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-   -   I gotta up my table saw game.. What do you use? (http://forums.pelicanparts.com/off-topic-discussions/1185087-i-gotta-up-my-table-saw-game-what-do-you-use.html)

look 171 10-18-2025 06:46 PM
Anyone interested in making a super strong saw fence, let me know. I can provide simple drawings or walk you through it. One can be had for under 100 bucks or have some junk metal hanging around. Need a drill and angle grinder of jig saw for cutting up simple metal.

Shaun @ Tru6 10-19-2025 03:06 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12549415)
Too complex, shaun. A unistrut (for as long as you like the fence. Mine was 55"), 3" angle iron 10" long, and an 3" 1/4" thick alum. sq. tubing, 36" long, a 1/2" threaded rod and a cross handle, will out performance any of the wooden fence and a lot simpler to produce. Dare I put that up against a Unifence. No deformation even if yo crank on it due to it being steel unlike wood. Stick a couple of small pieces 1/16" thick UHMW under the fence so it glides over effortlessly. I did so much work out of that saw in those early years I ended up giving it to my neighbor. He was a DIY and drooled over my table saw. This is what happens when you are poor, figure out how to do anything on a budget.
I just thought it was neat how he made it. More to the point, there are several on this thread complaining about a poor fence. How tough can it be for an engineer to design a quality fence for even the lowest price table saw?

I have no dog in this, I will never own a table saw, I'm not good with wood though really appreciate those that are.

cabmandone 10-19-2025 03:42 AM
I've looked at the Delta Unisaw and the Craftsman Professional, but I don't want something that can't be moved. I have to look at what voltage they are as well. Some are 110 others 220v. If I can put one of the 110 models on a rolling base, I wouldn't mind having one of those. They're a solid built saw. If it can be placed on a moveable base, I could add Grizzly and Jet to the mix. One thing I'm trying to avoid is belt driven where the motor mounts off the back of the saw.

javadog 10-19-2025 06:43 AM
All of those things you just listed will keep you from "upping your game."

They are features of cabinets saws. You either want a big bad cabinet saw and are willing to accommodate it, or you're not. They aren't for everybody.

masraum 10-19-2025 06:49 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12549522)
Anyone interested in making a super strong saw fence, let me know. I can provide simple drawings or walk you through it. One can be had for under 100 bucks or have some junk metal hanging around. Need a drill and angle grinder of jig saw for cutting up simple metal.
I don't need it now, but it would be great if you put it out there. Eventually I'll or someone will need one.

javadog 10-19-2025 06:54 AM
There are lots of good off-the-shelf fence systems for the better saws. Easy to just buy one and install it.

cabmandone 10-19-2025 07:20 AM
The thing I'm running into on FB MP is people having saws that are a couple years old, that they paid $15-$1600 for and wanting to get $1000 or a bit more. I'm generally a "half of new" guy when it comes to buying something used. If I'm spending $1000, I might as well get something new the way I see it.

onewhippedpuppy 10-19-2025 07:23 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12549504)
Mine is on a HTC mobile base. I only buy HTC because they are the most robust, used in many professional or industrial shops and made in the US. I am not sure if they are still around anymore since most of our equip are bolted to the ground at the shop now. Stay away from those flimsy DIY ones with lumber or welded together in some Southease Asian country over an open flame built with super thin gauge metal. IMO, it is not worth it if these thing move during the cutting of a full sheet of plywood all by your lonesome self. Not safe. These base are solid and lockable. They are damn good and I still have mine on a Powermatic at my parent's. I like the Powermatic so much that I bought another used one jsut to keep around in their home.
The safety of portable saws is a really good point. I would never try to rip heavy sheet goods alone on the one I have, it’s way to prone to rocking or tipping. You need a large solid table, a fence that locks into place square and won’t move when you bang it, and a very solid base.

javadog 10-19-2025 07:29 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12549692)
The thing I'm running into on FB MP is people having saws that are a couple years old, that they paid $15-$1600 for and wanting to get $1000 or a bit more. I'm generally a "half of new" guy when it comes to buying something used. If I'm spending $1000, I might as well get something new the way I see it.
For a grand, you can buy an older, made-in-America cabinet saw that's built like a tank and will last forever, given reasonable care.

They are simple, well-made and reliable.

I would not buy any new, made-elsewhere equipment over a used American-made one from when we made the best equipment in the world.

masraum 10-19-2025 07:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cabmandone (Post 12549692)
The thing I'm running into on FB MP is people having saws that are a couple years old, that they paid $15-$1600 for and wanting to get $1000 or a bit more. I'm generally a "half of new" guy when it comes to buying something used. If I'm spending $1000, I might as well get something new the way I see it.
Yeah, around here, the folks selling old used table saws either want 90% of retail for something that's 10-30 years old, or if they are selling it for $100-300, then it's a saw that looks like it's been living in the woods for the last 40 years, and last ran 20 years before that.

javadog 10-19-2025 08:02 AM
When I moved to Dallas 5 years ago, I sold my one-owner, US-made Powermatic cabinet saw in pristine condition for less than a grand. I'd love to have gotten more, I tried.

These things are out there.

cabmandone 10-19-2025 08:30 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by javadog (Post 12549698)
For a grand, you can buy an older, made-in-America cabinet saw that's built like a tank and will last forever, given reasonable care.

They are simple, well-made and reliable.

I would not buy any new, made-elsewhere equipment over a used American-made one from when we made the best equipment in the world.
That's the other problem I'm having. For what they're asking for essentially a jobsite saw, I can get a serious saw. The thing I like about the Delta is, it can be portable and still has the ability to cut wider pieces with a reasonably solid fence system.

javadog 10-19-2025 08:44 AM
I’ve never found a need for a portable tablesaw.

I had to use a job site saw, one time, for a very small project at my sisters house. Never again.

You can use a Skil saw or a track saw for occasionally ripping sheet goods. If I ever need anything else, I’ll just get my favorite cabinet guy to rip it for me and go pick it up.

Since you seem to have an ongoing remodeling project at your house, find a place to set up a cabinet saw and be done with it.

If you ever spend even five minutes working in a cabinet shop or a carpentry shop, or just walking around one and spectating, you’ll understand where I’m coming from.

LWJ 10-19-2025 08:54 AM
Not sure what happened to my earlier response but I would greatly enjoy plans or a tutorial on a better fence. TIA.

NY65912 10-19-2025 09:11 AM
I had a Delta Unisaw, bought a specific wheeled frame to make it mobile. Had a Biesemeyer fence. 3hp 230V can cut through 3" oak like butter.

flatbutt 10-19-2025 05:12 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by look 171 (Post 12549522)
Anyone interested in making a super strong saw fence, let me know. I can provide simple drawings or walk you through it. One can be had for under 100 bucks or have some junk metal hanging around. Need a drill and angle grinder of jig saw for cutting up simple metal.
Group buy! (sorta kinda)

My biggest issue is run-in and run-out.


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