*
Tell me like a three yr old what I should be buying here…
I don’t do much woodworking, but I need a saw to make a bunch of canoe paddles (lots of ripping hardwoods into 1″ strips – I need to make about 50 paddles this winter) and to do framing. Not a contractor or construction guy, but a confident DIYer. Wandered by the tools at the Orange Store, and liked the looks of the Ryobi BT3000, but have read alot of bad reviews on it. Can you folks reccomend a good saw around that price range for a guy isn’t going to be putting a huge amount of demand on it?
Replies
*
ripping lots of hardwood is too much for that saw. It'll even challenge some conventional belt drive contractors saws. The Makita has strong motors that go like H___ through heavey work. The fence ain't much but with a Rouso table setup, lots of guys like them. I've got a Grizzly 1022 in the shop and a Dewalt portable model - Neither would be happy to be ripping for hours at a lick. I had to replace the griz motor after making a lot of 3/8" oak x 5/4 to make these treads-
*I actually already had those stairs in my computer, you posted something about arches a while back, and I liked those stairs enough to add them to my possibilities file for when I build. Thanks Piffin. The Wood I'm working with is 1.5 X 2" pine and Oak mostly although I expect that as I go some ash and cedar will sart working its way into the paddles. (Can't keep anything cheap can I!!)
*Great work Piff!I haven't seen that pic before, but it doesn't look like 3/8" rip cuts? Man, you must have spent some time matching up the graining. Who installed them? Great tight fit to the stringers.
*Didn't mean to hijack the thread guys.It is 5/4 redoak ripped to 3/8" and planned just under that. We kept track of the order to keep grain-matching good. built forms to radius with some adjustable form settups I developed. Did the actual glueup on the subfloor of the home with the radius laid out there. Test fit first, replaced to side for gluing, then took a coffee break before gluing and scrambling like all H. Then a run throught the 15" planner, router bullnose, and final fitting. Applied sealer to backside before installation. I'm the one who did it. The scotia under the leading edge was actually more of a challenge than the treads.Back to the subject at hand. Ripping a few pieces of hardwood or lots of cedar will go on any tablesaw but the ash and oak works it harder so your motor need to be up to it. I didn't watch mine and worked it straight for about two hours. When I shut'r down for break there was a curl of smoke lifting into the air from it. She never started again but I had a replacement motor on hand for another machine that happened to fit so we were only down for a half hour. A clean sharp blade is essential to the task also - regardless of what saw you buy. I do a lot of work on site and am unimpressed with my Dewalt portable so I keep watching threads like this because I want to hear from the guys who have the Bosch and Porter Cable portables so lets get off this old tread and back to this old thread.
*Looked a little more closely at the Bosch, everyone seems to like it, only complaint I have seen is that the drive gears are Nylon (plastic or something) and prone to wear. That was only in one report I read though. Consumer's reports gave Bosch the Best Buy award.Trouble is Bosch is worth $250 more than I wanna spend... Anyone wanna go halves with me??
*I wemt halves on a horse once. My partner said I could have the front half - that's where you put the feed. He got the cheap end!LOL
*Gary Katz wrote a review of portable table saws a few FHB issues back, you might take a look at that.But if you just want to do the occasional batch of paddles and have a table saw around at the ready, you might be well served with an older Craftsman out of some hobbyist's garage. I see them for sale in the paper all the time. If you are patient you might find an old 9, or 10" Delta "Contractor's Saw". I'd recommend 10" though, it's a lot easier to get blades and accessories for than the 9". Just about any saw with a sharp blade and a paralell fence will work fine for the periodic user. A professional quality tool probably only pays for those who use them to make a living with, or tool junkies who can afford some toys.I had a chance to use a Ridgid 10" saw for a few hours last week, and I'm impressed. Nice tool.
*I actually did look at that review Jim, and was impressed with the info in it. That was part of what swung me toward the Bosch. I wonder (This isn't something you'll hear everyday on here) If with the saw bolted to the folding table I could store the thing by hanging it on a wall on a couple of lag hooks. That would be a really good thing for me since space is at a huge premium here. I dunno about 60 lbs hanging on a couple of hooks though...
*Well, I think I remember that the shear rating for a 16d common is something like 81 lbs when nailed perpendicular to the grain. I'd think a couple of those screw hooks for hanging bicycles would hold 60 lds, no sweat. I'm with ya man, nowhere near enough room.And yeah, you can count on Gary Katz for a thourough report, can't you? What we read in the magazine is probably something of a synthesis of his and the editor's writing, but still, he delivers the info, time after time. I'm really looking forward to the release of his new book.
*Well I caved and got teh Bosch this afternoon. Its set up in the middle of the living room right now. I guess its a coffee table-saw. (Weak attempt at humour) It won't hang from the wall like I hoped, but its still a pretty sweet little number. I had actually gone to pick up a composter 'cause I'm told dead leaves are good for asparagus (who knew!) and I guess I should kill more so I can be sure I'll have some next year. Any way composters were too expensive so I figured I'd just make one, besides why buy a $50 composter when you can get a $750 saw(These are CDN prices I know its only 500 in the states)
*Hey PH, crank the blade down, stash the fence and cover it with a nice rag. Nice end table. Lived like that quite a while ago. You do what you gotta do. On that bosch saw, think twice about buying the dust bag. My exhaust port clogs easily and renders the bag almost useless. Hooking up a vac to the port makes the best sense. Enjoy.
*Guy,got my tool crib catalogue and rousseau came out with a folding table for the bosch, default and rigid, has all the assessories too, like the router table out feed ect..there ya go my other brother from another mother you can furnish your digs with some good stuff...
*Just goes to show, some people's work is their life, shop vac for the carpet, handsaw clock on the wall, little handplane on the nightstand, use your drill and paintmixer as blender? how about snip a piece ofmetal roof and use your torch for cooking. Heat gun for hairdryer...
*Don't fergit a drop light for readin' lamp when the work day is over.
*i think one of those 500 watt halogen might make a better reading light
*R,i "heat gun for a hair dryer?" If you're not already bald...Jon
*oh yeah, forgot to ask, I need a knife blade to put in my sawzall so I can carve my thanksgiving yardbird. Where can I get one?
*Ripped Oak with the new saw today, and I think I need new Light Bulbs, Seems when you have a saw drawing 15 amps in a house with a 30 amp service your bulbs go a little dimmer and a couple go *POP*... Its gotta be the bulbs.
*What in hell do you need a knife blade for cuttin' the yardbird?!?! Nothing a good nail cutting blade won't handle! Sheesh!!! Sam
*Yeah, or a honed framing hatchet works fine, too.
*I personnally like my mag with a diamond blade ...
*I went for the Rigid TS2400. Which I found out is exclusive for the Orange store, so no price shopping. They are throwing in a stand with wheels that also folds up. $499.So far it looks great, haven't used it but for a test cut or two. A few things do bother me:- it runs incredibly smooth and quiet (relative) except when it first starts up - the whole thing shakes.- it has storage for the fence, guard, wrenches, etc, but most if it is a pain in the ass to remove when you want it.- the extension is hard to slide, sticks even after loosening the lock knob (which I loosened to much and it came a part which was hell trying to put it back on in such a small place).But it has great markings for the fence, tilt and depth adjustment are easy, and it's relatively quiet. My shop vac fit without an adapter. It also has a life-time warranty (whatever that may mean). The stand folds up even with the saw on it so you can lean it against the wall, out of the floor space.steve
*ya steve but can ya carve a turkey with it :)
*Hey, the table expands, probably get six chairs around it...
*No chairs here, mudbuckets. That's more like it.
*Man thats fine dining in my book,
*
Tell me like a three yr old what I should be buying here...
I don't do much woodworking, but I need a saw to make a bunch of canoe paddles (lots of ripping hardwoods into 1" strips - I need to make about 50 paddles this winter) and to do framing. Not a contractor or construction guy, but a confident DIYer. Wandered by the tools at the Orange Store, and liked the looks of the Ryobi BT3000, but have read alot of bad reviews on it. Can you folks reccomend a good saw around that price range for a guy isn't going to be putting a huge amount of demand on it?