Picking table saw for DIY
Engineer · Albany, NY · Member since 2014 · 42 posts · 18 votes
All,
I'm trying to pick a table saw. I see good reviews for Dewalt and Bosch on amazon.
Please let me know your recommendations.
Thanks,
Sebastian
Mine's a Sears, too, though more like 30 years old. It is still in use, though.
Let me ask you this first. Do you already have a good circular saw and a good miter saw. Because for working on houses these are better tools than a table saw. I have a Bosch worm drive circular saw that is a joy to use. And a basic miter saw (Dewalt, maybe) on a Harbor Freight stand that is my go-to tool for framing work. A table saw can be useful, but everything you would do for house projects can be done with the circular saw and miter saw. Many jobs, such as trim, are far easier on the miter saw. The table saw is mostly useful for ripping. The problem with both of the ones you show are the dinky tables. The ideal table saw setup is a large open area with a big table and space for infeed and outfeed rollers.
Now, if you're building cabinets, furniture or doing fancy(ish) woodworking projects, a table saw is a good tool. Or if you have some specific need. But for working on properties, a circular saw, miter saw and a sawzall are the go-to tools.
If you're determined to buy one of these, I prefer Bosch over Dewalt.
I bought a table saw at Sears 20 years ago, so I'm hardly qualified to comment on current saws. A few thoughts, though:
On mine, there are three drawbacks.
1. Nuts for the stand have come loose over the years. I took care of most of that problem by adding lock washers. So consider the stand as well as the saw.
2. I wish the table were wider to provide more stability when cutting long boards.
3. Most annoying, the rip fence clamp has worn down and does not lock with much force on the the edge of the table. If you can, check the clamping mechanism for the fence before buying.
On the two you're considering, I wonder if the Bosch wheels, while handy for moving the saw, could cause it to be a little unstable when you're cutting. For both models, I wonder about the 15-amp current draw of the motor. In some places you'll want to plug the saw into a 15-amp circuit, and if anything else is drawing power or the saw pulls just a little more than the circuit breaker allows, you'll be tripping the breaker. My saw says 13 amps.
@Bob H. thanks for feedback. I'll check out reviews for what you have mentioned.
Mine's a Sears, too, though more like 30 years old. It is still in use, though.
Let me ask you this first. Do you already have a good circular saw and a good miter saw. Because for working on houses these are better tools than a table saw. I have a Bosch worm drive circular saw that is a joy to use. And a basic miter saw (Dewalt, maybe) on a Harbor Freight stand that is my go-to tool for framing work. A table saw can be useful, but everything you would do for house projects can be done with the circular saw and miter saw. Many jobs, such as trim, are far easier on the miter saw. The table saw is mostly useful for ripping. The problem with both of the ones you show are the dinky tables. The ideal table saw setup is a large open area with a big table and space for infeed and outfeed rollers.
Now, if you're building cabinets, furniture or doing fancy(ish) woodworking projects, a table saw is a good tool. Or if you have some specific need. But for working on properties, a circular saw, miter saw and a sawzall are the go-to tools.
If you're determined to buy one of these, I prefer Bosch over Dewalt.
@Jon Holdman thanks for the comments.
Just want to make sure Sears = Craftsman now right? Considering it's going out of business, probably not the best choice, just because parts and support will be a mess.
Yes, I have circular saw (Skill) and a chop (miter) saw (Hitachi). Both are just basics. Problem is sometimes I need to saw a board and I can't keep a straight line. I just thought it would be good to add to the collection. They are heavy so table on wheels is preferable.
I looked at some reviews and it seems that the Bosch has a motor problem. Dewalt has alignment problems but probably is more than I need at this point. But I do agree Bosch is better than Dewalt in general.
I have a contractors table saw, Delta, that I have had for 30 years and use to build fine furniture. Takes two men and a boy to move it. For job site where perfect accuracy is never required I buy what ever brand name is on sale at the time provided it has a good locking fence system.
I have had various brand names and and all work about the same and last about as long. My personal preference is one that I can lift as opposed to having wheels since I load it in and out of my work van every day so it does not get stolen. Stairs, uneven ground, lifting up and down, wheels only get in the way and make it heavier. I have a portable wood stand I set it on that stays on the job site. Light and portable are key. Usually pay under $200 on sale and replace when they burn out. For most people they would probably last a life time.
Definatly agree a good quality miter say 10" or 12" sliding is the best investment for flippers.
PS: you can not build quality furniture on a portable table say.
Use a fence or straight edge to get straight cuts with a circular saw. Harbor Freight has a 50" one that works well for cutting across sheet goods. I have a longer, two piece one that's about 9' long for cutting lengthwise. The baseplate on my circular saw is 1.5" from the blade, so its easy to position the fence. For cross cutting, same time, using a speed square.
Yes, Sears is Craftsman. The tools will stay around, even if when Sears dies.
If you're buying something you're not sure how much you will use, I like Harbor Freight. Their prices are cheap and the quality is better than you might expect. Comparable to the cheap brands at Lowes or Home Depot. Always use a coupon. Sometimes the replacement plan is worthwhile. As the guy said when I recently bought an angle grinder after my Hitachi one gave up the ghost "exchange for any reason or no reason." If it turns out to be something you use a lot and is something that you're not going to burn up, then buy a good one.
I'm with @Thomas S. Never leave tools on a job site. So everything needs to be portable enough to pack in the truck at the end of the day.
I Agree with the Harbor Freight Concept. Although brands like Dewalt are Pro grade this may be overkill if you only use tools occasionally, Harbor Freight tools are cost effective and will certainly be of value. Try and seek out a coupon on line at Harbor Freight or in one of their coupon books at the store and sign up so they send you one when they are issued.
Thanks Guys! I'll have to check out Harbor Freight Concept. :)
Bosch 4100
I recommend hiring a contractor with a good table saw. Not much money being made operating one of those finger stealing machines.
I have had good luck with all Dewalt tools so far, but you will always pay more when it isn't always necessary. I have had so-so luck with Ryobi. Milwaukee are usually good, but sometimes they allow their name to be used. I purchased a Ryobi table saw for $139, it had all the amps and speed as all the others, and it burned out the very first day I used it. I then purchased a Bosch for like $350-$400 (I think) and I love it so far. About the same price as a Dewalt. What I love most about the Bosch is the design. Each and every little thing you could ever think of was thought out on the saw. It has handles and is easily moveable. The fence tucks underneath and so do all the accessories. It has a place to wrap the cord. The fence is very decent for a portable table saw. As others have said, you don't need a high-end table saw for rehab and in many cases you don't need one at all. I like to have one because it is just so darn great to do thin rips on long pieces, but you can work around that too with a circular or jig saw in many cases. Of course, occasionally a circular saw will simply not do, however in some of those cases, a portable table saw wont do either!!! You probably know all this.
For circular saw I really like my $50 Skill. Plenty of power, holds up, easy to handle - great price.
For a jig I like my Bosch, again the design is excellent and it works great - a bit pricey.
LOL. I have been using a $100 Hitachi miter saw with a 7" blade and no slide. It works quite well for most stuff and is super light and easy to move around. I put it on a collapsible stand with wheels from Tool Box brand - stand is excellent for the money. I have been smelling some electrical lately and suspect the saw will die on me soon. I do have an expensive miter saw in my future, as it does pay to get a good one with a large blade, though they are a pain so having a small one and a big one is probably ideal. Slides are nice, but I actually prefer a circular saw for that stuff.
For nail guns and compressor I have been loving my Porter Cable pancake rig. The price is great, the design is great and it is holding up well. I also like the dual air gauges that allow variable pressures. The porter cable guns are as good as any I have used and the nails are not too tough to find for most models, except the straight-nail 15 gauge. I have sprayed tubs with epoxy paint using my Porter Cable pancake - just remember to drain all the water out first and/or get a water trap.
My favorite tool is my Sonicrafter from Rockwell. There are numerous brands out there. I bought it to cut under jams for flooring and use it for countless little jobs - I never leave home without it.
I can count on one hand the number of cuts I've ever made with my table saw. Conversely a friend of mine can no longer count using either of his hands because of a stupid mistake he made with a table saw.
If you're pretty handy, I say you're far better off building a base table for your mitre saw. The right work table and using some clamps and a straight edge, you can make almost every cut you can with a skill saw with greater versatility and it's usually a lot safer.
I also NEVER take my table saw to any project I'm working on... in fact it's in my garage and there's a tonne of crap piled around it. Conversely I take my work table and skill saw to every job, even the small ones, it's just too handy and useful.
If the table saw is something you plan on using frequently, do not cheap out. You should be safe with Bosch and Dewalt. I personally bought a new Bosch a year ago and it has been through a lot of use, no problems.
I purchased a Ryobi table saw for $139, it had all the amps and speed as all the others, and it burned out the very first day I used it.
Which Ryobi was that? The discontinued BT3000 I have, bought 20 years ago, has a cult following. It has a pretty unique rail and sliding table system. I've had no problem with it, and I've ripped 1/2 aluminum. The one below (not mine) has been pimped with accessory sliding tracks, and you can see a router under the right table, which comes all set up for a router.
I use a TS all the time in renovation, ripping boards and moldings to custom sizes trying to match existing woodwork or reframing doors etc. I just used it today, ripping 1" off a 3" chair rail molding so it kinda-sorta matches the 100 year old baseboard cap molding in the rest of the unit. Can't do that with a Skilsaw.
The Ryobi I purchased was about 2 years ago from Home Depot, I don't recall the exact model, though I can tell you the one in your pic is better just by looking at it!
Tool manufacturers regularly put out numerous models. Some of these are great, some not so much. Sometimes the cheap one is just as good as the expensive and other times you get what you pay for.
Manufacturers will sometimes license their name, so you can have one name on the tool, but it's something else entirely. I had that happen a couple years ago when I purchased a Milwaukee paint sprayer that appeared to be of good design with a quality name. The thing was a lemon and turned out to be...that's right a Ryobi. I went online after to find out everyone had the same problem with the sprayer and Ryobi was not doing a good job of remedy. I used it twice and it sits in my basement.
The cult following you speak of is interesting and very real. Certain tools along the way were built to last with great design. I have had excellent success with many Ryobi tools and would not say the brand is bad just because one model I used was not that great. Ryobi is often a great buy for the money.
Dewalt is the pro Black & Decker line. Porter Cable is Craftsman. Milwaukee is Milwaukee, but will license their name. Bosch is usually a quality product, though will usually cost more. Delta tends to be very good, but is usually geared for higher-end stuff. Tool Shop is hit or miss. Hitachi is usually good, but can also be hit or miss. So many tools...ahh...
Well, not to be argumentative, but you sure could do that with a skilsaw. Tack the moulding to saw horses or some other stable base. Put your rip fence on your skilsaw and go to town. Its easier with the table saw, and that is exactly the sort of thing I would do on the table saw, if it was convenient. But you certainly can do it with a skilsaw. (Skilsaw = circular saw, for those that might not have heard that term. One of the original makers of these saws. My mom still has my dad's.)
I use my (old) table saw all the time! BUT if you only have one power tool, get a miter saw first. And, as noted, a circular saw with a clamp guide (plus sawhorses) is truly your best bet for sheet goods.
That said, I built a roll-around storage table with locking casters the same height as the table saw to use as an outfeed support. Can't get good support for those long rip cuts otherwise - also don't have to worry about the work piece flipping up. And I can keep smaller tools in the storage cabinet underneath - bonus!
Bottom line you have two choices, quality or throw away. Each has a place in your tool kit depending on your needs.
As for risk of injuries, if you are going to use tools you are going to get injured, a hammer does considerable damage to fingers. A first aid kit and a few tricks of the trade should suffice.
My belief is as long as it's going to heal itself....no problem, keep working.
@Sebastian Naczas I have that exact Bosch table saw and love it. I have cut so much wood with it it aint funny. That being said, one thing I like about that DeWalt is the 32" cut. The Bosch will only go 25". You think its not that big of a deal but when you are fixing cabinets in the field it makes a big difference in time. Either will be fine and durable for most jobsite activities.
Not sure how you going to do that with a piece of molding with a cross-section like an orange slice, but where there's a will there's a way, I'll admit. I've made some crazy shop jigs. Still, when you have 200 feet of molding to rip I'd rather have a table saw!
I have had accidents with two table saws. The first one I cut the side off of my index finger and all the way to the bone on the pad of it. The second accident I cut the tip off of my index finger, and the side off of my middle finger, all the way to the bone on the pad of it. Both times I also chipped the bone.
I think that there are better tools than table saws. I've sold both of mine, I have a bandsaw and plan to get a track saw (circle saw with a guide track). If you really feel you need a table saw, get a SawStop. I just went to the doctor yesterday for a final follow up on my fingers. They are very sore, very sensitive, and this has slowed me down a lot.