Table Saw Crowd- I need your wisdom.

[Rarified27]

Older Craftsman belt drive in good shape, barely any rust, under $200 is what I've learned from here should be great for me.

I believe I've found one, but other than blade wobble, is there anything specific I need to look for before buying?

Thanks in advance!

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[thooks]

Can you bump your budget to $350? If so, I'd buy a newer used Ridgid belt-driven saw.

 

[Packard V8]

The good older Craftsman 10" table saws are thick on the ground for cheap. I've been given a couple just for hauling them away. Be patient and and find an older model with the cast iron extension wings, rip fence, miter gauge and an original Craftsman 3/4hp motor and stand. They are out there for $100 or less.

jack vines

 

[jives]

Around here in central NY a typical price for a 113.*** or 115.*** CM table saw in reasonable shape with stand is about $200, but I would not pay that much. Check the bearing retainer of the tilt screw mechanism -- where it is secured to the table saw housing. The table saw housing actually serves as a bearing retainer. These can get very worn and sloppy, and there really is no replacement part fix. It is is okay, and the tilt mechanism tight and responsive, then offer $125 max.

But as Jack said, I'd wait.

 

[jonshonda]

I would wait for one that has no issues. I have one that I initially bought for $70 (hardly used), learned quickly the fence was sh!t and found the same saw with a Biesemeyer fence for sale. Bought that, swapped the nice fence to mine as it was in better shape, then sold the second saw to a guy who refurb's the parts and sells them on ebay.

I got some heavy gauge rectangular tubing and angle iron and swapped the cheaper biesemeyer mounting system out. I also built a heavy duty stand from 2x4's with 6" casters. It's no unisaw, but for the $200 I have into it you won't find anything more accurate for less then $1000. Now I just have to get some better dust collection going and maybe find a bigger motor, and that project can be put to rest!

 

[Showkey]

Really depends on projects you want to build and your skill.

Not everyone needs a $2000 table saw to cut plywood of selves.

Any saw, at any cost, needs to be tuned to consistently make accurate cuts. The amount of tuning and user techniques to get those accurate cuts usually depends on the quality and cost of the saw. That said a contractor 10” in the right hands can build heirloom quality furniture.

There 10 other threads on the need for a good fence or the need to compensate for a poor fence. Same goes for the blade choices.

Tuning link
https://www.woodmagazine.com/woodwo...itting-woodworking-shop/tune-up-your-tablesaw

 

[Max]

I’d look at the fence as well. Some craftsman saws have a fence that clamps on both the back and front. They are a POS that will never be square. Rather than learning how much to push the fence when you tighten it down and constantly remeasure, just buy one with a good fence.

Max

 

[Showkey]

These threads could be combined.......they have a lot in common

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414175

 

[Rarified27]

So what I'm gathering here is my attempt to go on all the advice from veteran table saw folks may be more trouble than just saving a little more and buying higher end new?

I've been looking at the DeWalt 745 for about 2yrs, but thought there was merit in the older stuff.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I see them for $50 from time to time around my area

 

[loudog212]

Older Craftsman belt drive in good shape, barely any rust, under $200 is what I've learned from here should be great for me.

If you are up for the drive, there is one for sale on Facebook in York PA. Its the Rigid made version for $100