Contractors/portable saw recommendations?

[Bob Johnson2]

Looking to pick up a contractors or portable table saw for my son for graduation, does anyone know of a decent one for not more then $500? He has a circular and jig saw so something free standing.

Thanks
Bob

[Jamie Buxton]

Depends on what you mean by "portable". Me, I have a cabinet saw in the shop, but I wanted a table saw I could carry to off-site jobs. A big requirement for me was that I be able to carry the thing myself through a normal front door without fear of dinging the house. Most contractors or "portable" saws do not fulfill this requirement. YMMV.

[Rick Shelton]

For portability and accuracy of cut, I don't think you can do any better than the Bosch 4000. I had one for 2 years that I used out in the field. It will rip 2x with no problems at all (and using a 1/8 kerf blade). I can't say a bad thing about it, other than I wish they had the rolling stand when I bought mine.

[Nick Mitchell]

I've been researching these saws lately as well. After checking out most of the major players, the Bosch seems to be the best, and that's what I'll be going with.

[Bob Johnson2]

Depends on what you mean by "portable". Me, I have a cabinet saw in the shop, but I wanted a table saw I could carry to off-site jobs. A big requirement for me was that I be able to carry the thing myself through a normal front door without fear of dinging the house. Most contractors or "portable" saws do not fulfill this requirement. YMMV.

I'm looking for a saw that can be slid or easily moved out of the way as he'll have to use it in his garage, for $500 or less. I'll check out the Bosch.

Thanks all

[Bob Yarbrough]

How about a Fes Tool?

[Tom Jones III]

I had a Ryobi BT 3000 for years. I made quite a bit of furniture with it. It costs $299 from Home Depot.

[Jeff Sudmeier]

I have the Craftsman Jobsite saw. It has done everything that I have asked of it. I still have this saw in my shop and I don't have any plans in the near future to replace it. Cuts accruate, is easy to move and stores in a VERY small space.

Good luck with your search!

[AJ Hamler]

Because of the small size of my shop in the basement of the condo where I used to live, I used a Porter-Cable portable table saw for a number of years. I have a larger shop now and replaced it with a larger saw last year, but it did the job reliably for several years. Good saw.

A.J.

[Joe Unni]

I vote Bosch. I've used it extensively - it will handle just about everything you can throw at it!

Good luck,
-joe

[David Figueroa]

If you have a Home Depot nearby you might want to consider the Ridgid TS2400. I comes with a rollaway stand. There is a good comparison between the forementioned Bosch and the Rigid. It is slightly cheaper than the Bosch, but it has a better fence.



I had the Bosch for a while, but returned it. I was dissappointed with the fence, and table was not flat; Otherwise it is a nice machine. The splitter/riv knife was great. I would probably have kept it had I not found out about the F&E guided systems.

[John Longwitz]

Bosch 4000...smooth..powerful...I can carry it!!!...gravity drop folding stand a marvel...use full kerf blades no problem...miter gauge sucks so got Incra 1000SE and fine as can be