First Table Saw

[Todd Warren]

Hey Guys, first post here on the forum. My question is about my first tablesaw purchase. Im trying to decide between the Ridgid 3650 and the General International 50-220. I live up in Canada so our choice of brands is very limited. I live near a HD and could get the Ridgid for a good price, my only concern is that i would soon outgrow a contractors saw, i am planning to build some cabinets and an Entertainment unit here at home. Is it worth the extra money and hassle to get the General Int. Hybrid? or will the ridgid (with an aftermarket Blade) do the job just fine?

Thanks for the help and Happy Holidays.

[glenn bradley]

I can't comment on the General but a hybrid or cabinet saw certainly takes up less room than a contractor saw and generally be a better saw. Having said that, there are some 'over the top' contractor saws out there that are very nice.

Many folks have the 3650 and do quite well with it. A neighbor down the street cranks out kitchens like you can't believe on one. They are very much "tract house" kitchen cabinets but the saw has never given him a bit of trouble and all he did was pick up a Freud rip and x-cut blade for it.

I have the C-man 22124 hybrid and have been very happy with it. It replaced a 1970's Emerson/C-man contractor that went to my dad. Emerson also makes the 3650 if I am not mistaken.

No hard and fast answer I guess. If I knew the General to be a solid saw I would lean that way.

[Jim Becker]

Why buy a "first table saw" when you have the opportunity to potentially by your "last table saw"...go for the hybrid, even if you have to wait an extra month or three to buy it. The increase in cost is tiny when you amortize it out over many years.

[Art Mann]

I bought the Ridgid 3650 and I believe it is a good value and one of the best of it's kind. It has met or exceeded my expectations in every way. Having said that, I will say that I am looking for a cabinet saw or perhaps a hybrid. It is very difficult to control the sawdust. That was not a priority when I bought it. The power is adequate, especially with TK blades, but I would like a more. I find myself working more and more with 6/4 and 8/4 hardwoods. The motor sticking out the back is getting to be a nuisance.

My point in all this is that the 3650 is a fine saw for what it is, and you can buy with confidence. But, you may one day want better. If you think that may be the case, then save a little more and buy one of the many favorably priced hybrids or a full up cabinet saw.

[scott spencer]

Both saws are plenty capable, and you'll have a tough time telling the cuts apart, but the hybrid by design has most of the advantages in this case.

Not having a motor hanging out the back offers many advantages... smaller footprint, better DC, more mass/stability, and a shorter drive system....which are many of the same advantages a full cabinet saw offers. In this particular case, the 50-220 actually features a dual drive stage which is said to increase torque. The 50-220CM1 has a Biese Homeshop clone, which I believe is the better fence. The 50-220 also features a digital angle readout. The 3650 will have more stock ripping capacity, but it's pretty simple to slide the front rail to the right of the GI if necessary. The 3650 also has a built in mobile base, but there are many options available for the GI, including making your own.

There's no question that I'd go for the hybrid between these two. Woodtek and Sunhill Machinery both offer a saw that has the same basic frame as the GI. One of the mags recently chose the Woodtek as their top pick. I'd also add the Steel City 35601, Jet ProShop 708482k, and the Craftsman 22124 to your "must see" list.


Emerson also makes the 3650 if I am not mistaken.


Emerson owns the Ridgid name, but the parent company of Ryobi is now actually making the 3650....pretty much the same basic design with some different accessories and add-ons.

[Chuck Lenz]

The only hybrid tablesaw I would buy would be one that has cabinet mounted trunions. Craftsman and Steel City have this feature, I'm not sure if anyone else does.

[Chris Dodge]

I have to agree with Jim Becker. My first table saw was a Delta Unisaw that I purchased sixteen years ago. It is still my only tablesaw and, the way it continues to work, it may remain my only saw. I am one who likes to buy tools for a lifetime if possible. I do a lot of research and buy the very best that I can afford, and maybe go a little higher than I can afford if I can justify the expense.

Ultimately ask yourself if woodworking is something you think you will do for the rest of your life. That is the question I asked myself and that is why I bought a saw to last a lifetime.

[Rob Will]

Hi Todd, and welcome to the creek.
I agree with other posts here......in the case of a table saw, wait a bit and buy the heaviest saw you can afford.

Many members here have had excellent results with purchasing used equipment. There is a LOT of used equipment out there and the quality can actually be better than certain new models. Before you buy, I would post the following question on the creek:

"For the same money, would you rather have a new hybrid table saw or a good used cabinet saw?"

The table saw is the cornerstone of your wood shop. Go for quality here and be done with it. I vote for a cabinet saw with a 50" Biesemeyer fence. Five years from now you will look back and be proud of your decision.

Good luck!

Rob

[Grant Vanbokklen]

Many members here have had excellent results with purchasing used equipment. There is a LOT of used equipment out there and the quality can actually be better than certain new models.

Not sure about other areas but here in So Cal I am noticing a bunch of used cabinet saws going on Craigslist in the last week. San Diego had a bunch that I think were listed in the last few days. Maybe clearing shop for new Christmas presents? You might get a great deal on a used saw if your willing to be a bit patient and do a fair bit of looking.

[Jason White]

Plenty of posts here about the RIDGID TS3650.

If you want a good contractors saw, most here who have one will likely recommend it (myself included).

JW

[Todd Warren]

Thank you for all the replies, it looks like i will go for a hybrid. i want a saw that will last me, a table saw is an expensive purchase and i dont want to have to make it more then once in the next 10 years. As for hybrid saws, If i had my way id probably by the Jet hybrid, but being up here in canada, were very limited to what brands we can buy. In my town i have the choice of a Delta, General, or Steel City hybrid saws. The Steel city is probably the best saw, but also the most expensive, The General seems like it will fit my needs just fine, i will take a look at both before i decide.

[Mike Cutler]

Todd.

I've owned the General 50-220 for two years now.It's a fine saw. I don't regret the purchase at all.
If the case arises for the need of a bigger saw. It will be a european style slider for me. I'll still keep the General though. I like it.

[scott spencer]

Thank you for all the replies, it looks like i will go for a hybrid. i want a saw that will last me, a table saw is an expensive purchase and i dont want to have to make it more then once in the next 10 years. As for hybrid saws, If i had my way id probably by the Jet hybrid, but being up here in canada, were very limited to what brands we can buy. In my town i have the choice of a Delta, General, or Steel City hybrid saws. The Steel city is probably the best saw, but also the most expensive, The General seems like it will fit my needs just fine, i will take a look at both before i decide.

Todd - Are King Industrial and Canwood saws available to you?

[Mike Marcade]

If I was going to do it over again, I would not have started with a contractor's saw. I would have gotten a hybrid (if they would have had them when I started :() or a cabinet saw.

[Cliff Rohrabacher]

These aren't my E-pinions. I have never seen a General 50-220 so I got no thoughts on 'em.

http://www.epinions.com/reviews/General_Int_l_50_200_Cabinet_Table_Saw

[Ken Fitzgerald]

Depending on the amount of money you want to spend.....

I have the TS3650. I bought it when it first came out. It has served me well. I'd also consider looking at the Grizzley lines. A lot of folks have them and really are quite satisfied with them.

[Fred Voorhees]

If you have the opportunity to go directly to a better saw than a contractors unit, I most definitely would go that route. While my current Delta contractors saw has served me well for over ten years, I am just about ready to begin shopping for a cabinet model and look forward to the next phase of my shop....that being upgrading all of the machines.

[Bruce Wrenn]

Most woodworkers wish that their second table saw had been their first. If Sears is close to you, look at the 22124. Many sing it's praise. Despite owning four Delta contractor's saws and a Uni, I still lust for a 22124. Don't ask me why. I just think it is one nice saw. Every time I go into Sears (about three times a year), I stop and check out the 22124.

[Todd Warren]

Went out to the tool store on boxing day and found a good deal on the General, I set it up and will be trying it out this weekend.