Replies

1. 
   Danford_C._Jennings | Feb 01, 2002 07:21am | #1

   *
   Joshua,

   Yours is always a "controversial" question. Why? Well, the tools we use are usually personal in nature especially in regard to the decision making process each individual uses, so they generally will recommend what they have.

   Normally, in these cases I always recommend that one buy the highest quality they can afford, this too can be very subjective.

   So what I am going to ask of you is that you < Obsolete Link > click here, doing so will take you to a discussion currently taking place in the "Tools for Woodworking" folder. You might also want to conduct a search by using "table saw" as your key words on this forum.

   Dano

1. 
   Dave_Wright_ | Feb 01, 2002 04:32pm | #2

   *Joshua,I'd go with the Delta contractor's saw. These saws are all very similar, but the Delta puts several key features together.-- 3,000 RPM blade speed for more torque and quieter operation-- Open worm gears for blade height and tilt adjustment-- Long term replacement parts availability-- Topside adjustment of trunnion tilt stopsNone of the competing saws can say "yes" to that entire list. I also recommend the Bies fence on the Delta. The Unirip is way too flexible, particularly if you mount a router in the extension wing and guide stock with the table saw's fence. The Unifence is also somewhat flexible and it's a hassle to switch sides. The Bies may not be as versatile as the Unifence, but it's #1 for regular table saw tasks - extremely rigid and accurate for use from either side.Best of Luck, Dave

1. 
   Matthew_Schenker | Feb 01, 2002 07:01pm | #3

   *Joshua,It's great that you're asking questions right at the start of your woodworking endeavors. A lot of people on this forum had to go through a kind of "hunt and peck" period, making a lot of mistakes about their woodworking tools, before learning how to make better buying decisions. Of course, we all make mistakes anyway, but being involved in good discussions with smart woodworkers helps lower the number of mistakes. I wish I had a forum like this when I was your age.Keep asking questions as you start to wonder about other tools!

1. 
   a_jepson | Feb 01, 2002 07:50pm | #4

   *hey joshua, my advice for you is to buy used, whether you buy a contractor or a cabinet saw is up to you, but i got a general 350 cabinet saw for 600 bucks (including lots of blades). your money will go alot further and you can set up a more complete workshop that you won't outgrow.

1. 
   Scooter | Feb 01, 2002 09:18pm | #5

   *I'd buy used, and buy Delta. You can get some great buys if you are patient.

2. 
   RonTeti | Feb 02, 2002 02:16am | #6

   *Joshua,I agree with Dave. One of the things that delta brags about is that they can get parts for any of there tools. I agree with dave except for ragging on my unifence//watch it there buster...:)

3. 
   Jon_Byrd | Feb 17, 2002 08:58am | #7

   *I got the Delta contractor saw and am pleased with it. However go ahead and order one of those red v-link belts, the one delta ships with the saw is junk and the motor hops up and down with it. You might check out Grizzly, they have a lot of saw for the money. If you can stand the ugly green color, you won't likely be disappointed. I've bought a lathe and a drill press from them and both were solid tools. Jon

4. 
   Frenchy_Dampier | Feb 17, 2002 07:00pm | #8

   *Josh, I own a Delta and wish I didn't! It's too flexable and has so little power that slightly damp wood will stall the blade. and a really dry (6%moisture) 2x4 can't be ripped! In addition a bad kick back will bend things up so badly that it can't be adjusted out! I plan on replacing it with the grizzly with the 12 inch blade. (I have a lot of 4x4's to work on..) Yeh, I hatethe really ugly green paint but the equipment is first rate..esp. considering the price.

5. 
   Jon_Byrd | Feb 18, 2002 09:45am | #9

   *Which Delta do you own? You can't rip a 2x4?? I had a 6 inch thick block of oak that I had to rip. Due to the thickness, I had to rip it once, flip it over and rip it from the other side. It ate through it with no problem. This was two days after the tree was cut. You'rs really won't rip a 2x4? Something is up with that. You might want to check that blade.However Grizzly offers cabinet saws for the cost of higher end contractor saws from the other mfg's. Last I checked, their entry level cabinet saw was in the $700 range. Not bad.. I kinda wished I would have spent the extra $200 for it. But the problem with saws is that there is a model for every $100 increase in price it seems, so it's always hard to pick the right one. Get as much as you can pay for... That is unless you don't need that much.. See what I mean...Jon

6. 
   Mike_Taylor1 | Feb 18, 2002 05:20pm | #10

   *My old Rockwell 10" contractor saw has a 1.5 HP motor which is kinda underpowered for some things. Going to a thin kerf blade helps there considerably.Also adding a kerf splitter helps. 2x4's usually will bind a blade when ripping. Using a wedge helps when the front of the board gets past the blade.Another big help is making sure the guide fence is paraller to the blade. Ripping a bowed board can be a problem if the concave side is towards the fence.If my Rockwell is tuned up well and has a sharp thin kerf blade, then it cuts well enough for my needs. The Delta's are descendants of the Rockwell. Any ripping job on stock thicker than 1.5" usually goes to my bandsaw which handles 6" thick stock with no problem. I usually rip full sized sheet goods using saw horses and my Porter Cable saw (to old to hoist those suckers!).

7. 
   Phillip_Elam | Mar 04, 2002 03:18am | #11

   *Joshua I have the powermatic modle 64A it is a very well built saw. It has plenty of power and is dead on accurate. I believe the fit and finish are a little better on the powermatic than it is on the delta.

8. 
   Warren_Spahr | Mar 08, 2002 03:56pm | #12

   *Here is a different reccomendation from powermatic and Delta. I have owned a Jet contractor saw for 5 years now and haven't had the first problem with it. The fence is dead accurate and is very stable. The quality is also very good. Regardless of the table saw you use, remember that the saw is only as good as the blade you use. I recommend spending a little extra up front and getting the Forrest combination blade. This is a high quality blade that you will not regret spending the money for.

9. 
   Smaug | Mar 08, 2002 08:43pm | #13

   *Josh, I just started a similar thread in the folder "Tools for Woodworking" I asked about Jet vs. Grizzly instead of Delta vs. Powermatic. To me, Powermatics seem overpriced, but I can't speak from experience. Did your Amish cabinetmaker buddy use a tablesaw? What was it like to work with him?