Replies

1. 
   jet | Jul 23, 2005 12:05am | #1

   I bought the bosch 4000-09 with the stand. I love it. sets up fast, and the guide is rock solid.

   "Sir! You are drunk!"

   "Madam! You are ugly, and tomorrow I shall be sober!!"  Winston Churchill

1. 
   csnow | Jul 25, 2005 09:00pm | #19

   Hmmm.  Looking at the Bosch 4000, it bears some similarity to the Dewalt DW744.  Are these tools in some way related?  Does the Bosch have the 'rack and pinion' fence adjustment like the Dewalt?

   Edited 7/25/2005 2:53 pm ET by csnow

1. 
   jet | Jul 26, 2005 05:05am | #24

   What do you mean by "rack and pinion"?

   The Bosch has a clamp system ( if I have it right)  There is no crank to move the fence."Sir! You are drunk!"

   "Madam! You are ugly, and tomorrow I shall be sober!!"  Winston Churchill

2. 
   OverKnight | Jul 26, 2005 12:39pm | #25

   The Bosch and DeWalt are related only in that they're both 10" portable tablesaws, otherwise, that two companies have nothing to do with each other. The Bosch does not have the rack-and-pinion system. The fence clamps onto the front and back of the table, i.e., conventionally, as most fences do.The one thing I dislike about the Bosch is that the miter gauge is a little sloppy in the slot in the table. You can build a miter sled to solve this, but then it's not as portable anymore. The newest Craftsman tablesaws have received good reviews, both around here and in print, and if you wait for a sale, one can be had at a good price. If you do need to carry it up out of your basement as I do, or move it from site to site, I bet you'd be happier with something like the Craftsman mounted on a wheeled base, with a nice, solid cast-iron table, than you'd be with the Bosch or DeWalt.

3. 
   phazer | Jul 26, 2005 08:33pm | #26

   I have the Ridgid and I'm quite happy with it.  Like how easy it is to install or remove the guard.  also very stable, and fairly easy to transport.

1. 
   Bergsteiger | Jul 28, 2005 11:03pm | #27

   This message is to all who have contributed to this posting.  I just don't know how to direct it to all.

   Guys, thanks for all the good advice on this.  While I worked in the trade a number of years ago, I am really just a weekend warrior now.  I should have mentioned that at the beginning.  So my statement about wheels in my first post was for the purpose of moving the saw around my garage to get a bit more room.  

   I am still considering the Hitachi and Ridgid, but I will also take a look over at Sears.   I have a 1982 Sears radial arm saw that works great, but I have been avoiding Sears in recent years in favor of HD.  I will also check out the Finewoodworking forum and Wood magazine as well.  You guys recommended a lot of good saws, including some great cabinet models, but I am afraid my budget can't handle much over $500 or so.  Those cadillac saws are just not in my future.

   So thanks again for all your input.

    

1. 
   skyecore | Jul 29, 2005 02:55am | #28

   perhaps the best bang for the buck is putting a nice new fence and new moter/link belt/pullys on your old craftsman, you could get away cheaper and end up with a real saw (no offense to portable lovers, they are great as portables but they cant beat a good contractors saw for sheet goods)and you could have the best fence ever made instead of a dinky proprietary portables fence______________________________________________

   --> measure once / scribble several lines / spend some time figuring out wich scribble / cut the wrong line / get mad

2. 
   Bergsteiger | Jul 29, 2005 06:06pm | #29

   Thanks for the idea, but I am afraid I have not described my saw very well.  It was probably the cheapest model available at the time.  I have never been able to adequately secure the drive pulley to the arbor, so periodically it works itself loose and now I have worn spots on the arbor.  So even if I can get it somewhat tight on there, the drive pulley is never lined up properly so the belt and motor wobble a bit.  The mechanism for tilting the blade hasn't worked since I got the saw.  The list goes on and on.  I am definitely due for a new one.  I do have a Delta drill press and Delta lathe, both from the 40s and are both still going strong.  So age is not the problem.  The saw just wasn't very good to begin with.

   Thanks a lot for your input.

4. 
   JasonMI | Aug 27, 2005 04:07am | #30

   Is this a job-site or shop saw?

   I've been using the Makita/Roussau combination for years. Quite frankly, I kind of wish it'd give up the ghost so I can go shopping again and get something with more weight and umph; but every time I think that; along comes another job where I really need the portablility. I've cut old barn beams on this thing (back to back cuts because the stock was over 4" thick), plywood is a dream; and I LOVE Rousseau.....

    

    

   
2. 
   RW | Jul 23, 2005 01:08am | #2

   Bosch. Mo gooder

    

   "If you pick up a starving dog and make him prosperous, he will not bite you. This is the principal difference between a dog and a man." - Mark Twain

3. 
   MSA1 | Jul 23, 2005 05:34am | #3

   One more vote for the Bosch 4000!

1. 
   DougU | Jul 23, 2005 06:55am | #4

   And another for the Bosch

4. 
   gordzco | Jul 23, 2005 11:46am | #5

   I've found the Delta contractors saw to be pretty solid for the price. 27" rip helps alot too. I've always liked the rear mount motor for power and a linked belt runs a bit smoother than the supplied V-belt.

   I'm not in the market for another saw right now but will be thinking about a basic saw and purchase a fence system like Excaliber to upgrade the cutting capacity and accuracy. Dust collection will also be a factor I love to build but sawdust everywhere sucks.

    

1. 
   DanT | Jul 23, 2005 01:52pm | #6

   Bosche with the fold up stand.  DanT

1. 
   gordzco | Jul 24, 2005 02:30am | #8

   I think Moore is looking for full sized, cast iron top style, plenty of horsepower...you know...a real tablesaw. Portables are all the rage. I'm beginning to miss those old clunkers on the jobsite.

   I've been using the Bosch at work lately, cuts fine, but I find the tabletop moves no matter what I do. I thought it was the air tires, so I blocked them off the floor...still shakey. Its okay for running trim but I can see the thing move when ripping sheets of ply. Untill I figure something, I'll have to move with it. 700 bucks! I guess they had to give up something to get a one handed release mechanism and a funky stand. Too bad it was stability. 

1. 
   DanT | Jul 24, 2005 04:26am | #9

   Since he wasn't specific I guess my guess was as good as your guess.  I thought he just wanted an affordable saw that would do work on site. 

   My stand is not the one with the wheels.  And if needed we have a table set up made to block in the saw table that helps some.  Frankly we rarely use it.  We usually are just doing trim and small work anyway.  I only have $550 in mine.  DanT

1. 
   Bergsteiger | Jul 24, 2005 05:45am | #10

   Wow, a lot of Bosch lovers out there.  I am not really looking for portability.  Just enough to move it around my shop a bit when needed.  I am looking for a fairly heavy duty saw with good fences.  Has anyone had any experience with the Ridgid or Hitachi?  I will also look at the Delta Contractor saw.

2. 
   gordzco | Jul 24, 2005 03:14pm | #12

   You may find a better response over at Knots, the Finewoodworking site. Tablesaws, like the one you are looking for are their stock in trade.

   Click on the link "knots" above and do a search on tablesaws. I was over there myself and found this discussion...http://forums.taunton.com/tp-knots/messages?msg=20941.1

    

   Edited 7/24/2005 8:29 am ET by gordzco

3. 
   Gunner | Jul 24, 2005 05:00pm | #13

   I have the Hitachi. I realy like it. Good choice, heavy and solid with wheels underneath to move it out of the way.

    

    

   We are all in this together.

   http://www.hay98.com/

4. 
   JohnSprung | Jul 26, 2005 02:11am | #23

   > I am not really looking for portability.  Just enough to move it around my shop a bit when needed.  I am looking for a fairly heavy duty saw with good fences

   I'm using my grandfather's pre-WWII Unisaw, on the same dolly he had it on.  I put a new motor and Biesemeyer fence on it.  That pretty much matches the requirements you have.

    

   -- J.S.

    

5. 
   gordzco | Jul 24, 2005 02:52pm | #11

   Sorry Dan, I guess I just wanted to rant. I'm beginning to re-think this portable-must-have bill of goods we are being sold. In the end is it really as good as the old stuff?

2. 
   BillHartmann | Jul 24, 2005 08:29pm | #15

   Get a cabinet saw (Unisaw) and put a mobile platform under it.

1. 
   gordzco | Jul 24, 2005 11:26pm | #16

   Unisaw? I still do alot of free cuts on the tablesaw and get a pretty decent arc on 2X bullnosed cabinet deck, much cleaner than I would get with a jigsaw in ¼ the time. On the rare occasion that I screw up, I prefer the tablesaw I'm using not have enough power to break my ribs...AGAIN.  1½ hp is plenty with a sharp blade for me. 

5. 
   OverKnight | Jul 23, 2005 06:45pm | #7

   Yet another vote for the Bosch...

6. 
   Goodban | Jul 24, 2005 08:27pm | #14

   Old Craftsman 10'' with a new Beismeyer fence is hard to beat.

7. 
   Mac2 | Jul 25, 2005 02:08am | #17

   I have the Rigid TS 2424, a predecessor to the 3650 and like it a lot. The 3650 has a better fence but did have an arbor issue which only affected the cut when using a dado set---and rigid will replace the affected arbors and has reportedly done so on later manufactured models. I did require a saw easily moved, as my shop is small enouth to require moving outside to cut anything over a couple feet long.

   I decided to stop taking life so seriously, it is, after all, only temporary.
8. 
   Toolfreak | Jul 25, 2005 03:14am | #18

   I have the TS3650 and like it (though I'm not a builder so maybe I'm not the guy to ask).  Check out the "knots" forum for more opinions on it.  Might also check out last month's issue of WOOD magazine.  It got a pretty good review.

   - Toolfreak
9. 
   csnow | Jul 25, 2005 09:53pm | #20

   "My 1952 Craftsman has finally given up the ghost."

   Do you know who made it?  If the motor blew, I may have a replacement from the same vintage.

1. 
   Bergsteiger | Jul 25, 2005 10:54pm | #22

   It was a lousy one to begin with.  The rip fence is only loosly attached to the front guide so until you lock it down it can wobble about 4" either way at the back of the saw.  So I have been just measuing front and back before I locked it down.  I don't know how I put up with it for so long, but I am defintely ready for a new one.

10. 
    Kowboy | Jul 25, 2005 10:13pm | #21

    Buy the Sawstop brand tablesaw. The blade brakes in a fraction of a second if you touch it. If I'd had one twenty years ago, I's still have my left index finger tip and two others would be a lot prettier.