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Opinions on table saws?

Discussion in 'Tilted Gear' started by Stan, Dec 10, 2016.

  1. Stan

    Stan Resident Dumbass

    Location:
    Colorado
    Opinions on table saws? My 10+ year old Ryobi is dying. I've put in 4 hardwood floors, 2 tongue and groove planked ceilings, and a deck with it. It's had a good life; but every adjustment screw is worn/stripped and proprietary. Also, the plastic base is starting to crack. It's fixable; but would cost more than the saw.

    I want the smaller, portable type. It spends most of it's life on top of a basement shelf. I'm liking the Bosch and Dewalt. I prefer the ergonomics of the Bosch and the fact that it's all metal; but it's a bit heavy and I'm not getting any younger. The Dewalt has some plastic; but it doesn't appear to be load bearing, just "keep yer fingers out of there" kind of stuff. It has a few funky (to me) adjustments; but likely stuff I'll never use. It's a good 5# lighter.

    Any others I ought to look at? Given the lifespan of the Ryobi, this will probably out live me.
     
  2. genuinemommy

    genuinemommy Moderator Staff Member

    My only thought is be careful with your fingers around saws.
    Have fun!
     
  3. Lindy

    Lindy Moderator Staff Member

    Location:
    Nebraska
    I saw a nice older Craftsman (from the 1960s, when they made really good stuff) at an estate sale a couple of months ago, went for $200. No way was it small or portable though, with its iron casting table and it sat on its own dedicated stand.

    If you get something heavy (like the Bosch) perhaps you could turn it into a storage shelf instead of hefting it up onto one.;)
     
  4. buzzgunner

    buzzgunner 180 gr. of diplomacy

    Delta Unisaw. Here's what mine looks like.
    [​IMG]
    Yes, they cost a fortune. However, if properly cared for, your great-grandkids will still be using it.
     
  5. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Craftsman (sold through Sears exclusively, until fairly recently) didn't & doesn't actually make any of their products, they were/are manufactured for Sears relabeled as Craftsman. The first three digits of the serial numbers, 123.xxxx, tell you who actually made the product; there are lists available on the net. I've researched many Craftsman products, and notice that some newer "Craftsman" products use a different serial number system, which I haven't yet deciphered.


    Research, research, & research. User reviews are good, BUT keep in mind they could include shill reviews and exclude bad reviews.

    If you have the floor space, a good compromise might be one on its own stand with locking wheels. And if new with warranty isn't that important to you, you can save some money checking Craigslist. You might be able to score a barely used better quality TS for small $$.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  6. Stan

    Stan Resident Dumbass

    Location:
    Colorado
    I talked to a contractor friend who steered me toward the Dewalt. In his opinion, the rack and pinion rip fence makes it the best.

    So far, so good. Absolutely zero wobble on the fence, I think that was good advice.
     
    • Like Like x 3
  7. buzzgunner

    buzzgunner 180 gr. of diplomacy

    IMHO, you can't go wrong with a Biesemeyer Table Saw Fence System. I've seen some really bad reviews for them lately, but mine is as solid and immobile as a concrete curb!
     
  8. ASU2003

    ASU2003 Very Tilted

    Location:
    Where ever I roam
  9. Lindy

    Lindy Moderator Staff Member

    Location:
    Nebraska
    Well, having grown up in the hardware business, I guess I knew that and misspoke. I should have said when they sold (not made) really good stuff.:)
     
  10. POPEYE

    POPEYE Very Tilted

    Location:
    Tulsa
    @Stan like anything else, I would consider future use. My Lowe's generic miter saw has served me well for 10 years.
     
  11. Lindy

    Lindy Moderator Staff Member

    Location:
    Nebraska
    That's one thing good about buying used. If you can find where some hobbyist could afford and bought quality, and then didn't use it much.
     
  12. Chris Noyb

    Chris Noyb Get in, buckle up, hang on, & be quiet.

    Location:
    Large City, TX
    Which DeWalt model did you buy?
     
  13. Stan

    Stan Resident Dumbass

    Location:
    Colorado
    DW745

    Entry level, but my cheap Ryobi lasted 10 years. This ought to outlive me.
     
    Last edited: Apr 27, 2017
    • Like Like x 1
  14. DAKA

    DAKA DOING VERY NICELY, THANK YOU