Thinking about a compact table saw. I like the ones that are very portable, so you can bring it right to the room where you are working – beats a lot of trips down to the basement. This would only get very infrequent use, so the really good saws in the $500+ range aren’t cost effective for me.
I’m drawn to the Ryobi BTS21 and the Dewalt 745. The big downside of the 745 is that it only rips 16″, although usually if I want to rip a big piece of plywood I just ask the HD guys to use their sheet cutter (works better than a table saw anyway).
The 745 is very light, which is great, but the Ryobi has a stand.
Anyone have an opinion?
Replies
I have the 745 and I love it.
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The 745 is on sale for $319 until the end of March at the Despot
http://tinyurl.com/yqkkf5
Where are you from I just bought Menards new Masterforce brand, it can be bought for under 400 dollars,
Get the 745 and get a Rousseau stand and outfeed table to go with it. Entire setup should be around 650. You'll thank me for the advice.
The 745 can actually rip more than 16, closer to 19-20" by just unhooking the fence and clamping it on farther down the sliding rail. It is nowhere near Bosch's 25". Still a fantastic tool. Check out the job-site table saw discussion, you will have to search archives for it.
Two totally different saws. The ryobi is not designed for heavy use while the dewalt is. While ryobi has sold a lot of saws by having a lot of nice features at a lower price, they still aren't built like the dewalt.
The ryobi will get run into the ground twice as fast as the dewalt, but along the way you'll have to deal with blade alignment, fence alignment and a few other issues common with lightly constructed portable saws.
I couldn't stand any of the ryobi saws I've been lent for various projects because I expect the saw to be durable and repeatable, while neither saw was. There isn't any free lunch with saw construction and to have more features for a lower price something has to give.
For my money the Makita and reaussou stand is perfect for and general finish work, albeit a bit lacking for fine finish work or furniture making. The Bosch is probably the most popular amoung finish carps.
Have fun with the new saw!
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Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Edited 3/6/2008 8:03 pm ET by IdahoDon
Is that the Delta planer in the background? I have one of those
Way to heavy.
It makes it to the job only
if absolutely necessary.
Yep, that's a delta planner. I thought it was pretty light compared to my buddies Dewalt! What is heavy is the 6" delta jointer (not shown). For many projects the jointer and planner are time savers. The pictures are typical of my setup for finish work and that day I was building a set of custom interior doors in a size not offered by the supplier of other stain-grade oak doors used in the house.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
ID,
Your's is the best picture I've seen where these compact table saws are concerned. That outfeed table is key on this type of table saw!! Well Done!!
I know two fellows that used their compact table saws on site. Neither thought much about NOT having an outfeed table. Both spent time in the Emergency room, the Hospital's Operating Room, and calendar days of missing work not to mention the Rehab therapy.
The problems were the same. It wasn't the hand pushing the wood through, it was their other hand trying to reach around to support/catch the wood coming out. One fellow was ripping the very last piece and it was only 3' long. Both caught their left finger tips in the 10" whirling blade reaching over the top... If they had an outfeed table, then neither would have had their accident and all the pain and problems following...
On those saws, USE an Outfeed Support.
Bill
Thanks Bill. I can say without hesitation that the number one thing that will make a jobsite saw easy to adapt an outfeed table to is simply adding a shelf of some sorts to the off side of the saw that accepts 3/4" sheet goods.
In the picture I have a full sheet of mdf that later was used for some interior access doors, but I normally keep a 30"x 6' piece of 3/4" ply, which works well for 95% of anything that comes up.
Since posting that picture I have yet another Makita in that same stand and I'm becoming more concerned about the saw's use for finish work because the table on these are less than flat and as a long rip goes across the table the edge does not stay perfectly 90 degrees.
I'll probably skim the surface of this saw's table with an epoxy filler to get by, but I see a different saw in my future.
Good building!
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
Is that the stock Rosseau fence?
I've got that same setup (or almost the same) but my fence is very different looking.View ImageI like my setup but the fence can be finicky.
Jon Blakemore RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA
My boss has one of those. Bought it in 04 and it is still running. Only problem has been the switch. It wouldn't shut off. Figured it out I was ripping poplar and would leave it on and then joint the edge then rip off a peice then joint the edge and I guess when you leave it running for extendedperiods off time the switch will over heat and then fuse ti's self in the onn position and wouldn't shut off. Took a couple of replacements to figure it out.
Wayne
Jon,I have that same setup, too. My Rousseau T-square fence looks like yours, but I have never had a problem with it. Don's photo looks like a Biesemeyer fence.Bill
Is that the stock Rosseau fence?
No, it's a jet Exacta fence, like the Beisemier (sp?) home fence (shorter and not quite as stiff as the commercial fence). It was on sale at the local woodcraft for $125 and was money well spent. It's twice as stiff as the Rosseau and the UHMW plastic sides make cuts smoother. It's also longer than the Rosseau and makes straight cuts easier.
I did have to alter the rail the fence clamps to by adding a 1"x1-1/2" rectangular tube to equal what the Beisemier and Jet fences use. Two 1/4" bolts hold the ends of the new tube to the old and polyurethane glue (spray foam) was used full length between the two. It's held up to almost daily use for over a year now.
If you look close, I also had to add an aluminum block as a spacer to the wheel axle used when the stand is closed up in order for the wheels to clear the new fence rail.
Finally, I ground about 3/16" off the angle iron section of the new fence so it would clear the pieces that attach the saw to the stand. In retrospect I should have simply added spacers below the saw and stand.
All in all, the addition of the better fence is something I should have done long ago. I highly recommend it, especially if you like to clamp on fence extensions. For ripping rough lumber I use a 6' section of aluminum channel and the stiffer fence pays for itself every job that requires a large amount of such work.
The upgraded fence also keeps locked in place better.
The down side to an upgraded fence, other than price, is that it is much heavier than the stock fence by probably 10 lbs. I take it off when lifting the saw into my truck, wereas the stock fence was simply left attached.
Beer was created so carpenters wouldn't rule the world.
i've got the ryobi,is it the best saw out there? no but is it a great value for 250? yes without a doubt.sure you can buy better just as the previous post mentioned,but you will have at least twice as much in it.someone did a test a while back and ryobi did very well.
if mine dies i will buy another one. a ryobi owner larry
i'm about to convert to the cordless stuff just cause they get it,one batt fits all,why can't some of the big hitters figure that out.
if a man speaks in the forest,and there's not a woman to hear him,is he still wrong?
I bought a folding-stand Ryobi about a year and a half ago, and its a great saw. I think its on its third blade now, so its seen some pretty heavy use.
I bought one and love it. It is so easy to move and set up and the fence, miter gauge and cord all have a place to go. Just be sure to match what you plan to do with the saw that you buy and you'll be happy.
Forgot to mention the rip capacity and fence extensions are great as is the dust collector.
Hi all. Its been a while since I've posted but I was in Lowes last nite and saw a Delta contractors saw w/cast iron table and belt drive for 50 bucks less than the plastic Dewalt saw with no stand. What gives?
Wayne
I bought A Ryobi foldy-rolly thing about 4-5 years ago. They don't sell this saw anymore. Anyway - I Toiled over this decision before I bought it. Had a buddy with the DW who hated it - he had to adjust that fence thing every time he used it. What I finally decided was - It's easy -VERY EASY-to move and set up and it's disposable at $225. If it works for 6 months it pays for itself. Well, I've been using it daily for 4-5 years. I baby it a little - Blow it out with air every Friday, put oil on the adjustment threads, keep a decent (Freud comb) blade in itetc. The small amount of time that takes has at least doubled the life of this saw - and it is really accurate for what it is. It rips up to 27". When it dies, I'm buying the Bosch unless someone can tell me where to get another one of these. I can't imagine why they stoped making this one. The replacement motor is $250 (more than I paid for the saw!).
Edited 10/26/2008 10:32 am ET by Jed42
I suspect I have the same Ryobi. I bought mine about 3 years ago, based on its standing in the Taunton tool review. I've put a lot of miles on it and its a great saw. The replacement model looks pretty good too, though I haven't used one.