I gotta up my table saw game.. What do you use?

[cabmandone]

I've got a cheap Pro Tech table saw that I've used for years. It's okay for general contracting work, but for a good straight cut, it's a bit lacking and for wider cuts it's about useless.

I'd like something that's close to "cabinetry" grade if ya know what I mean. Something that can handle a wider cut and has a good fence. I'm going to be doing some trim work on the patio using LP Smartside to wrap posts and beams on my patio project so good straight cuts on longer boards will be a necessity. I have to spend time with a square to make sure the fence on my current saw is square to the blade. I'd rather not spend that time if I can avoid it. Plus the fence on the saw I have doesn't lock down the best even when I tighten the handle in a bit.

I'm thinking the Delta 36725T2 will fit the bill. The fence isn't quite Pro grade but it appears solid. The saw accepts a dado blade and has an optional extension table to make wider cuts. I found one on FB MP for $700 that comes with the router table extension, router, and some other nice bits and pieces.

Thoughts?

Saw at Lowe's

https://www.lowes.com/pd/DELTA-Contractor-Saws-10-in-Carbide-Tipped-Blade-15-Amp-Table-Saw/1001385562?store=126&cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-tol-_-ggl-_-PMAX_TOL_000_Priority_Item_Omni-_-1001385562-_-local-_-0-_-0&gclsrc=aw.ds&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22862739312&gbraid=0AAAAAD2B2W9a3-w1z6-VUv7G9c_NRiANS&gclid=Cj0KCQjw9czHBhCyARIsAFZlN8TPzjt5GzbyVDHXwIx5 lAYXNJEeZDBu4_F7xoaHwqXoST2PAUnE1eMaAt9lEALw_wcB

[CurtEgerer]

I bought a cheap Ryobi using the logic that I rarely need one, and it was cheap. Lesson learned: whether you use it once a year or every day, a cheap table saw makes the same crappy cuts

[onewhippedpuppy]

Can you set it up permanently? A good table saw is all about the fence. Find a big heavy old school Delta cabinet saw with a Unifence and cast iron table, they are incredible. I built cabinets with my FIL for a few years, he has an incredible shop. That’s where I learned what good wood working tools are.

https://www.finewoodworking.com/2010/09/02/glory-thy-name-is-unifence

[Shaun @ Tru6]

Good stuff here

Mid-Range Tablesaws

With more muscle and stability than a benchtop model and no need for 220-volt power, one of these in-between machines may be perfect for your shop.

[rfuerst911sc]

I use a 10 " Delta saw I purchased for a 100 bucks . Very accurate for a DIY saw . Has a belt drive motor vs built in . Agree 100 % the fence is the most critical part of a saw .

[Crowbob]

I try to go with cheapo tools for woodworking so there’s always a scapegoat for crappy workmanship of which I try not to own.

It works, I tell ya.

[LWJ]

Oh boy. I have opinions here. I have a 50++ year old Craftsman. It is cast iron. The fence is garbage. (measure 4x!!!). Power is low as it is a 120v. It set me back $25 and I LOVE it.

But, if I were doing table saw work daily? SAWSTOP. Done. I like my fingers. Large cost but what is the price of a finger?

Alternatively? My buddy passed and I disposed of his shop. He had a sweet Powermatic (I think that is correct) saw that I was drooling over but didn't grab. Sold it in flawless shape with a top quality fence for $350 I think.

Table saws are sort of funny. They take up a ton of space. They don't get used as much as they should. But a nice tuned saw can make some quality cuts and have a project look professional.

Also. With the new saw? Buy a couple of quality blades. One for rough work and one for fine. My skill level says Diablo blades are fine. I am not highly skilled.

[Scott Douglas]

A friend of mine that does a lot of wood working just upped his table saw game to this:

He's been working wood for as long as I've known him (25+yrs) and makes some nice stuff out of it.

[look 171]

Well, that depends on what you want this saw to do? I suggest against the contractor type saw (motor with drive belts hanging off the back of the saw) and bite the bullet and buy a cabinet saw. I started out in my parents garage making cabinets right out of high school using a Grizzle contractor saw. I had to built my own fence then since they were just a little better then the 1965 sears saw fence and have no money for a Besmeyer fence or a Uni-fence. Do you want to buy used? I personally like a Powermatic no. 66, 10 or 12" saw with a Besmeyer fence only because the blades tilts the other way from the fence. If used, then it must be trued and requires a bit of cleaning and Uni-saws can be had and parts are available. Those were the work horses of American wood shops. I have 4 saws in my shop and I use the Powermatic 66 10" saw the most if I need to cut anything , then my sliding saw is next.

Spend about 1500-2000 and I think those Grizzle saw are a goo dbang for the money. Yes, made in China and they have come a very long way. Adj once, and they stay true unless you bang them up all the time. Invest in a couple of good saw blades for finer work. Stay away from the Freud blades sold at Homedepot.

Go with 240. A 120 motor will bog down on ripping larger stocks making it dangerous, IMO.

[gregpark]

LWJ. That guy got a good deal on the Powermatic at 350. no matter which model.

The most important component of any saw a sharp blade but a good fence is important. Other than that, as Tool man Tim said "more power!"

[cabmandone]

Thanks for all the input. I'm going to go look at some saws tomorrow. I made a $600 offer on a Delta, like the one I linked, on MP but the guy stood firm at $700. It had a router wing and came with a router, but I don't care about the router because I already have a router and table. I have space to do something "permanent" but I'd rather not go that route since I don't use a table saw that often.

[dad911]

Check FB marketplace. Local to me, decent cast iron table saws like craftman/rigid/delta/grizzley range from 100-$300

Having said that, I sold all my shop equipment when I downsized, and now use a portable 'jobsite' saw. With a helper supporting the long pieces, and a good blade, I don't find making straight cuts an issue.

My favorite was a Ryobi BT3000. No longer made, but it was a good saw and I could mount a router to use as a router table. Burned it out, regret not fixing it.

[Bill Douglas]

Originally Posted by CurtEgerer

I bought a cheap Ryobi

I've got a Ryobi table saw and have got great results with it. Anything from resizing floorboards to making big alterations to kitchen cabinets. I work as a landlord/renovator/maintenance man so it's not used often, just when I have a project.

[onewhippedpuppy]

I have a Rigid portable job site table saw from HD. The saw itself is fine, the fence sucks just like all of the portable saws. I would never use it for any fine work.

[Shaun @ Tru6]

[look 171]

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.

[LWJ]

^^^Here is the guy to listen to. PPOT delivers wisdom 365. Nice!

(As for the Powermatic? I tried like hell to sell it. Only one buyer. I was pretty disappointed with that)