Rousseau w/Bosch, PC or Makita Table Saw
I’ve looked at this board for advice on table saws. One thing I haven’t seen is people who use the Rousseau table with one of the more recent, more expensive saws — and not the Makita 2703 or 2702.
I’d like to use a Rousseau table with my next portable table saw. I like its fence and ability to store and transport easily in a small space. I will be using it to make kitchen cabinets and for other remodelling and woodworking projects. I also have a 10″ sliding compound miter saw and a router. I often work alone so I don’t always have someone to help me to make cuts safely or set up my knockdown shop.
Given the above as a baseline, I’m considering 3 table saws to mate with the Rousseau. Each has some good points and deficiencies.
Makita 2703
Good: light (1 person can pop into Rousseau), least expensive, electric brake, fits Rousseau well
Bad: useless miter gauge, useless miter slots (can’t use aftermarket accessories), can’t adjust blade alignment with edge of table (I had to return one because it was severely out of whack)
Porter Cable 3812
Good: moderate cost, electric brake, genuine T-miter slot, easy to remove blade guard, soft start
Bad: short distance (5″) in front of blade, doesn’t fit Rousseau the best (some gaps exist between the saw and Rousseau but it’s workable), heavier (can 1 person pop into Rousseau?)
Bosch 4000
Good: fits Rousseau well, saw gets lots of good reviews, soft start
Bad: no electric brake, no T-slot for miter (hence miter gauge somewhat useless), heavier (can 1 person pop into Rousseau?), most expensive
I guess my basic question is: do you get enough benefit from using a more expensive, better and heavier saw (PC or Bosch) in a Rousseau? How much of a help is there in having a full sized miter slot on a portable saw (not just for the miter gauge but for accessories)? Will the more expensive saws cut better (even in a Rousseau)? Can 1 person put a Bosch or PC in a Rousseau by themselves?
Thanks for your help.
Replies
I have the Bosch 4000. I believe the saw itself weights about 66 lbs. I bought this saw to replace a 1972-vintage cast-iron 10" 1-HP Craftsman so I could carry it outside to minimize sawdust in the basement. I don't think any reasonably fit person would have a problem lifting this saw into a Rousseau.
Concerning the 4000, the miter gauge is the biggest disappointment of the saw. I've never used a T-slot table saw, so I don't know what I'm missing, but the miter gauge bar is a fairly loose fit in the table slot. A miter sled solves this problem, but then again a miter sled is one more thing to carry; if you're going for a Rousseau, mobility is obviously a priority. Besides the miter gauge, though, I think it's terrific; the miter gauge and loose slot are very disappointing on an otherwise well-designed saw.
I agree. The Bosch is teh best choice. This will be a tool you use a lot, and it will last a long time. Not the place to skimp.
The miter slot is not ideal, nor is the guage itself, but there are workarouds for that, The vac port is semi effective. I need to attend to that a bit to improve efficiency.
Finally, I suspect, but don't know, that for high quality cutting, the arbor and bearings etc should be top notch, and I have doubts about that in cheaper saws.
Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
I just set up a Bosch on a Rousseau 2500 with outfeed table. My only beef is the wheels on the stand interfere with the fence storage on side of saw when folded. Other than that, I like it bunches. It's a gutsy little saw (my first portable) and this base and table are most like I'm used to on stationary saw.
PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
One other thing, Rousseau cheaped out attaching outfeed table to it's frame...tapping screws into particle board....two were out when I unpacked it. I drilled them through and countersunk flathead machine screws with locknuts.
Edited 3/13/2005 8:16 pm ET by Peter J
I have the Bosch, as I mentioned above, and I like it lots. I have an outfeed table built for it that is 8 ft long, but I am at a job where I leave the saw set up. Someday, that job will be over, and the Rousseau sounds interesting.
If you have more pics of it set up, or would care to share more info about it's purpose and use, i would be appreciative.Jake Gulick
[email protected]
CarriageHouse Design
Black Rock, CT
Hiya Late, I don't have pics set up and oddly enough I dont' think Rousseau does on their site. Here's a link to a similar setup:
http://www.northwestpowertools.com/tool_manufacturers/rousseau/pm2720.htm
If you use an outfeed table, you already know the advantages vs a setup like Bosch offers to extend their table. Recently had to rip some 2x for crown backing, material is supported and not trying to see-saw up as I finished cutting the 10' sticks...one man operation...a good thing (as Martha would say!)
The table itself has hooks that hang on square tube bracket bolted to the base. Can be slid to where you need support. Whole shebang takes less than a minute to setup. I was a little suprised that other manufacturers don't offer outfeed support, for me, it was what sold the stand. Best setup saws I've used in shops were the ones with big flat tables all around. PJ
Everything will be okay in the end. If it's not okay, it's not the end.
I've been using the Rousseau set up with a Makita for the last 7 years and will not change. If the saw (17 years old) ever gives up the ghost, I may consider switching to Bosch as I know it's a better made tool, but it will still be set into a Rousseau table with the fence and outfeed. You can beat the Rousseau all day with a sledge and it will still be dead on, plus it breaks down in parts so you can really store it in various sections of your truck or shop. Sets up in about a minute.
There are several Rousseau stands and not all stands fit all saws. I have the Makita 2703 with the Rousseau 2750 PortaMak stand. Check it out -- it's very easy for one person to wheel around:
http://www.rousseauco.com/model2750.htm
The miter slot on the Makita is bad -- I've thought about getting a regular miter gauge machined to fit the slot. But you'll use your SCMS for most crosscutting anyway.
Billy