Best Budget Table Saw

[lightning02]

looking for the best budget table saw. just for around the house use. with or without stand. want to stay in the $200 range but dont mind spending a few bucks more for something little better (not a few hundred more lol).

links if you have them.

thanks!

 

[trekgod3]

That price range look at the ryobi. I have one. It's decent, but very small. You'll need infeed and/ or outfeed support

 

[lightning02]

which model ryobi do you have? they have like 3 or 4 of them

 

[toolmiser]

How about used? Find something with a "separate" motor, meaning not like a "inverted circular saw". Usually cheap and lots of the older ones were well made. I bet you can find something for $100.00 or less. The "circular saw" ones are also much louder.

 

[DFB]

Well I'll be danged on what's offered now with those Ryobi saws at HD now, several years back I purchased the basic saw WITH stamped steel STAND for less than what saw without a stand is now.

So you need a stand that bumps the price...

So I have got by on the job with the 12" rip width but really you need the full cut for a lot of projects just makes life nice making shelving, or bench tops etc

So THAT bumps the price again

Now your almost in the Dewalt quality range with the DW745S, stand and 1/2 sheet rip capacity IMO go for it!

(or maybe the similar Ridgid)

I have no experience with the SKIL that's listed @ HD but it must similar to the others in that class of table saws but you get the wide rip cap and a stand for just a little over $200

 

[ScottsGT]

25 years ago I bought a cheap Delta countertop saw. Always hated the fence. Few months back I finally needed more out of a tablesaw and bought the Dewalt with the cart. No comparison, no regrets on dropping $500

 

[JVB]

How about used? Find something with a "separate" motor, meaning not like a "inverted circular saw". Usually cheap and lots of the older ones were well made. I bet you can find something for $100.00 or less. The "circular saw" ones are also much louder.

This would be the best budget saw. There are a ton out there.
For basic homeowner use and small jobs really any of the big box store saws would do. See what you can find on Craigslist. Dewalt hitachi Ridgid skilsaw even the ryobi would be fine.

My options for a new saw for basic to intermediate use would be the skilsaw wormdrive table saw- 300-350$ sticker price. Next would be the hitachi jobsite table saw . They were just on special for 349$ at Lowe’s not long ago. Find a 10-20% off coupon and be not far over your budget . Lowe’s seems to take the harbor freight coupons routinely at my local store but not sure in other areas.


I have personally used the skilsaw and hitachi and they both are great with good power and a large cut capacity.

 

[lafester]

I have the Hitachi and it is a nice saw.

Sent from my Pixel XL using Tapatalk

 

[trekgod3]

which model ryobi do you have? they have like 3 or 4 of them

The older blue one, back before home depot switched to the ugly lime green colored ryobi
https://www.ryobitools.com/power-tools/products/details/10-table-saw-with-steel-stand

 

[DFB]

^^^
Yup that's the same one I had purchased for basic use up at the farm and to leave in the barn. Has held up well to a lot of general abuse.

 

[trekgod3]

^^^
Yup that's the same one I had purchased for basic use up at the farm and to leave in the barn. Has held up well to a lot of general abuse.

I tossed the stand and built it into a mobile workbench that can support larger stock

 

[kctyphoon]

Decide what you want, go from there. Do you want a small bench top or a contractor size? Look at craigslist - you’d be surprised what you can find.. i paid $250 for my platinum delta with a whole bunch of extras.

 

[icthruu74]

If I was looking for a cabinet or contractor saw I’d be looking used. I see them frequently in that price range. I did pick up the Ridgid jobsite saw with stand on sale around Black Friday and have been happy with it.

 

[kctyphoon]

If you bring your budget to $300 - it looks like you have a lot more choices on the Home Depot site. Free shipping on anything over $50. Looks like under thats price youre looking at ryobi or similar. For $299 it looks like you could nab a dewalt if that matters to ya.

 

[Stuey]

The Dewalt DW745 is $279 at the moment, and the DW745S, the same saw bundled with a steel stand, is $299 seasonally. The DW745 goes as low as $249 seasonally.

There are Ridgid offerings at $199 and $299, but not at the moment.

I know you said a $200 budget, but these are things to consider if you can stretch it a little more.

 

[electroman187]

If you're patient and keep your eyes peeled, you can snag a pretty good deal.

I got the Hitachi C10RJ for $229 at lowes over Thanksgiving weekend ($299 +10% coupon + %15 rebate). I've used it a few times and like it so far. The cutting capacity, rolling stand, rack and pinion fence and blade brake are great features. Out of the box, it was way out wack but I expect to make these adjustments. There are a lot of motor failures due to faulty soft start modules. So be warned.

Before that, I bought a rickety Craftsman at Sears for $180 with $175 back in points. It has a rolling stand and good power. But it feels like a lightweight toy and the fence is garbage. With enough patience and squaring the fence with each adjustment, a good cut can still be made. I will be selling it.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you have the space (i.e. you don't need a compact/contractors saw), buy a used Craftsman 10". Get one withe the motor mounted out front and a belt drive to the arbor. Cast iron extensions are nice but not necessary. Older (pre-2000 or even pre-1990) are better. Ignore the rust. Some steel wool and WD40 will work wonders. Just make sure it starts and runs and there is no blade wobble.

Around where I live there is usually a half dozen of these for sale every week in the $100-$200 range.

 

[tarbellb]

The Ridgid would get my money 1st for cheapest option. Then the Dewalt 745 w/ rack and pinion fence, the jobsite standard. Spending anymore money and the used market or Sawstop look appealing.

 

[dimichele]

I got a used delta off craigslist for $200. Didn't take long, there were plenty of options out there.

 

[Moparman390]

Yeah, I've been looking for the same thing, $200 in a basic table saw with stand. Nothing doing in new saws. Everything is junk. Looks like $300 gets you a decent name brand and a stand, especially as Stu said, seasonally. It's not the best time to buy now as prices are back to normal now, however, this is the time of year where clearance deals are really phenomenal on all products in general, but you gotta get lucky.

 

[aburkhardt]

Any new saw for $200 or less doesn't seem worth it based on what i just saw on the box stores websites.

If you're OK with a jobsite-style saw -- you can most definitely find the same stuff used for less. There's never a shortage of saws that someone bought for "one or two jobs", tucked away, and now they're getting rid of it now that the doll house, tree house, window trim, addition, etc., are long gone ...

Personally, belt drive is well worth the extra time and effort to hunt down. For somewhere between $200-$300 you can grab a saw that will grow with you all the way up til you convince yourself a cabinet saw is worth it.

My $250 90's USA-made Delta contractor saw is as capable as any, and is a far cry from the $2500 SawStop that i'd move to next ...

i can also run it past 9pm without waking the kids/neighbors

 

[lightning02]

wish ryobi still offered there saws with the collapsible stand. now it seems like they all come with that cheaper folding junk that just wobbles all over.

 

[Shootinok]

I completely agree with the oldwizard (post#17)
I combined a couple old craftsman 10” from Craigslist and still stayed under $200

My table saw now is awesome.
I love it !

Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app


Here’s a pic of mine when I first put it together.
Of course you don’t have to put a double top on it if you don’t have the space. Both of those tops were very rusty and cleaned up nice.

 

[anndel]

I tossed the stand and built it into a mobile workbench that can support larger stock

That's a very nice mobile stand. I bought the DeWalt DW745 during Black Friday one year for $139 at Home Depot.

 

[Dan in Pasadena]

I had a really nice Rockwell table saw but it just took up too much space for the relatively little I used it. Since I only do non-fine work I figured a contractor’s saw would do me fine.....and it has.

Took a while to find it but I bought a used Bosch saw and it works great! Plus it only takes up a small amount of space in the shop. It came with a dado set from the seller and I THINK I paid $250 for it in as-new condition.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Here’s a pic of mine when I first put it together.

I have never seen a set up like that, but I'll bet it is great for cutting down 4x8 pieces of sheet goods !

I would some how add a router "table" between the two. Make sure to put a sacrificial fence over that metal one when using the router.

 

[428PI]

Shootinok, I like the Craftsman 10 inch too. Mine is a direct drive and works ok if you don't push it. My son's came from my brother and it has the big fence that could be bought through Craftsman at one time. We did replace the motor with a Harbor Freight motor for more power and used one of the link belts (from Harbor Freight) for vibration free operation.

 

[Wrapitinbacon]

I got my kobalt on sale for around that price at lowes, like it a lot.

 

[wildbill23c]

I had a Harbor Freight table saw for a while, didn't use it much and the bearings in the arbor failed it sounded horrible so I got rid of it.

I replaced it with a Skil 3410-2 table saw and stand for $200. It does have a bit of an outfeed extension table, and it seems to have plenty of power. My only complaint is when you start it, it really jumps, sounds like its going to break, but works great and pretty decent for a $200 saw with a folding stand.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HIWQZ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[lightning02]

Wonder how those skil saws compare to the ryobi saws

 

[wildbill23c]

Wonder how those skil saws compare to the ryobi saws

I have no idea, I've never got to use a Ryobi. Ryobi makes some good stuff though so I think whichever one is more readily available you probably would be happy with either.

Ryobi used to make a portable table saw that was belt driven (BT-3000, BT-3100), both of those were great saws the BT-3100 had a sliding table, they're still pretty expensive when you find them used, but they were great saws, so I'd assume the new direct drive saws to be a bit cheaper in build quality but still get the job done.

 

[lightning02]

yea i keep going back and forth between the ryobi or the dewalt that was listed. i know there are not in the same class of saws. just not sure if the extra money spent would benefit me. im sure the dewalt will last a lifetime tho lol

 

[lightning02]

This CM good or bad?

 

[tarbellb]

^^^^ Junk ^^^^

 

[lightning02]

^^^^ Junk ^^^^

thanks!

 

[Negen]

I am going to be buying one these soon enough. Skilsaw SPT70WT-22



Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Magnum440d100]

Another vote for the older craftsman belt drive. I was given this one from a friend when he moved. I apologize for the terrible pics. I was in the middle of a HUGE clean up and reorganization, and making room in my “shop” to store the saw for the winter. Once the rain subsides again, I can pull it out and set it back up properly.

It’s an older saw, maybe 50’s or 60’s. Though I got it for free, they can be had in the $100-$150 range.

This saw has handled anything I have thrown at it. For a while there, it had been running continuously for hours on end while I dismantled old rotten furniture.

It is quiet, and a conversation can be had while it is running. My friend/neighbor bought a new Ryobi (I’m sure the lower end one) and you need hearing protection when using it.

If you don’t mind older/used, great deals can be had on Craigslist.

 

[DFB]

You do really need to define what tasks you are seeking to accomplish with this table saw purchase you are contemplating and with your proposed budget. Obviously light weight direct drive "table top" style saws (stand optional) don't offer up a lot the benefits of large heavy cast iron top "shop saws" do. And of course they are nothing like the smoothness of a belt drive unit

But they do cover a lot small construction needs, generally offer enough power for like ripping down 2x lumber, making shims, and are quite portable. Easy to carry, toss in the truck, mount on plywood clamped to horses. I even ripped 3/4" red oak with the little Ryobi. Just take your time don't push it.

Wonder how those skil saws compare to the ryobi saws

Biggest caveat with any of these small lightweight saws is they don't handle ripping down big heavy sheet goods very well on their own, not without lots of additional proper support and being secured down well.

In general the stock fences are short in length as is the table top, (though you can always make some modifications for yourself by adding material to the fence and using outfeed support). Rip cap is limited to 12" on most unless it has a wing or extension. That's extra money the Ryobi as is that leg set, though I'm betting the HF leg stand will work too.

Just to note the $200 Skil unit does seem to have a outfeed extension, a wide rip cap it looks and comes with the leg support included for the price.

There are some online reviews on the Skil google them up.



My GC bud has had an older 10 direct drive Skil (Skil one time was a very common quality brand) and for what it's worth the one he has is much better than the 10" direct drive Craftsman I have kicking around as a beater saw. And that Craftsman wasn't cheap at the time all those years ago either. It has very poor fence compared to the current Ryobi and there is ****** *** blade wobble that the Ryobi also does not have. I absolutely hate that Craftsman

yea i keep going back and forth between the ryobi or the dewalt that was listed. i know there are not in the same class of saws. just not sure if the extra money spent would benefit me. im sure the dewalt will last a lifetime tho lol

I said it in my first post if you were too get all the options the Ryobi offers you only be like $50 less than the list price on the Dewalt. Maybe even get a percentage discount and possibly save sales tax by buying someplace other than HD such CPO, ACME, Tool Barn or the like.

 

[ScottsGT]

Just to reiterate why I dropped $500 on the Dewalt DWE7491RS.

1) Not in a full size shop. Doing woodworking in my garage and I have to be able to move and store tools at the drop of a hat depending on weather/storms. So I had to have compact and easy to move and store.

2) The DWE7491RS gave me the option of using a dado blade down the road.

3) It also has a dovetail miter slot like a full size shop saw. All the other "bench top" saws only offered a rectangle of a full size or a smaller that would only fit their miter gauge.

4) I'm building a roll around stand eventually with a large drawer in the bottom to hold my Miter jig, so I sold the included roll stand for $100 on C/L for a total cost of $400

5) Fence system is one of the best I have ever seen come on a saw. Dead nuts accurate out of the box.

6) Very easy to remove the blade guard and store it if it gets in the way for smaller cuts.

7) has a built in dust collection system that hooks up easily to my Dust Devil.

If I need to rip full sheets, I could do it. But I would rather just pull out my track saw so no one has to help me make my cuts. I'm a DIY guy, and that Y means "Yourself" as in the wife has better things to do.

 

[jacric2005]

I have a 14 year old lightly used SKIL 3400. Got it for myself on a birthday with "0" at the end. Anyway, I think at the time it was under $200. Picture included. I looked on Amazon and here is today's version:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B003HIWQZ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Recently I added two Harbor Freight outfeed stands. I've had a 2X6X12 T/G on there ripping a little of the groove off to make it fit where it needed to be. It seemed very safe with the outfeeds. I've never had the guards off. I see the guards are clear now and easier to see through.

It's worked for me. My 93 year old dad worked with his house-builder dad and has a big beast he converted to 220 and ripped free 4X4's into 2X4's for a barn build, for one thing. He never had a guard on it. As someone else said, decide what you need and go from there.

May I also say, you will soon want a miter saw as well.