I’m thinking about buying this table saw anyone have any experience with it? Also considering the Bosch4000.
I’m looking for any information regardless of type of use. Although I primarily will be using it for trim work and built ins. Down the road perhaps abilitly to handle some cabinet work.
Replies
If you intend to do built ins and maybe cabinets some day, then I recommend this excellent value:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/stores/detail/-/hi/B0000EI961/qid=1116501577/sr=2-3/ref=pd_bbs_b_2_3/103-5455855-2994225
For $80 - $100 more than the plastic "upside down skill saws", you can have a "real" table saw. Not as portable, but much more safer, quieter and accurate. When moving jobsites, the motor and fence detach in seconds, and it's easy to remove the saw from the stand (4 bolts).
You've perked my interest. I read the reviews from the site link you gave me. all good reviews 'cept the one really bad review...what do you make of that?
Sounds like a pretty heavy saw. And I do want one that I can easily get in and out of a jacked up pick up. Right now I am looking for a more portable saw.
I think eventually I will end up getting a shop saw of some sort ( when I have a shop that is.) But for now I hope to get something that will hold me over 'til that time comes and still be easily moved around alot.
The only thing that makes sense about that review is that guy works for competition. I've used that saw before and there's nothing wrong with it.
I've got the 3812S and have been pleased with it. It has soft start and electric brake. Decent power and a solid accurate fence. The folding stand is stable but I'd note that if you want a wheeled stand, you'll have to go to Rousseau- PC doesn't make a wheeled stand for it. I've had it a year and no problems so far. My one dislike is when cutting floppy materials like laminate. There's a detachable angle you add for support. Works fine but inconvienent. I also considered the Bosch. The Bosch has a bigger table, is quieter, and has better cord storage. My main dislike on the Bosch is the miter gauge. The PC uses a t-slot- you can extend it past the table and it won't fall out, something I find helpful when crosscutting wider stock. On the Bosch's I looked at the miter gauges were pretty sloppy; to me a serious oversight on an otherwise fine saw. Fwiw here's a link to a saw review from JLC.
http://www.jlconline.com/cgi-local/view.pdf/3b2e34df4dbd37e00ad376dea2212efe/www.jlconline.com/cgi-bin/jlconline.storefront/428c8a440004505227177f000001053d
I'm with Molton. Get a contractors saw. Good models include Jet, Delta, Powermatic, Woodtek (sold through Woodworker's Supply), and others. The Woodtek has the most powerful motor, and is the heaviest.
Heft matters.
If you get one of these contractors saws (meaning external motor with belt drive), be sure to get a linked belt to replace the solid belt. Makes 'em run a lot smoother.
And if you can, do the switchout in the motor control box (all these do it) and run it off 220V. Fast startup and cooler run, without dimming the lites at switch-on time.
The portables are for folks that need to be setting up and taking down a lot. I don't do that, and if I have to move my Jet, I just get some young-and-strong help.
Gene Davis, Davis Housewrights, Inc., Lake Placid, NY
I looked at the Delta today, seems like a heavy sucker. No way that's going in and out of a jacked up pick up on a daily basis when I'm alone. Heck...I even crossed the Rigid off the list 'cause even with the wheeled stand set up u pretty much need 2 guys to get it in and out of the truck.
I bought a Bosch 4000 about a month ago. So far I am very happy with it.
Coming to you from beautiful Richmond, Va.
I've had my Bosch 4000 saw for 3-4 years now and have been very happy with it. It amazes me that I can rip 4x8 sheet goods myself on this saw. I have it mounted to the ridgid folding rolling stand, and it is a great unit to have in my trailer at all times.Very precise, not too loud and a great fence. Highly recommended.JT
Nails
I've got the Bosch4000, I like it a lot. I also have two Delta contractors saws and a UNISAW. I moved lately so the only one that I have access to is the Bosch.
If portability is what you need get the Bosch, if you don't have to move it I'd opt for the contractors saw, if money isn't a factor I'd get the cabinet saw.
I build anything I need to with my Bosch, that includes cabinets, furniture and whatever else comes up.
You don't have to get some fancy saw to get good results. I'll stack the stuff I make with my Bosch up against that of anything made with a cabinet saw.
I have access at work to a nice slider, so most the time I will use that. I recently finished a kitchen cabinet job, everything was cut with the Bosch.
You make the saw, not the other way around.
One other thing that might be of interest to you, the Bosch has regular threaded nut! :) (Remember your problems with the reverse threads!) That's because its a left tilt blade. My other three saws have reverse threads because they are right tilt.
Doug
Thanks Doug
Yes...I wont forget. I'm saving the bolt as a reminder, lol.
Ditto on the heavy part ............. my back is starting to hurt just thinking about schlepping my old Delta contractor saw to, from, and around the job site years ago. If you're onsite for awhile it's ok but if not it quickly becomes a pain. Don't think the PC (or Bosch) is any less accurate than the Delta- I find the PC's fence more accurate than the old Jetlock fence. I don't think you give up much with with these jobsite saws; 6" of rip capacity and perhaps longevity- I doubt universal motors, plastic/aluminum will hold up as well as a induction motor and cast iron but the portability factor is well worth it, particulary if you work alone.
i think the people reccomending contractors saws(and convering the motor to 220v) arent hearing you when you are saying that you will be moving it alot. The bosch is a fine saw. At work I use the bosch, at home i use a unisaw. Certaintly it is a luxury to use a cabinet saw with a real motor but that little bosch is great.downsides:
Somtimes you havto move stock a little slower.
I wouldnt ever reccomend running a thick kerf blade on a portable.
everything is a little flexier and the fence is shorter so kickback is more likely.but.. Who cares, its the only kind of saw that you can move and lift easily, and as far as the different ones go (back to your original question here..)Ive never used the PC but ive used the DW and the Bosch.. Both good saws but the bosch is better (imho)..If you get the PC, tell us how you like it______________________________________________
--> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad
Sky
I've ran the Bosch with a dado head in and it did fine.
Normally I run a thin kerf blade.
Doug
He didn't say anything about moving it in his original post: "I'm looking for any information regardless of type of use."Now, if portability is a concern, then the Bosch is the best by far.
Well I picked up the PC today and I will let you know how I like it for sure. But probably wont know for a few months - not until I get around to the trim work. I found a deal on the Bosch for $579 CND at a tool store, but I had 10% off and 6 months to pay with no interest at HD meaning I could get the PC for $450 CND.
I was hoping to wait for next months FHB as there's 'sposed to be an review on table saws. ( The last survey I could find in my stack of FHB goes back to 2000) But unfortunatley my 10% off was a limited time offer. - hopefully next months review doesn't say the PC sucks, maybe I should keep the saw in the box....lol.
Alot of you guys seem to use and like the Bosch, and I do like the look of the saw. One thing I like better on the Bosch than the PC, is the table extension seems to have better support. Although I guess you can put a filler support in the PC, which seems like it might be a bit of a hassle.
To sum it up. I couldn't justify the $130 bucks difference in price, and I have not found a bad review yet on the PC. maybe if HD carried the Bosch I would have had to think about it a bit more. But PC makes good stuff, and although still in the box I'm feeling good so far about my purchase.
I've had in my mind all along that the time will come that I will want a "shop" saw, so I thank you all for your helpful insights. Both for my current and future saw needs. Hopefully this PC will hold me over 'til then.
nails2