Can anyone recommend a good table saw?

[Radium226Please]

Hello all,

I have a cruddy old Sears brand table saw from back in the day. Wobbly and weak it is. I'd like to step up to something more powerful and solidly constructed. Something that will still be working until I hit the dirt for good.

American made would be ideal but I do have a limited budget.

So far I'm thinking about this Delta: Delta Machinery | A Legacy of Superior Quality

It is American made and I think Delta has a good rep. Any thoughts on that?

The only downside is the price which is about $1,500. I realize that you get what you pay for but if anyone can recommend another option of similar quality at a lower price I would appreciate it. Thanks very much for your thoughts.

 

[goin4broke]

Bought a Jet about 15 years ago and love it.

 

[woodshop teacher]

Saw Stop
I had 10 fingers and now have 8 before I bought a saw stop, accident happened not a school and was an easy argument for the school to buy one, they are a quality saw and like it very much can't go wrong

 

[archsea bunker]

all depends on the volume of work you want to do

 

[Cool Boat]

Saw Stop
I had 10 fingers and now have 8 before I bought a saw stop, accident happened not a school and was an easy argument for the school to buy one, they are a quality saw and like it very much can't go wrong

We switched to a Saw Stop commercial saw. Great for cabinetry and high quality work. The fence is excellent too. I checked the slot in the cast iron top to the saw blade and it was parallel within .001 as shipped, no adjustment needed. We have the hydraulic caster wheel base under it too. We also have a junkie commercial saw for cutting Coosa. We wanted a Delta but they did not have the safety features and the factory would not respond to my emails.

 

[AJ2020]

Hello all,

I have a cruddy old Sears brand table saw from back in the day. Wobbly and weak it is. I'd like to step up to something more powerful and solidly constructed. Something that will still be working until I hit the dirt for good.

American made would be ideal but I do have a limited budget.

So far I'm thinking about this Delta: Delta Machinery | A Legacy of Superior Quality

It is American made and I think Delta has a good rep. Any thoughts on that?

The only downside is the price which is about $1,500. I realize that you get what you pay for but if anyone can recommend another option of similar quality at a lower price I would appreciate it. Thanks very much for your thoughts.

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[Brooksie]

I love my Delta (Like the one you pictured but much older} never given me a moments trouble since new many many years ago. One thing I like about the older model is the fence automatic;y clamps on both front and back side of the table. Ripping sheetgoods alone can cause front only clamped fences to move sometimes. These "contractor" type saws will do everything a cabinet saw will do and is portable, will go through a std. door opening w/ mtr. removed, and can be put in a truck by one person.

 

[ARC]

My dewalt is not a true stationary saw , but for the money it works well. Set up is quick , bar is reliable and the extention rollers help with balance. I was taught on a shopsmith , over 60 years ago

 

[jweir]

35 years shop work I have a little experience with this question. For safety, Sawstop period. I’ve been nicked but not by tablesaw. Several very experienced friends got bit by tablesaws (usually doing the cuts that are “ not osha approved). That said, if you’re careful there are great deals on used delta Unisaws or Powermatic model 66 saws out there as insurance regs start to push safety saws. I have one with an upgraded fence and love it. The heavy cast iron trunions make them smooth and keep the blade stable and limit vibrations . I also have a Dewalt portable table saw in my van. I should have thrown my old Makita out years ago and bought one. 24” rip fence that is pretty darn accurate and a lot of power, plus it can travel and hang on a wall when not in use.

 

[Good to Go]

Depending on how you use your table saw it’s worth looking at a track saw. I rarely use my table saw anymore. It’s more versatile, safer and mobile. Definitely there are times when a table saw has its use.

 

[Quik Fix 16]

I have a Grizzley heavy cast iron. 30 years and no complaints. It is rarely used now but in the day it was used 5 days a week for 25 years.

 

[Bill]

Depending on how you use your table saw it’s worth looking at a track saw. I rarely use my table saw anymore. It’s more versatile, safer and mobile. Definitely there are times when a table saw has its use.

Which one do you use ?

 

[Good to Go]

I started with a corded festool saw and got a cordless Makita recently. Both are great but using the makita more and more. Pretty good dust pick up too. Cutting sheets is nice if you set a sheet of foam under whatever you‘re cutting and set the saw depth to just cut into the foam. No having to move whatever you’re cutting like in a table saw. The longer I have it the more uses I find. Used it to joint a table table top a while back. Clamped it to the side of the boat to cut window top and bottom edges.

 

[MAArcher]

Where do you live? The best deals are used stuff off craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

I have the 20 year old version of the Delta contractor saw you linked. Great saw and fence. But if I was looking for value I'd get a used one. Where are you? this would be worth a drive: Log into Facebook

Delta contractor saw for $300 or $600 with dust collection. You could probably get both for $500. The rust on the top can be cleaned up. You'll have money left over for good blades and stock.

 

[Tunacious]

Delta make good saws. A good fence is very important to safety and good cuts. A high quality blade, that is corect for the job is important. If you are not going to use it alot, a contractor saw on a stand works too. Don't forget about dust collection.

 

[TAftw]

I just use my Dewalt and I’m happy with it but it’s not the same as a dedicated cabinet saw. Powermatic is great and you can find used ones for decent money. If I were to buy a new one I’d probably get a Sawstop just because of insurance and having other people using it in the shop.

 

[kapnd]

I’ve got that same Delta too, it’s not tremendously powerful, but the fence is great, and it sits solid With a couple buckets of sand on the legs.
I also keep a Bosch that’s much more portable, and it’s easy to transport with its integral folding, rolling stand.

 

[leaky]

Some day when I'm in a real shop (where stationary tools don't get destroyed) I'd like a track saw. I'm always in aw of the Home Depot track saw when I have them cut me something. I've got a Craftsman portable table saw and I love it, another 1970's vintage one that's pretty precise in the basement, although as far as boats go mostly I reserve those for ripping stuff like aluminum.

I find with boats there are very few situations where a cut has to be that straight, most of the time I'd rather run a jigsaw for wood, fiberglass, wood+fiberglass, or foam+fiberglass stuff (which I'm pretty good with cutting straight with anyway) and then maybe finish the cut off w/ a DA to smooth out any little jogs. A jigsaw doesn't kick, can be used all willy nilly, left hand right hand, upside down on it's side, up by your face, whatever. I do have a Dewalt atomic circular saw, which is basically a mini skill saw - similarly that's a more controllable tool for a straight cut but most of the time I'm gonna reach for a jigsaw.

Blades matter a lot. A high tooth count carbide plywood blade is my choice in the table saw or miter saw - that'll give you a nice cut in anything from soft lumber to aluminum.

 

[Captinlon]

Love my Saw Stop, heavy, smooth and quiet. The fence is great. Bought an extra cartridge for it, but in the 5 years I have not tripped it.

 

[Sprig1]

I bought a Makita track saw. It has replaced the tablesaw in a lot situations. I think I would buy the Sawstop table if I were buying a new one. Just for safety. For a production tablesaw on a job sight I like the Bosh.