Budget Table Saws...

[AlexW]

My McKeller/Focus table saw (worst tool #5 in another thread) got returned at the weekend.

They gave me my money back when I explained that I would accept a replacement but only one that did not posess /any/ of the three faults it had, I offered to open up a few boxes but they did not seem too keen, so...

I am looking for a 10" table saw, spec as follows:

o Decent quality/results, given price limits. o Table around 650mm by 450mm (or more). o Rip fence clamping to both sides of the table, not just T-square type. o Mitre fence with protractor. o Stand option pref'd o Router insert would be a nice to have. o Dust extract port. o 230v

Budget is "around" £100-£150

I have seen the following models:

SIP 07817 - but where to buy? Charnwoord W610 - v. sim to SIP really. Clarke CTS10PLM - more expensive & no router insert I think?

Anyone have exp of these or other models which fit the bill?

TIA,

Alex.

[mrcheerful]

I have a sip and it is very good, I had to tweak the motor mounts to set it up right in the first place. Costco still have them I believe at about 100 quid including the stand.

mrcheerful

[AlexW]

Thanks for the info ... I'll give em a go.

Alex

[Dave Liquorice]

I got a Ryobi 10" table saw a while back from Costco bit more than =A3100, nearer =A3200. Fits the specification of the OP apart from the router insert. Extruded Ali deck rather than cast iron or a bent tin sheet, and moulded case, means it doesn't go rusty in the garage...

[David Lang]

Hi Alex

I have the Charnwood W615 table saw which has an induction motor, rather than a brush motor - much longer lasting & more wellie under load. Cast aluminium table, two way dust extraction, stand available (& good). No router insert - I have a table anyway.

Rip fence clamps back & front, but I did have trouble with mine not clamping square and coming 'unclamped'. I have to say that Charnwoods after sales service is first class. Talked me through the problem, suggested several adjustments & when they didn't fix the problem, they sent me a brand new complete rip fence free. Definitely would deal with them again.

Thing I like is that it's easy to remove & replace the throat plate and thence the splitter & guard, so you can cut groves, dados, tennons etc. I did change the blade that came with it.

I'm well pleased with it given the price and very impressed by the company.

Dave

[Andy Dingley]

Axminster BTS10PP Nearer £200, but it's the first that's really usable.

[AlexW]

Do you have the model number ... the Ryobi I have looked at (ETS1525) are a bit cheaper and don't have the fence that clamps on front and back of table. If yours is one I have not seen yet I would like to find out more.

Cheers,

Alex

[AlexW]

Hi Dave,

I had another look at the W615 and I do like it, however, did you have to pay extra for the extensions shown in the brochure?

Also, I was thinking I might buy a second set of extensions (later) to put the router in (just to avoid making a table/slide assy really, still have to knock up a fence). Are the extensions amenable to a bit of drilling etc ... or is this a non-starter?

Cheers,

Alex.

[AlexW]

This looks nice. But the price is getting high (and I keep overspending on these things)! Your final comment leads me to ask ... what were the other brands you found lacking.

There are reviews of the BTS10P/PP on ukworkshop and another site (I forgot where tho ...). Good feedback.

TIA,

Alex

[AlexW]

My Costco does not have any ... darn!

Ta,

Alex

[David Lang]

Hi Alex

I bought mine from a local dealer and it came with legs, extensions and a spare blade for about £170. Charnwood currently have it on offer @£149 + £20 for extensions and £15 for legs.

They fix to the main table with bolts going into tapped holes, so not exactly quick release. You could certainly drill them - not sure what you need for cast aluminium though. Cobalt?

Charnwood do a really nice router tables at reasonable money, one on special with a router for £80.

Dave

[AlexW]

Thanks Dave ... is your local dealer still doing their deal?

Re: router tables I have considered the Charnwood ones but its another thing to put in my small and burgeoning garage, hence the dual purpose approach.

Alex

[David Lang]

Hi Alex

Don't know, all I did was ring all the local ones listed on the Charnwood site & asked for their best price.

Know what you mean! My garage @ 16' x 8' is very tight for space. Table saw on lockable castors, rolls back under shelving, router table stored under bench, slid out as required.

I have a workmate with a 3' piece of kitchen worktop on top. All the shelves on one wall have one which is the same height as the workmate + worktop. I just move the workmate along & pull out the kit.

Dave

[Dave Liquorice]

It says on the front "Ryobi Industrial" "254mm Precision Benchtop Table Saw" "Model: BT250ET".

Google doesn't produce much... It's several years old now so may have been superceeded.

[AlexW]

Thanks Dave,

Managed to dig up some sites with the Ryobi ETS 1825 and RTS 1425, both of which are (semi) industrial jobs which look good. I'll try looking for the BT250.

Ta,

Alex.

[David Shepherd]

I also have this saw, purchased in 2000, and have been very pleased with it. At that time there were fewer saws available in the budget price range. I bought mine largely on the basis of a recommendation in a comparative review by one of the woodworking magazines. Plus points in the review were the general build quality, the rip fence which clamps front and back (although it pays to check carefully for being parallel with the blade) and a fairly decent quality blade as standard.

I expected mine to be a stopgap until I had the space/funds to get something bigger and better, but I'm still using it now and upgrading is certainly not near the top of my priority list. The only downside is that blade changing must be carried out from beneath the table, which can be a bit inconveniet if you regularly need to use a proper rip or crosscut blade. On the other hand it does encourage more careful planning of work to minimise changes!

You mentioned that a stand option would be preferable, but if you were able to build a workstation for it, you could have a router mounted in a table extension that doesn't have to be attached to the saw table itself, for example something like this:

Of course, that may not suit your workshop setup.

Another possibility is the Jimmy Jig: be warned, though, it's the most awful website!! I've had the site bookmarked for ages and am quite intrigued by the concept. I've never heard of anyone who;s made one, so not sure if it actually lives up to its designer's hype (of which there is lots!!).

hope this helps, rather than muddying the waters further!!

David