I am a relative newbie to the woodworking world and do not have a tabel saw yet but have a need for one. I do have a 12 in compound miter saw which I use frequently but oftentimes need to rip wood. Using a circular saw is fine at times but not for everything. I don’t want to break the bank but want to buy a table saw. Do you feel that purchasing a used table saw makes sense? If not, can someone recommend a brand that will give me a decent saw for a newbie?
Regards,
Bessebo
Replies
Buzzsaw,
Your smart to come on here and ask the questions. if you post the same question in knots you'll get lots of opinions ...this is a new discussion group and many form knots have not come here yet.
Many of us aksed questions about TS only after we had made our first mistake. In general, the heavier the table saw the smoother the cut...of course blades can and do make a big difference. Many of the older used saws are nice and heavy with big trunnions and cut beautifully. If you buy new or used you'll need to learn how to set your saw up and keep it in tune. As a newbie, I would recommend you buy a used saw from someone or company who will support your learning curve and back up the TS if something is out of whack.
A fense is also a very important item on a TS. Again, in general, the bies or bies knockoff is the most desireable on the TS. By the way, when I say TS I mean either cabinet saw or contractor saw. There are significant differences between these two types..but for the hobbyist, not a whole lot of functionality differences.
I'm sorry but I do not know what "knots" is. Please advise...
Buzzsaw...
Buzzsaw,
Sorry, Knots is a chat line like this...look above 'My Forums' and you can click on Knots..they are both woodworking oriented...
BT = Breaktime..another thread, again above 'My Forums'
WWing = woodworking
Edited 10/21/2003 8:42:14 AM ET by BG
Bessebo, my good buddy BG must have been hurrying to get back to the football game -- "bies" is short for Biesemeyer, just in case your saw research hasn't taken you that far.
If you can find a good tablesaw, that's a great way to go, but anything other than a Craftsman can be elusive. Hop over to Knots and post under WWing tools, you'll get tons of helpful advice!
forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl ;-)
Forestgirl,
Not sure what knots is or WWing tools for that matter...Help..
Buzzsaw
I have a 10" Craftsman table saw and several other Craftsman crap, what good brands are out there that I can switch too? I tried ordering parts from Sears several times and have always been dissapointed since their manufacturer doesn't hold spare parts for long. I lost the manual to my table saw that I have had for around 3 years and they do not even have the manual anymore. Heck, most companies these days let you download them for free off their website.
My question is this, I deal/dally around in mixed lumber, soft and hardwood. I am somewhat of a novice still fighting myself against making jigs to help me out. I want to rid my tools of that Craftsman power tool stock and want to get into a different line that isn't too costly, but has better customer service and parts. I want line that I can grow with slowly, but supports me with the tools that I have. I do not make much and takes time to purchase so be easy on suggestions. I told my wife that we are going to go get that 2004 Tool Guide book today, but I am afraid that it will be like all those others that doesn't really help the novice woodworker with little money. It would probably take me until next February's income check to be able to purchase a $200 to $300 table depending on what happens.
Please advise.
Drewkenton,
I think what your looking for is a good retailer who backs up his product line ...and has enough customer experience to know what that means. I don't know of any tool manufacturer that has the 'best' tool in every catagory...and in your case, as it is in mine, I don't necessarily need the best in every catagory...but I do like to know the tradeoffs..a good retailer knows those differentials. I have a very good Woodcraft store near buy and they are very helpful.
The other thing I'll say is I have bought used on e-bay. I bought a used Milwaukee 1/2" drill....this is not a tool I use all the time..so the $45 bucks has been well worth it....and I don't need cordless everything...
Lastly, we tend to focus on power tools quite a bit when we are getting started...only to find out hand tools are required for the nice fit and finish. As we become more proficient with the hand tools the quality of the power tools is of less significance.
Give it a shot at BT and you'll get another set of opinions... LOL
Put in as much information as you can as to your long range plan and what kind of material you want to cut..
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
What is BT? You guys are speaking another language. Please elaborate. I'm a first time poster..
Buzzsaw
Sorry. BT is BtreakTime. Look in the header and see it next to Knots forum.
Let me caution you that it's a different world over there but a lot of fun.
Lots of information on just about any thing you can imagine. You have sewing, cooking and gardening availible.
Knots is the pinkie waving fine wood workers and break time is the rude, crude and crass "other" bunch.
Just the same welcome Buzzsaw. I know you'll enjoy yourself here.
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
May I suggest you intro your self when you get there and take a minute to fill in your profile. Don't know some thing ask. Learn the search function as best as you can....
Who ever invented work didn't know how to fish....
You can make some very good deals by watching the papers and yard sales. I found one woman that was cleaning out her dead husbands wood working shop, two years after he had passed. I paid $400.00 for a 3 hp. 55 inch extention mode 66 powermatc. I have bought a lot of tools that way.
A lot of people want to sell you used tools for almost new price. I won't pay any more then 1/2 because no warrant on them for the most part you don't know how they have been treated. A lot of people get insulted when I won't pay almost new price on their use tools.
This forum post is now archived. Commenting has been disabled