Scott Perkins47
10-07-2009, 1:14 PM
I have a 12 year old Harbor Freight 10 inch table saw
from back when their table tops were smaller than today
and for the right jobs, the weight and size is fantastic.
I have no idea how powerful the motor is but I'll tell
you a secret, run thin kerf 6.5" blades if you can find
em to rip 2x stock and it has gobs of power. It will grind
through long 2x4s like a bulldozer.
7 1/4" blades will work also cuz they are cheap and plentiful
when you have to saw through a few nails and not
worry about it etc. By using the smaller dia blades
the torque is increased by what seems like a lot.
Dont get me wrong, I have a 350 pound 40 year
old SEARS 9inch ( thats right - nine inch ) table
saw for precision work but I have made some
very precise cuts on the HArbor Freight saw.
It just takes more time to get the fence and blade
height setup just right and maybe a few extra
practice cuts etc.
To tell you the truth, I wish someone would make
a smaller hi quality table saw that used 7 1/4"
blades. They are great for cutting small things.
What I love most, is picking it up by one hand
by the lip under the table top like a suitcase
handle. It is so portable it is ridiculous.
I throw it in the car trunk about like it
is a circular saw.
With a 7 1/4" blade I can even tilt the blade
45 degrees and hack through 2x stock which I have
had to do a few times..
from back when their table tops were smaller than today
and for the right jobs, the weight and size is fantastic.
I have no idea how powerful the motor is but I'll tell
you a secret, run thin kerf 6.5" blades if you can find
em to rip 2x stock and it has gobs of power. It will grind
through long 2x4s like a bulldozer.
7 1/4" blades will work also cuz they are cheap and plentiful
when you have to saw through a few nails and not
worry about it etc. By using the smaller dia blades
the torque is increased by what seems like a lot.
Dont get me wrong, I have a 350 pound 40 year
old SEARS 9inch ( thats right - nine inch ) table
saw for precision work but I have made some
very precise cuts on the HArbor Freight saw.
It just takes more time to get the fence and blade
height setup just right and maybe a few extra
practice cuts etc.
To tell you the truth, I wish someone would make
a smaller hi quality table saw that used 7 1/4"
blades. They are great for cutting small things.
What I love most, is picking it up by one hand
by the lip under the table top like a suitcase
handle. It is so portable it is ridiculous.
I throw it in the car trunk about like it
is a circular saw.
With a 7 1/4" blade I can even tilt the blade
45 degrees and hack through 2x stock which I have
had to do a few times..