Best Budget Tools...(that don't ****)?

[Gore]

I should probably make a separate thread for each of these tools, but I'll give this a try first.

I am an avid DIY'er, so I don't need professional level tools...but with that being said, I don't want **** either.

The other issue is that I don't want to spend forever looking on Craigslist for used stuff (feel free to recommend it though if you must).

I want a table saw that could produce furniture level results...this is what I have now:

This what I am thinking:

I am also going to be needing a tile saw in the coming weeks, I am thinking:

I also want the following:

A benchtop belt sander...I am thinking the Porter Cable from Lowe's

2 bandsaws...one for wood only...one for metal only

AGAIN...please keep in mind that these tools will be for extremely "occasional" use.

Thanks for any help

 

[gdocktor3]

The porter cable would probably work well. For the table saw I'd go with Ryobi over the HF stuff. Not sure what HF warranty is on that stuff or if they have parts available, but I do know Ryobi has cheap replacement parts and excellent customer service if you have a problem. Do you really want to bring the entire saw back to HF and have it replaced if something should break? I have a Ryobi table saw and two miter saw's that worked great when I did carpentry. Can't comment on the band saw or tile saw, but again I personally would go Ryobi. They've come a looong way and make really good stuff these days.

 

[skippy24]

I don't have experience with the Delta table saw but I have the Ridgid R4512 and have had good results with it plus it has a lifetime service agreement. I was also able to use the HF 20% off coupon at Home Depot. I have heard that some do not take the coupon but it is worth a try.

 

[trialrun]

I'd stay away from the HF tile saw unless you're planning on making your own sled / fence for the saw. The factory is terrible and will produce less than quality cuts. For the price you can't beat the saw, power is adquate but way to much play in the sled / fence.

 

[Furious Filipino]

That Delta you have pictured, either the 36-5000 or the 36-5100 aren't without issues either.

From talking to a few avid wood workers, the point where you get reliable, repeatable results on a Contractor style table saw seems to be when you pony up $1500 or higher.

That said, under that price point, the DeWalt DWE7480 seems to be the best value at $380. It has a reliable fence once set properly (has a rack and pinion, so it will always be parallel) the blade stays true when raising and lowering, and the bevel adjustment seems accurate as well. The other is the Bosch 1031. I've used both. And ended up buying the DeWalt.

Oddly enough, I've had great luck with the Craftsman you have pictured, before getting the DeWalt. Reason I upgraded was the setup time required to get the fence square, which disappeared when I went with the DeWalt. Honestly, if I needed to go up from here, I'm in for a cabinet style table saw, and that simply will not be until retirement.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I want a table saw that could produce furniture level results...

Delta Unisaw or maybe a Jet and a Biesemeyer fence.

 

[rk5n]

I'd stay away from the HF tile saw unless you're planning on making your own sled / fence for the saw. The factory is terrible and will produce less than quality cuts. For the price you can't beat the saw, power is adquate but way to much play in the sled / fence.

I have the bridge tile saw and it works great. I did my half bath with it, I only wish it cut the 24" long tiles since the wife loves those

http://www.harborfreight.com/15-horsepower-7-inch-bridge-tile-saw-98265.html

 

[R. Johnson]

I have a Jet JPS-10 and it is very accurate. I have the one with iron wings, but it starts around $800 I think with stamped wings. Used Unisaw would probably be better, but if there are none around the Jet is good.

 

[hunterguy86]

For what it's worth, I have an old craftsman table saw that I put a vega u50 fence on. Makes it cut like a brand new saw. I built a set of cabinets that are within 1/32 of an inch.


Edit: the point I was trying to make is that deals can be had to make the budget work without going harbor freight

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Gore]

That Delta you have pictured, either the 36-5000 or the 36-5100 aren't without issues either.

From talking to a few avid wood workers, the point where you get reliable, repeatable results on a Contractor style table saw seems to be when you pony up $1500 or higher.

That said, under that price point, the DeWalt DWE7480 seems to be the best value at $380. It has a reliable fence once set properly (has a rack and pinion, so it will always be parallel) the blade stays true when raising and lowering, and the bevel adjustment seems accurate as well. The other is the Bosch 1031. I've used both. And ended up buying the DeWalt.

Oddly enough, I've had great luck with the Craftsman you have pictured, before getting the DeWalt. Reason I upgraded was the setup time required to get the fence square, which disappeared when I went with the DeWalt. Honestly, if I needed to go up from here, I'm in for a cabinet style table saw, and that simply will not be until retirement.

The problem that I have with my Craftsman...and would also probably have with that Dewalt...is that there isn't a lot of surface area in front of the blade and larger sheets/boards tend to to tilt. The fence also ***** but I usually use a square clamped to the back side of the fence for added security.

 

[Gore]

I'd stay away from the HF tile saw unless you're planning on making your own sled / fence for the saw. The factory is terrible and will produce less than quality cuts. For the price you can't beat the saw, power is adquate but way to much play in the sled / fence.

Good to know, thanks

 

[Gore]

I don't have experience with the Delta table saw but I have the Ridgid R4512 and have had good results with it plus it has a lifetime service agreement. I was also able to use the HF 20% off coupon at Home Depot. I have heard that some do not take the coupon but it is worth a try.

Thanks, I will look into this saw more

 

[Jim C.]

Delta Unisaw or maybe a Jet and a Biesemeyer fence.

I think the OP might be better off with the Delta contractor type table saw depicted above. A new Unisaw isn't really a "budget" machine. At least it's not in my opinion.

Jim C.

 

[Gore]

I think the OP might be better off with the Delta contractor type table saw depicted above. A new Unisaw isn't really a "budget" machine. At least it's not in my opinion.

Jim C.

I'm looking at sub $1000 for sure.

 

[derosa]

I have a Hitachi table saw that is similar to the porter cable mentioned and having looked over the delta it isn't a whole lot different. It can make quality furniture with little effort, I've made beds, chairs and cribs on mine and as the joints are fairly clean and tight I'd say it can do the job. The fence can be adjusted to work perfectly fine. Blades matter as much as anything, ditch the one it comes with for something good. Buy or make a zero clearance insert which is a must for any table saw IMHO and will improve the cleanness of the cut edge. Make a sled for perfectly square cross cuts.

I have the tile saw from HF that has the saw running on rails. Always made accurate cuts once set up but the HF blade is total **** and the bolts on it rust fast. Did one bathroom with it and a blade from ace. Will be changing a lot of the bolts to stainless.

Bandsaws are hard for cheap and good, wouldn't go cheaper then grizzly there.

Have the delta sander similar to the porter cable and hate it. Belt tracking is a constant problem, bogging down is a constant problem, the cheap bearings cant handle the dust and belt tension and the smaller size builds up more heat. Never found a good one of these cheap. Do have an old, 50+ yr old, that have the 6x48 belt, 10" disc and a replacement motor that is strong enough. But if you find good cheap I wouldn't mind another to replace the delta.

 

[pescados666]

If you want some nice quality used tools for a good price you could check out some government surplus auctions near you. I watch a bunch near Houston and a lot of the school districts will auction off old tools pretty cheap.

A few weeks ago this sold for $250.

I've seen unisaws on there more than once, but I forget what they sold for. Just remember to not bid blindly on anything to be sure it's in working condition.

 

[Jim C.]

I'm looking at sub $1000 for sure.

Then you definitely don't want a Unisaw. They're great machines but significantly more expensive than $1,000. I know you don't want to rely on Craig's List, but I do encourage you to keep an eye on the web for used machines. There are some pretty nice used Unisaws out there well within your budget. They might need a little work, but parts are readily available and there's an army of people on the Vintage Machinery website who can provide sound advice, parts, etc. That being said, you don't need a Unisaw to make nice furniture. I did it for years using a $499 Craftsman 10" contractors saw.

Jim C.

 

[ilovevocs]

You seem to have plenty of feedback on the wood tools so ill share my 2 cents on the
metal bandsaw.

Milwaukee port-a-band and SWAG off road table. Best value for money in metal cutting for a home shop IMHO.

 

[GJoustra]

Home depot had this saw on clearance last week, not sure how much.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-13-Amp-10-in-Professional-Cast-Iron-Table-Saw-R4512/202500206

I started out with the same table saw you currently have and understand. Find an older heavy cast iron top table saw that is belt driven, you will be surprised with the improvement.

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you know what you are looking for in a table saw, a few of the older Craftsman models are pretty good, but certainly not on the class of a Unisaw. You can usualy find these on CL for <$200.

Look for belt drive and 2 cast iron wings. A 12" blade is nice but not a necessity.

 

[Gore]

Thanks for the responses guys...just because I don't respond to each of them individually please don't think I'm not reading your advice. I do search CL all of the time...I will add Unisaws to my searches.

 

[Sal Bandini]

How is that Delta going to improve your woodworking? If you have good blade and the fence is accurate and parallel you can make "furniture grade" results.

I made cabinets with straightedge and trim circular saw, and my dad made furniture with same technique. Save your money and work on your technique. With the money you save you can get nice belt/disc sander and some other toys.

 

[Gore]

How is that Delta going to improve your woodworking? If you have good blade and the fence is accurate and parallel you can make "furniture grade" results.

I made cabinets with straightedge and trim circular saw, and my dad made furniture with same technique. Save your money and work on your technique. With the money you save you can get nice belt/disc sander and some other toys.

I hear what you're saying...but I respectfully disagree.

I too have made cabinets with a circular saw and straight edge (ripping sheets of ply for tall cabinets), and while it is possible...as you and your dad...and myself...and countless other people have proven...there is clearly a better way. So to answer your question ("How is that Delta going to improve your woodworking?"), it's going to make my woodworking quicker, easier, more repeatable, and with a wider variety of options such as dado blades.

Please understand, this is not the case of a poor carpenter blaming his tools, it is a case of a guy wanting to invest in his hobby and make his life easier.

 

[foghorn1966]

...

Milwaukee port-a-band and SWAG off road table. Best value for money in metal cutting for a home shop IMHO.

X2 on this with the following advise. Use the full size Milwaukee port-a-band not the compact one.

The compact one cuts fine but is obviously somewhat limited on the width of cut in the Swag table. My biggest issue is that the compact saw fatigues the blades rather quickly & they crack.

 

[Sal Bandini]

I hear what you're saying...but I respectfully disagree.

I too have made cabinets with a circular saw and straight edge (ripping sheets of ply for tall cabinets), and while it is possible...as you and your dad...and myself...and countless other people have proven...there is clearly a better way. So to answer your question ("How is that Delta going to improve your woodworking?"), it's going to make my woodworking quicker, easier, more repeatable, and with a wider variety of options such as dado blades.

Please understand, this is not the case of a poor carpenter blaming his tools, it is a case of a guy wanting to invest in his hobby and make his life easier.

Of course there is a better way. How is Delta significantly better than the Craftsman? You can use dado blades on the Craftsman.

It's easy to spend money when it's not your own. IMO, OP is better off keeping his table saw and spending the money on other tools he does not have yet.

 

[Gore]

Of course there is a better way. How is Delta significantly better than the Craftsman? You can use dado blades on the Craftsman.

It's easy to spend money when it's not your own. IMO, OP is better off keeping his table saw and spending the money on other tools he does not have yet.

Again...Sal...I 1000% do not want this to devolve into an argument...but what are you talking about?

I am the OP...it is my money...and while I can't tell you what is great about the Delta (btw, that's why I asked about it...to learn), I can tell you what is not so great about the Craftsman. I hate how little table surface there is in front of the blade. Accessories are almost non-existent. The motor lacks power and bogs on hardwoods (regardless of which blade I use...yes I replaced the blade). The fence is garbage and requires constant squaring. The saw is so light that it often tilts off of the ground when cutting large pieces of wood. The dust collection laughable. I could on and on.

Look, I have had this saw for a few years, I have got some good use out of it, but it's a starter saw. I want to step up to a more quality saw...plain and simple as that.

 

[Gore]

Of course there is a better way. How is Delta significantly better than the Craftsman? You can use dado blades on the Craftsman.

It's easy to spend money when it's not your own. IMO, OP is better off keeping his table saw and spending the money on other tools he does not have yet.

Do you guys ever run into issues with the distance from the blade to the body of saw. It looks like the throat is relatively shallow when compared to a traditional band saw...but as I think about it I can't imagine ever really cutting a sheet of metal 8" deep on a bandsaw???

 

[speed bump]

If you know what you are looking for in a table saw, a few of the older Craftsman models are pretty good, but certainly not on the class of a Unisaw. You can usualy find these on CL for <$200.

Look for belt drive and 2 cast iron wings. A 12" blade is nice but not a necessity.

Owning one of those saws myself, I wish I just would have bought the Ridgid contractors saw. Decent fence, longer stock fence, more power, better safety features, and most importantly (to me) is it has some kind of dust collection option. Now you can add all that to the Craftsman saw but then you are into a 40 year old used saw for as much as a decent new saw and it isn't much better.

If you have the room and 220v available, the cabinet saw is the holy grail of table saws and occasionally they can be bought used for cheap. They are heavy, and space consuming though. Figure you will give up a space of between 5x5 and 8x12 for one and they aren't something you take to a job site. When properly setup they will make the table saw one of your favorite tools though.

 

[BikerDad]

I also want the following:

A benchtop belt sander...I am thinking the Porter Cable from Lowe's

Thanks for any help

Rigid Belt/OSS from Home Depot. It's more expensive than a generic $100 belt sander, but it is DA BOMB. Definitely well worth the money, and then some.

 

[Jazz1]

My friend bought a Rigid table saw from Home Depot..Best saw I have ever seen under $1000.. He ripped 4x4 oak laser straight for my project automobile. If I could weld wood I would buy that saw in a heartbeat!