Hi All,
I am looking into getting some tools for Christmas that will allow me to start on some wood working projects next year (I thought I’d start out by building a workbench, a book shelf, maybe a chair).
I have been looking on craigslist for a while, and am confident that I can pick up a decent bandsaw (maybe a thickness planer or a jointer if I can scrape the money together), but I have had zero luck with used table saws, everything is junk. So I will probably have to buy new.
What table saw would you get for under $500? Portability would be nice, as I don’t have a lot of space (still in college so I don’t own a house).
Thanks for any replies!
Edited 12/7/2009 5:53 pm ET by DrRocks
Replies
That budget is gonna limit your choices, but you should be able to get a decent jobsite style saw for that money. IIRC, Ridgid makes a pretty decent saw on a foldup stand. You should find a pretty good selection at Home Depot or Lowes. EBay or Amazon will also have them.
You're making the right choice as far as the "first" tool. A TS is usually the heart of a woodshop.
I'm not so sure about your projects list, however. The workbench and bookcase are fine, but chairs can be a challenge to even the most experienced woodworker. - lol
BTW, make your workbench so it can be used as an outfeed table for whatever TS you buy. You'll be glad you did.
Persist with Craigs list ! Even if it is surrounding cities. And buyer beware. What is your location?
With that price cap, you're probably limited to bench-top or job-site type saws, if buying new. For another $100+, you'd fall into the low end of the contractor saw market. Grizzly, for example, has a couple of models priced at $595.
http://www.grizzly.com/products/mach-specs.aspx?key=530000|530002|530020
Something like that would be ideal, but it's a bit out of my price range, and might be a large considering I don't have a garage or shop, and will be putting it in a small room off of my living room. Any good recommendations for a table top saw? Jet had one on amazon for around 300 that seemed nice.
DeWalt and Makita also have bench-top models in your price range. Bosch, too, but it's in the $595 space. I can't make any recommendation, since I've had no experience with any of them. I'd suggest spending some time looking at the various models at your local Lowes or HD to get a sense of the design and build quality. Be aware, however, that most of these saws are made for carpentry, not cabinetry. Also, considering your living situation, don't ignore the potential utility of a couple of decent hand saws, combined with a decent circular saw and guide-rail for sheet goods cutting.
Another question - where do you live? (If you click on your name in a post, you'll be able to edit your Knots profile to include a general location).OK, two questions. It sounds like you may be living in an apartment. If so, machine noise may also be an issue for you.
The Ridgid job-site saw is the one I'd look for in your situation.
DrRocks,
Of I had a budget of $500 I would be looking at the used machines that are for sale. With the economy the way it is right now sadly at of people are trying to turn good Iron into Green Paper.
I have seen some super sweet deals out their lately. You maybe able to find a decent saw.
Taigert
Thanks for all the replies! I live in Pittsburgh, and have been looking at tools on Craigslist every day for the past few months, and have yet to see a single table saw that wasn't either complete junk for $50, or an old Unisaw for $1000 (Which, don't get me wrong, I would love, but can't get that crazy.). Almost bought a delta thickness planer and a jointer, but got screwed out of it by the seller. Any opinions on this saw?http://www.amazon.com/708315LSB-JBTS-10LS-2-Benchtop-10-Inch-Storage/dp/B000CFH3AI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1260288230&sr=1-11The price seems right, but I am not too familiar with it.The Rigid looks nice too, though might be a bit expensive. I saw the Bosch at Loews, but didn't like the wheeled stand (the whole saw rocked back and forth a bit, either it's not sturdy, or a moron set it up.Two others I have seen that I could afford are this Makita:http://www.amazon.com/Makita-2703X1-10-Inch-Benchtop-Table/dp/B000055XZ9/ref=sr_1_49?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1260288373&sr=1-49And this Dewalt:http://www.amazon.com/DEWALT-DW745-10-Inch-Compact-Capacity/dp/B000HXT2N6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1260288230&sr=1-410fingers, is this the jointer you are talking about?http://www.amazon.com/708315LSB-JBTS-10LS-2-Benchtop-10-Inch-Storage/dp/B000CFH3AI/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1260288230&sr=1-11Seems like a great deal, I was actually looking at the 8" model, which I might pick up if if I can get a thickness planer as well, as I have a source for free wood.I realize that at some point, I am going to regret not buying a better saw, but, when I graduate in a few years, I will actually have money to spend on things, so I can start going all out by getting a nice cabinet saw. So, I guess I am looking for something to use for a few years, the main requirements being a nice fence, a decent amount of power, and something that accepts a dado blade. Noise isn't a huge issue, I live on the first floor of a house, and some other people rent the second floor apartment, so as long as I stop working at a reasonable hour, no one should care. I have a room that is ~150 sq. ft. that I can turn into a workshop, hence wanting a smaller saw.
Dr,
I am suprised that you don't have a Bosch on your short list. I think they placed high in the rankings. Number 1 I think.
Taigert
The Bosch is a nice machine, but I am not sure I can afford it, the cheapest I have seen it is $550.
Don't be put off too much be the wobbly stand on that Bosch saw at Lowes. Bosch is one of the better jobsite saws and your second theory (set up by a moron) is almost certainly the problem. - lolThe foldd up and roll around stands are well worth the cost as you'll discover when you need to move the @#$%@ thing.
Another thing to think about in a relatively small space is the availability of a caster set for the unit you choose. Mobile bases are another option. You'll likely need to move the equipment around a bit, and casters or a mobile base will be quite handy. I don't care for the telescoping rail on the DeWalt. That strikes me as another area where variability might creep in. The base shelf on the Makita and the jet would allow you to add a 90# bag of QuikCrete, once the saw is in position. Sounds laughable, but weight is your friend.
That's a good point about the bag of concrete, that is a good idea to help with stability. What do you think of the Jet? At that price, I could get a jointer to fit in my budget. And how does one tell if a saw will accept a dado stack? That is something I definately would like.
One advantage of the better contractor and cabinet saws is that they use a cast iron table and wings that are machined flat (in theory, anyway). The Jet description doesn't appear to describe the table materials, but I'd guess sheet steel, which, depending on design, may translate into flatness issues due to manufacturing and assembly variations. An unflat table is dangerous in my opinion.As to dado capability, check the Jet specs:http://www.jetwilton.com/us/manufacturing/en/product_jet.html?node=456&product=100918It's limited to 6" dado sets and a maximum dado width of 1/2" - meaning the arbor isn't long enough for a full stack 3/4" dado. or the motor isn't powerful enough to take the larger bite.The same questions would apply to the Makita and other brands. There are other ways to do dados, however, such as with a router and edge or template guides.
The specs of a saw usually will tell you what size dado stack you can use. I don't think you gain much from a 8" diameter stack over a 6" stack, other than cost. Most dados are shallow anyway. You will want one that can accomodate the whole width, however. Most of my dados are 1/2" or 3/4", with 3/4" being the most common.
There are quite a few woodworkers, who would pick a band saw as a first machine. Given your situation, the absence of loud noise might be a factor in keeping good relations with your neighbors.
The DeWalt 745 is a great saw, but it has a small table, and you can't put a dado stack on it.
Check these out.
http://bosch.cpotools.com/reconditioned_tools/saws/table_saws/
The Bosch is a great saw. And, everything I have ever bought reconditioned from CPO Outlets has looked brand new. It still comes with a warranty. Great way to buy tools.
Hello,
Jet has a combination 10"planer/jointer for about $400.00. I have never seen it in woodcraft, but I believe it is in their catalog. It looks like a deal to me. I plan to get one as soon as I save up the money. I would try to get new machinery a piece at a time in order to get some sort of warranty rather than buy used. I have gotten some deals buying used, but there is always some sort of problem with whatever I purchase. I have also bought some real crap used. Hand tools are usually ok if you don't mind sharpening them.
Good Luck,
10fingers
I too have looked at the Jet bench top line. And feel that they have their place in the small not so serious hobbyists' shop. Such tools IMHO will be out grown in short order, like the all in one Shopsmith. Reselling is next to impossible.
doc,
one of the first work areas i had was a spare bedroom in a duplex that i rented. it was a pain on several levels. the dust gets all over the place, your neighbors get curious, you work looking over your shoulder, did i mention the saw dust?
hows about a community adult class in your area? they usually take place in high school or college woodshops and for a small fee you can get instruction, help from others and lots of nice tools to use.
eef
Why not wait a little longer on the tablesaw? Keep looking for a better used machine. You could get started with a bandsaw. I would go that route until I could get a better tablesaw. With cheaper tablesaws and a small light table it is very difficult to do finer craftsmanship.
Good thought about the Bandsaw, I am hoping to find one soon (lots of nice used ones), but wanted a table saw as it I have never used a bandsaw before, and wanted a larger table to work with. A table saw is definitely the tool I am most comfortable with I made the cutting board in the attached picture with my dad's ancient craftsman table saw, with a fence that barely functions anymore. I'm no expert, but at least comfortable around a table saw. I have been looking on craigslist across all of pennsylvania (As I am ok with a drive to get a good deal, I just drove 2 hours each way to pick up a delta jointer and thickness planer) for a table saw and have seen nothing but beat up junk. I dunno, but it seems like people that buy the cheaper saws just beat them up until they die, and don't worry about taking care of them because they are easily replaceable. I might take a look at some refurbished units instead, as suggested above.But for now, all I can get is a small saw, so I will probably end up with a new saw.
" . . . it seems like people that buy the cheaper saws just beat them up until they die, and don't worry about taking care of them . . . "Since you don't mind driving (I'm in New Mexico), I have an extra 9" Delta contractor's saw that's about 40 years old. Looks "like-new in box" (if I could make a box for it). ;-)If you're set on buying new, I'd lean toward the Rigid saw that FG suggested, and simply live with the limitations for now. Two-pass dados aren't that much of a problem, unless you're doing production-level work. Or, do the dados with a router.
You might also want to check out some of the refurbished tool sites. Here's one for Hitachi that have excellent prices but there are others for almost all name brand tools. Just google refurbished "brand name" and you'll find many more.
http://www.reconditionedsales.com/default.aspx
Anything you spend on a tool that isn't up to your needs will be money spent with regrets - try looking at some of these cabinet shops that rent space to woodworkers -
SA
the Bosh portable table saw reviewed in FWW last issue I bought one actualy before I read the review I love it.
i have recently gotten the bosch and i love it i made a stand in my shop for it so the saw is set at a height for me and its strong acurate overall the best job site saw and for an extra 50 bucks ur geting quality. it also fits well in my 200sqft work shop
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