Replies

1. 
   MatthewSchenker | Dec 01, 2006 11:14pm | #1

   Ruth,
   Since you have a choice for "I prefer a circular saw," maybe there should be another choice for people who use a combination.

   For example, when I use a table saw, I use a portable (Ridgid). But most of the time, I use a guide-rail system.

   I know how tough it is to design polls that take into account every choice, so this is only a kind of light suggestion.

2. 
   Lataxe | Dec 02, 2006 01:40am | #2

   Ruth,

   Perhaps you should have included "European style cabinet saw with sliding crosscut carriage".  Or is this an "Other"?

   Even completing nothing but a survey, I find myself shuddering at the thought of owning nobbut one of them Unisaw things with no riving knife, cross cut carriage, blade guard, blade brake, etc., etc..

   Lataxe, TS snob

1. 
   Kaleo | Dec 02, 2006 06:55am | #3

   Lataxe-I'm with you about the sliding table saw. It should be up there, Having used a regular cabinet saw forever until about 1 year ago. I hope that I can afford one later, but I will get one as soon as I can.Kaleo

   http://www.kalafinefurniture.blogspot.com

2. 
   ring | Dec 02, 2006 11:42am | #4

   Second the motion. I am offended that they consider anything else a TS at all.DR, champion of sliding-carriage saws.

1. 
   Lataxe | Dec 02, 2006 05:25pm | #5

   Kaleo & Ring,

   I notice that in one or two other threads (eg the sawstop one) the myth still abounds that European-style TS with crosscut carriages et al cost $10,000. If only US woodworkers had access to the European market, where very good saws of this configuration can be had for £600 - £2000 ($1200 - $4000) and every price point in between.....    

   Lataxe

1. 
   ring | Dec 02, 2006 06:09pm | #6

   Well, the US market is a funny thing...Of course if US customers were asking for them, the saws would be more visibly available on the market. Still, Minimax (SCM's little subsidiary) has a nice saw at around $5000. Felder and others also have reasonable things to offer. In a few years time there will certainly be more demand, the choices will expand, and prices will drop. If I were in the States I'd consider buying a saw in Europe without the motor, and ship it over myself. With the money I saved I could pay for the trip to Europe!DR

3. 
   KeithNewton | Dec 03, 2006 01:57am | #7

   Your poll only would allow one button to work, and I have three table-saws. My main saw is PM #72 with a wide solid cast wing on the right side, with 3 holes in it for routers, although only one is in it full time.

   Next is a Delta 10" unisaw with a long uni-fence.

   I still have my first contractor saw for taking to job-sites. It is a Rockwell 9". I put a leeson 2 hp open frame motor on it shortly after getting it in the early seventies.

   I have sleds and outfeed table/ workbenches for each of them.

4. 
   randyvt | Dec 07, 2006 01:37am | #8

   I too, use a few different types, but I cast my vote for my unisaw. Perhaps a "most frequently" next-most frequently" type response would have been better. I think many of us have (and use) more than one type saw, which is all that radio button choosing allows.

5. 
   Art975 | Dec 07, 2006 08:32am | #9

   For others that might be balancing a (good quality) contractor saw versus a cabinet saw, I have had very good results with combining a Delta contractor's saw (before they "redesigned" it with a cheesier motor) with their Unifence. Yes I gave up extra power with my 2HP 2-phase motor, but for me accuracy was the key requirement and I find Unifence is just as rock-solid accurate when bolted to a top on open legs as on my friend's enclosed cabinet base. Total cost was under $600. Dust collection is a bit fussier but again worth it for the savings. Fine dust appears to be caught just as well, which matches what various FWW articles would predict - volume of air moved is the key and a too-tight enclosure might even be worse than a more open setup. Heavy dust piles up inside the base and I have to occasionally push it down the intake but that's a minor operation with a mostly-open base.

1. 
   RadioEar | Dec 28, 2006 07:37am | #10

   My first table saw was a cabinet style, mainly because it was easer to setup dust collection. I also liked the size and weight.

   Edited 12/27/2006 11:39 pm ET by RadioEar