Tablesaws?

[Tejaas]

I'm wanting to add one to my "residential shop"...
The problem here is that I don't want a full cabinet-style saw because it won't be getting a huge amount of use, and I would like to preserve as much floor space as possible for layout with my steel projects.

I have an old, heavy Powermatic in my rural shop that gets regular/heavy use... I was raised using that same saw, and to this day is the only one I've ever operated.

So here I am, wanting a contractors saw or smaller.
I ideally would like to find a relatively newer (1980s-Present),solid reputation model in used condition on craigslist, via private sale or the like... but am oblivious on who makes a decent model for my purposes.

It will be utilized 90% of the time for simply ripping down plywood sheets up to 3/4", and ripping dimensional lumber lengthwise (2x8s, 2x6s, 2x4s).

If there are any decent "portable" benchtop models that can be built into a custom table?

In summary, I need more than a stand, however less than a cast iron/steel cabinet. Mobile will work, but a heavy stationary saw station is not an option.

Craigslist seems to be absolutely overrun with 1980s/90s models Sears/Craftsman saws, newer Dewalt models, etc... are any of them worth their salt and capable?

I'd appreciate any information yall care to lend, and photos of similar setups you folks may be running!

~Tejaas~

 

[David Paul]

Look forward to the answers. I'm looking for the exact same type saw and don't have any idea what to look for. Thanks for posting the question.

 

[rice rocket]

I say ditch table saws entirely. They're easily the most dangerous tool in most shops and take up a ton of space. Join the tracksaw party, they'll accomplish 95% of the workload and take up no more room than a circular saw. Throw the track up on the side of a cabinet w/ magnets when not in use.

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DeWalt and Makita make tracksaws as well if you want to save a little, I'd pick the Makita over the DeWalt though after my research reading/video watching.

 

[dewalt378g]

Ditto exactly for your 90% Haven't touched my table saw in years.

 

[Carves]

I'm another one that likes a hand saw for most jobs,

..... but .....

Lifes much more enjoyable when you can measure, measure, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut,cut, cut, yada yada, ... with a table saw,

... rather than measure, measure, cut ... measure, measure, cut ... measure ,measure, cut ... yada yada ... with a hand saw, fancy track guides regardless ..


Whats your work bench like ?? ... Mobile, flat enough, height useful ... for an outfeed area ??

coz as a thought ...

A minimal sized table saw, adjustable height feet and some over centre catches to lock it to your work bench ??

 

[rice rocket]

Lifes much more enjoyable when you can measure, measure, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut, cut,cut, cut, yada yada, ... with a table saw,

... rather than measure, measure, cut ... measure, measure, cut ... measure ,measure, cut ... yada yada ... with a hand saw, fancy track guides regardless ..

Don't worry, Festool will sell you parallel guides and/or an portable work table to accomplish all of that too.

 

[PCO6]

I bought a DeWalt 744 table saw with the intention of mounting it on a custom made cabinet that includes a router table. It's still on my to do list. The reason I liked the DeWalt is that it has a rack and pinion fence mechanism that will allow it to be used for the router table as well.

http://dewalttoolsreview.com/dewalt-dw744xrs-table-saw-with-rolling-stand-review/

I've tried track systems and they have their place but for multiple uniform cuts I much prefer a table saw. Like with a lot of tools you have to decide whether you want to handle the tool or the material that you are working on.

 

[cgv69]

FYI, a "contractor" saw takes up more floor space then a "Cabinet" saw. The reason is, the contractor saw's motor hangs out the back where as its internal on a cabinet saw.

If all you have ever used is a cabinet saw, you may be very disappointed with anything less? That said, if that's what you want, I would stick with the big three (Delta, Jet or Powermatic) but the key IMO is the fence which is what makes or breaks most saws. Do not buy one with the older crappy Jet-Lock type fences. You want a Biesemeyer or Unifence type fence.

Now normally, I would not recommend anything less then a contractor type saw, specifically if you are wanting to do actually woodworking but in your case, I think a portable, job site saw may be your best bet because of it's size and the ability to be put up when not in use and because you have access to a real TS when you need more accuracy, power or capacity.

As for the hand held saws with a track systems, sure they work well for some tasks and are probably preferable for sheet goods (assuming your only other option is a jobsite saw) but they do not even come close to replacing a true TS. A TS can do rabbits, dados, tenons, bevels, miters (beveled miters), repetitive cuts, cove cuts, etc.

 

[turbowoodworker]

Not to mention that the OP's Powermatic and most real TS will rip rock maple to 3" without a cough compared to the tracksaws. They all have their places.

 

[srmofo]

I have my cabinet saw on cheap HF castors. It rolls when I push on it, but not when I'm pushing stock through it.

 

[PatStroud]

Bosch 4100-09 with stand
Very portable - even folds up if you need it out of the way.
10" blade with 15 amp motor.
Top rated by Wood Mag 9/2012.
If you research you can find it for less than $600.
Upgrade the blade with a Forest All Purpose for table saws and you have a very impressive mid price saw.
JMO ..........

 

[allinon72]

I have a Dewalt DW745 that I hang on the wall when not in use. I also have the stand for it. Coupled with a Diablo blade, I rip 4x8 sheets all day long and stow it away in 2 minutes when done.

 

[Zeke]

Well, if you want a portable saw you can store on a shelf, Makita, DeWalt and Ridgid all make a decent model. High end is Bosch. There is the Ryobi too at a lower price point. I built a whole set of kitchen cabinets with a Mikita 8" TS

Here is a deal that can't be beat: http://www.zoro.com/i/G2496417/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CM_fre-YhMECFUZbfgodCXIAjg

 

[Voi]

I'd appreciate any information yall care to lend, and photos of similar setups you folks may be running!

I agree with much of what cgv69 had to say with the caveat that he seems to have more practical knowledge of track saws than I do.

However, I think you'd be much happier with a contractor's saw vs. a jobsite saw. But like cgv69 said, you'll have the motor hanging off the back taking up more space.

Will that be a problem or will having the saw built into a mobile workstation make up for the extra space the contractor saw will take up?

For what it is worth, many woodworkers take these mobile table saw workstations and make them multi-purpose so they essentially act as a workbench when not in use. Some just lower the blade others go a bit further and built a cap that goes over the entire thing when not in use.

I'm going to throw out a third option and that's finding another vintage cabinet saw and building it into a mobile work station. I have a 1940's Delta Unisaw I'm looking for parts for but it sits quite a bit shorter than my previous, more modern cabinet saw. If I can find everything I need for it I plan to built it into a mobile workstation. I don't remember the exact numbers but when I tore it apart I felt I would end up with a working height an inch or less taller than my previous saw.

Vintage Unisaws are quite cheap right now. I'm not sure what vintages or shorter like mine and I'm not sure if other vintage cabinet saws like your Powermatic are shorter in height.

If you have 220V I wouldn't look past this option. Even if you find a three phase saw you could run a VFD.

 

[woody 73]

I had a craftsman contractor saw for 25 years and it got the job done, best thing a person could do is buy a better fence and a good set of wheels to make it mobile. Now having said that they are space hogs but you get the same cut time and time again.

The Festool track saw looks very nice (I don't own one and I never used one, although I would like to try one out); seems like they are not room hogs but like someone said you are measuring more then one time.

I guess being old school I like my cabinet saw very much, but as they say Today you have so many choices that I never had back in the Day.

Maybe this article will help you out:

http://www.toolsofthetrade.net/saws/contractor-table-saws.aspx

 

[theoldwizard1]

First, cutting 4'x8' sheets of plywood/OSB, by yourself requires infeed and outfeed tables and probably side tables as well as a fence systems that goes at least 25" from the blade. Based on this, I prefer to pay my "yard" to make make the first couple of cuts to get the sheet into a more manageable size, Or, throw some 2x4s on the ground, clamp another on to your material, climb on top with you circular saw and have at it.

Even making a cross cut on a 2'x8' piece is a challenge on a TS.

After that, there are several good "contractor" saws out there. Whether you buy one with a built in leg/cart system or build your own is up to you. Although this DOES look like a good deal !

Here is a deal that can't be beat:

http://www.zoro.com/i/G2496417/?utm...hopping_Feed&gclid=CM_fre-YhMECFUZbfgodCXIAjg

 

[Zeke]

First, cutting 4'x8' sheets of plywood/OSB, by yourself requires infeed and outfeed tables and probably side tables as well as a fence systems that goes at least 25" from the blade. Based on this, I prefer to pay my "yard" to make make the first couple of cuts to get the sheet into a more manageable size, Or, throw some 2x4s on the ground, clamp another on to your material, climb on top with you circular saw and have at it.

Even making a cross cut on a 2'x8' piece is a challenge on a TS>

After that, there are several good "contractor" saws out there. Whether you buy one with a built in leg/cart system or build your own is up to you. Although this DOES look like a good deal !

I read it wrong. It's stand only. Kinda pictured and worded a bit tricky. A least tricky for this old man. As shown in my link:

 

[theoldwizard1]

If you really want to rip sheet goods on a compact TS, consider the DeWalt DWE7491RS. It has a fence system that allow 31+" from the blade.

I assume the stand can easily be removed. Storing the 2 pieces separately will take less space. Yes, more setup time.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I read it wrong. It's stand only. Kinda pictured and worded a bit tricky.

I knew that price was too good !

 

[deltaphisig]

I would look into the jet pro shop hybrid saw. A very highly regarded table saw. Fab yourself a drop down out feed and mount it on the wheeled stand so you can roll it around as you see fit. I have a similar set up, and roll everything out on the driveway to work since my garage is an older 1 car space.


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[Notgrownup]

I bought a folding Kobalt saw this year and really like it, works nice and the price was right.

 

[OLEJOE]

Check out the models offered by Jet. I have one that was built in the 70's and it's still chewing wood. The one I have is a beasts but a friend has one that is portable.

 

[Tejaas]

Great advice folks, keep it coming!


~Tejaas~

 

[back2class]

I used a 10" makita portable that I have beat the hell out of for 15 years. Left out in the rain, cut all sorts of marble and stone on it and it still doesn't miss a beat. I think they still make the same model. I don't extactly know your needs. But I can say it a durable and reliable unit. By the looks of them, I would think the dime a dozen light duty Craftsman contractor table saws would be a very good value and should do the job better than the small portables if portable is not much needed.