I need a new saw

[garys]

Well folks, it's time for a new table saw. The saw I have now is...not worth the time it would take to describe it. My price point is UNDER $500.00 for a new saw.
I have gone to the stores in my area and looked at, played with, or otherwise fondled these brands…Jet, Rigid, Ryobi, Bosch, DeWalt. All pictured below in the links.
From experience with my crap saw, I have found the most important thing is the fence and its ability to square itself with the blade when the handle is locked, and the measuring mechanism.
This time around I also want a saw that will fold. I work in my garage and can't afford the space it takes to set up a cabinet style saw, so in that reguard the Jet is out.
So far I'm leaning towards the Rigid for the two reasons I mentioned above.
Any thoughts or suggestions?

<A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003</A>+90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

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<A HREF="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none">http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none</A>

[Mr.Thomas Aaron Hero]

Provided Link: http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0478


Buy a used Delta Table saw or take a look a Grizzly tools, They have some very nice tablesaws that have no plastic on them at all.
I know you want to spend $500 or less but if you save up another month or so you could get one of these babys!

[Mr.Thomas Aaron Hero]

Provided Link: http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444


Or one of these!

The Ryobi, Ridged etc. have lots of plastic on them and seem so cheaply built. Grizzly has some nice, true quality tools that make The stuff Home Depot sells look like toys.
There are tons of great deals out there at places like Craigs list,newspaper want adds and so on. I woud much rather have a old used 10" Delta cabinet saw for $500 or less than a new Ridged, Ryobi, or any other saw Home Depot,Lowes or any other chain store sells. There just isnt any quality in those newer plastic covered saws.

Good Luck in your quest! Aaron H.

[Mr.Thomas Aaron Hero]

I didnt see the part about needing a fold up saw, It would still pain me to pay that much for one of those saws. It just seems strange to see so much plastic on a tablesaw. I cant get myself to like them. A.H.

[garys]

> I didnt see the part about needing a fold
> up saw, It would still pain me to pay that
> much for one of those saws. It just seems
> strange to see so much plastic on a
> tablesaw. I cant get myself to like them.
> A.H.

That is a nice saw.
Thanks for that link

Gary...

[garys]

> That is a nice saw.
> Thanks for that link

> Gary...

Aaron, check this one out. I think I could live with the price on this just to get that fence!!!!
What do you think the dust collection would be like on this one??

[garys]

> Aaron, check this one out. I think I could
> live with the price on this just to get that
> fence!!!!
> What do you think the dust collection would
> be like on this one??

<A HREF="http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444">http://www.grizzly.com/products/G0444</A>

[zachc]

Gary,

If you can live with the space requirement of that saw, I think you should consider the Ridgid TS3650.

<A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...EndecaDataBean">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...EndecaDataBean</A>%4032889b&ddkey=Search

I was in a similar situation (limited space, medium budget) when I bought mine and I am quite happy with it. One of the nice things is the built in rollers which you would have to buy separately elsewhere. When you're done you just step on the lever and poof! it's out of the way.

You'll almost certainly want the optional miter clamp. $12-15? I think. Cheap enough that I bought two thinking they might be junk. You'll only need one.

Zach C.

[outfitter19]

I have owned my Ridgid 3650 for about 4 months and absolutely love it. It has major advanages over the Grizzly you just listed. The mobile base is nothing less than extrordinary, cast iron wings, a fence that has stock rip of 36", that can also be slid down to give you 45"+ if needed, and blade shroud that picks up 90% of the dust when using a shop vac. Plus, you can use a standard 110 outlet and not have to run a 220 for cabinet saw.

A lot of guys will tell you need a cabinet saw, wait and save up, buy a Delta Unisaw used, on and on. The list price is $499 for the 3650, I used a Lowes coupon at HD and got another 10% off, so for $450 it is the best value out there.

Every one has an opinion, many that have never even used the saws they recommend, but I have and can tell you that the 3650 has significantly improved the quality of my work.

[brianwalter]

I pretty much agree with your assessment. I don't ouwn the Ridgid, but one of my brothers has that saw and another brother has the earlier model. The newer saw is not built as stout as the older version, but seems to be reasonable. Both saws will serve the typical DIY'r very well and the built in mobile base does indeed work very well. That said, I own a Grizzly cabinet saw and wouldn't trade with either of them. Although, the extra ripping capacity of the newer Ridgid is a nice feature. I have the shorter rails on my cabinet saw.

The Grizzly cabinet saw takes up less space than the Ridgid saw, that was one of the deciding factors for me when I purchased my saw. With the cabinet saws, the motor is tucked up under the table, not hanging off the back.

Brian Walter

[Mr.Thomas Aaron Hero]

One of the reasons I dont care for the newer saws made by Ridgid, Ryobi and so on is the fact they use aluminum trunnion's instead of cast iron, I have seen these wear out and crack, I used to sell these brands and had to order a lot of replacement parts to unsatisfied customers.
Any table saw can have a cast iron top and extentions, thats not going to keep the blade square and make for precise adjustments that stay put and dont vibrate your work out of alignment. I have several old Delta tablesaws and they are built far superior to these newer brands and cost far less. A 30 or 40 year old Delta is going to be around another 40,50 and probably 100 years while the Ryobi and Ridged will be recycled into lawnmowers.

Just my opinion. Aaron

[mattk]

Have you seen the Festool circular saws? I've never used one (I have an old Craftsmen with a Biesemeyer fence), but there are people that claim the Festools and their associated fence are viable alternatives to table saws.
Here is one on ebay: <A HREF="http://cgi.ebay.com/Festool-Portable...QQcmdZViewItem">http://cgi.ebay.com/Festool-Portable...QQcmdZViewItem</A>

And another one at a non-ebay vendor: <A HREF="http://www.absolutehome.com/web/cata...=Festool-Power">http://www.absolutehome.com/web/cata...=Festool-Power</A>%20Tools-187654&cid=B0FE67D9E6CB34ACB127C0A46AFEB505

[jtaylor]

> Well folks, it's time for a new table saw.
> The saw I have now is...not worth the time
> it would take to describe it. My price point
> is UNDER $500.00 for a new saw.
> I have gone to the stores in my area and
> looked at, played with, or otherwise fondled
> these brands…Jet, Rigid, Ryobi, Bosch,
> DeWalt. All pictured below in the links.
> From experience with my crap saw, I have
> found the most important thing is the fence
> and its ability to square itself with the
> blade when the handle is locked, and the
> measuring mechanism.
> This time around I also want a saw that will
> fold. I work in my garage and can't afford
> the space it takes to set up a cabinet style
> saw, so in that reguard the Jet is out.
> So far I'm leaning towards the Rigid for the
> two reasons I mentioned above.
> Any thoughts or suggestions?

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...420&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...420&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...037&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...037&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5852">http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5852</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none">http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none</A>

My brother has the folding Rigid model that you have as your first display selection. He really loves the portability and accuracy of this model. I'm very anal about rip fence accuracy and always measure it to make sure the cut is precise, after one check, I never doubted the accuracy again.

We pulled the RIGID out to the drive way and cut all my speaker panels in short order. I was amazed at how square and accurate all the cuts were.

My Brother wish he would have gotten the Cast Iron RIGID later on. With hindsight being 20-20, he is still extremely happy with his fold up RIGID purchase. Now all you have to do is pull the trigger on what saw you want.

BTW, my brother is a contractor and puts his equipment through vigourous daily use and abuse. He really likes the RIGID line of Table saws. He hasn't had any problems with his folding RIGID Table saw.

J. Taylo

[garys]

> My brother has the folding Rigid model that
> you have as your first display selection. He
> really loves the portability and accuracy of
> this model. I'm very anal about rip fence
> accuracy and always measure it to make sure
> the cut is precise, after one check, I never
> doubted the accuracy again.

> We pulled the RIGID out to the drive way and
> cut all my speaker panels in short order. I
> was amazed at how square and accurate all
> the cuts were.

> My Brother wish he would have gotten the
> Cast Iron RIGID later on. With hindsight
> being 20-20, he is still extremely happy
> with his fold up RIGID purchase. Now all you
> have to do is pull the trigger on what saw
> you want.

> BTW, my brother is a contractor and puts his
> equipment through vigourous daily use and
> abuse. He really likes the RIGID line of
> Table saws. He hasn't had any problems with
> his folding RIGID Table saw.

> J. Taylo

Thanks alot for that Jack. I am glad to hear some real world experience with the RIGID. That prob. cinches it for me.

Gary S.

[danklugherz]

> I didnt see the part about needing a fold
> up saw, It would still pain me to pay that
> much for one of those saws. It just seems
> strange to see so much plastic on a
> tablesaw. I cant get myself to like them.
> A.H.

At first I thought the same thing about the Rigid, to much plastic. I'm a trim carpenter for a large construction firm and we tried one out on the job. It worked so well the company bought 5 more for all the trim superintendents. They work very well and the fold-up base w/wheels makes storing a breeze. I have the room so my table saws a Delta. If I didn't I'd buy a Rigid.
Just my opinion.

Dan

[Mark65]

Hey, when you get your new one you wanna sell me the old one? I don't have one at all, and I sure don't have 500 bucks to go get the ones you're looking at!

Let me know...

Mark

[garys]

> Hey, when you get your new one you wanna
> sell me the old one? I don't have one at
> all, and I sure don't have 500 bucks to go
> get the ones you're looking at!

> Let me know...

> Mark

FREE to you, I'll even bring it over with some steaks and beer))

[marvin]

Gary,

Wheels and dust collection are both very important to me. I had to add both to my older Craftsman table saw. That Grizzly contractor model you linked didn't show a dust collect shroud in the pics.

Marvin

> Well folks, it's time for a new table saw.
> The saw I have now is...not worth the time
> it would take to describe it. My price point
> is UNDER $500.00 for a new saw.
> I have gone to the stores in my area and
> looked at, played with, or otherwise fondled
> these brands…Jet, Rigid, Ryobi, Bosch,
> DeWalt. All pictured below in the links.
> From experience with my crap saw, I have
> found the most important thing is the fence
> and its ability to square itself with the
> blade when the handle is locked, and the
> measuring mechanism.
> This time around I also want a saw that will
> fold. I work in my garage and can't afford
> the space it takes to set up a cabinet style
> saw, so in that reguard the Jet is out.
> So far I'm leaning towards the Rigid for the
> two reasons I mentioned above.
> Any thoughts or suggestions?

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...444&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...420&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...420&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...037&N=10000003">http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/...037&N=10000003</A>
> +90401+500744&marketID=401&locStoreNum=8125

>
> <A HREF="http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5852">http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=5852</A>
>
> <A HREF="http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none">http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...745&lpage=none</A>

[franka]

> Gary,

> Wheels and dust collection are both very
> important to me. I had to add both to my
> older Craftsman table saw. That Grizzly
> contractor model you linked didn't show a
> dust collect shroud in the pics.

> Marvin

Gary, whichever saw you decide on of the ones you are looking at, you will probably get a good one. For safety sake, I would look at the "Shark Guard and/or Splitter" at Lee Styron's site. Very, very good reviews on them.

He makes/sells them for about a hundred bucks (I think that is what I paid for mine, +/-). Mine is for the Ryobi "bt3100" saw. He does make them for different model table saws (listed on his site). <A HREF="http://www.leestyron.com">www.leestyron.com</A>.

Frank