A friend of mine is a finish carpenter and has an 8" portable table saw that he could sell to me for $40 or $50. I don't know what brand it is. I know he doesn't buy junk, though.
Would I be wise just getting a new 10" saw for a little more money? I don't have room for a full size saw so I was thinking about having a small one on a base that I roll under my benchtop when not in use.
Mike
For that price, maybe it's an ok first saw to experiment with. I assure you though that compared to a contractor's saw, it will be a miserable experience. So keep that in mind and don't get discouraged about woodworking in general because of this saw. Ear-splitting universal motor, too small table, too small fence, low quality blade, no zero-clearance throat plate. I'd recommend grizzly's base model contractors saw. iirc, it's about $400. The difference would be night and day. I started with a delta bench top 10" saw. It lasted through exactly one project before I'd had enough.
brian
This is one of the portable ones I would consider:
What do you plan to do with it? It may not be the best, but if it cuts a few pieces of lumber here and there and gets the job done, it is worth the money. OTOH, if you plan to build fine furniture or a house full of nice cabinetry, Save up and spend at least $600 or more for a good quality saw with a good fence.
50 bucks is a cheap way to find out if you are interested in serious woodworking. For a shelf in the garage, it will do the job.
I thought Hechingers went out of business a few years ago. It is just a website using the name?
Aren't 8 inch blades a little hard to source?
Just watch your fingers on that little saw. If you're making very, very casual cuts on small lengths of wood (< 4ft) then it'll be fine, say picture frames or moulding -- shelving even sounds ambitious.
Also, on a saw this small, you won't be able to dado, which is one main reason for having a table saw in the first place.
As for getting a new one for a little more money... new or used, 8" (?) or 10", the table saw is one of those tools you'll want to view as an investment, not a bargain, unless, as stated above, you're just experimenting, and you don't need to count to ten. Otherwise, buy a handsaw, take the time to make your cuts by hand, and then when you buy a $600 table saw you'll open the box, rip off the plastic, and make angry love to your new Delta honey!
- Saul
For that money it might be worth it. Check out the fence--a fence can "make or break" any table saw. Expect to buy a new blade. If you continue to do lots of woodworking, you'll eventually replace it a 10" saw when you get more room.
If given a choice, of
A good circular (skil) saw, a good blade and good straight edge guide
an 8" portable "table" saw (That isn't growing up to become a powermatic 66 or a unisaw)
or nothing,
I'd take the circular saw over nothing over the POS
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