Table saw recommendations?

[Tucko]

So I've got my old 1970's Craftsman table saw on craigslist and expect it to go soon. However, it'll need to be replaced. I'd like a smaller portable table saw that can be trucked to a worksite, and be tucked away when not being used. What's available out there? I'm not looking to spend a fortune, nor do I want a *************....

 

[ATTappman]

Bosch 4100 with the gravity rise stand. If that's too bulky, Bosch also makes a GTS1031 model that's more compact. The Dewalt portable saw DW745 is also good, but not quite as good as the Bosch 4100 in my opinion.

 

[RKA]

The dewalt 745 is comparable to the 1031 and the dewalt 744 is comparable to the 4100, just so we're not mixing apples and oranges. Neither the 4100 or 744 are particularly fun to truck around, but of the two, the 744 is a tad easier. If portability is the first concern, you're between the 745 and 1031 which are probably 2 of the better choices for portability.

 

[Sureshot]

I have the Ridgid with folding stand on wheels etc and love it. Best thing I ever did was get a good saw. Makes woodwork a lot less frustrating, maybe even enjoyable.

 

[volaredon]

I have an 80s belt drive Craftsman. though I rarely have a need to "truck" it anywhere.

 

[PCO6]

The dewalt 745 is comparable to the 1031 and the dewalt 744 is comparable to the 4100, just so we're not mixing apples and oranges. Neither the 4100 or 744 are particularly fun to truck around, but of the two, the 744 is a tad easier. If portability is the first concern, you're between the 745 and 1031 which are probably 2 of the better choices for portability.

I have a DeWalt DW744 and am very happy with it. I agree though that it's a bit of a pain to transport. I purchased mine primarily because of the rack and pinion fence. It's a good set up if you want to add a router table on the right side in that you can use the table saw fence for both the saw and router.

 

[usa#1]

Check out the Porter Cable Item #: 89913 Model #: PCB220TS that Lowes sells. I've had one for a few years. I believe it's one the best portable saws for the money. You can spend a lot more on the Bosch and other brands, but this saw performs very well. I'd buy it again.

 

[CTyankee]

Another vote for the Dewalt DW745. Size, weight, price and a rack and pinion fence system. IMO the best buy out there.

 

[2manytoyz]

I had an old Craftsman TS too. Even with fence upgrades, it still wasn't very good.

I now have the Ridgid TS. Mobile, portable, stable, repeatable accuracy. It's not a cabinet saw, and at less than $500, doesn't cost anywhere near one, so don't expect the same performance!

But it works great for the average Joe. I just finished making cabinets for my garage...

All the plywood sliced up:

Done:

http://www.ridgid.com/Tools/R4510-Table-Saw/EN/index.htm

I've had it since 2007. Great product!

 

[allinon72]

Just purchased the DW745 myself. Rack and pinion fence and ability to hang it on the wall is what sold me.

 

[Zeke]

I've been using a Makita on jobs for 15 years. No complaints.

All of these little saws have gotten expensive. You can buy a floor model for not much more. But, it's not very portable.

Ridgid saws get good reviews.

Get a real good blade. These saw manufacturers shouldn't even package a blade if what you get is all they are going to do. Pure junk. My blades run $60 and more and do nice work.

 

[Saiga1974]

I had an old Craftsman TS too. Even with fence upgrades, it still wasn't very good.

I now have the Ridgid TS. Mobile, portable, stable, repeatable accuracy. It's not a cabinet saw, and at less than $500, doesn't cost anywhere near one, so don't expect the same performance!

But it works great for the average Joe. I just finished making cabinets for my



Agreed... I have this saw since '09 and love it.... Lifetime warranty as well...

 

[weldtoride]

No Brainer

As a retired HS shop teacher you would be crazy not to look at these guys:
http://www.sawstop.com/

go to: http://www.sawstop.com/how-it-works/ and watch the "How it works" vids

I had fellow teachers, students, and my son at another shop in college trigger the mechanism.

IT WORKS.

Show the vid to your wife/significant other, it will be an instant sale.

Look into the company history, not only a great safety feature, but a really good and reliable saw platform as well.

 

[cburnscrx]

Check out the Porter Cable Item #: 89913 Model #: PCB220TS that Lowes sells. I've had one for a few years. I believe it's one the best portable saws for the money. You can spend a lot more on the Bosch and other brands, but this saw performs very well. I'd buy it again.

Yep, right there with ya, it's been a good saw so far. I have no complaints and I'd buy it again, especially considering the price. You won't find a better saw for under $300.

 

[cburnscrx]

Re: No Brainer

As a retired HS shop teacher you would be crazy not to look at these guys:
http://www.sawstop.com/

go to: http://www.sawstop.com/how-it-works/ and watch the "How it works" vids

I had fellow teachers, students, and my son at another shop in college trigger the mechanism.

IT WORKS.

Show the vid to your wife/significant other, it will be an instant sale.

Look into the company history, not only a great safety feature, but a really good and reliable saw platform as well.

I don't know the exact value of my appendages, but that's certainly an expensive saw.

 

[weldtoride]

Re: No Brainer

I don't know the exact value of my appendages, but that's certainly an expensive saw.

Probably more than the contractor version that starts at $1600. My next door neighbor whacked off his fingers, they were sewed back on, we got great hand guys here in Chicagoland, but it set him back waaay more than that. That said, personally, I am still milking my 1970s iron table 12" Craftsman along until I can afford a Sawstop. I am probably more versed in safety than most, but then again, that mindset itself is dangerous, I know that for a fact.

 

[#1SomeGuy]

Another DW745 vote here, great little portable saw.

 

[cheechi]

Re: No Brainer

I don't know the exact value of my appendages, but that's certainly an expensive saw.

would you say it costs an arm and a leg?


I'm very happy with my Ridgid portable. The Bosch just wasn't affordable but if I had the money to get whatever portable, I probably would pick Bosch then Ridgid then look if Dewalt has one on wheels yet. Cman table saws are a joke nowadays.

 

[jackfork]

I have the Bosch 4100 with the Gravity-Rise Stand and extensions. Easy to move around the work site and in general a great saw and stand. However, if you do get one plan on replacing the stock blade pretty quick, as it is not very good.

 

[vjlobel]

I picked up a Craftsman Professional refurb for a couple hundred last year. I would have shied away, but turns out it's the same saw as the Ryobi BT3100, which has quite a following. Does everything I want and more. Of course, for the stupid heavy stuff, I just go to work and use the unisaw.

 

[W_KY]

I have the Bosch 4100 on the gravity rise stand as well. I've only had it about 2 months and I've used it maybe 3 times so far. I love its portability in terms of rolling it around my garage. I have a three car garage and I am really only able to work on projects on the weekend so its nice to be able to put it away. I need to get the stock blade replaced on it. It is an expensive saw but until I get a dedicated shop, it should work for me. I haven't tried to load it in the back of a pickup yet but doing this by yourself might be awkward. Rolling it into a trailer would be easy.


If I had the room for a dedicated saw I would go the saw stop direction.

 

[ADSR]

DW744. been using it for the last 8 years and love it.