Need table saw recommendations/advice
I've been assembling a small, DIY home workshop, and I'm in the market for a table saw, and could really use some recommendations. My apologies in advance for a long post. For those patient enough to wade thru it and offer suggestions, many thanks.
Selection criteria:
Budget:
Up to $1000. That being said, I'm not married to spending the full $1000. If a $500 saw can meet my needs, then by all means, that's what I'll spend. I don't need the Lexus of table saws, but I refuse to buy junk.
Real estate/portablility:
Like many others, I have a small area for my shop. It's a small, detached one car garage. I don't park my car in it, but it serves double duty as storage. I won't have the luxury of setting up my table saw in the middle of the garage and leaving it there. It needs to have a relatively small footprint and absolutely has to be on wheels to move it around.
Bench top - Contractor - Hybrid - Cabinet:
I don't think a bench top will meet my needs, and my budget and/or space restrictions leaves out a cabinet saw. That leaves either a contractor saw or hybrid saw. I like the idea of the hybrid because it eliminates the motor hanging off the back and tends to offer much better dust collection options (although my current dc system consists of a shop vac!) But with most hybrid saws, I will likely have to add around $100 for a mobile base.
No mail order:
I must be able to make the purchase in person, locally as I don't want to have something like a table saw delivered. This shouldn't be a problem, as I have several Lowe's stores, several Home Depot stores, a Rockler store, and a Woodcraft store within very short drives.
Power:
I really don't want to have to rewire for 220
Misc:
High quality fence and miter system
Usage:
This isn't a tool that will see everyday usage. Nor will I be tackling anything as intricate as building fine furniture. However, as I said, I refuse to buy junk, and I don't want to go with a cheaper saw now, only to find out 6 months from now that I should have spent a few hundred more and gotten better quality/features. I'll mostly be doing some home improvement projects, maybe building some new kitchen cabinets, bookshelves, etc.
Some of the saws I'm currently considering:
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18477
Jet JPS 10" ProShop 1 3/4 HP 30" cast wing - $810
(will need to add on a mobile base)
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...3+90156+500744
Rigid 10 In. Cast Iron Table Saw Model TS3660 - $549
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18241
DELTA 36-716 10'' Hybrid Saw w/30'' DELTA® UNIFENCE®, Rail and Table Board - $1000
(would need to add on a mobile base)
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=18222
DELTA 36-982 10" Left Tilt CONTRACTOR'S SAW® with 30" BIESEMEYER® Commercial Fence System and Table - $850
http://www.rockler.com/product.cfm?page=19891
Jet JWTS-10 1-1/2HP 10'' Workshop Tablesaw - $580
I'm open to other suggestions as well. At this point, I've been leaning toward the Jet Proshop hybrid, but I keep reading excellent reviews of the Rigid TS3660 and would hate to shell out a grand for the Jet if the Rigid would suit my needs for a little over half of that. I'd really appreciate some help from some more experienced folks.
Thanks in advance!
I know how you feel.. Go Ridgid!
I was in the same dilema last summer. I had a crafstman $200 table saw that just wasn't cutting it. ''sorry for the pun.'' I was looking locally which limited me alot so I was considering mail order if I could find free shipping. Ya no luck there. Anyways, I ended up picking the Ridgid TS3650 from HD. I did tons of reasearch! Definatly check out ridgid's website and there woodworking forums. Tons of info about this saw.
So, here are some of the things I love. Its heavy! around 350lbs or so. Very stable. I have no vibration when running the saw. The drive belt is not the normal v-belt but a ribbed belt much like what is used on higher end saws. The truinons are heavy duty and have small levers to adjust so u dont have to do the tap tap method. I have 0.00 runout at my arbor.
You have to love a lifetime warrenty!
The hurculine mobile base that comes built into the saw is awsome. one foot lever to push down and it glides easy. real easy.
The top is all cast iron, no cheap stamped steel extensions. there are cut outs in the top so u can use clamps on featherboards and such.
The motor does hang out the back but i built a short outfeed table on mine that goes over that anyways.
The fence is awsome! I bought one of the biesemeyer fences from lowes when they were $60 but after using the stock ridgid fence i sold the biesemeyer. i have a difference of only .001 deflection. It has built in t tracks so u can mount accessories or other fence faces to it. you an also position the rails wherever u want on the saw. so u can get up to a 50'' rip with the factory fence if u want to set it up that way.
The blade guard and splitter do take a bit to align but once dont they go on or off with a twist of a thumb screw.
As for power, I have cut through 12/4 hard maple and walnut with no loss in power. I use a nice freud ripping blade.
Overall I couldnt be happier a year later. sure I would love a cabinet saw but $ and space make that not an option.
Feel free to send me any PM's with questions I also have a thread posted about my saw. ''my ridgid ts3650 table saw'' in general woodworking.
If you do choose something else, try and get it off ebay and use the microsoft cash back. there is a thread in the deals and discounts section.
Brett G.