Alright, help me pick a damn table saw

[Sh40674]

Ok so before I start, I know what the general opinion is on cheap table saws is.. But the few I picked will do just fine for me. I looked at a dewalt model today that was almost $400 and in my opinion seemed a little more accurate but not worth the extra. So I have it rounded down to 3 saws. Please keep in mind all 3 of these will do just fine for me, so please keep the "don't waste your money" comments to yourself. I'll end up buying one of these 3 just need some help deciding

The kobalt: a little above my budget but seems solid and easy to get in square. And is with a rolling/folding stand (porter cable copy)
http://www.lowes.com/pd_486267-52010-KT1015_0__?productId=50056619

The craftsman: given craftsman quality in recent years this one has me edgy but the price is right and has a lot of features for the price.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...p-00941503000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

The rigid: seems like a good bang for the buck,would need a stand but can be stored on the side. Seems to be well liked.
http://t.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-15-Amp-10-in-Compact-Table-Saw-R45161/202871796

So all 3 are stored easy, and able to make dado cuts, the kobalt and rigid seem the most friendly in terms of getting as square as possible, but the craftsman has the most features for the bucks. All of these will do what I ask, so what's everyone think between these 3?

 

[raiderhillbilly]

The Rigid Warranty would make me buy it. If you like it as well as the other two, read about registering for the lifetime warranty.

http://www.homedepot.com/catalog/pdfImages/7e/7ee03483-1dd6-4bfa-b0c3-839c85d0cc04.pdf

 

[Ksullivan]

http://t.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-15-...ortable-Table-Saw-with-Stand-R4513/100090444/

This is the saw I have for my home use and I do some side work (home repairs and remodeling). This thing is a workhorse, I would reccomend it without hesitation to anyone looking for a table saw that is tight on space. It folds up and it has handled everything I have thrown at it. I know it's a bit out of your price range, but if this one is like the one for $199 you might be in good shape with that one.
Also I recently purchased the kobalt one for work, I can say first hand it is not as sturdy as the ridgid. I absolutely hate the way the fence has to lock on the front and rear and it locks really hard. It will snap your hand if your not careful, I was in the market for an inexpensive table saw for sheet goods and Some light ripping. So far haven't been impressed with the kobalt.

My reccomendation Would be to get the ridgid and if you have the budget for it get the more expensive one I showed in the link.

Good luck.

 

[Zeke]

I don't have a Ridgid and never used one but they get very good reviews for portable use.

 

[isdavyy4u]

Go to your local library and look at the back issues of Family Handyman. They are always doing tool test comparisons. They will test 6 or 7 different models and give you a breakdown with pros and cons of each brand. Will give each brand a score, pick a best of category, and a best buy.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Sawstop -- http://www.sawstop.com/

If I was looking for a tablesaw today I wouldn't consider anything else.

 

[Sh40674]

Appreciate the link, but I'm not buying a $1300 saw when I might use it once a month or so. This will be for basic household projects

 

[turbowoodworker]

OP, thanks for the very clear parameters. And within those parameters I have no experience so I will not comment. have fun with your woodworking.

 

[bcradio]

OP, thanks for the very clear parameters. And within those parameters I have no experience so I will not comment. have fun with your woodworking.

ditto!

good luck

 

[TheRealMcCory1]

Sawstop -- http://www.sawstop.com/

If I was looking for a tablesaw today I wouldn't consider anything else.

Wow. It's almost like he explicitly asked for people not to make this comment.

Seriously though, I would buy the nicest possible tablesaw that is within your budget. The tablesaw is by far the most important and flexible tool in woodworking (diy, hobby or otherwise). I have heard good things about the RIDGID.

Thanks,
Cory

 

[PugetDude]

Love my BOSCH tablesaw. The gravity rise stand is awesome. I bought the retractable outfeed and side supports and it does a great job on sheet stock.
No vibration, plenty of power. Decent dust collection.

 

[zkling]

The Ridgid.

 

[TomB19]

Of those, Ridgid but consider the DeWalt. It goes on sale from time to time and is close in price.

The advantage of the deWalt is the rack and pinion fence. It's always square. The rest of the saw is probably the same quality as that Ridgid.

Also, if portability is important, consider the Bosch gravity raise table saw lift. It's a treat for anyone who needs to move their saw around and store it neatly.

 

[buildyourown]

Have you ever used a real table saw before?
If not, you might be satisfied with one on your list.

Spend $250 on an old Delta on CL and be way ahead.

 

[Fugio]

2 words of advice from me:

1) the fence is more important that the rest of the saw. The fence is what makes or breaks a saw for me.

2) Belt drives is ALWAYS better than direct drive when it comes to table saws. Try to find a sale on a belt drive.

 

[Jarhead0408]

^^^ AGreed 1000% percent

I just picked a used Rockwell/Delta Model 10 up off of Craigslist for $150. Got a bunch of freebies with her too!

 

[Miss_Sissy]

I've got an older, full-sized Ridgid table saw on which I installed a Delta Unifence and a shop-built table extension. It's been a great saw and I have no regrets on the choice.

It's my understanding that Emerson Electric used to make table saws for Sears. When Sears switched to a cheaper overseas supplier, Emerson was left looking for a customer. Home Depot made a deal to put the Ridgid name on Emerson-built table saws. So a lot of the earlier Ridgids are essentially the same as various Sears table saws, right down to parts interchangeability.

 

[southalabama]

I've got an older craftsman with cast iron top. It is a beast. But it is heavy as hell and even with wheels is a pain to move. It takes up tremendous space.

Dad has the dewalt. Good saw just beyond what u want to spend. The beauty of it and the others you picked is that they are portable. Set it on the shelf when finished.

Some of the smaller Dewalts don't allow dado set so Becareful if you go there.

From those listed I'd get ridgid based on reviews. I wouldn't consider kobalt.

 

[RivennHewn]

I have a vintage Delta unisaw, and a 20+ year old Makita.

I can do equal quality of work on either.

It's not the tool, it's how ya use it.

Once you get to know your saw, making it do what you want is easy.

Of the 3, the Ridgid would probably be my choice due to the warranty.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Wow. It's almost like he explicitly asked for people not to make this comment.

Well... yeah, you're right... but, I wanted to be sure he was aware of it's existence. Unless you read all the magazines and visit these kinds of forums these kinds of things can get overlooked.

Frankly, the Sawstop technology is the most important safety feature ever added to a tablesaw that we'll see in our lifetimes. Imagine all the lost fingers over the past 100 years this technology could have saved, if it was available.

Plus, he's already spending 1/3 the cost of the contractor version of the Sawstop.... so it didn't seem like it was totally out of the ballpark.

I consider myself Mr. Safety, but accidents do happen and the chance of that one horrible accident happening is the same whether you use the saw once a year or 10,000.

 

[Sh40674]

I've used a wide variety of table saws and for what I occasionally do (ripping a board, making a shelf. Etc..) an old Rockwell has always worked, but time to upgrade. If I did more precise projects or used one all the time I'd budget for more but just can't justify it. Thanks for all the responses so far, please keep them coming!

 

[AWH]

the chance of that one horrible accident happening is the same whether you use the saw once a year or 10,000.

Maybe he wants the nickname 'NUBS?

 

[Sh40674]

I know about safety. I used to run a table saw for a living at a cabinet factory. Been hit in the gut a few times, guy I worked with got a nut exploded (you read that right).

I'm leaning on the rigid or craftsman. Our wears sticks the craftsman so I'll check it out this week. Our HD doesn't stock the rigid so I'd be buying it sight unseen.

 

[BeaverPuncher]

The rigid is what I have. The 4512 model which has eaten everything I've thrown at it so far. The contractor model which is the plastic base is good but I don't think it'll do dado because of the arbor size or length.

The 4512 is worth it and takes up relatively little space and dan be moved easily. The saw stop owner is a bit of an *** and almost caused a bunch of problems for wood workers because of his greed. He gets none of my money.

 

[Syntax_Error]

Rigid gets my vote. Nice saw, get the stand its so much nicer having the work surface at an actual workable height. Plus with the stand and having the saw on its side its really easy to strap into a trailer or just tuck away in the garage. I have the Dewalt and don't use a stand to keep it light weight for loading and unloading in my truck everyday. Dewalt is my number one recomendation still but since your set on another it has to be Rigid. Both are very good saws though.

 

[Syntax_Error]

Still need to replace that blade when you go and buy it. Even a Diablo blade with be miles ahead of the stock blade. Maybe you can try a HF 20% coupon when you go get your saw as well.

 

[BeaverPuncher]

HF coupon worked for me.

 

[woodrail]

I consider myself Mr. Safety, but accidents do happen and the chance of that one horrible accident happening is the same whether you use the saw once a year or 10,000.

uh, what?

Exactly how does this statement make sense?

I think there is 9,999 more chances I'll have an accident.

 

[Sh40674]

Problem is our home depot doesn't stock that saw so I don't know if they will special order it with the coupon. I think I will go with the rigid, seems to be a copy of a craftsman model that is no longer made, but was very well liked

 

[DonPowers]

2 words of advice from me:

1) the fence is more important that the rest of the saw. The fence is what makes or breaks a saw for me.

2) Belt drives is ALWAYS better than direct drive when it comes to table saws. Try to find a sale on a belt drive.

I agree with Fugio 100%, especially the fence part. You want one that is easy to adjust and stays parallel with the blade throughout it's range, with just a bit of offset on the out feed end so your work doesn't bind. Better fences have adjustments for the degree of off set.

 

[skcj213]

I had a couple of different Craftsman jobsite table saws and they were both marginal at best. Between the small table size and tinker toy feeling rip fences they just weren't very good tools.

I now have a Ridgid R4512. It is no cabinet saw by any means but I am very happy with it. The rip fence works well and it has enough power to cut everything I have thrown at it so far. The biggest complaint about the R4512 is the problem with the blade shifting when adjusting the height. My saw has this problem but not as bad as some. When raising the blade I have to remember to turn the adjustment wheel in the opposite direct about a quarter turn to remove pressure from the trunion and the alignment comes back in. My understanding is that Ridgid has identified the root cause of this issue and has implemented a fix.

 

[My Old Tools]

If you have an old Rockwell, just buy a better fence, Biesemeyer or clone.

 

[Frank Dukes]

i bought the ridgid around black friday and its been good to me in what little use it has seen so far.. i also put a diablo 60t blade on it to help it along a little.

 

[stevenhs]

What is your max budget? The table saws you listed are not that great for the price.
You are better off getting a hybrid table saw. I recommend the Rdigid R4512 or grizzly 10" Hybrid Table Saw

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-13-Amp-10-in-Professional-Cast-Iron-Table-Saw-R4512/202500206

http://www.grizzly.com/products/10-Hybrid-Table-Saw/G0771

 

[Givl Reggin]

I think there is 9,999 more chances I'll have an accident.

Because what happens doesn't depend on what happened before - in this case a tablesaw accident is not affected by previous events. So the chance of being injured is the same each time you use it.

The example of this a lot of people use is a coin toss --

You toss a coin and it comes up "Heads" three times, what is the chance that the next toss will also be a "Heads"?

The chance is 50% just like ANY toss of the coin. What it did in the past can not affect the current toss.

 

[Basstracker34]

Ridgid. The warranty sets it apart from the rest.

FWIW I bought my table saw off craigslist. A Sears 21829. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-15-amp-10inch-portable-table-saw/p-00921829000P

 

[zkling]

Because what happens doesn't depend on what happened before - in this case a tablesaw accident is not affected by previous events. So the chance of being injured is the same each time you use it.

The example of this a lot of people use is a coin toss --

You toss a coin and it comes up "Heads" three times, what is the chance that the next toss will also be a "Heads"?

The chance is 50% just like ANY toss of the coin. What it did in the past can not affect the current toss.

I disagree, you need to factor in the skill acquired over time and repeated use. Bathtub curve I would think.

 

[DonPowers]

I disagree, you need to factor in the skill acquired over time and repeated use. Bathtub curve I would think.

I agree with zkling with regard to skill required over time and repeated use helping to mitigate accidents. Other factors are whether or not safety or work control devices are used, such as push sticks, blade guards, kick back devices, feather boards, out feed support when ripping long boards.

 

[FMC1959]

I have this, which I am trying to sell.
https://www.canadianwoodworking.com/tools/contractor-style-table-saws

It is a great saw but a little bit on the big side for my shop. Needs more room to move around easily and stores as big as you see, otherwise it can handle just about anything.

Recently purchased this, after using my sons often. Does not have the same motor and power, cast iron table and other features of the General, but it folds up, very mobile and still has a decent fence and other features. It has great reviews and you can get the lifetime warranty. If you wait, it comes down to at least $399, even $349. I got this about 2 months ago,, it was at New lower price of $349 and then hit the hardware sale with $25-$300 savings buckets, which gave me another $50....$299.
http://t.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-15-...301k7c&cm_mmc=CJ-_-6147012-_-11210757&cj=true

It is a notch up from the 3 you are looking at but with the folding stand included, it is not a major stretch for your budget to get this, but has (IMO) much better features