Contractors vs. hybrid tablesaw

[rossddvm]

I have been without a table saw for a couple years since the motor burned out on my 25+ year old craftsman. I was looking at buying a contractor saw specifically a Bosch 4100. The local Tool Depot has a floor model Jet Pro hybrid saw on sale for about twice the money. It looks much nicer, definitely not easily portable, though. I don't anticipate having to move it outside of my shop. I was reading reviews and came across someone that said the dust collection on a hybrid saw was not as good as their cheap contractor saw. I am trying to set up really good dust collection this time around. Does anyone have experience with this? I am sure the Bosch would fit my past and current woodworking needs and level. Not sure if I would want more precision in a few years and have more time for projects. I can afford to go with the hybrid "if it is worth it". Would hate to pay a premium price for something I would be disappointed in dust collection.

 

[Voi]

I was reading reviews and came across someone that said the dust collection on a hybrid saw was not as good as their cheap contractor saw.

Typically it's the opposite - a hybrid saw has better dust collection than a contractor saw.

But to be fair I'm thinking of a traditional contractor saw with the motor hanging out the back. The Bosch 4100 is what I think of as a jobsite saw and it's possible they allow for better dust collection, I don't know.

I would look into what type of trunnion assembly the Jet has and read up on how easy to adjust they are.

I had a hybrid saw with cabinet mounted trunnions and I sure did appreciate that as I was very meticulous about keeping it adjusted.

Even the hybrids with table mounted trunnions are said to be easier to adjust than the traditional contractor saw with table mounted trunnions but I only have experience adjusting the latter, not the former so I can't comment specifically on that.

 

[R_einan]

Might consider watching Craigslist, I was in the market to upgrade from my little Makita 8408, 8" job site saw, and had been considering a Grizzly Hybrid. Was expecting to spend around $800-$1k. I got very lucky a month ago and scored a 1991 Delta Unisaw, right tilt/3hp, 52" unifence and extension table. Spent $500 and ended up with a lot more saw. Not easily portable until I build a mobile base for it, but not a chance I can outgrow it, and the price was right.

Not the cleanest table saw around, I had to get creative to seal up the cabinet and build a 'manifold' to aid in dust collection, which works decently hooked currently to a shop vac.

 

[Sal Bandini]

If 4100 suits your needs you should get it and save your money. I have one and it handles everything I ask of it. It has dust port which I have used in past with shop vac, but mostly I take it outside to cut.

There are mods you can do to improve it. Read here for one:

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/24962

 

[rossddvm]

Might consider watching Craigslist, I was in the market to upgrade from my little Makita 8408, 8" job site saw, and had been considering a Grizzly Hybrid. Was expecting to spend around $800-$1k. I got very lucky a month ago and scored a 1991 Delta Unisaw, right tilt/3hp, 52" unifence and extension table. Spent $500 and ended up with a lot more saw. Not easily portable until I build a mobile base for it, but not a chance I can outgrow it, and the price was right.

Not the cleanest table saw around, I had to get creative to seal up the cabinet and build a 'manifold' to aid in dust collection, which works decently hooked currently to a shop vac.

That sounds great, but I am in a rural area[Sioux Falls South Dakota is the nearest"big" city and that is 100 miles away]. Things like that do not come up often locally. I have checked it and looked around at pawn shops and second hand stores but bound no bargains.

 

[RichWentFishing]

I had the Bosch 4100 but gave it to a friend after I moved across the country. It's a great job site table saw. The dust collection is alright. I had no problems ripping 16 ft boards to size.

I struggled a little with whole sheets of 3/4" plywood. Not because its underpowered or it isn't a good saw. It's just that a full sheet of plywood is more than half the saw's weight. The saw's made to be portable after all.

If you got the room I'd get the heavier saw.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Vintage Wood]

Go with the Jet, it's a bigger heavier saw, you won't be disappointed. Portability in shop can be accomplished with the addition of a mobile base. If you're not satisfied with the dust collection, get creative, a piece of tin on the bottom with a 4" elbow will let you hook right up to your DC.

 

[beakie]

any thought to replacing the motor in your old saw? (unless it's one of the odd direct drive flex line deals)

if it was working fine for you before, no reason it can't continue to do so.


otherwise, do you need/want protable or movable?
portable is a jobsite saw, movable is a hybrid/cabinet saw on a roller base.