I’ve just moved into a new home and finally have room to setup a small workshop. I was looking to start off with a contractor table saw, but know very little about the different brands, what to look for, etc… Being i’m mainly working on home projects and other small efforts, weekend warrior type at best, i did not want to go overboard. At the same time, i want to buy something that is going to give me accurate cuts and last.
Any recommendations??? Preferred price range is around or under $400, though i’m open to other options it if makes sense.
Replies
I wouldn't restrict myself specifically to a contractor saw. Much of the appeal of a contractor saw has been upstaged by the benefits offered by a hybrid, which is a cross between a cabinet saw and a contractor saw. There's no downside to hybrid design, and usually fall into a similar price range, so why limit yourself?
The contractor saw design itself features a motor hanging out the back. It was originally designed that way to provide easy removal of the motor, to make relocating from site to site easier. The design hasn't changed much in 50 years, but the situation for using that type of saw has...portable jobsite saws like the Bosch 4000 or DeWalt 744 have essentially replaced the contractor saw on the worksite. More often than not, a contractor saw is used primarily as a stationary tool in a workshop. Mobile bases make it possible to roll them around the shop, but few leave the shop on a regular basis, therefore the disadvantages associated with having the motor hanging out the back aren't necessary anymore. The opening for the motor causes complications with dust collection, the location of the motor causes the need for a longer drive belt, poses the risk of bumping things when the motor gets tilted which in turn knocks out the alignment, and they also take up additional space.
The new hybrids have pretty much the same size motor, sawing power, electrical requirements, duty ratings, and cutting capacities of a contractor saw, but take up less space, have better DC, more mass, and shorter drive belts. There are enough models to choose from that the price ranges often overlap those of a contractor saw. There are several excellent examples of both types of saw from Jet, Powermatic, Grizzly, Craftsman, General International, Shop Fox, Bridgewood, Ridgid, Steel City, and Sunhill to name a few. All have multiple models at different price points with different features.
The important things to look for in any saw IMO are a full size cast iron table (typically 27" and 40" including the wings), a belt drive induction motor between 1.5 and 2hp, and a good fence. Performance and reliability should be pretty comparable from brand to brand. What differs most are the bases, fences, wings, miter gauges, features, price, warranty, and retail situation, etc. There are other minor differences that offer pros and cons, but the overall performance usually boils down to accurate setup and good blade selection. Since so much is similar, it's also important (IMHO) to buy what you like and are comfortable with, so take opinions and reviews into consideration but keep them in perspective....to each his own right?!
A good used saw might be your best bet. There are occasional $400 deals on a decent full size new saw but you've got to be in the right place at the right time. I have seen the Jte 708100 hybrid on sale below $400 recently between Rockler, Sears, Amazon, Woodcraft, and Hechingers....worth a look IMO. A budget of $500-$600 will open up many other excellent possibilities.
Good luck!
http://www99.epinions.com/content_184778395268
http://www99.epinions.com/content_91326418564
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=TOOL&cat=Bench+Power+Tools&subcat=Table+Saws&pid=00999956000
Edited 2/21/2007 3:21 pm ET by Knotscott
"Preferred price range is around or under $400...." If you limit yourself to $400 (for a new saw) I'm afraid you'll be disappointed in the long run. There's simply not much to be had at that price. Even the Rigid 3650, quite a good contractor's saw, runs $550.
A hybrid is probably going to run $700 or more, but if you can wait for the stars to align just right, you can put together coupons and incentives for a really good price on the Craftsman hybrid with cast iron wings, maybe under $600. I just don't see $400 doing the job, unless you get really lucky on a used saw.
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Edited 2/21/2007 11:04 am by forestgirl
RIDGID TS3650. Available at Home Depot.
TP
I recently bought a General saw, and like it very much, but it was $1000 CDN, I guess that I wouldnt trust a saw that only cost $400 for nice work. Too many short cuts in quality to get the price.
Pedro
I must second the remarks of Forestgirl. The Ridgid is about the lowest priced saw that meets your criteria. For another $50 Lowe's has a Delta that is better in some ways, not so in others. Both have wheels. These two choices represent what should be the bottom of any table saw budget. Also, as others say, a hybrid is not that much more. My advice is to read all the comparisons published in magazines. That will take you a month or so during which time you should accumulate a bit more wealth in preparation for the purchase. Then comes the jointer, the bandsaw, the planer, ........ You get the idea.
Cadiddlehopper
I purchased the jet contractor saw perhaps 5 yrs ago. It has served me well but I wish every day I had sucked it up and spent more for a saw with an enclosed cabinet, be it a hybrid or cabinet saw. I know they cost more but you will save money in the long run. The better saw will get you more power, dust collection, and a better fence. And you won't be looking to upgrade in a few years as I am. Look at Grizzly: the saws are fine and you can't beat the prices. PMM
I agree with the lady. You can get that Craftsman hybrid saw on sale sometimes and I think it has a 30" Biesmeyer fence. I am not a big fan of the motor hanging out the back of the machine. If $400 is all you can spend then I would get the Makita bench top with the leg set. i think the Bosch is about $550 and the Hitachi model a Lowes is high 400's . In the benchtops the Bosch is the best followed by the Makita. I have seen 20 year old Makitas still running on job sites.
I'm not familiar with the Makita and Bosch benchtop saws. Will they take a stacked dado head?forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
I bought a Bosch 4000 about three years ago and have been quite happy with it. It will take a stacked dado head - I have the Freud 8" stacker and it works great. The dust collection is quite good and the clumsy blade guard can be easily modified to make a true riving knife.Don't get me wrong - it has limitations. Power has been adequate for me but ripping 10/4 oak with a thin kerf ripping blade pushed the limits. The aluminum table is small and it precludes the use of magnetic featherboards, measuring/setup instruments, etc. The mitre slots are not exactly the same width along their entire length. They are cast in, not machined, so some slight variation is not surprising. But the variation is slight and it has been more of an annoyance than a problem.Given what I spent I am quite happy with the saw. If the budget is firm at $400 I think it is a good option.
Chris
Forestgirl,
Funny you should ask that question. I went out to lunch with a buddy after being on this stupid dial-up system. After lunch I went over to my favorite tool emporium in Ann Arbor. The guy there is very knowledgeable and I asked him the same question the original poster presented. He said the Bosch is so much better of a benchtop model that he quit carrying Makita and Dewalt units. The Bosch will take a stackable dado as the other post answered and you can get it with a folding dolly that is slick as can be. He has had contractors buy them and convert them to power mitersaw stands. He has spoken to Bosch about doing the same thing but they are not interested in making money I guess, so it looks like Detla copied their design and built one. I wasn't crazy about the Delta so I didn't get one. I rambling, that Bosch benchtop is the highest rated and if I was a contrator I'd get one in a heartbeat for the jobsite.
Pete (tool guy's name) let me play with that new Domino from Festool and it is incredible. I just bought a SC bench mortiser and I wish I would have waited. It does floating tenons as easy as biscuit machines. A little pricey at $900 for all the bits, tenons and machine but it is unlimited in it's potential. You can make your own loose tenons if you want, because it cuts a much wider hole than their biggest tenon.
Terry
This is a tough question to answer, not knowing specifically what you want and, more generally, who you are.
I'm a contratian when it comes to buying tools and don't follow the advice to 'buy the most expensive/best you can afford.' Rather, I say 'spend the most you're willing to waste.' Six months from now your tablesaw could be gathering dust. Look at all the fancy exercise equipment serving as clothes racks.
Better to keep within your $400 budget and beat the saw to death, learn what you really want and what fits your needs, THEN go out and buy a higher quality tool.
I don't buy the advice that a low quality tool will discourage you from pursuing a goal if you really wanted the goal to begin with .
I've had two tablesaws, both bought for less than $200 and they served me very well for making bookcases and shelves, beds, tables, picture frames. In other words, weekend projects.
That being said, if I had the money and the space I'd buy the Craftsman hybrid that runs around $400-$500. Just for the fun of it.
Has anyone else noticed that none of our responses have been read yet? Wonder where he went......forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
to buy a saw, maybe? heh heh heh
couldn't resist.
Not to worry...I read them all! :D
unfortunately stuck moving boxes, beds, and furniture. First the annoying monotonous work, then the fun.
thanks for all the feedback. i'm starting to lean toward bumping up the budget slightly and waiting for a decent sale to cover the rest. Thanks again
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