budget. You can make just about anything with just about anything, if you're willing to work at it. If money is no object, then hey, go for it.
View Image". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
I have three of the beasts and love each and everyone of them. My dad has one of them I have one up in my shed that just got replaced by a new General and one out at the cabin. The one at the cabin was bought new and the other two I got for next to nothing and restored with a fourth one that has since gone to table saw heaven. All of them are just as good as the day they were bought. Solid cast iron triunes, belt driven only draw backs are the lack of a good fence but that can be fixed and the nine inch blades.
Scott C. Frankland
Newfoundland Wood Worker
Opinions differ, but I think even 1.5 hp is marginal for a table saw. I have had bog-down problems with my Jet contractor's saw since day one when cutting anything over 1.5" thick hardwood. Grizzly (I think) has a new contractor's saw with a 2hp motor in the same price range. You can always upgrade the fence or add outfeed tables, etc., but start out with some decent horsepower.
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