table saw

[nickeveready 0]

i'll be taking a dive into this box building thing and i wanted to know what brand table saws u guys are using to do your cuts. right now im looking at a ryobi 10inch @ home depot for $250, a hitachi 10inch @ lowes for $227, and a craigslist used craftsman for $65. what features should i be looking for to get smooth accurate cuts out of my table saw? i really don't wanna go over $250 so dewalt and rigid are out of the question unless i can find it on craigslist for the low low.

[JimJ 11]

My favorite brand would be Powermatic, but since I haven't found a money tree yet I'm stuck with a Ryobi

If you can splurge, splurge on the fence. A solid, reliable fence will make your life much, much easier.

[tezin87 0]

i'll be taking a dive into this box building thing and i wanted to know what brand table saws u guys are using to do your cuts. right now im looking at a ryobi 10inch @ home depot for $250, a hitachi 10inch @ lowes for $227, and a craigslist used craftsman for $65. what features should i be looking for to get smooth accurate cuts out of my table saw? i really don't wanna go over $250 so dewalt and rigid are out of the question unless i can find it on craigslist for the low low.

We bought that Ryobi as a early father's day present for my dad and I used it to build a box two weeknds ago and it helped a ton. It's real easy to use and there was nearly no set-up at all besides adjusting the blade to 0 degrees and putting on the blade-guard. Plus it has fold-up legs and wheels so you can store it real easily. I'd say get that because it worked real well for me.

[johnecon2001 82]

Delta or Sawstop for me

[nickeveready 0]

My favorite brand would be Powermatic, but since I haven't found a money tree yet I'm stuck with a Ryobi

If you can splurge, splurge on the fence. A solid, reliable fence will make your life much, much easier.

what exactly does the fence do?

[BKOLFO4 29]

If you can splurge, splurge on the fence. A solid, reliable fence will make your life much, much easier.

x2

The fence is the guide the wood runs along opposite the blade. It is adjustable to determine the width of the peice you are cutting. If it is accurate, you will not even need a tape measure while cutting. I would also suggest the wider the better. . .

[topgun 262]

Powermatic is one of my favorite table saws that I could even think of affording. I won't mention sliding table cabinet saws and what not...

Rather than spending a little bit of money on a small pos table saw, I personally would rather build a cutting table, fence setup, and buy a good skill saw.

[nickeveready 0]

is the fence universal or are they brand specific

[Aaron Clinton 2,372]

My Black and Decker has been trusty, although too small and not quite strong enough.

[audio-neon 34]

My biggest suggestion is buying decent blades. MDF eats up blades.

[topgun 262]

is the fence universal or are they brand specific

Nope, Biesemeyer is a good brand, and I've heard really good things of Incra's fences (but those are more than your whole budget...).

Quick question, have you ever used a table saw before or anything?

[shizzzon 461]

Hey johnecon, u own a sawstop?

I "saw" one of those a couple yrs ago that prevents itself from cutting yourself while cutting, or any foreign object for that matter...

That saw is hella expensive, if u own it, how u like it compared to "ordinary" table saws?

I own a table saw but is hard to get too a lot of times with all the other tools in both of the garages.

For a cheap alternative, i just measure and mark point A and B, draw the line, then clamp a straight edge few inches away from the line and let the skill saw make the perfect cut. Comes out just like a table saw did.

[creyc 1]

that building your own table saw thing sounds interesting, do you have any more info about this? I need a table saw but I can't afford a proper sized model of good quality

[topgun 262]

that building your own table saw thing sounds interesting, do you have any more info about this? I need a table saw but I can't afford a proper sized model of good quality

I said nothing of building a table saw, just gave an idea for cutting easier with a skill saw. Personally I find little cheapo table saws worse than a decent skill saw, but then I'm spoiled by cabinet saws.

[creyc 1]

that's why I won't go out and just buy some crappy $300 saw that I'm going to be annoyed with. skill saw+lots of clamping my straight edge will still have to do

[nickeveready 0]

is the fence universal or are they brand specific

Nope, Biesemeyer is a good brand, and I've heard really good things of Incra's fences (but those are more than your whole budget...).

Quick question, have you ever used a table saw before or anything?

never used anything, im a virgin to woodworking