Replies

1. 
   bobl | May 31, 2006 06:24pm | #1

   do a search on table saws the subject comes up all the time.

   most of the threads will talk to site saws and not cabinet saws

   you might also want to serch on EZ smart, a system for cutting sheet goods

    

   bobl          Volo, non valeo

   Baloney detecter

1. 
   KirkG | May 31, 2006 07:21pm | #2

   The most important part is a good wook support system. If your work binds, it will pinch and give you bad cuts. Make sure to obtain something to support the wood through the cut on the sides, back and front. For most this is a run off table and side table with an aftermarket fence.Having established that, a good contractor gradem then a cabinet saw. I would avoid the smaller compact saws as they are universal motors and will wear out quicker.A good fence is part of that first paragraph.

2. 
   draftguy | May 31, 2006 07:57pm | #3

   I bought a Pro-Tech based on a tool review in FHB a number of years ago.   Before they were sued by DeWalt for using the bright yellow housing on their tools.

   Haven't used it often, but I haven't had any problems with it.  The review I read was from a contractor who had his regular jobsite tools stolen and needed something cheap and quick.  He got the Pro-Tech expecting it to be mediocre, and was surprised.  It worked well, was easy to carry and store.  The fence might leave a little to be desired, but for the price it's not bad.

3. 
   merlvern | Jun 01, 2006 12:38am | #4

   some questions to ask yourself

   budget?
   stability?
   thickness of stock....is it 3/4" or 2"?
   how much room in your shop? does it need to move?
   can you/do you want to run 220?

   couple of things to think about, if you're making cabinets. i'd want a very stable saw....so i'd think cabinet saw. clean cuts in hard wood, so i'd think 1 1/2 horsepower at least, maybe dado set? out feed table? i have a bench dog roller system that works great. fence system? i'd think biesemeyer "type".

   lots of things to think about, the good news is that i've seen 3 table saw reviews recently in 3 magazines....only i'll have to get back to you on the issues.

   sounds like you need something in the range of a "hybrid" saw (though i don't know your budget). hybrid saws are often cabinet style saws weigh in the 400 lb. range and run from 1 1/2 horse to 2 horsepower and still can be plugged into 110/115 regular house current. they cost around $1000. i have a general international at 2 hp that i have a dedicated 20 amp 110 circuit for......it would work great for you.

   good luck, do lots of research.

   john

1. 
   padan | Jun 01, 2006 04:12pm | #7

   Merlvern,

   Budget $500-700

   Thickness less than 2''

   I don't intend to build cabnets fro a living, I've just been building a house by myself, and I had lower cabinets installed 2 years ago. Now it's time to build the uppers myself. I'm going to start with a set for the garage, and polish my skills. then move to the kitchen and bathrooms. I'd like a saw that can get the job done, and one I could use for all around work like the 3 window seats I plan to add later this year. I have a 3rd car garage that I have devoted to a shop, so I have plenty of room. I don't do wood working for a living, so I'd shy away from a saw that was $2000.

   I've been looking at the Rigid at Home depot, it's $600 with 1 1/2 hp (I think)

   I can't find anything on the Delta

   Padan

4. 
   oldfred | Jun 01, 2006 03:36am | #5

    

   Padan,

   Welcome to Breaktime.

   1.  Look over to the left to the top of the Discussions column and click on "Advanced Search".  You'll find more than you want to know.

   2. Go over to the Knots (Fine Wood Working) forum and do the same.

   3.  Get this month's issue of Fine Home Building and read Gary Katz's article on table saw safety.

   That will give you a good start. 

   Good luck! 

   oldfred

1. 
   padan | Jun 01, 2006 04:14pm | #8

   Thanks for the reply,

    

   I have the newest article. There's just a lot of info to process from a lot of different sources.

   Padan

1. 
   oldfred | Jun 01, 2006 05:20pm | #9

   Take your time.

   If your budget is $500 -$700 and you plan to keep it in a designated space - your third bay - you might want to go a step above the portables and look at what is called a contractor's saw.   Larger, heavier top with the capability of adding a more sosphisticated fence  and table extensions at a later date.  

   Google to any of the saw manufacturers - Delta, Grizzly, Jet, General, Powermatic - they all make contractor saws.

   Only buy the portable if you need to move it around from job to job.

    

    

1. 
   midlebury | Jun 01, 2006 05:41pm | #10

   couldn't help mentioning........  if you've never used a table saw before, it would be valuable to have someone show you the ropes and teach you a few things.  a night class at the local H.S. would be nice.  There's no rocket science involved but there are more then a few safety precautions.  At least a good book...there's a great one called Table saw Tips and Techniques , can't remember the author (can't find it in the mess I'm in).  Maybe search some safety sites for proper setup, blade height , where to stand, do yourself a favor and learn about kickback through education and not the hard way.  Learn how to use it with guards so your most comfortable with them and won't take them off later. As mentioned, runoff tables and supporting stock is real important, especially when cutting sheet goods for cabinets.   

    

   good luck (p.s ,  for affordable smaller saws, I like the little Dewalt contractor model, if you can get the sliding table attachment it will come in real handy).

1. 
   KirkG | Jun 01, 2006 07:51pm | #11

   Rodger Cliffe and Kelly Meher both have excellent Table Saw Books.

5. 
   Gene_Davis | Jun 01, 2006 03:43am | #6

   Get the Sawstop brand.  Later this year they will introduce their "contractor" model, and it will be worth every penny.  Here is a pic from their website.

   View Image

   If you are antsy, and want a saw now, you can spring for their cabinet saw, available right now.

   You'll never, ever, cut yourself with this saw.  Go to their website to see why.

   Did you know that there are an average of ten, TEN, serious tablesaw accidents per day in this country?

6. 
   Stray | Jun 01, 2006 11:42pm | #12

   This is in your price range.  http://www.grizzly.com/products/g0444z

   I have their 3HP cabinet saw and am very happy with it.  They have GREAT customer service as well.

   If you're not using it for making a living/production work, I think you'd be happy...IMHO

   Ithaca, NY  "10 square miles, surrounded by reality"

1. 
   butch | Jun 03, 2006 03:56am | #14

   I went to that link you provided, probably a stupid questionbut do you or anybody else know what this means<Made in a ISO 9001 rated factory>

1. 
   BruceT999 | Jun 03, 2006 07:57am | #16

   ISO 9001 means that the manufacturer adheres to very strict quality control and process control standards. It is expensive to do, so few companies go to the trouble. Generally military or aerospace suppliers are the ones likely to be ISO 9001 compliant.BruceT

1. 
   butch | Jun 03, 2006 03:09pm | #17

   thanks!I figured it had something to do with quality control

2. 
   edtheace | Jun 05, 2006 08:27am | #19

   Hi Bruce ISO compliant companies say what standards that they produce, and then ensure that they meet those standards. It is not a guarantee of  high   quality.                                                             

1. 
   Sancho | Jun 05, 2006 04:40pm | #22

   correct it just shows a manufacturer has a quality control system in place and that they have the ability to control their processes....now whether they do or not is a different story. 

                View ImageView Image

2. 
   BruceT999 | Jun 09, 2006 09:58am | #29

   Technically true, but with the cost of producing all of the procedural manuals, training programs and production-standards record-keeping, there is no value to ISO 9001 listing for mediocre standards of quality.BruceT

2. 
   GaryGary | Jun 03, 2006 05:08am | #15

   Hi,
   I'd 2nd the vote for the Grizzly 10 inch, 3 hp.
   I've had it for about 6 years, and its a joy to use.Gary

7. 
   JohnSprung | Jun 02, 2006 03:33am | #13

   You might also have a look at the Old Wood Working Machines web site -- google it.  A rebuilt Delta from 40 - 60 years ago is a much better saw than anything you can buy new.

    

    

   -- J.S.

    

1. 
   vtjayman5 | Jun 06, 2006 07:58pm | #26

   Amen to that John-

   I picked up an old delta model 10 "contractor's" saw for 100.00 on ebay.  Who ever owned the saw prior to me knocked the tie rods out of alignment so the blade was no longer parallel to the miter slot.  The guy said he was scared of it because it kept kicking wood at him (he threw a new 80.00 cross cut blade on it to try and fix the problem that he left on the saw for me).  This thing has a two and half horse motor on it!  Anyhow, $10.00 worth of electrical supplies, some fine tuning and some elbow grease to clean the top and align the fence (cast extension wings too) and I have a saw that I would not trade for any of the new contractor saws.  You can't beat old quality iron.  I have never found the old saying "they don't build them like they used to" more true than with old machinery.  Spend some time at OWWM.com and trolling in the "-bay" and you will be rewarded.

    

1. 
   JohnSprung | Jun 07, 2006 02:30am | #28

   Yeah, the oldies are goodies.  I'm still using the Unisaw that my grandfather bought just before WWII.  It's serial number M-529.  I gave it a 2 HP motor and a Biesemeyer fence.  

    

   -- J.S.

    

8. 
   cedarcreek | Jun 03, 2006 07:36pm | #18

   I bought a Rigid portable table saw last year and I love it. Its extremely precise, easy to adjust/set up and affordable. I needed portability so this saw really fit the bill, FHB did a review on table saws a while back it was in their dedicated Tool Review issue. They rated the Rigid #2 and Bosch #1, I got the Ridid cause it was cheaper and in my mind equal to the Bosch.

9. 
   merlvern | Jun 05, 2006 02:33pm | #20

   padan,

   finally dug up that review,

   the 2006 tauton tool guide has and extensive comparison on tablesaws, really helpful and defines the differences between portable, hybrid, cabinet saws.

   also found this link http://www.taunton.com/finewoodworking/ToolGuide/ToolguideDirectory.aspx?dir=Tablesaws&subdir=Contractor

   hope it helps

10. 
    Sancho | Jun 05, 2006 04:35pm | #21

    i feel you'd need at least a contractors saw. i recommend the jet. but make sure you get the best fence you can. i forget what jet calls it but its a beismeyer knockoff.

     

                 View ImageView Image

11. 
    Vince | Jun 05, 2006 06:49pm | #23

    If you're going to be making just a few cabinets, I would follow Bobl's advice and look at using a saw guide like EZ smart instead of a table saw.  (Unless of course you just want a table saw, in which case you should by all means buy one.  There's no arguing with Tool Lust).  I'm not a pro, but I built the cabinets for our house.  I bought a contractor's table saw (the DeWalt) because it was what I could afford, but I found it a little flimsy for cabinet work.   The table is small, the guide is short, and the base wobbles.  Now I use a circular saw with a guide for all my cabinet work.  It requires less wrestling with giant sheets of heavy plywood and I get cleaner, straighter lines.

    A real cabinet saw is the way to go for cabinets, but they are expensive, heavy, and take up a lot of room in the garage.

1. 
   Burts | Jun 06, 2006 03:59am | #24

   Over the years, I 've owned almost any kind of table saw you can think of.  I currently do custom cabinets and before did hobby work.  Last fall, I discover the EZ Smart woodworking system  and it has been an exciting ride.  Overall cost is minimual.  Ease of use is much better than a table saw.   Cut quality is great - I recently used  it to cut out a a solid oak table - did a great job.  Go to http://www.eurekazone.com  and take a look at the photo gallery - don't miss DIno's Gallery.  It will open a whole new world of woodworking for you.

   Burt

    

1. 
   padan | Jun 06, 2006 06:40pm | #25

   Burt,

   I read over the website for Eurekazone and purchased a table and a guide system. I currently don't own a router, or a router table. I figured I'd need one for some of the cuts on the cabinets. Do you have any experience with the guide system Eurekazone has for routers?

    

   Thanks,

   Padan

1. 
   Burts | Jun 07, 2006 12:26am | #27

   Paden,

   I think that the SRK (Smart router Kit- from Eurekazone) is great.  I'm just completing work on a router table that will be available thru Eureka Zone.  As you saw on the Eurekazone web site the SRK, it so versitle.  I consider it an ideal tool for cabinet making.  It is great for dado's, rabbits, moldings, etc.  I have two of the SRK's and a couple of extra bases. 

   As for routers to go with it, I have been primarily using the the Bosch 1617 EVS.   The 1617 is in that 2 to 2 1/4 horse category and is light enough to do little jobs but heavy enough to occasionally turn a raised panel bit.

   Burt