Portable Table Saw Options?

[jmon22]

Looking for a new table saw that is easy to transport from and can easily be stored in the basement. Lightly used for DIY work. Have the following must haves:

- Soft Start Motor- Owned a Dewalt DWE7480 previously and that thing was rough when starting up

- Blade Brake- Want this to be as safe as possible

A few newer options seem to fit, but the first 2 are just released with no reviews.

- Ridgid R4518 - $350- Looks to be a solid saw with a lifetime warranty. Also least expensive option and comes with stand

https://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-15-Amp-10-in-Table-Saw-with-Folding-Stand-R4518/309413142

- Dewalt DWE7485- $399 (no stand) - Also just released with no info on it. 8 1/4" blade, looks very similar to the cordless option they have had out for a few years. A bit smaller and easier to store

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-8-1-4-in-Compact-Jobsite-Tablesaw-DWE7485/310178475

- Dewalt DCS7485- $499 (no stand)- Cordless version of the previous. Not needed, but have gone mostly cordless (including Ryobi miter) and absolutely love the freedom without cords. Just makes the work more fun somehow

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-...VOLT-Batteries-Charger-DCS7485T1-EB/305970118

Usually don't struggle with tool decisions, but can't make up my mind here. Have a 15% off coupon that expires next week and want to make a decision soon. Any opinions?

 

[shawhite]

Have you looked at the bosh GTS1031.

 

[CJM8515]

Friend of mine bought the rigid, we used it to remodel a house. Only thing it struggled with was ripping some 2 x4 or similar. BUT by that time we had used it to cust tons of hardwood flooring and other stuff, possibly was just the blade was toast. It worked well otherwise.

 

[jmon22]

Friend of mine bought the rigid, we used it to remodel a house. Only thing it struggled with was ripping some 2 x4 or similar. BUT by that time we had used it to cust tons of hardwood flooring and other stuff, possibly was just the blade was toast. It worked well otherwise.

Thanks for the feedback. That certainly seems like the most sensible option. The Dewalt options gives a bit more portability but for a much higher price when you include the stand.

 

[PelicanPines]

I have that Ridgid. With a good blade... I rip just about everything with no issues. I sharpen my blades in place... I added a cast iron router insert with a lift.

 

[mike93lx]

I love my Dwe7491rs. Great quality saw with a actually useful fence.

The sawstop is also very nice

 

[jmon22]

I have that Ridgid. With a good blade... I rip just about everything with no issues. I sharpen my blades in place... I added a cast iron router insert with a lift.

Thanks man. Will probably go that route, but the cordless options keeps tempting me haha.

 

[PelicanPines]

Thanks man. Will probably go that route, but the cordless options keeps tempting me haha.

How portable do you need it?

This ridgid is on wheels and can be rolled a bit... it's not portable to worksites. If you need worksite portable... go for a contractor saw. Were you suggesting storing it in the basement then carrying it up and out? This saw weighs SEVERAL hundred pounds.

 

[mike93lx]

How portable do you need it?

This ridgid is on wheels and can be rolled a bit... it's not portable to worksites. If you need worksite portable... go for a contractor saw. Were you suggesting storing it in the basement then carrying it up and out? This saw weighs SEVERAL hundred pounds.

You have the terminology mixed up a bit, from my experience and understanding.

A jobsite saw is portable and will be either on its own or on some mobile base. A contractor saw is really stationary and will typically have a belt driven motor hanging out the back. A cabinet saw will have the motor inside a cabinet, much more rigidly mounted on trunnions.

 

[Robinson1]

Thanks man. Will probably go that route, but the cordless options keeps tempting me haha.

Skip the cordless. The technology just isn't good enough yet. Got a buddy with the flexvolt table saw you only get about 90 feet of rip in 2x stock on a battery

 

[schurtjl]

I have a Bosch 4100 table saw with the Bosch folding/rolling stand that I’ve had for many years, built a large shop with it, as well as many other projects over the years. I can’t say enough good about it. I’d buy another in a heartbeat.

 

[fasteddie]

99% of table saws have a 10" blade, I wouldn't consider a table saw with anything less, and I can't see the point of a cordless table saw.

 

[Formerjeeper]

Agree on the Bosch with folding stand. I researched this carefully and ended up buying the Bosch, and have been happy every time I use it.

 

[PugetDude]

I have a Bosch 4100 table saw with the Bosch folding/rolling stand that I’ve had for many years, built a large shop with it, as well as many other projects over the years. I can’t say enough good about it. I’d buy another in a heartbeat.

+1

Bosch for the win!

 

[tonyciambrone]

I have a Bosch and dewalt. The only thing better about the Bosch is the gravity rise stand. Dewalt fence is unbeatable in the category, which happens to be the most important part...

 

[bargainhuntingking]

I scored a small 10” Ryobi table saw with a base and fence in a Craigslist Free pile. Works great. Just got a fresh Diablo blade as the original blade was burning through the wood. In addition just saw this article in a Fine Homebuilding back issue, which might be useful to the OP. (I also scored the back issue of Fine Homebuilding for free in the used magazine bin at my local library. Ha!)

 

[shawhite]

I have a Bosch and dewalt. The only thing better about the Bosch is the gravity rise stand. Dewalt fence is unbeatable in the category, which happens to be the most important part...

I would agree the fence is the most important part of a table saw. However I would say Bosch’s fence is every bit as good as the Dewalt.

 

[joe_pinehill1]

I bought a Makita contractors saw in 96 and it's still going strong. I use it with a Rousou table when I need more precision and larger table.

 

[RKA]

I had a miter saw on a bosch gravity rise stand that I would use in the basement and outside (up a flight of stairs to get out to the garage). Eventually I sold it because it was too cumbersome to get the package through the door and up the stairs. If you’re going to do this, the folding scissor type stands might be better. Take the saw off the stand and walk each up the stairs individually. The Dewalt saws would be my favorite for a portable. Dewalt also makes smaller rolling stands for some of their saws that are likely more manageable than the Bosch gravity rise stand.

 

[Real_PhillBert]

I have a Bosch 4100 10" and love it. It's done everything I ask of it without a single issue.

I have also used the Dewalt and it does have a better fence, no doubt, but I wouldnt call the fence on the Bosch "bad", just not as great as the Dewalts.

Honestly, I'm not sure there's really a wrong answer between the two, although personally I dont see a whole lot of advantage to a cordless table saw, usually you're doing enough cutting to justify simply plugging a table saw in.

My saw when it was brand new:

 

[jmon22]

I had a miter saw on a bosch gravity rise stand that I would use in the basement and outside (up a flight of stairs to get out to the garage). Eventually I sold it because it was too cumbersome to get the package through the door and up the stairs. If you’re going to do this, the folding scissor type stands might be better. Take the saw off the stand and walk each up the stairs individually. The Dewalt saws would be my favorite for a portable. Dewalt also makes smaller rolling stands for some of their saws that are likely more manageable than the Bosch gravity rise stand.

That's where I'm at now. It needs to live in the storage room in the basement when not in use, so a small portable saw would be perfect for my current situation.

 

[kngelv]

I would agree the fence is the most important part of a table saw. However I would say Bosch’s fence is every bit as good as the Dewalt.

I have Bosch tools and they are great. They make a great table saw as does DeWalt but if you are talking about the fence then it is DeWalt all day long.

James

 

[PelicanPines]

You have the terminology mixed up a bit, from my experience and understanding.

A jobsite saw is portable and will be either on its own or on some mobile base. A contractor saw is really stationary and will typically have a belt driven motor hanging out the back. A cabinet saw will have the motor inside a cabinet, much more rigidly mounted on trunnions.

Ahhh… my bad... thanks...

I got confused on the Ridgid Model... I have the Hybrid Cabinet saw by Ridgid. To which I highly recommend if you have the space. It's a beast. With the cast iron router table, etc... it's close to 500 pounds.

 

[Eric29]

Not what you asked, but would a track saw fill your needs? It's certainly portable.

 

[greg13]

I DO have the Ridgid saw, great saw!

 

[ineedajeep]

I bought the Ridgid R4518.
This was the worst table saw I have ever owned. We own the R4516 and watched several reviews on the R4517 and was excited to buy one for my new small shop area. Wow, was I disappointed! The miter was cheap plastic and worthless compared to the very usable one on the R4516! The blade adjustment was weak and hard to find adjust. The R4518 took over 2 hours to get adjusted to square. Every single adjustment was off by a lot. But I was still going to keep it but then it failed completely. I think the blade brake went out as the blade would stop turning even in soft 2x4 lumber and not stop when shut off. The only good thing in this purchase is the ease of returning it to the big box store I got it from! Here is my final video before I took it back.

 

[jg4660]

Check out the Kobalt as well at Lowes. Got it around the Holidays For $179 as kind of an impulse purchase. Have used it a few times now and no complaints. Rips 2x4's including pressure treated easily.

JG

 

[theoldwizard1]

A GOOD blade (like Freud) makes a good saw better !

 

[Handyandy23]

To me a table saw is only as good as the accuracy of the fence, and it's hard to beat DeWalt on that one. The whole point of a table saw is accuracy, or else you could just eyeball it with a circular saw.

If you care about the accuracy of the cuts enough to buy another saw, might as well get the best fence on the market.