buying used table saw

Oct 16, 2012 55 Replies

I'm considering buying a used cabinet TS off Craig's List or whatever.



Aside from the obvious: Overall condition, fit and finish Table flatness and condition Cranks, pulleys, &tc., smooth tilt and blade adjustment motor and wiring arbor run-out bearings



What else should I look for?



Thanks a heap,



-Zz


...

Well, I'd start w/ make/model/electrics...

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When you go to inspect it, bring some boards and do some specific cuts and such. Not only see how it works, but feel how it works.

Sonny

Horse power

220v capability

Availability of parts

On Tue, 16 Oct 2012 15:59:40 -0700 (PDT), Sonny

such. Not only see how it works, but feel how it works.

I'd also take a square with you, preferable a small one ~ 4" maybe. Do a visual check of the trunnion and then 90° squareness of the blade with it almost down and then all the way up to see if it changes. That's often a good indication of trunnion problems too.

Question: How much is being asked for the saw and how much are you willing to spend. There's successive degrees of table saw categories dependent on what you're willing to spend.

I'd start with thinking about what saw I'd want if I were buying new, then = look for that model in the pre-owned market. In addition to CL, you might = want to watch IRS auctions in the event there is one close to you. They se= em to specialize in surplus woodworking equipment.

You say "or whatever", but if you are looking for a cabinet saw (~500 pounds), and don't have a truck with a lift gate, LOCATION counts for a lot.

An important feature I didn't see in your list is a "quality fence". Good luck (I'm still in search of a TS myself)! Grizzly G690 is on my list, but i wouldn't mind seeing a Delta UnisawStop (my term) show up in the marketplace.

Bill

look for that model in the pre-owned market. In addition to CL, you might want to watch IRS auctions in the event there is one close to you. They seem to specialize in surplus woodworking equipment.

>

look for that model in the pre-owned market. In addition to CL, you might want to watch IRS auctions in the event there is one close to you. They seem to specialize in surplus woodworking equipment.

I'm pretty sure it was Swingman but he had the best idea I've seen if you have no alternatives. He hired a flatbed tow truck it went very well.

look for that model in the pre-owned market. In addition to CL, you might want to watch IRS auctions in the event there is one close to you. They seem to specialize in surplus woodworking equipment.

I assume you know how to negotiate and let them use standby time to reduce the cost.

Mike M

How does that work ("standby time")?

Bill

hen look for that model in the pre-owned market. In addition to CL, you mi= ght want to watch IRS auctions in the event there is one close to you. The= y seem to specialize in surplus woodworking equipment.

Bill might have pointed out one of the more important features in a table s= aw - fence. Even if you find a good table or cabinet saw with a less-than-= great fence; if price is right you can retrofit a fence. A lot of folks wi= ll aim you at the Biesemeyer which is a good fence. But Bill's reference t= o Grizzly reminded me that Grizzly offers their Shop Fox Classic fence as a= separate package, with short or long rails. I have owned a Grizzly 1023S = for about 11 years and it is equipped with the Classic fence - love it. Ou= r son has a Grizzly contractor's style saw with the aluminum Classic. I ha= ve used his machine quite a bit and it is functionally very similar.

RonB

They have truck's ready to respond to emergencies. You get them to do your job as filler work to help cover overhead. Don't expect them to commit to hours of work without adequate compensation. Also you might approach a few drivers and see if they are open to under the table jobs.

Mike M

You're going to be waiting some 20 or so more years for that patent to expire.

And I think I would rather have the SawStop brand over the "Delta of today" version.

Surely there are other options. I believe $omething could be worked out

On Thu, 18 Oct 2012 12:16:56 -0400, Bill

Loooong past that point after Gass visited the other table saw companies trying to get them to license his invention.

Borrowing perhaps from Yogi Berra, "The game's not over until it's over..." : )

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