need table saw advice

[Ohmthis]

Since the Christmas wish list tnread I've gotten serious about getting a much needed table saw. I am wanting something that can do some bigger projects, think cutting larger panels without support or needing more power. I'm not running a cabinet shop, but if I want to make a heap of them I can do that. Right now I dont have a lot of room, would a portable be enough. I thank any and all input. Thanks!!

 

[woody 73]

See if this one works for you:

http://louisville.craigslist.org/tls/4763430778.html

 

[kctyphoon]

I have a platinum delta with a 32" extension table.. It's a great saw but depending on the project it can be tough to use, especially with one person if trying to do plywood. I usually have to cut it down to more manageable pieces before it hits the saw.. Depending on exactly what you want to do with it, maybe a track saw can be a consideration for you. Just about every major tool brand has their own version, some being more affordable then others. If you are more of a small to medium project person then the table saw is great.. Big pieces = big pain on a table saw though.

 

[amac70]

im partial to the smaller makitas if you can find them 8 1/4 inch blade size. still has the same 15 amp motor the 10's have but won't bog down or trip the breaker. And then buy a Rousseau table to go with it. the table will make the saw. I'm a general contractor and use mine all the time and do build cabinets when im in a pinch or have extra time. with the table and a good blade it will make perfect cuts.

 

[rapid robert]

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-10inch-jobsite-table-saw/p-00941502000P?prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8#crumbWrapper

I have an earlier model of this saw that I have used to build plenty of cabinets. Really like that it is potable and takes very little space to store. Table is good size and fence on mine is decent.

 

[pop pop]

Get the 10" Ridgid from Home Depot. Buy the optional wheels that fold up and you're good for anything.

 

[Zeke]

im partial to the smaller makitas if you can find them 8 1/4 inch blade size. still has the same 15 amp motor the 10's have but won't bog down or trip the breaker. And then buy a Rousseau table to go with it. the table will make the saw. I'm a general contractor and use mine all the time and do build cabinets when im in a pinch or have extra time. with the table and a good blade it will make perfect cuts.

I've had that saw for 15 years. Don't have a fancy table or fence system but it has served me well on the job and at home. I have 2 other TS's and one is an old CM set up in a bench. I do use that if I don't want to get the Makita out for a couple cuts.

Anyone interested in getting a table saw, get several push sticks and this: http://www.microjig.com/images/pricelist/grr-ripper-system/GR200B-p001.jpg]

 

[fury9]

I second the Rousseau table and makita saw with outfeed table, check CL. Have one myself, folds up nice to save space. You could find a nice unisaw for a decent price on CL too.

 

[cagullett1]

I've had that saw for 15 years. Don't have a fancy table or fence system but it has served me well on the job and at home. I have 2 other TS's and one is an old CM set up in a bench. I do use that if I don't want to get the Makita out for a couple cuts.

Anyone interested in getting a table saw, get several push sticks and this: http://www.microjig.com/images/pricelist/grr-ripper-system/GR200B-p001.jpg]

I've got the Ridgid R4512 and love it. Mobile, but much larger than the contractor saws. Lowe's has the GRR-ripper GR100 on sale for $40 right now. I bought 2 of them today for the price of 1 GR-200.

 

[VersionOne]

The guys above are talking about the Makita 2708. I have one as well, with a Rousseau Jr. table.
I would say go for the shop table saw first, then a portable if you can afford it. If you're a carpenter or GC and do a lot of mobile work, go for the portable.

 

[jakemac]

I've gotten by with the Makita 2708 on a generic Skil portable table for almost 25yrs. I would recommend an outfeed table or platform to go with it. The only thing I haven't done with it, is to put a moulding head on it.

 

[Ohmthis]

Wow, thanks! When looking at the makita, I will have to wait for used saw. I tried several times to add a link from my samsung pad. Whatdo you guys think of the porter cable PCB220TC?

 

[justme-]

I used to manage a tool store... fwiw...
buy the Makita 10 over the 8. saw is the basic same but blade selection is terrible in 8. I made that mistake... bought the original 8 just after the new versions (current version) came out along with the previously mentioned rousseau table for it, side extension and outfeed table. Cost as much as a good contractor style saw (cast table 1.5HP), but mine is totally portable... draw back is the miter slot is not standard size like all the cheapies (skill, HF, etc) and blade selection is next to nil.

I can cut 4x8 sheets into whatever I want in either direction...and it all folds up. saw sits on a shelf and the table and pieces hang off the wall on hooks... but doing it again I would have bought a contractors saw. Not as portable but doable (I knew several contractors who did it).

also FWIW, I have had this setup over 13 years... and I bought the Makita because a good friend who was a contractor (family business) had several of those saws in daily use by crews for 10 years at that time.

 

[72Anthony]

I have the Bosch 4100 with gravity rise stand/cart. It's served me well.

Whatever brand you get spend some money on some quality blades. I have a thin kerf com I nation blade and glue-line rip blade.

I also have a festool track saw...it can't beat for knocking down sheets of plywood or doing large cross cuts. The table saw still excels at rapidly making cuts of the same width.

 

[ozyborn]

See if this one works for you:

http://louisville.craigslist.org/tls/4763430778.html

Cheap in cost but a tank of a workhorse. Fold up outfeed tables and you have it.

 

[Bricen18]

+1 on a Bosch. I have the 3000. I have noticed that with larger panels 4/8 full sheets will tend to push the saw around. But that was by myself. If u had a helper it would be less of an issue


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ohmthis]

This is a saw that I'm I terested In.http://www.lowes.com/ProductDisplay...gId=10051&cmRelshp=rel&rel=nofollow&cId=PDIO1
Any thoughts? Thanks!

 

[theoldwizard1]

... I am wanting something that can do some bigger projects, think cutting larger panels without support ...

That is almost next to impossible. Cutting 4'x8' sheets of plywood will almost always require additional support, infeed, outfeed, left and/or right.

There are a lot of plans for tables that surround your saw or other good ideas.

Or have the lumber yard cut you sheets to within 1-2" of your final dimension and then you can make the final cut at home.

 

[chruler]

Invest in a good fence too. Take the time to make sure it's square to the blade. Makes all the difference in the world when doing precise cuts.

 

[Ohmthis]

Thanks to all that have given advice. I plan on buying a couple fold up exit rollers. Im an electrician and don't have a ton of experience with wood working tools. I ask because I don't know, please forgive! Maybe, santa will be the deciding factor.

 

[Bricen18]

I wanted a cabinet saw but ended up with a portable one. It is nice to be able to move around fairly easy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[fivespdcat]

I've got a Dewalt portable with the table extensions. It works Good for plywood, but sheets of 3/4" Mdf are a pain. I generally just use my worm drive circular saw with a guid to rip those boards. I've found a great trick is to get a cheap panel of foam insulation and use that to support my stock. Cuts perfect this way and the cuts are very consistent.

 

[todd_fuller]

I agree with many of the above posts. I have a somewhat similar setup for my confined space:

- Bosch 4100 saw
- Rousseau table (should have bought the fence extension too)
- Paulk workbench (checkout the woodworking forums for more details)

With this, I can rip the full length of sheet goods due to the size of the outfeed. I typically used a circular saw and some foam insulation to first break the sheet into more manageable sizes though. I used some brackets to hang the bench off the end of the Rousseau table.

Once i'm done cutting, then I have a big 4x8' workbench to assemble on. If you take more time and use better (read flatter/straighter) sheet goods for the bench build, the surface will be pretty flat and true.

(Edit: I built all this to help build a Murphy bed which had A LOT of rips of 60-80 inches.)

 

[Tyberius]

I too have the Dewalt. It's a nice saw, I like the rack and pinion fence. Ripped a bunch of stock to make a butcher block style surface. Ended up being too accurate, as I wanted the boards to show wear, so I just didn't sand afterwards.

Made some cleats to hang it on my wall:

Anyway, for ripping a bunch of stuff to the same width, or for making cuts on small stock, like feathering in a hardwood floor, a tablesaw is good. For breaking down large sheetgoods a tracksaw is better. I have a simple sawguide and had I not a tablesaw I would go the track route first.