portable table saw for woodworking?
danmar4u
| Posted in Power Tools and Machinery on
Would like to buy a table saw, for some of the cuts I can’t do with my circular. I cut large pieces with a jig and circular saw. Can’t fit or afford a cabinet saw. Can anyone recommend a portable saw, that might do the work I need. No large projects with heavy or thick stock. Are there any table saws that accept dados?
Replies
For the last 20+ years I've used an 8 1/4" Makita portable table saw. Like you, I have no space for a fullsize TS, though I have built a roller cabinet for the Makita. If they are still made, I would recommend mine. Heck, I've even ripped 8/4 hard maple with it (the limit it will handle).
Bob
Thanks Bob,
For the last few years, the Bosch 4000 has been the class of the field; I have one for job site work, and it will take a dado blade.
There are many around here who have bought a Ridgid TS, and they all seem to like it a lot.
Makita has been making smaller portable TS for many years, but just recently they came out with a 10" model to compete more directly with the Bosch. I have not been able to use one, but I did have the chance to look at it closely. My sense was that it may well become the portable of choice in this category.
Here is the Makita model I am referring to:
http://tinyurl.com/y8xhm8
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"It is what we learn after we think we know it all, that counts."
John Wooden 1910-
Edited 12/9/2006 3:05 pm by nikkiwood
I will second Mr. Millers' recommendation of the Makita. I had an 8 1/4" that is at least fifteen years old, that I sold that I know is still going strong. I have a 10" that is about eight years old that is excellent and a friend of mine has a twenty year old that is as good as new. As a contractor, I have little patience for tools that don't work so, I don't play favorites. The Makita is a work horse. Put a good blade in it and it will do it's thing. I use mine in a Rousseau table, with out feed tables and it is a good stand in for my cabinet saw. I could certainly build cabinets with it, as I have, on many occasions. I think that the 8 1/4" cuts a little better, but occasionally the extra depth of the 10" helps.
Best,
John
Jphn,
I've had the same 8 1/4 Makita with the Rousseau table for twenty years and agree it's a great combination. My one gripe is raising and lowering the blade with that small knob. I keep the gears clean - clean the pitch etc. out - but still can't make it turn much easier. Probably some simple solution I'm too blind to see. Any suggestions?
Thanks.
oldfred
Dear Oldfred,
That knob was the reason that I sold it. Over the years, through work and injury I have a reduced grip in my right hand. When I saw the "crank" on the 10", I was sold. The saw you have is better, however. My friend that has your saw is surgical in his maintenance of tools and his saw is still stiffer than I would like. He keeps the gears clean and silicones them pretty regularly and that's about all you can do for that.Best,John
John,
Thanks for the quick reply. Every year the knob seems to turn a bit stiffer, but I like the saw and hope to hang onto it a while longer. Light enough to carry to different jobs and, with the wheels I added to one end of the Rousseau table, easy to move around inside. I keep trying to think of ways to add a wheel over the knob but haven't come up with a good one yet.
Cheers!
oldfred
Can you mount a hex head bolt to the knob center? You could then use a ratchet wrench to crank it up or down. Steinmetz A ratcheting 'box' wrench might be simpler, as ya can't misplace the socket and the wrench just hangs there on the nut.
Steinmetz,
I'll have to look at it - it's stored at a buddy's house at the moment - and I can't remember how the knob is attached. Your idea is worth checking out.
Thanks
oldfred
Like the other guys I too used the Makita for years. I too found it to be very powerful. My big gripe about it was the crappy fence. The solution to that problem is twofold. Either get the Rouseau setup or get the Rigid portable. I got the Rigid and am very happy with it.
by no means a comprehensive review, but ive used many portable table saws and the best one that i have used is the ridgid
to be honest though ihavent used any of the other "high end" portables and im sure that the bosch and the makita are as good
If it means anything I am concluding the same.
I can second the recommendation for the Bosch 4000. I have been using one for about three years now and am very happy with it for the furniture, built in cabinets and trim work I have done to date. It takes an 8" dado blade with no problem and the blade guard can be modified into a true riving knife. The dust collection works well and I have not had any problems to date.
Chris
I've been using the Ridgid TS2400 for about a year and a half now and like it a lot.
I wrote an extensive review of it here in March 2005.
Here's a link:
http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=5830.1
Everyone I work with uses the Bosch: a very good saw.
I have had the Bosch 4000 for a few months now. I have a small workshop and the gravity rise stand is just genius. The saw is plenty powerful and very accurate. I use a Freud SD208 dado blade and it fits just fine. No complaints.
I like the bosch because it seams more quiet than the others, it also has the soft start, and it generates 3hp . Its a little bit heavy though,I would get the rolling stand if I could do it over
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