m

13/02/2005 1:40 PM

Another "Which Table Saw should I buy" thread

Ok, I've decided to purchase a table saw. I'm relatively new to
woodworking, but have decided I don't want a table-top saw. My budget
is ~$600. I think I've narrowed down my search to the following saws:

- Delta 36-680 ($599 free shipping)
I like this saw but have not seen it in person. Delta has a rebate for
a free Tenoning Jig, Dado Blade or mobile base - very enticing!

- Grizzly G0444Z ($575 + $78 shipping)
I've heard great things about Grizzly's. This seems to be the most
powerful saw in this price range. Shipping and the need to purchase a
blade makes this saw more expensive than the other two.

- RIDGID TS3650 ($569 at HD)
I've heard good and bad about this saw. The mobile base is nice, love
the cast iron wings and the fence *seems* to stay in place pretty
nicely.

I plan on starting with one of the saws above and as my skills develop
upgrading to a Biesemeyer home fence system. If you own/have experience
with any of these saws, please chime in and let me know your
likes/dislikes.

Thanks!


This topic has 11 replies

JC

"James \"Cubby\" Culbertson"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

14/02/2005 11:01 PM

Yeah, I've already got a crosscut sled for it so that may be just the
ticket.
Cheers,
cc

"Highland Pairos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The idea of making a good sled for it and using it as a dedicated crosscut
> saw occurred to me at dinner tonight. That may be a great use for it.
>
> SteveP.
>
> "James "Cubby" Culbertson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>> "Highland Pairos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
>> news:[email protected]...
>>> If you don't get rid of it, what would you use it for? I am waiting on
>>> my cabinet saw to be delivered and am trying to decide what to do with
>>> the 30 y.o. Craftsman that I have been using. It came with a sanding
>>> disk, so I have been thinking about setting it up as a dedicated sanding
>>> station.
>>>
>>> SteveP.
>>
>>
>> I could think of a number of situations where having a second saw would
>> be helpful.
>> I'm constantly cutting stuff, changing to a dado or different blade, and
>> realizing I forgot
>> "one" cut. Then it's back to changing the blade again etc.... Might
>> be nice to use the Jet
>> as a dedicated crosscut saw and the cabinet saw for ripping/dado's,
>> etc... Dunno, I just got
>> the cabinet saw and haven't started a new project, yet.
>> Cheers,
>> cc
>>
>>
>
>

a

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

13/02/2005 1:46 PM

Do yourself a huge favor....find your local tool dealer and go see him.
Talk with him in person...tell him of your needs and what you want to
build now and in the future. Build a realtionship. The heck with free
shipping and the lowest dollar price. Buy the right saw and get some
help and support from someone that you can trust and do business with
face to face. Do you have a Rockler or WoodCraft near by?
Good luck:
Mike from American Sycamore
www.americansycamoreretreat.com

m

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

13/02/2005 7:33 PM

Thanks for the advice Mike. I'll have to swing by my local Woodcraft
again to look at saws. Last I was there the guy I spoke to recommended
the unisaw and had little else to say. I would love a unisaw, but don't
have the room or the budget for one.

On

OldNick

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

15/02/2005 3:58 PM

On 13 Feb 2005 13:40:02 -0800, [email protected] vaguely proposed a
theory
......and in reply I say!:

remove ns from my header address to reply via email

Hobby horse time.

If you are relatively new to WW, do you _need_ a TS? There are many
other tools and skills to think about first.

Think real hard. Seriously

>Ok, I've decided to purchase a table saw. I'm relatively new to
>woodworking, but have decided I don't want a table-top saw. My budget
>is ~$600. I think I've narrowed down my search to the following saws:
>

HP

"Highland Pairos"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

14/02/2005 5:18 AM

If you don't get rid of it, what would you use it for? I am waiting on my
cabinet saw to be delivered and am trying to decide what to do with the 30
y.o. Craftsman that I have been using. It came with a sanding disk, so I
have been thinking about setting it up as a dedicated sanding station.

SteveP.

"James "Cubby" Culbertson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I can't speak to any of the saws below but you might also consider:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006WP0Z/qid=1108338896/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl60/103-5443221-5129404?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846
>
> I have had this saw for about 4 years now and am very pleased with it. I
> just upgraded
> to a cabinet saw with the idea that I'd sell the Jet. I just can't seem
> to bring myself to getting
> rid of it though!
> Cheers,
> cc
>
> <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> Ok, I've decided to purchase a table saw. I'm relatively new to
>> woodworking, but have decided I don't want a table-top saw. My budget
>> is ~$600. I think I've narrowed down my search to the following saws:
>>
>> - Delta 36-680 ($599 free shipping)
>> I like this saw but have not seen it in person. Delta has a rebate for
>> a free Tenoning Jig, Dado Blade or mobile base - very enticing!
>>
>> - Grizzly G0444Z ($575 + $78 shipping)
>> I've heard great things about Grizzly's. This seems to be the most
>> powerful saw in this price range. Shipping and the need to purchase a
>> blade makes this saw more expensive than the other two.
>>
>> - RIDGID TS3650 ($569 at HD)
>> I've heard good and bad about this saw. The mobile base is nice, love
>> the cast iron wings and the fence *seems* to stay in place pretty
>> nicely.
>>
>> I plan on starting with one of the saws above and as my skills develop
>> upgrading to a Biesemeyer home fence system. If you own/have experience
>> with any of these saws, please chime in and let me know your
>> likes/dislikes.
>>
>> Thanks!
>>
>
>

JC

"James \"Cubby\" Culbertson"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

13/02/2005 4:56 PM

I can't speak to any of the saws below but you might also consider:

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006WP0Z/qid=1108338896/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl60/103-5443221-5129404?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846

I have had this saw for about 4 years now and am very pleased with it. I
just upgraded
to a cabinet saw with the idea that I'd sell the Jet. I just can't seem to
bring myself to getting
rid of it though!
Cheers,
cc

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Ok, I've decided to purchase a table saw. I'm relatively new to
> woodworking, but have decided I don't want a table-top saw. My budget
> is ~$600. I think I've narrowed down my search to the following saws:
>
> - Delta 36-680 ($599 free shipping)
> I like this saw but have not seen it in person. Delta has a rebate for
> a free Tenoning Jig, Dado Blade or mobile base - very enticing!
>
> - Grizzly G0444Z ($575 + $78 shipping)
> I've heard great things about Grizzly's. This seems to be the most
> powerful saw in this price range. Shipping and the need to purchase a
> blade makes this saw more expensive than the other two.
>
> - RIDGID TS3650 ($569 at HD)
> I've heard good and bad about this saw. The mobile base is nice, love
> the cast iron wings and the fence *seems* to stay in place pretty
> nicely.
>
> I plan on starting with one of the saws above and as my skills develop
> upgrading to a Biesemeyer home fence system. If you own/have experience
> with any of these saws, please chime in and let me know your
> likes/dislikes.
>
> Thanks!
>

EP

"Edwin Pawlowski"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

13/02/2005 10:24 PM


<[email protected]> wrote in message
>
> - Delta 36-680 ($599 free shipping)
> I like this saw but have not seen it in person. Delta has a rebate for
> a free Tenoning Jig, Dado Blade or mobile base - very enticing!

Good saw, don't let the tenoning jig make up your mind.


>
> - Grizzly G0444Z ($575 + $78 shipping)
> I've heard great things about Grizzly's. This seems to be the most
> powerful saw in this price range. Shipping and the need to purchase a
> blade makes this saw more expensive than the other two.

You'll need a good blade with any of the saws you buy. The ones that come
with them are mediocre and suitable for rough work, not fine furniture.

>
> - RIDGID TS3650 ($569 at HD)
> I've heard good and bad about this saw. The mobile base is nice, love
> the cast iron wings and the fence *seems* to stay in place pretty
> nicely.


Of the saws you decided on, what did you like about them when you saw them?
You did see them close up right? Saving money is nice, but having a good
dealer that will assist you in buying and operation is more important. Tell
us where you live and we can possibly recommend a good store to shop. IMO,
any of the above look OK, but there may be a feature you like more than the
others so check them out. My Woodcraft store spent a half hour with me
going over the features and operation of my saw. That is worth something.

BG

Bob G.

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

14/02/2005 3:01 PM

On Mon, 14 Feb 2005 05:18:57 GMT, "Highland Pairos"
<[email protected]> wrote:

>If you don't get rid of it, what would you use it for? I am waiting on my
>cabinet saw to be delivered and am trying to decide what to do with the 30
>y.o. Craftsman that I have been using. It came with a sanding disk, so I
>have been thinking about setting it up as a dedicated sanding station.
>
>SteveP.

When I upgraded almost 30 years ago to a Cabinet Saw I kept my old
craftsman contractors saw...to use for cross cutting and for ocasional
dado work...

IT came in extremely handy... a few years ago the cratsman developed
some problems and it was out of service for only a week before I
absolutely had to find a replacement for it.. So I went out and
picked up a old Rockwell/Delta contractors saw....

I made a "Sled" for it...that allows me to adjust the cut + or - a few
degrees just in case ...never needed any adjustments however...
and I do 100 percent of my cross cutting on that saw... and if I have
a project that requires dados I mount the dado blade on it...

Room in my shop is at a premium so I make a moble "base cabinet" for
it and rool it to a corner when not in use...

Honestly I really depend on the flexability 2 table saws give me... if
I did not then I would not have spent thr money replacing my secondary
saw..

Bob Griffiths

HP

"Highland Pairos"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

15/02/2005 4:48 AM

The idea of making a good sled for it and using it as a dedicated crosscut
saw occurred to me at dinner tonight. That may be a great use for it.

SteveP.

"James "Cubby" Culbertson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Highland Pairos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>> If you don't get rid of it, what would you use it for? I am waiting on
>> my cabinet saw to be delivered and am trying to decide what to do with
>> the 30 y.o. Craftsman that I have been using. It came with a sanding
>> disk, so I have been thinking about setting it up as a dedicated sanding
>> station.
>>
>> SteveP.
>
>
> I could think of a number of situations where having a second saw would be
> helpful.
> I'm constantly cutting stuff, changing to a dado or different blade, and
> realizing I forgot
> "one" cut. Then it's back to changing the blade again etc.... Might
> be nice to use the Jet
> as a dedicated crosscut saw and the cabinet saw for ripping/dado's, etc...
> Dunno, I just got
> the cabinet saw and haven't started a new project, yet.
> Cheers,
> cc
>
>

JC

"James \"Cubby\" Culbertson"

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

14/02/2005 2:33 PM


"Highland Pairos" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> If you don't get rid of it, what would you use it for? I am waiting on my
> cabinet saw to be delivered and am trying to decide what to do with the 30
> y.o. Craftsman that I have been using. It came with a sanding disk, so I
> have been thinking about setting it up as a dedicated sanding station.
>
> SteveP.


I could think of a number of situations where having a second saw would be
helpful.
I'm constantly cutting stuff, changing to a dado or different blade, and
realizing I forgot
"one" cut. Then it's back to changing the blade again etc.... Might be
nice to use the Jet
as a dedicated crosscut saw and the cabinet saw for ripping/dado's, etc...
Dunno, I just got
the cabinet saw and haven't started a new project, yet.
Cheers,
cc

PO

"Paul O."

in reply to [email protected] on 13/02/2005 1:40 PM

14/02/2005 2:51 AM


"James "Cubby" Culbertson" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>I can't speak to any of the saws below but you might also consider:
>
> http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00006WP0Z/qid=1108338896/sr=8-5/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i5_xgl60/103-5443221-5129404?v=glance&s=hi&n=507846
>
> I have had this saw for about 4 years now and am very pleased with it. I
> just upgraded
> to a cabinet saw with the idea that I'd sell the Jet. I just can't seem
> to bring myself to getting
> rid of it though!
> Cheers,
> cc

This looks like the Jet that Lowe's sells for $599. Wish I had room for it,
look at it every time I go in.
--
Paul O.
[email protected]


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