I need a table saw, but can’t afford the Delta Unisaw. What is the best table saw you can get in the $400 to $600 price range? I would prefer a stand up saw as opposed to a table top.
I see Craftsmen makes a new saw that retails at $649 but i saw it on sale for $539. Anyone have any experience with it? Looked pretty decent. Help would be appreciated!
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Replies
If you want a Unisaw, look around for a used one. You can find them in that price range. The old ones last forever. I'm using one that my grandfather bought just before WWII. Google around for the "Old Wood Working Machines" web site, they have a lot of buying and selling activity there.
-- J.S.
The Bosch for $499 from amazon is great - I got one this past spring and have worked it a lot this summer -- it has the power and cuts are beautiful -- fence is great and table is good size and moves to a pickup quickly -- base is very, very stable and strong -- plenty of power
You can check out the Bosch 4000 --still portable and it has a stand that makes it table height. with the base its probely 90 lbs or so . I would go for the stiff leg base vrs. the folding one unless you want to transport and set up other than home.
I would look at the Makita 2703 with the Rousseau stand. This gives you a good fence and larger table -- and portability. Later when you get more $$$ you can add a Rousseau outfeed table and a table extension for nearly 48" rips. The Makita 2703 has a strong motor and it has the depth of cut to rip a 4x4.
But for a shop a used saw may be your best bet.
Billy
I have the Ridgid TS3612 which was made before Emerson liscensed the design to OWT. I am very pleased with it. It came with a lifetime limited warranty (question it's worth). They made the Craftsman ones before they went downhill. You can check the Ridgid site:
http://www.ridgidforum.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=forum&f=6&DaysPrune=1000&submit=Go
to see what the current feeling is on service and quality, it is a pretty well no holes barred site. The contractor saws are right at $600 and worth it IMHO.
I have the JET 10" contractor's saw, and I have no complaints whatsoever. I love the fence, even though most guys I know with it upgrade sooner or later. It is never 'off' and cuts like a dream. They price at like $650, but occasionally go on special for around 5 hun-skins (when I got mine).
CM
I have a Craftsmen Jobsite tablesaw, 10 inch, 4.4 hp. I really like this thing, but it is the first table saw I have owned. The side extends to rip 48 inches, short outfeed extension, the stand is attached and folds up. Then there are wheels to roll it around on. I don’t like that the wheel are to small of diameter and the wheel stance is to narrow. Also don’t like the pointer on the rip fence. But all in all it is great for handyman work, not for building cabinets. It is made of lots of plastic, so it won’t rust. I think I paid $399 for it, it was $100 less than Dewalt and has a stand.
Cody
Hi all,
I noticed at my lowes last week that there was a new model Hitachi table saw. I really didn't get the model number and I couldn't locate it on the hitachi site. I don't have the saw but from what I saw in the floor model it seemed pretty nice. At least for the price of 500$$.
The fence was rock solid, the arbor took a full stack dado and I think the motor was 1-1/2 hp. It seemed pretty nice. But it wasn't portable. Actually they had several new tools there by hitachi a new drill press, a new planer, and band saw in addition to the tsaw.
hope this helps.
webby
Edited 10/14/2004 11:39 am ET by webby