Used Table saw - what should I look for

[Paulkenosha]

In the market for a used table saw (not a compact job site one). Eyeing this large ridgid with the cast iron top.

What are some things I should be looking at with used saws. I know making sure the fence is all good and that it obviously turns on but what else?

Any help is appreciated. Thanks

 

[Rewind97]

There are some other threads like this that have some good info in them. Look up table saw in the search box and see what pops up. I'll be in the market for one too next year. Good luck with the search!!

 

[winlinmac]

Wait for when Dewalt introduces a 120V variant of their Flexvolt Table Saw, then you'll have the best of both worlds, corded and cordless.

 

[Paulkenosha]

Wait for when Dewalt introduces a 120V variant of their Flexvolt Table Saw, then you'll have the best of both worlds, corded and cordless.

Lol man I don’t need all that plus don’t have the cash for it. If I did I’d just go scoop a new stopsaw or something. Just need a full table saw for basement work room I’m making.

 

[Paulkenosha]

Awesome thanks for the info and recommendation. If this ridgid is gone I’ll keep a look out for what you mentioned. I did notice a lot of delta contractor saws on Craigslist around here but no unisaws that I remember

 

[ScottsGT]

Some discoveries I've made the past few weeks shopping table saws. (Shopping smaller portable units myself)
Not all miter slots are created equal. Some are just a standard 3/8X3/4 slot. Some are 3/8X3/4 with a wide bottom so things like tenon jigs lock into place and slide freely.

Some saws have a non-standard miter slot. Even though you are probably telling yourself you don't need it, never say never.

Dado blades. some saws you can't use them. Again, never say never.

Set up for sawdust collection? Comes in handy!

Make sure you can find parts if going used.

Fence. Some are just outright **** you have to fight every time you reset it.

I was looking at an older Craftsman like my Dad had. I could have pulled off the wings and made it the compact garage saw I need. But after I bought a quality fence that I would have had to cut down to size, replaced bearings and pulleys with quality units, I can just go buy the Dewalt DWE7491 RS that is on sale for under $500 at Lowe's right now.

Has the dado features and a real miter slot. It's actually a little on the large side to be considered a bench top, but still not a full size.

 

[bczygan]

Just picked up 2 Unisaws off CL. $200 (1 1/2HP 3PH with Biesmeyer fence) and $90 (4HP 1PH)

Look there.

Bill

 

[ScottsGT]

Just picked up 2 Unisaws off CL. $200 and $90

Look there.

Bill

You ****!! Nothing like that is ever on our local CL.

 

[Marctrees]

ssdave said - "
If you have the time to look, try to get a used Unisaw or similar cabinet saw, the newer the better. "

I think he meant "The OLDER the better", cause the rest of his post shows he knows what's goin on pretty much anyway.

"The NEWER the better"??

Uh, no, the OLDER the better.

Down to post WW2 40's to 50' 60's is the best.

Must have been a mis type.

Marc

 

[bczygan]

ssdave said - "
If you have the time to look, try to get a used Unisaw or similar cabinet saw, the newer the better. "

I think he meant "The OLDER the better", cause the rest of his post shows he knows what's goin on pretty much anyway.

"The NEWER the better"??

Uh, no, the OLDER the better.

Down to post WW2 40's to 50' 60's is the best.

Must have been a mis type.

Marc

Yes!

Mine are 1954 and 1959.

The CL ads to look for are the ones with no photos and limited descriptions.

The 3phase one had no photo of the saw and nothing in the description. But it was there when I went to look at the other stuff.

The single phase one was listed as a $100 Unisaw but no phase listed and no photos of anything. Two other Unisaws were listed, a 3phase for $200 and a running one for $500. I didn't even look at that one. It was a going out of business deal here and the other one was a business moving.

This time of year is a good time to look.

Bill

PS Low prices are for 2 reasons. The one is because it's 3 phase. The single phase one had no fence, a non enclosed replacement motor (With a bigger cutout on the side), rusty top, loose hand wheels no blade and was full of sawdust. Plus it couldn't be plugged in and run. Neither saw had a miter gauge, blade cover and splitter or the "egg" cover for the motor. Being early to call and able to go right over helped and lack of competition on the one with no listing in the description made that one available.

Also, there is declining demand for these, since modern saws have more features. I still like them as they are heavier than the usual consumer grade saws but cheaper than the true big and very expensive industrial saws.

Bill