To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

decent table saw for under $300

ct111

Active member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
29
does anyone make a decent table saw more portable than not for $300 or under.i just need one for a couple of projects it won't get a lot of use. even if you can suggest a used one made in the last 15 years and its worth that would work for me .theres just so much junk out there. thanks
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

PBCampbell

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 2, 2009
Messages
871
Location
WV
When I read portable I tend to think universal motors and aluminum tops. I don't know what resale on these things might be but Bosch has made some that are well respected. I'd probably look for some Ryobi models(rebranded as Craftsman) with the "sliding" table ability. There use to be a whole forum dedicated to these and they seemed like a cool option. If portability isn't really that large a priority look for contractor saws, Craftsman/Ridgid and Delta were very popular designs and had a lot of after sale support, as well as being made for such a length of time that any parts would be more readily available.
 

dj_110

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2014
Messages
163
Location
New Holstein, WI
does anyone make a decent table saw more portable than not for $300 or under.i just need one for a couple of projects it won't get a lot of use. even if you can suggest a used one made in the last 15 years and its worth that would work for me .theres just so much junk out there. thanks

I have a Ryobi RTS20 that is pretty decent. You said it won't get a ton of use, mine doesn't either but cuts decent when I need it. My only complaint is that it's really light and when you're trying to cut a 4x8 sheet of plywood if you're not careful it want to tip over backwards. It's nice that it's light and portable and the stand folds up. It's by now means a cabinet saw of my dreams, but for now it gets me by.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-10-in-Portable-Table-Saw-with-Stand-RTS21/202517810?N=5yc1vZc29i
 

Syberia

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2014
Messages
1,451
Location
Perris, CA
I like my 10" Delta I got off craigslist for $40. It was not "portable" when I bought it, but now it is.

Sent from my Tricorder using Tapatalk
 

Attachments

  • uploadfromtaptalk1413341341838.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1413341341838.jpg
    47.1 KB · Views: 52
  • uploadfromtaptalk1413341359694.jpg
    uploadfromtaptalk1413341359694.jpg
    37.3 KB · Views: 27
OP
C

ct111

Active member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
29
thanks guys im seeing a lot of skil 3400 and ryobi"s around here and actually seen a like new tradesman for $35 at a pawn shop that looked like complete junk.so i'll keep looking
 

Two Door

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2011
Messages
810
Location
Houston, TX - USA
Various people used to make drop-in stands for small saws that would expand their capability and sometimes make them more portable. Rousseau still does. These have bigger tables and generally have better fences than you get with the saw itself. If you could find a used combo, or used stand and corresponding new saw, you would be well off.
 
Last edited:

aquinob

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 7, 2014
Messages
236
Location
Portsmouth, VA
There are lots of saws that show up on CL, most common type is a contractor saw that has the motor hanging out the back and the trunnions (the parts that mount the arbor and blade and allow it to pivot) are mounted to the underside of the saws top. The problem with most of these saws, especially if they are older is that the fences are usually pretty crappy. My old sears contractor had a fence with rails that were essentially just pieces of angle iron. Newer saws either have some sort of aluminum extrusion or a tubular box that aligns the front of the fence at 90 degrees.

The smaller jobsite saws are generally a step or two below the contractor saws with screaming universal motors and crappy fences. An exception might be the Ryobi BT saws, they seem to have a better fence and a sliding table though they still have those screaming motors.

Depending on where you live, you should be able to find something used on CL. Just take your time and give each candidate a good lookover before you plunk down the cash. Look for a newer fence and check it for accuracy.

If you want to spend a bit more, Griz has a contractor saw with a decent fence and a true riving knife for 750 shipped. I usually recommend older American iron, but Griz stands by their products and generally offers good value for the dollar.

http://www.grizzly.com/products/Contractor-Style-Saw/G0732
 

KaHuNaZ

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2013
Messages
298
Location
Corpus Christi, TX
Ive used the Kobalt 10" Table saw for just under a year before I picked up my ridgid. The kobalt is a great saw for the money ($279). I havent seen a better one at that price. It went on sale for $179 for black friday, but its worth the regular price.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Regnar

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 9, 2010
Messages
461
I like the Dewalt DW745 or any of the Dewalts with the rack and pinion fence. This fence should be the standard for all saws.

With that said the only thing that I dislike about this saw is I cant use a Dado set on it. The arbor is not long enough to support it. But the next size model does and has the rack and pinon setup.
 

burger

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 6, 2005
Messages
980
Location
Erf
Can you find a Dewalt 745 for that price? I have one and it is truly a pleasure to use. The fence is adjustable with a handwheel and has a scale that's actually accurate. No more checking your blade to fence measurement with a tape measure. Just crank the wheel to your desired rip width and make an accurate cut. I'm picky about tools and this one gets my recommendation.
 
OP
C

ct111

Active member
Joined
Mar 25, 2012
Messages
29
I ended up getting a like new ryobi rts31 for $125. thanks guys
 

Judd55

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 11, 2008
Messages
214
Location
B.C. Canada
Not familiar with that model but from what I can gather on line it seems to be a decent saw ..................I like the out-feed feature, very handy, I have an out-feed table on mine and wouldn't be without it..........like an extra pair of hands" I think ya done good :thumbup:
 

Parrothead

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
5,346
Location
Earth
I ended up getting a like new ryobi rts31 for $125. thanks guys

Hard to beat a table saw for $125. My only suggestion, and it will make a big difference is to pick up a Freud Diablo blade even though your saw came with one. I can not recommend this enough. Makes a HUGE difference. You'll like your saw much better!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom