The Woodturning Forum - Woodturner's Resource - Table saw that won't break the bank?

Carrie Bradfield

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Table saw that won't break the bank?
Nov 29^th, 2012 at 5:13pm

Hey guys, can you advise me on what to look for in a table saw? I'd like to get one for my husband for Christmas, but I'm overwhelmed at the size and cost of a lot of the options out there. He would most likely use it for medium to large projects around the house (bookcases, etc), so it's not going to get constant heavy use, but it will be doing something bigger than cutting segments for turning. What would you be looking for in this situation with a budget of around $500?

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JimQuarles

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Re: Table saw that won't break the bank?
Reply #1 - Nov 29^th, 2012 at 6:01pm

In that price range, Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to

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is pretty solid. They have another at the same price that is more portable, but has a very lightweight base. Do not get one of the ones that has a plastic body. What ever you get make sure you take the time to align everything carefully.

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Len Layman WR Addict Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 3,118 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Gender: PM 3520b Jet 1220	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #2 - Nov 29^th, 2012 at 8:47pm Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or This is a great saw for the price. I don't one one but my friend does and I use it all the time. smiley=dankk2.gif Nice price and great quality.
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JimQuarles WR Addict WR Patron Offline WR Rocks, BIG Time! Posts: 13,194 Glendale, AZ Arizona USA Gender:	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #3 - Nov 29^th, 2012 at 8:56pm They are the same saw with different colors.
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Len Layman WR Addict Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 3,118 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Gender: PM 3520b Jet 1220	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #4 - Nov 29^th, 2012 at 9:00pm Jim, I did not know that. I do know that for the price it is a really nice of equipment for the price. Thanks. smiley=dankk2.gif smiley=beer.gif
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Don Davis

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Re: Table saw that won't break the bank?
Reply #5 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 7:07am

I bought that very same Rigid... and I have to agree with Len, it is one heck of a saw. Setup is really a two-person job, but right out of the box everything was adjusted properly. I admit I did put a better blade on it before I ever plugged it in the first time, but the cuts are impressively smooth... no saw marks, no burn marks -- it looked like I had just run the edge through a jointer! (Oh, you probably will want a strong third person when you get it put together and are ready to turn it upright. It is a really solid tool.)

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Scott Wheeler WR Addict Offline The wood on the wathe goes wound & wound Posts: 1,799 Reading PA Pennsylvania USA Gender:	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #6 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 10:28am Carrie I'll echo everyone else comments about the Rigid, its one heck of a saw!
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Carrie Bradfield Senior Member Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 290 St. Louis Missouri USA Gender:	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #7 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 10:30am You guys are awesome. Thank you SO much!!
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Tony Rozendaal WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 990 East Troy, WI Wisconsin USA Gender: Robust AB Grizzly 12x20 Midi Lathe Delta 10x16 Mini Lathe	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #8 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 1:27pm I have this saw Multimedia File Viewing and Clickable Links are available for Registered Members only!! You need to or and have been real happy with it. I've taken it out to my sister's to work on her house and it is very portable, yet the most accurate saw I have ever had (which isn't saying much).
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Robert Hayward WR Addict Offline WR Rocks! Posts: 774 Tampa area Florida USA Gender: 3520b	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #9 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 2:23pm The Bosch that Tony linked to is the one I own. Really good saw. It is not a $3000.00 cabinet saw, but still a good saw. I chose it over a stationary saw in the same price range for the portability. It is nice to be able to fold the saw up and roll it off to one side in my little shop. Bob
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Kevin Stanbary

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Re: Table saw that won't break the bank?
Reply #10 - Nov 30^th, 2012 at 6:00pm

I've got a Makita 6703 on the Bosch Gravity Rise stand. So far other than the day it tried to eat my thumb, I've been mostly happy with it. The miter gauge is less than stellar, and is non-standard so you can't really replace it with something better - something to watch for when shopping.

I LOVE the Bosch stand; Went with a contractor saw on the stand because I simply do not have the room for a cabinet saw in my garage and I can fold it up and stick it in the corner next to the engine hoist when I'm not using it.

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Ron Sardo WR Administrator WR Patron Offline Chief cook and bottle washer Posts: 9,674 Drums Pennsylvania USA PM 3520	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #11 - Dec 1^st, 2012 at 7:48am Once upon a time Sears table saws didn't have standard miter slots. Something I would check if you think you may want some standard accessories down the road.
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Carrie Bradfield

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Re: Table saw that won't break the bank?
Reply #12 - Dec 1^st, 2012 at 11:08am

I did some shopping around and the Rigid table saw was on sale for $500 + tax at my local home depot ($70 cheaper than Sears), so I went with that one. There were only 2 in stock in the entire metro area so I went ahead and bought it, so my husband already knows the surprise (no way I was going to get that thing home by myself).

He's thrilled!

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Len Layman WR Addict Offline What have I got into?? Posts: 3,118 Grand Cayman Cayman Islands Gender: PM 3520b Jet 1220	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #13 - Dec 1^st, 2012 at 8:17pm You will be thrilled.
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David Hamann WR Administrator WR Patron Offline papadave Posts: 5,701 Pasco WA Washington USA Gender: Jet 1014VSI	Re: Table saw that won't break the bank? Reply #14 - Dec 2^nd, 2012 at 1:27am you know the rules:
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