Which table saw for sub $500?

[m6z]

EDIT: I ordered this SKIL TS6307-00.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.


I need to cut down some bed slats.. The more compact the better.

Maybe build a fence or something down the road.

I've needed one enough times at this point that I just need to get one. Tired of using a DeWalt 18v reciprocating saw for everything.

Is this one decent?

DEWALT DWE7485WS 8-1/4 in. Compact Jobsite Table Saw With Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZH2HG6G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[tarbellb]

Jobsite 24" Dewalt (corded)

Literally every good (job site) carpenter I know has one of these setup at the site doing absolutely beautiful shop worthy work.

Build a table around if you have the space, add a out feed table or stands (check out the Ridgid tilt top).

Rack&pinion fence and deadnuts simple operation make it a accurate workhorse.

 

[Walkers]

I bought this Ridgid saw years ago. I think it was $599 then. It is a bit more new now, but it is a fine saw. It has done everything I have asked of it and it is pretty accurate. You might search CL or FBMP for one. It is a belt drive motor and not a direct drive with a flex shaft. If you can find a used one or swing the higher price it is worth it.

RIDGID 13 Amp 10 in. Corded Professional Cast Iron Table Saw R4520 - The Home Depot

RIDGID introduces the 13 Amp 10 in. Professional Cast Iron Table Saw. This saw features a 13 Amp totally enclosed fan cooled (TEFC) induction motor with a blade brake and is strong enough to power through

www.homedepot.com

 

[Kscardsfan]

I need to cut down some bed slats.. The more compact the better.

Maybe build a fence or something down the road.

I've needed one enough times at this point that I just need to get one. Tired of using a DeWalt 18v reciprocating saw for everything.

Is this one decent?

DEWALT DWE7485WS 8-1/4 in. Compact Jobsite Table Saw With Stand https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08ZH2HG6G/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Get something with a 10 inch blade. You’ll be happier in the end.

 

[MushCreek]

I have a similar Ridgid saw, and it's a workhorse. But- it's not 'compact' by any stretch. I got mine for $350 new because Ridgid was dumping them due to the new granite table saw coming out.

 

[billconner]

maybe over $500 now but the DeWalt 10" has been fantastic. The accuracy of the fence and other parts is on a par with much more expensive saws. The rolling stand is wonderful and allows easy compact storage. https://www.dewalt.com/products/pow...cm-rip-capacity-and-a-rolling-stand/dwe7491rs

 

[lardy1]

I bought that Ridgid as a refurbish and haven't had any issues with it. Mind you, I spent several years in a cabinet shop jockeying a Delta Unisaw and a Powermatic. It certainly isn't up to that standard. But for home use I like it. I have mobile infeed and outfeed tables with drawer storage that I built to help me handle 4 X 8 material alone. I roll everything out on the concrete approach to the shop in good weather to keep the shop cleaner. I probably have almost as much in my saw blades as I have in that saw.

 

[acer66]

Another vote for the dewalt, fence is great.

 

[m6z]

So, the DWE7491RS is the saw to get? From my first search, it looks like $600 is pretty much the price. Think I can do any better than that?

 

[uncwstudent]

I've looked at the Dewalt 8-1/4" and it is definitely solidly built and I'm sure that it is a fantastic table saw, as everyone has said. However, it doesn't take a dado stack. I ended up going with the SKIL TS6307-00 10 IN. Jobsite Table Saw and it is FANTASTIC for the price (about $330). The table was flat, the fold out legs are well integrated, the cutting capacity is amazing (25.5"), uses rack and pinion fence rails that work well, I've never had any issues with it bogging down, and you can add a dado stack. The only issue that I have found with it is that it is LOUD, but it's a table saw so that is to be expected. I will say that the Dewalt feels a little bit better made (at least from what I saw and touched in the store) but the Skil was light years beyond its modest price. The 5 year warranty helps. Skil under Chervon is definitely not the same as Skil under Bosch, thank goodness.

Here's a link to more info on it: https://www.skil.com/15-amp-10inch-table-saw-ts6307-00/

 

[tez929rr]

I’ve been very happy with this Rigid 10” for about ten years. Price is $550 now. Folding legs and a hookup for a Rigid shop vac.
Rigid saw

 

[m6z]

I've looked at the Dewalt 8-1/4" and it is definitely solidly built and I'm sure that it is a fantastic table saw, as everyone has said. However, it doesn't take a dado stack. I ended up going with the SKIL TS6307-00 10 IN. Jobsite Table Saw and it is FANTASTIC for the price (about $330). The table was flat, the fold out legs are well integrated, the cutting capacity is amazing (25.5"), uses rack and pinion fence rails that work well, I've never had any issues with it bogging down, and you can add a dado stack. The only issue that I have found with it is that it is LOUD, but it's a table saw so that is to be expected. I will say that the Dewalt feels a little bit better made (at least from what I saw and touched in the store) but the Skil was light years beyond its modest price. The 5 year warranty helps. Skil under Chervon is definitely not the same as Skil under Bosch, thank goodness.

Here's a link to more info on it: https://www.skil.com/15-amp-10inch-table-saw-ts6307-00/

I ordered this SKIL TS6307-00 from ACME tools. Wasn't in stock locally.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys.

It's unlikely this will get used more than once a year, so I don't really need anything heavy duty and it's appears it's small enough it won't be a problem transporting it if I need to.

 

[MoonRise]

Too late for you now, but if I were mostly crosscutting stock I'd look into a power miter saw instead of a table saw.

The mac-daddy there would be either the DeWalt 12" sliding miter saws (with or without the blade shadow-line LED) or maybe the Bosch 12" with the funky hinge instead of the slide rails.

A step down in capability would be a compound miter saw, either a 10" or a 12".

Or a Unisaw or Powermatic table saw.

No matter what, get GOOD blade(s).

 

[m6z]

I briefly considered a miter saw, but assumed a table saw was the better general purpose tool. I also considered just buying a cheap circular saw, but then I'd also need sawhorses of some kind and I really don't have the room to store stuff like that.

Hope to buy or build a shed sometime soon. I had double the garage space at my last place. It's a constant challenge to keep everything tidy and put away.

Build some shelving, maybe (unlikely) build a shed and possibly attempt a privacy fence solo.

 

[uncwstudent]

I second MoonRise's suggestion to get a good blade. It really does make a world of difference. Diablo blades are fantastic and they aren't terribly expensive. I've had good luck with using a Makita blade for miter saw. Since you bought the Skil, I will say that the blade that comes with the saw is fine but nothing terribly exciting.

 

[theoldwizard1]

You will be sorry if you get anything less than a 10" !

 

[tez929rr]

You will be sorry if you get anything less than a 10" !

That’s what she said.

Sorry - can’t help myself.

 

[pkpk]

I know OP is all sorted out now but....

Has anyone used one of these Grizzly benchtop saws? Would love some feedback on it. 10" blade, rack and pinion fence, 13/16" dado capability, adjustable blade speed (?), allegedly 2hp...

Grizzly G0869 - 10" 2 HP Variable-Speed Benchtop Table Saw - Grizzly Industrial, Inc.

<h1>G0869 10" 2 HP Benchtop Table Saw</h1> <h2>A jobsite saw designed for mobility and performance to improve productivity.</h2> <p><i>Recognized as the Best Value by Fine Woodworking Magazine.</i> Product testers Fine Woodworking agree; the G0869 is the best value in portable table saws!</p>...

www.grizzly.com

I'm also trying to keep things compact and mobile (would likely build a small rolling table for outfeed support) but also be able to do some woodworking on it, until I have the money and space for something bigger and more powerful. I currently have a Craftsman "Motorized" saw with aluminum top and crappy fence, and it's pretty under-powered versus hardwoods.

 

[Badgerstate]

Id get a Ryobi or Craftsman. Why spend $500 for a pro jobsite saw when you could spend half as much on something that will do the job just as well?
Ive got the 10" Craftsman and its pretty awesome. I was torn between the Ryobi and the Craftsman and really the deciding factor was that I had a Lowes card and not a Home Depot card and was able to use the card to get 20% off the Craftsman.

 

[MJK]

IMO not all job site saws are created equal. I am happy with my Bosch 10", but if I were buying today it would be the DeWalt DWE7491RS from Acme.

 

[Firebrick43]

Id get a Ryobi or Craftsman. Why spend $500 for a pro jobsite saw when you could spend half as much on something that will do the job just as well?
Ive got the 10" Craftsman and its pretty awesome. I was torn between the Ryobi and the Craftsman and really the deciding factor was that I had a Lowes card and not a Home Depot card and was able to use the card to get 20% off the Craftsman.

Why not spend twice as much and get something like a unisaw that can actually rip accurately hardwoods and such??? I personally find a job site saw unusable in the work I do. Different folks, different stokes

 

[Kscardsfan]

I bought that Ridgid as a refurbish and haven't had any issues with it. Mind you, I spent several years in a cabinet shop jockeying a Delta Unisaw and a Powermatic. It certainly isn't up to that standard. But for home use I like it. I have mobile infeed and outfeed tables with drawer storage that I built to help me handle 4 X 8 material alone. I roll everything out on the concrete approach to the shop in good weather to keep the shop cleaner. I probably have almost as much in my saw blades as I have in that saw.

Would kill to have the space and power for a Unisaw.

 

[tarbellb]

Id get a Ryobi or Craftsman. Why spend $500 for a pro jobsite saw when you could spend half as much on something that will do the job just as well?
Ive got the 10" Craftsman and its pretty awesome. I was torn between the Ryobi and the Craftsman and really the deciding factor was that I had a Lowes card and not a Home Depot card and was able to use the card to get 20% off the Craftsman.

My Craftsman saw was a complete turd. If they could make it plastic, they did.
Terrible quality, flex, loud, clunky, you name it sucked.

Those bottom barrel table saws be dancing down the street with vibrations, flexing under any load, and a fence that cant repeat cuts, go for it.

 

[m6z]

Saw arrived. Project completed. Seems nice enough for my needs.

 

[Badgerstate]

My Craftsman saw was a complete turd. If they could make it plastic, they did.
Terrible quality, flex, loud, clunky, you name it sucked.

Those bottom barrel table saws be dancing down the street with vibrations, flexing under any load, and a fence that cant repeat cuts, go for it.

Maybe you just got a bad one. I bought a Craftsman 10" earlier this year and its awesome. Yeah, its got a lot of plastic on it but the stuff that counts is all metal and the fence and miter gauge are dead on accurate.
Theres a part of me that still thinks I should have bought the Ryobi because it was about $40 cheaper but then I would have had to make a stand for it. Its probably a break-even proposition in the end.

 

[Dakotadadv8]

DIYer I have a 2005 Ryobi, still going strong. However I would upgrade to the Makita at HD, spend $$ more not much if keeping it for 10 years multiple projects.

 

[Terra Nova]

Been very happy with the Bosch 10" job-site table saw with folding base. Plenty of power, decent capacity and fence. The folding base with wheels makes it a breeze to move around and store.

They are $599 but you can keep an eye out for sales or coupon codes.

One drawback is the blade height does not lock. Could be problematic for making Dados but I've not had any issues.

 

[slowtwitch73]

I have that Skil you ordered and love it.

 

[TalonFE]

Can highly recommend former Hitachi, now Metabo/HPT Model #C10RJSM. Wait until around Black Friday and it will likely dip below 400 at Lowes. It has a superb rack and pinion fence, predictable power-up and a brake. Very stable when unfolded and set to working height. Easy blade changes as well. Nicely made and has endured 3 years of hard use on a home renovation.

 

[csp]

Can highly recommend former Hitachi, now Metabo/HPT Model #C10RJSM.

Bigskytool.com is a great place for Hitachi/Metabo if you don't mind refurbs.

 

[mikedodge]

I've got a used $100 Craftsman at the shop. If it was used more I'd buy a better one but it works fine. At home I have an old delta that runs on 240. It'll cut thru anything.
But unless it's cutting sheets the compound mitre saw or radial arm saw see a lot more use.

 

[RAS61]

I had a Bosch that was great before it was ruined in a flood. Surprised no mention of Makita, haven't tried their TS but most of their stuff is top notch

 

[banjopete]

I bought a bosch gts1031 a few years ago after going over all of this same thought process. I'd been using a slightly larger rigid prior to that but it was haggard and cheap. The bosch was brand new which I don't normally go for knowing how heavily discounted lightly used power tools can be.

I've been filled with regret since. I'm just a weekend guy and infrequent wood worker but one of the bearings or something in the motor's crapped out in less than 3 years, of maybe dozens of uses at this point. The saw near jumps off the table, as I lost the soft start I never knew I liked so much with the rigid. As others mentioned too, the height doesn't lock in place and I swear I've had some height creep on my dado cuts. As a result of the motor/bearing issues it sounds like there's sand in the motor so it sounds awful so I'm pretty sure it's going to kill me at some point. Call me stubborn but the saw still "works" so I'll try and run it until the motor actually dies or I get too embarrassed about the noise it makes when I'm getting help on a project .

Things I knew I wanted were a very good fence (in the jobsite category), ability to use a dado, 10" blade to be able to swap between miter saw if needed. I didn't realize how much I wanted the soft start feature. Just to remove the oh my goodness noise on startup, the jump of the saw, and the shuffle of your workpiece even as the motor torques over.

I was between the dewalt and the bosch when I was looking and regret not getting the dewalt, or looking harder at the rigid saws.

Live and learn.