Hello,
I am a beginner woodworker, and I use for the moment a $100 RYOBY table saw, it has the following issues:
- the table is too small (12" on both side of the fence) for any serious work
- the fence is small and not 90° (although it locks good)
- I can not get a 0 clearance insert for it
- miter is worthless
- it's noisy and vibrates a lot...
I was thinking of upgrading, and I have a budget of around $500, what are your recommendations?
regards, cyrille
I have a Jet I picked up for around that price and have no complaints.
The latest issue of WWJ recommends the Rigid saw for about that price.
Factor in the cost of a good blade that you probably not get with any saw you choose.
Take a look at Grizzly. They will provide phone numbers of a couple of folks in their area with similar equipment. Pretty helpful if you can't get to one of their showrooms.
I have had one of their 1023 series cabinet saws for years and love it.
RonBH
What about Delta?
I'm buying soon, also with a 500$ budget. I've settled on the Delta 36-675 ($499 on amazon.com with free delivery). But there is a Sears Hardware going out of business up the street that has a 679$ hybrid table saw currently priced at 15% off. If it's still in the store when it hits 30% off (under 500$), it's mine.
I would never buy Sears. Give that saw a year and you'll never find parts. Also, find any aftermarket accessories for a Delta or Jet and just see if it will fit on a Craftsman w/o some special modification. I bought a Powermatic 64A which is a polished brother to the Jet CS and I have difficulty with the after market stuff - I can't imagine what it would be like with a Craftsman.
Pay now or pay later...
Save up until you have another $250 or so. Then get a Delta, Jet, Ridgid, or a few others in that price point that are solid and have very good fences. Read the latest WWJournal for some good information.
General or King...
very nice saw at a affordable price! (I just bought a general 50-175)
Christian
a used saw. look for something older than you and heavier than you.
If you can up your $500 to about $600 I highly reccomend the Rigid 3650. It's a great saw that blows away everything else in it's price class.
Thanks for the advice.
Save up your $--you'll need a bit more to get a decent table saw unless you can find a used one.
Yes, I agree with the rest of the comments posted here. I would save the money until you could save up for a closed stand saw.
The only Jet tablesaw that comes close to your price range is their contactor tablesaw:
Good luck on your search...saving your money might be the best bet on this one unless you are just looking for a solid tablesaw without the frills.
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