What brand/size of Table Saw do you use?

[fornesto]

I got some Christmas Cash burning a hole in my pocket and am thinking of buying a table saw. I don't want to underbuy or overbuy. I'm no Norm Abrams, but don't want to outgrow anything either.

What would y'all recommend? Features to avoid or definitely include?

** On a related note, what about creating a new Forum category for shop talk? I'd be game.

[Miriam C.]

Next one I buy will be a belt drive. The Craftsman $200 dollar job lasted just long enough to run out of warranty. The motor fried on it.

[prohandyman]

Belt drive, steel table, cabinet saw if possible (for studiness). After several cheap units, I bought a General Int'l. Built over seas, but very good quality. Probably middle of the road (under $1000) Look at the fence on anything you buy! A junk fence can make a good saw worthless! Is a dust collection port a concern? It was for me. Most of the newer ones have a large shut-off switch - easy to find at the front when needing to turn off saw while not taking your eyes off of a fine cut. Just my 2 cents worth!

[halfdome, Danny]

I recommend you get a General table saw as they manufacture some of the finest woodworking tools in North America. They have a made in Canada line which is excellent and an international division. My choice would be any of the enclosed cabinet saws made in Canada. Danny

[toypusher]

I have a Grizzly that I bought second hand, but hardly used. It is 10" with belt drive and a 3hp motor.

My previous one was (and still is) a ShopSmith MarkV.

[doug hodder]

Get a cast iron top not a stamped one, most respectable saws have them now, and check the fence system. A poor one will cause you aggravation and waste more time than you could imagine. Just a thought. Doug

[rbeemer]

THere is a new company call Steel City Toolworks, the people who started worked for General and other well known brands and they came out with a granite top table saw. I am not aying you should buy it but keep it in mind
I use a Jet Super saw with cast iron table top

[jeep_bluetj]

My requirements for a table saw are:

1. Good fence
2. Good fence
3. Good enuf saw to go with the fence.
4. Good fence!


I've got a delta with a delta unifence, and it's perfect. Blade alignment is always within the limits of my dial guage. And, the unifence is absolutely spot on every time I lock it down. None of that 'measure from the back of the blade and the front of the blade' sillyness here.

Folks love they biesemeyer fences too, I just seem to be the guy that likes the unifence.

My dad has a Jet cabinet saw, it's a good saw too.

Stay far away from direct-drive, fancy doodads, etc... Big hunk of cast iron, with a motor and a belt, and a good fence. That's a lifetime saw.

[HossHoffer]

Did anyone mention that you should look for a saw with a good fence.

I have an older cast iron Craftsman, belt drive with an after-market fence. The fence cost more than the saw and is worht every penny. I would get the Delta Unisaw if I could find a good used one. I built a roll around cabinet with screw down levelers because I have to put it up after use.

[doug hodder]

Hoss...that's what I did...I've got a 30+ yr old Craftsman...and a Delta Unifence...it was more than the saw, but it sure was worth the investment. I did have to replace the motor on the saw last winter. Doug

[Dean in Eureka, CA]

Fornesto,
Get one with a belt drive...

[Larwyn]

Due to the nature of my former shop, which required me to work outside and put everthing away at the end of the day, I evnetually ended up with the DeWalt 744. It is a direct drive saw with a rack an pinion fence, lightweight enough for me to hand carry. I have owned a Craftsman cast iron table belt drive saw and agree it is a better configuration if you have the space for it. However now that I do have the space, I still have the DeWalt, so far I have not found a need to upgrade. The DeWalt does everthing I need it to do and the rack and pinion fence is dead on every time. It has pelnty of power for the pine/oak/poplar that I normally use on my projects, will accept a dado stack, is easy to move out of the way to free up shop space when needed, and easy to move outside when the weather is good, keeping the sawdust out of the shop (ultimate dust control).

Cast iron and belt drive are valid points. If a stationary saw fits your situation you cannot go wrong with them. If you must move the saw out of the way often, you might consider a quality job site saw such as the DeWalt or Bosh.

[asianflava]

I got this saw last year, after a sale it was right around what I wanted to pay for. It was on sale PLUS they were running a special that you can get an additional 10%off if you use your Sears card. Sure, I'd like a super high end piece of equipment but you have to consider how much you will actually use it. If you are an occasional user you probably don't need something fancy, you can deal with the occasional problems. For a professional, they are using the equipment to make money, every miscut will cost them in money and time.

This saw has a decent fence, a cast iron top, the miter is adjustable for slop in the groove, it has a nice switch that I can turn off with my hip. If you do feel that you'd like a better fence, the next model up comes with a Biesemeyer fence. From what I've heard, I don't know if it is true, the guys who designed this saw were all former Delta employees.

[48Rob]

I have a Powermatic (10" blade) with an accessory Vega fence.

Bought it 17 years ago, and have never had to readjust.
Park the fence on the number you want, and cut.
Always dead on.
It will easily last my lifetime, and probably several more...

Like the others have said, buy quality, buy heavy cast iron, belt drive, and treat it well.
You'll never have to buy another.

If you can't afford new, buy a high quality used...if you can move it by yourself, it isn't the one...


Rob

[fornesto]

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/tls/520635579.html

How does this look? I don't know which have a belt drive or what makes a good fence. I know Ryobi is now the brand of the Big Orange Box. Are there any brands to avoid? I'm an occassional user, by all means and don't make furniture quality pieces and probably won't any time soon.

I bought a 10" radial arm saw by Delta a few years back and now wish that I would have splurged for the sliding version. I'm building a deck with 2x8s!!! and can't use the saw. I don't want the same experience with a table saw.

There's always this. Anybody have any luck with older Shopsmiths?

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/tls/520259981.html

Here's a nice one with a belt drive.....