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table saws

bigjbear

bigjbear

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I'm going to buy a table saw. Any recomendations? What have you got & do you like it?

Right now I'm considering a Jet and a Ridged, possibly a Delta as well.

Thanks for any help.

edit: This is for the on going remodeling of my house. I need to cut pannels, flooring, rip molding, stuff like that. Most likely it will be used.
 
A really good all around table saw is the rigid with the portable stand. I use the new dewalt saw, but I am mainly a finish carpenter. The rigid has a very smooth power delivery. Make sure you buy a nice blade for it though, because nine times outta ten, the stock blade is pretty shiity.
 
You looking for portable or semi-portable. I might have a really nice Delta with a cast iron top and all the nice stuff to go with it. What I really need to see gone is a Dewalt radial arm saw. Right now it is 3phase but can be single phase 220. I think it is a 30" draw.

Just throwing it out there, not trying to seel here.

Freud blades are really good but I have had some good Dewalt and Craftsman as well. I do like the Ridgid blades that have the relieff cuts in them for less noise, etc. It depends on what you are trying to cut and how pretty it needs to be to justify the extra cost of the name. i would spend the extra bucks on a good Dado set if you might need it and then the rest on good router bits.:wink1:
 
For the current project it will be MDF raised panels.

I think I found a saw very close by on CL. It's a Jet w/ a cast top, 1 1/2 HP. It has a router table mounted to it as well. That would be a plus for what I'm trying to do.

Only problem now is my router takes 1/4" bits and the ones I want are 1/2". If only I had known when I bought it! (10 years ago:crazy: )
 
I haven't used many of the Jet products but they all seem really nice. My uncle had a similar setup to what you are talking about and loved it.:wink1:
 
Check the fence and rails for wear/slack.

Clamp the fence down, and try to wiggle it around. If it is still tight, then make a long rip cut. Turn the ripped board around and make another pass. This will tell you if the fence locks up parallel to the blade.

The last tilt top saw I owned was a 1957 Delta. That thing must have weighed 500 pounds!!! On the up side, it did not budge, ripping 4x6s.

Generally speaking, the portable table saws are not as stable, and their fences are not as precise.

Jet builds good equipment.
 
I just got a bosch 10" portable saw with the gravity rise folding stand could not be happier, slow start motor, tight fence, and the table top splits to give you a extra wide table so you can rip up to 24"

:D:D:waytogo::waytogo:
 
Woodworkers dream stuff. I have seen older ones go for as low as a grand, though.
 
I have a Jet cabinet saw that works awesome!! I have not used their smaller saws but see no reason to believe they wouldn't work great. Any quality saw with a quality blade and a good tune will work good for you.
 
If you go with a Delta, make sure it's a Delta Professional. They're made in the US; the lower-end Delta products are made offshore.
 
I bought the Jet. It did great. I have all the panels cut except for two small ones near the windows. Thanks eveyone.
 
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