I have a SawStop cabinet saw which I would highly recommend depending on anyone's budget. Alternatively, I would search for a good used contractor's saw, especially an older 10" Delta. With patience, finding one for $500/less should be your goal. I don't have experience with Rigid (Home Depot) which gets quite a few recommendations. Some look for an older Unisaw (Delta) but they're more scarce. My SawStop and older Unisaws are 220 V, so keep an eye out on that. You'll find the table saw is the basis of your shop. Good luck searching. Let us know if any further questions.
Woodworkers Thread
- Thread starter AgronAlum
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I have a SawStop cabinet saw which I would highly recommend depending on anyone's budget. Alternatively, I would search for a good used contractor's saw, especially an older 10" Delta. With patience, finding one for $500/less should be your goal. I don't have experience with Rigid (Home Depot) which gets quite a few recommendations. Some look for an older Unisaw (Delta) but they're more scarce. My SawStop and older Unisaws are 220 V, so keep an eye out on that. You'll find the table saw is the basis of your shop. Good luck searching. Let us know if any further questions.
If it wasn't for that fence you wouldn't be able to find a better saw for the money. I got the fence as trued up as I can. I'd just buy a Biesemeyer fence for it but they cost almost what I paid for the saw. I just can't bring myself to do that.
I have the same rigid one now, it took me a while but I got it dialed in pretty well. I just had to adjust the table and blade, re level the wings and fence extrusions, re line it up to a miter slot, and shim one side. Needless to say I am selling mine and getting a sawstop in the next 6 months or so.
My latest project was a headboard that I started over a year ago in a different house in my old shop. It is sanded and finished OSB panels in a black structure with shelves, outlets, lights, and hidden storage. I also built a ramp for the dog, he's an older guy.
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Note with your smaller router you don't have to cut it all in one pass. You should be able to get by.
That said you are going to want an router that can handle that in one pass eventually.
If you are serious about woodworking this is a place to spend some money. Used isn't a bad place to start, but I would get something that works well. Having a crappy table saw with a bad fence could turn you off of woodworking pretty quickly.
I have a Grizzly cabinet saw and I love it. At the time I bought it it was by far the most cost effective solution to get into that level of saw. It's been a while though and I'm not sure how that changed. The Sawstop saws were either not an option or barely an option at the time, but they certainly look like a good option now.
The fence makes the saw in my opinion. Spend extra here to make sure you are happy. I dropped mine a while back and while I have it dialed in as far as being square, but it doesn't slide/lock as smoothly as it used to and it's really annoying. Also if there was one thing I'd change about my saw it would be probably 5-6" more fence capacity (I did get wider than standard). I'm sure it's the type to thing I'd always want more than I have but I feel like I very often want to rip something about 2 inches wider than I can.
Tablesaws are kind of like trucks... Everyone has a strong opinion on brand, style, etc. If you're doing true furniture/cabinet making, you'll need a good saw (probably a cabinet saw). For standard carpentry work, a contractor saw should be fine. With some tuning, you can get good results from a contractor saw.
I have a grizzly cabinet saw. Great saw, but they aren't very mobile, take up a ton of space and are quite expensive.
Align your saw with your needs and expected use.
I have a grizzly cabinet saw. Great saw, but they aren't very mobile, take up a ton of space and are quite expensive.
Align your saw with your needs and expected use.
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In my experience every fence should be checked front and back of the blade after you change it. I've never met a perfect fence but I'll keep it in mind.
That's the fanciest cabinet saw I have ever seen. Which Grizzly model come with the built in microwave? Is there a beer fridge option?
You should see my miter saw stand...has a built-in big screen & surround sound!!
But seriously...a good table saw was crucial to build that new kitchen island
My personal table saw is a 1977 10" Craftsman that I have rebuilt a couple of times with new motors, mounts, base. About the only thing original is the table frame and blade mount. If you REALLY want nice, you need to use some industrial equipment. We have a couple of motorized, digital Altendorf saws at work. They supposedly hold within 0.003". Key in the dimension and the saw sets itself up. I have used them for cutting up scrap laminate panels at work to take home for "government" projects. Oh, and they have a scoring blade to score the bottom of the panel (reverse rotation) so there is no chip out on the bottom surface either. They run about $55k each. Man, I would love to take one home when they are old and used up.
By the time you buy the ram and inevitably have to replace the transmission 2-3 years later you will have spend more
Strange my 1500 is dominating all comers for the last two years. Best truck 3 years in a row. That trany issue was like 25 years ago.
$5800 will buy you a really nice Hammer sliding table saw.
https://us.feldershop.com/en-US/en-US/en-US/Sawing/Machines/Hammer-K3-winner-79x48.html
The saw is part of it but I am sure a big chunk is the digital NC fence with 0.003" precision. You input your dimension and the fence moves and sets itself at the correct position.
Well that's taking the fun out of it. How am I supposed to blame the crappy saw when I put the fence in the wrong spot if it does it automatically?
