Saw recomends

[Bob Yarbrough]

Just moved from Minneapolis to Seattle area. I had to sell my Delta contractor saw, and other large tools. Bought all the handtools.

Now I have limited space, did not like the Delta Saw a bit, and looking for an efficient compact way to rip misc. sizes of hardwood (3/4" x +/- 5-8" wide).

Suggestions?

Bob

[Jeff Weight]

While I don't own one I've heard the Ridgid saw is very nice. That would be the first thing I'd look at for price. From there I head to Sears and have a peek at the zipcode saws.

[Bart Leetch]

EurekaZone (EZ-Smart System) or Festool

[Wilbur Pan]

For a compact solution for ripping -- how about a bandsaw? It will be safer, too.

As far as the EZ-Smart System or Festool, would 5-8" boards be too narrow for these systems? What is the narrowest board you could rip with these systems?

[Jim Becker]

The so-called hybrid saws offer great capabilities and a footprint that is potentially less than your previous contractors' style saw. I don't think you'd be happy with a "job site" or bench top saw and they are not typically accurate enough for quality, repeatable rips. The bandsaw is a nice idea, but you'll need a jointer to clean up the cut. (Or become proficient with a hand-plane)

The guided systems can do the job, but are less "comfortable" for narrow ripping due to the clamping/jigging necessary to do it safely. IMHO, of course.

[scott spencer]

Any of the standard size hybrid or cabinet saws should take up less space than a contractor saw. If you're really pinched for space, a portable jobsite saw like the Bosch might do the trick.

[Dino Makropoulos]

For a compact solution for ripping -- how about a bandsaw? It will be safer, too.

As far as the EZ-Smart System or Festool, would 5-8" boards be too narrow for these systems? What is the narrowest board you could rip with these systems?

Wilbur.
With the ez smart you can rip 1/4" narrow pieces.
Even tapered rips.
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/smart-clamping-tutorials/ezcatalog_261
http://eurekazone.com/gallery/smart-clamping-tutorials/ezcatalog_265

East Brunswick?

Edison NJ.

Stop over any time.

Eurekazone
53 National road
Edison NJ 08817.

[John Bailey]

Bob,

Scroll down to the bottom of our start up page, where the manufacturers forums are located. If you post a thread in the E-Z forum about what you need, you'll get lots of good advice.

John

[nicholas clark]

i just bought the general jobsite table saw, can't remember the model number. It has a 2hp motor, belt driven, cast iron table. It is built just like a contractors saw but is on a mobile base so it can be folded up and put in the corner just like the other jobsite saws. It is much heavier then the other thought by about 100lbs.

http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/50090a.html

I havn't used it alot but am happy with it so far, I'm not to crazy about the fence but it works fot now

[glenn bradley]

I don't know how limited your limited space is. I have a hybrid that has a smaller footprint than my old contrator saw with more of everything else. If no table saw will fit there are 'guided systems' fans on this site that will comment on their experience.

[scott spencer]

i just bought the general jobsite table saw, can't remember the model number. It has a 2hp motor, belt driven, cast iron table. It is built just like a contractors saw but is on a mobile base so it can be folded up and put in the corner just like the other jobsite saws. It is much heavier then the other thought by about 100lbs.

http://www.general.ca/pagemach/machines/50090a.html

I havn't used it alot but am happy with it so far, I'm not to crazy about the fence but it works fot now

That's a pretty neat setup Nicholas...hadn't seen it before. The saw portion looks alot like the new Jet 708100 hybrid. How much is it?

http://www.general.ca/machines/gi/50/g_50090k.jpg
http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/B000BHNAJK.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

[nicholas clark]

scott.

the saw was just under $700 it is about middle of the road but I too have limited space, folding it up and putting it in the corner was a big selling point.

I had a ridgid, portable saw, that I burnt the motor out of and am waiting for it to be repaired.

[glenn bradley]

That's cool Nicholas. My brother is a car nut and has NO space for tools. He went with the fold-up Bosch and has been very happy. Point being, for the OP; purpose specific saws can be a good answer to the space problem ;-)

[scott spencer]

scott.

the saw was just under $700 it is about middle of the road but I too have limited space, folding it up and putting it in the corner was a big selling point.

I had a ridgid, portable saw, that I burnt the motor out of and am waiting for it to be repaired.

Ya know... (thinking out loud...) ... if you could pick up the Jet for $400, and a rolling stand for $50-$100, you could create your own version of the GI for alot less than $700.... AFAIK, there are several similar stands on the market. Heck, you could probably even Ebay the Jet stand for $20-$30. :)

[Norm St.Onge]

The new portable DeWalt is getting decent reviews on the contractor web sites...wouldn't want to use it for breaking down large sheets but for rips it'll do the trick. And it's small enough to fit in a corner when you don't need it.

http://www.amazon.com/DW745-10-Inch-Compact-16-Inch-Capacity/dp/B000HXT2N6/sr=8-2/qid=1170719356/ref=pd_bbs_2/102-6329637-2016933?ie=UTF8&s=hi

-Norm

[nicholas clark]

I'm not sure if the stand can be bought from general alone, the stand is heavy duty with shocks to assist in lifting and lowering the saw. The general saw is 100lbs heavier than my ridgid. I wouldn't want that saw on the stand that my ridgid came on.

I'm not sure that the other portable saws will stand up to working a lot with hardwood, or maybe I got a lemon. I was ripping maple with the ridgid
when I burnt it up, my blade was a little dull but not to bad, and it was less then a year old. It was covered under warranty but I have been waiting for a month and a half and the motor is still on back order.

The general saw has plenty of power and is built just like the contractors saws. But I'm not to happy with the fence, I was thinking of adding a different fence at later date. I probably would have the same in the saw as a hybrid saw but with lack of space this saw works for me.

good luck with your purchase which ever way you go