Buying a tablesaw...some input

**MrGreenThumb** · 02-14-2008, 06:51 PM

Hello

I plan on buying a tablesaw. It will mainly be used to build beehives. I need the tablesaw to be able to cut Rabbet, Crosscut, Ripsaw, Miter and some Mortise and Tenon work..small scale.

I do not want to spend over $350.00 and would like a new one. What type should I look for? Options?

thx

**Scut Farkas** · 02-14-2008, 07:06 PM

Originally Posted by MrGreenThumb

Hello

I plan on buying a tablesaw. It will mainly be used to build beehives. I need the tablesaw to be able to cut Rabbet, Crosscut, Ripsaw, Miter and some Mortise and Tenon work..small scale.

I do not want to spend over $350.00 and would like a new one. What type should I look for? Options?

thx

It'll cost you $1,500 for the contractor model (soon to be introduced) but you'll always be known as Mr. GreenThumb if you buy the SawStop model which pretty much cannot cut your finger off. Check out the demonstration video at sawstop.com where they TRY to cut a hot dog with the saw - they can't!

**Jack T.** · 02-14-2008, 07:18 PM

Get the biggest *table* you can find. . .and watch garage sales. If you can find an old, heavy belt driven saw at a garage sale, you'll be quite pleased.

Edit: By "table" I mean just that. The little "tablesaws" that Lowe's sells work fine. . .as long as you don't need more than about two (2) feet of table space.

**Barry** · 02-14-2008, 07:44 PM

http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=205460
http://www.beesource.com/forums/showthread.php?t=191436

**Matt Guyrd** · 02-14-2008, 08:18 PM

FWIW, my opinion is that you cannot buy a good table saw for $350. You will do yourself a disservice in the long run. I would recommend buying a nice used table saw with a cast iron top.

The second piece of info you need...do not buy cheap blades.

Craigslist is often a good place to keep an eye out for good used tools. Check your area for any local woodworking clubs that might have members posted their saw for sale. Or even check stores such as Woodcraft and inquire about any local woodworkers trying to unload a saw.

Might take a little patience, but it'll be worth it.

Matt

**Michael Palmer** · 02-15-2008, 05:17 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Guyrd

FWIW, my opinion is that you cannot buy a good table saw for $350. You will do yourself a disservice in the long run. I would recommend buying a nice used table saw with a cast iron top. Matt

I agree with Matt. I bought my saw in 1972. It's a Rockwell contractor's model...with a
V-belt, not the cogged belt. Some time after that, Rockwell was bought by Delta.

Delta has a web site, and I'm still able to buy parts for my old saw. I've built thousands of bee boxes, bottoms, and covers. Built all the windows in the original section of my house, and all the cabinets, etc. I've found it to be an excellent saw over the years. I looked at new saws recently. I'd like to have two, so I can leave one setup with dado blades, and the other with saw blade for ripping and crosscutting. The new saws seem too big, and would make me bend over too much to be close enough to the work.

**Ross** · 02-15-2008, 06:57 AM

A used Rockwell/Delta contractor is your best bet. The Model 10 was the best of them. The next purchase should be a Biesemeyer on clone fence. Watch Craigslist in your area and check pawn shops. Winter is when a lot of them get sold, then when the weather warms they get re-bought.

**nc_beekeeper** · 02-15-2008, 08:14 AM

I've been using Dewalt tools for years with no complaints. They make a model no. DW745 that is carried at Lowe's and Home Depot that is in your price range. If all you'll be using it for is making hives it will do all you need. They just came out with this saw recently, and the only setback I see is that it has the max rip is 16". This is only a problem if you rip your plywood for your telescoping covers on it, as it is around 19" X 21". I have the model no. DW744X which has a max rip of 24 1/2" . This is nice if you have someone to help you, as you can rip a sheet of plywood in half. If you've never tried to rip a full sheet of plywood by yourself, don't. It's much easier to strike your lines and rip it with a circular saw.

**danno** · 02-15-2008, 09:09 AM

my rigid is AMERICAN MADE, very strong and solid

**Matt Guyrd** · 02-15-2008, 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by danno

my rigid is AMERICAN MADE, very strong and solid

Really?

**nc_beekeeper** · 02-15-2008, 10:56 AM

I have no complaints with Ridgid tools either. I have a Ridgid Joiner/Planer I use to make my rabbets and it does a great job.

**Matt Guyrd** · 02-15-2008, 11:15 AM

Originally Posted by Matt Guyrd

Really?

Let me clarify...I like Ridgid tools too...just questioning the "AMERICAN MADE" part.

Regarding Ridgid table saws, if you can get your hands on one of the Ridgid Contractor saws with the full-size cast iron top, that would be a good choice.

Matt

**danno** · 02-15-2008, 11:23 AM

A couple of the nice features of the portable Rigid is it breaks down so if I need it up at the barn I can load it in my pickup and on nice days I can wheel it outside the shop

**Joseph Clemens** · 02-15-2008, 03:11 PM

Here is a link to a review that helped me to choose my portable tablesaw.

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuild...px?ac=ts&ra=fp

**MrGreenThumb** · 02-15-2008, 03:37 PM

Can the DW745 be used with dado blades? I looked at specs and not see the option listed.

thx

**Joseph Clemens** · 02-15-2008, 06:54 PM

Originally Posted by MrGreenThumb

Can the DW745 be used with dado blades? I looked at specs and not see the option listed.

thx

http://www.forums.woodnet.net/ubbthr...lapsed&sb=3&o=

**BGhoney** · 02-15-2008, 08:12 PM

I bought a powermatic tablesaw, It came with a biesmeyer fence. Love it. I was undecided between full tablesaw and kinda portable. From what I read the bosch had the most power in the "mini table saws". I went for the not that moveable saw and am happy. I dont move it much, If I did it over might of spent a couple of hundred more and got the cabnet style."very heavy"

Good luck, Get a good dado blade....

**Bizzybee** · 02-16-2008, 04:42 AM

Your $350 budget just ain't going to get it. You should go hock your car and get a BIG un so everybody will be happy!

**Jeffzhear** · 02-16-2008, 07:11 AM

I have a fairly inexpensive budget table saw, a Craftsman which is light weight and belt driven. I have a very good carbide blade on it which makes a huge difference. It takes me longer to make precision cuts, because I have to measure everything twice and go slow to make sure I cut accurately along my markings. I make my boxes, covers, bottom-boards, reducers, etc. Someday I hope to get a really high end table-saw but am grateful for the saw that I have.

Thanks for the tips, I'll keep an eye out at garage sales...