Replies

1. 
   3fingers | Oct 28, 2003 03:38am | #1

   I have a Bosch and I love it.  The fence is all ways true.  I have a Basement shop and use this table saw.  But I also am a trim carpenter and need to take the saw to work and it is very portable. 

   So if you have limited space I would go for the Bosch.  For the portability and the accuracy of the saw.

   but if cost is not an object go with a contractors saw or cabinet saw.  With a cast iron top you will only have to buy a saw once in your and any children's life time.

1. 
   ThomasC | Oct 30, 2003 04:59am | #2

   The bosch sounds good. I have heard that many parts are plastic on the bosch. Does the bosch portable saw vibrate very much? How about the ridgid. Does it vibrate very much? I like the stand on the ridgid better than on the bosch. Are there any features that stand above the other on one of them?

2. 
   craigmoe | Oct 30, 2003 05:49am | #3

   I don't know much about the Bosch or Ridgid saws, but I have owned the DeWalt portable table saw for a few years and have been extremely pleased with it.  The rack & pinion fence system is an excellent design compared to most portable saws I have used in the past.

3. 
   Deleted | Apr 06, 2021 10:22am | #4

   “[Deleted]”

4. 
   DRBWWing | Apr 06, 2021 10:41am | #5

   Any type of jobsite or portable saw is going to have its limitations on power & accuracy, which indirectly equates to safety.

   With that in mind, SawStop would be tops on my list, not just the safety but I would have more confidence it is a decent saw.

   Personally if I had a very small shop I would go with a track saw MFT type setup. Check Peter Millard on YouTube he builds cabs for a living with nothing but that.

5. 
   sclause | Apr 06, 2021 12:19pm | #6

   I too have the small shop blues and must go outside for long rips. I had a Kobalt jobsite saw and hated it. I went with SawStop for the safety factor and feel good about it. I am very pleased with the quality of the saw right out of the box. Until I get a bigger shop (its on the list) I will keep the sawstop jobsite saw as I feel it is the best and safest saw for me.

6. 
   WoodsWoman | Apr 06, 2021 12:57pm | #8

   Since Masud dredged up this old thread, I will add my two cents. FWIW and YMMV apply.
   I was in Thomas' position at almost the same time. I made the Rigid brand contractor saw mistake. (A year's worth of gifts rolled into a single purchase by family led to Rigid over Bosch. If I'd seen this then, I'd have looked further into Bosch and DeWalt. I definitely would not have selected the Rigid in early aughts.)

   #1 lesson learned to pass along... Aluminum top that sags between the miter slots has been a major limiting factor for many years. If you are looking towards box making or furniture, then stiff ferrous top near the blade is important!
   Many jigs and techniques could not be used safely with this contractor saw. This remains true today for at least some portable contractor saws. I.E. No magnetic accessories. No cutting quality tenons on table saw b/c sag. Only very, very small crosscut sleds b/c miter slot is square (t-shape would improve situation significantly.)

   Final advice, for newbies considering an old saw for the $ value. Think carefully about whether a saw without a riving knife is an acceptable safety compromise. I purchased zero clearance inserts for each blade. I used and strongly recommend that commercial splitter addition for each one. The monetary sink adds up. Safety requires being very aware of distraction issues and hazards of an uncovered blade. No riving knife means uncovered blade, similar to dado set, in other use situations.

   Seconding Robert's suggestions as well. I made the track saw upgrade last year. I lack helping hands for wrangling sheet goods onto a table saw. Portable contactor saw limitations given plus aluminum top will only yield rough work. I won't sell or pass on my old tablesaw to a budding woodworker because it has all three issues.

   Newbies, this forum is awesome. I encourage: Do your research. Ask questions to verify your assessments. Wise ones will give guidance but not figure it out for you. Take your lumps when they point you toward more research or just don't answer (here or elsewhere.)

   BTW, Masud's link has embedded ads but no trackers etc detected by my ad blocking privacy software at this time.

7. 
   todkat | Apr 06, 2021 05:00pm | #10

   I've owned the Bosch 4100 for several years and its served me well in my tiny shop. When not in use it easy folds against the wall. Portable and space savings, first place. Vibration is only an issue at motor start then it smooths right own. Downsides are the aluminum top, fence must be checked for square after any change, limited adjustability, mean that if the blade arrives out of parallel with the miter slots there is no adjustment. I've had to build a lot of jigs.

8. 
   Go_Bills | Apr 06, 2021 08:04pm | #11

   I have a Dewalt DWE7480 Job Site saw. As CraigMoe stated the rack & pinon fence system is very good. I do have problems with the locking mechanism for the fence releasing. I simply put a strap on the handle to keep it from releasing.

   All things considered, bang for your buck, portability... this is a excellent small shop starter table saw.

   If you have the money and space you won't be making a mistake with a SawStop.

   Buy the best blades you can afford.

9. 
   jfsksa | Apr 06, 2021 12:47pm | #7

   My internet filter flagged this site as dangerous. Others get this warning?

10. 
    john_c2 | Apr 06, 2021 02:26pm | #9

    The Fine Woodworking site? Never got a flag here.