HOHN

Ok fellas.

I've decided that woodoworking is a lot easier and more fun if you can actually make a straight cut. I know-- quite the discovery!

I have right now a nice miter saw (DeWalt DW706 12"), and a decent Circular saw (Hitachi cs7b). I also have a big-mama Milwaukee Orbital Super Sawzall, that's not much use for anything with tolerances of less than an inch or so.

So here's my first question: is there anyway I can use what I have to avoid the expense of a decent table saw? All the circ-saw cutting guides have disappointed me, and they don't seem to give the nice straight cuts I want. I even tried clamping a large level to use as a makeshift fence, but it's practically impossible to get it positioned PERFECTLY, and then clamp it down, as the act of clamping it seems to move it every time.

So, that brings me into table saw land. In my mobile life, space is at a premium, and I have to keep the weight of all my possessions under the military limit.

So the first decision: what class of table saw? I was quick to rule out a cabinet saw, as it's too heavy and takes up too much space. I'll get one when I retire

What about a contractor saw? Now, THIS was a better option for me. I've used JETs before (very nice!), but that's more than I'm willing to pay, and they're a little too big. A smaller size contractor saw (like a Delta TS350) was more what I'm looking for, but it didn't QUITE seem to be what i wanted, though the price is pretty good at <$400.


Enter my discovery of the "jobsite" size table saw. The compact size of these immediately caught my eye. There are a lot to choose from between Sears, Lowe's and Home Depot. I also noticed that the compact jobsite saws were cheaper.

But that was JUST the problem!! They were CHEAP! The fences seemed so flimsy that they were practically useless. I'd be back to clamping down a level! The miter slots has so much play in them that they felt like toys, not tools. The FENCE IS HUGELY IMPORTANT to me, more than power, size, ease of adjustment, and all that.

So, I was able to find three smaller, portable saws that actually seemed to have decent fences-- the Dewalt DW744s, the Ridgid TS2400, and the Bosch 4000. They are all 13amp-15amp saws of modest size and range from $450 (Ridgid) to $550 (Bosch).

All three of these appear to be pretty good saws. I love the Rack-and-pinion fence setup of the DeWalt, but the fence isn't that sturdy. The unit also "felt" like it was of lower quality than the price indicated. My impression: another DeWalt that's good, but not as good as it's priced.

The Ridgid was a little bigger, but seemed to be of good quality. The fence was super-sturdy, but the floor model wasn't assembled properly, so it felt imprecise to adjust (but rock-solid when locked). The portable stand of the Ridgid was very appealing, and would work well to help me sace space. It would probably work very well for me, and was $60 less than the smaller DeWalt.

Then there's the Bosch. This thing just seems to be in a class by itself. The fence is super-precise and always locks perfectly square (very important to me). The stand it comes with is an engineering masterpiece. The motor is as powerful as 110V will support. The table expands wide enough to rip a 4x8 sheet down (over 24" rip capacity, which the other two saws also will do). The Bosch also has a LEFT-tilting blade (which is AWAY from the fence), and I strongly prefer this setup.

All in all, the Bosch just looks like the PERFECT saw-- giving me full sized capability in a modest sized package that won't take over my whole garage.

Now, I own tools from all kinds of makes, but I don't own any Bosch tools. I like the Hitachi stuff I have, but their table saws just seem lacking (look at Lowe's and see what I mean-- cheap fences and lesser precision in the machining of the miter slots, which are non-standard!).


I was blown away by the Bosch. Is there something else I should be considering?? Are there smaller contactor saws that have good fences and over 24" rip capacity? Though the Bosch is the priciest, it appears to be the best value, as you get your money's worth and then some.

I'd consider the DeWalt, as it's also a nice unit (and right now, you get a free jigsaw for buying one), but the Bosch seems tailor-made for me.

Does anyone have a Bosch 4000? I'd appreciate your comments on the Bosch, or just table saws in general. I'd like to stay under $600.

jh
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Herrin811

Bosch

I want everything I own to have direct-connect...Best feature ever...Got it on my recip saw

2500Ram

It sounds like you've made up your own mind. I have plenty of Bosch power tools but not a table saw, mine is a simple table top Craftsman ~$300. It gets the job done but isn't the best. I will give Bosch a thumbs up on quality for the price on my tools.

Bill.

durasmack

Bosch should be a good choice. Typically, I like DeWalt for compound miter saws and cordless drills, Milwaukee for other drills, Porter-Cable or Hitachi for various smaller power tools...
But this is just my $0.019

jfpointer

I have one Bosch tool, a 12" compound miter saw, model 3912, that I've had for about 6 years now. All I've done is change blades. It's reliable, accurate, and durable--we've trimmed an entire 3000 sq. ft. house using it. That's door headers, window headers, tons of crown molding, trim for the wood-paneled billiard room, etc. One heck of a good saw.

Geico266

DeWalt. The yellow is easy to find in my mess of a garage.

jka

What are you planning to build?

If your going to be building cabinets the smaller saws limit the size of cut (meaning the largest distance from the blade to the fence)....maybe something to consider.

I have a 10 inch belt driven full size Craftsman with a cast iron table that I bought 20 yrs. ago. Max. cut is 25 inches. This saw has paid for itself 100 times over, it's had a lot of use and no problems.

I have other Craftsman tools also and all been good......

spunbearing

"So here's my first question: is there anyway I can use what I have to avoid the expense of a decent table saw? "


If theres a will theres a way. It's certainly much easier to use a table saw but it is possible to do most work without it.You need to buy a straight edge. They are usually 2 piece aluminum and about 7 feet long assembled. One side has a raised lip that can be used as a guide for your circular saw. You need to measure from the edge of your guide plate to the edge of the saw blade and just add that to the amount you want cut. For instance on a model 77 skilsaw from the guide plate to the blade is 1-1/2 inches..... so if I wanted to cut 30" I would measure 31-1/2" and mark my material. Then clamp your straight edge to your material and you have a nice guide.I use this method for cutting doors down sometimes. Usually I just use my cordless with a guide.
As far as tablesaws you pretty much just want one that meets your needs. Portability ( if you need it) etc. I use a Delta table saw myself but I also have a Duracraft and a Craftsman. The Delta is a benchtop model and is great for ripping lumber down on a jobsite. Not a Good saw for cabinet work however. The main thing about a table saw is make sure that the shaft has enough room to fit a stackable ( or adjustable) dado blade ( makes your saw much more useful) and make sure to get the table extensions.My little Delta saw will not fit a dado blade ( the nut won't thread on as the shaft isn't long enough) I wish that I had noticed that before I bought it.

HOHN

Funny you mention that. My Miter is a Dewalt, but it's the only Yellow I own. My 15amp circ and 4.5" grinder are Hitachi (VERY good grinder-- almost 8amps for <$90). My corded drill and Orbital sawzall are Milwaukee (this sawzall is a monster, and probably my favorite tool).

Sounds like our preferences run close to each other.

HOHN

I'd like to build an entertainment center and maybe some smaller end tables and such. I'd also like to do some cabinets for the garage (read: cosmetics aren't too important here).

My my reckoning, either of the three saws I mentioned (the Bosch, Ridgid, and DeWalt) will work for me, as they can cut 25", which is enough to rip a 4x8 sheet in half. The tables on all of them expand out to allow this cutting width.

OH, I've verified that ALL THREE saws will accept up to a 13/16" dado width.


I *may* have made up my mind on the Bosch, and here's why:

-- It's the only one that tilts left.
-- The motor is the most powerful
-- The blade is enclosed in a shroud setup that has to make dust collection better than the others.
-- The fence is the best combo of precision and rigidity. The Ridgid is the sturdiest (aptly named brand in this case) but less precise, and the DeWalt feels more precise, but not as sturdy. The Bosch has both precision and strength.
-- It comes with a magnificiently-designed stand. You'd want this stand on ANY brand portable saw.
-- It has less plastic were it counts. The main body is plastic, but all the "money" parts are steel.
-- It has a blade lock so you can make changes with one wrench and no need to block the blade with some wood.
-- The motor has a soft-start and electric brake so it spins down quickly.


Finally, the Bosch just has a subjective "feel" of quality and precision. The Ridgid and Dewalt also have this feel (but maybe to a lesser extent). It's remarkable that this group of three gives the impression of MUCH higher quality relative to other small table saws.

Since I'm a fan of Hitachi, I looked at their small saws. Flimsy fences. Weaker motors. Poor machining of miter slots (which are NOT standard size,and won't take aftermarket accessories).

I looked at Craftsmans. Not too bad. But I *hate* the fact that a different company is making a Craftsman tool every year it seems. I also don't particularly care for Sears' customer service and parts availability. The Craftsman name is nowhere near the quality that it used to be (20+ years ago). Now it seems to be mostly junk. (hand tools are still OK). For power tools, Craftsman is about the last place I will look. I'd buy a Ryobi first! In fact, you may BE buying a Ryobi by buying a Craftsman!

I don't have any experience with Delta stuff. It appears that their "shopmaster" stuff is OK, but not nearly in the same league as the stuff that made the Delta name so respected by pros (UNISAW, anyone?). At least the TS350 at Lowe's has an induction motor.

It's so difficult to strike the elusive balance between going too cheap and basically wasting money on something you'll be replacing very soon, and spending too much on something that's either more than you need or more than you can appreciate.

See, I can justify an $1800 guitar amp, or a $3000 guitar because I'm skilled enough to appreciate them. I can justify expensive speakers because I CAN hear a huge difference in the nicer ones. I can't justify an expensive TV or fancy car. I know how to use a nice camera and all its features to get what I want. But I can't see me appreciating a $100 steak over a $30 one. I can't for the life of me taste why one wine will go for $80, and another for $20. The $20 is fine with me.


All that just to say that I'm trying to make my money count.

The fact that the purchase of a table saw means I will NOT get a TST box for my truck is a separate issue