which table saw would you get?

Question

getting ready to get my first table saw. i can't afford a big job like i'd love to have. i can go no higher than 300 dollars, and that's pushing it. my options thus far are;
craftsman...                                                     http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00928463000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7

this porter cable i looked at today and really liked. it's 300 dollars. i looked at it today and it's pretty nice. 
http://www.lowes.com/pd_89913-46069-PCB220TS_4294857520_4294937087_?productId=3163783&Ns=p_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr|0||p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1¤tURL=%2Fpl_Table%2BSaws%2B_4294857520_4294937087_%3FNs%3Dp_product_prd_lis_ord_nbr%7C0%7C%7Cp_product_qty_sales_dollar%7C1&facetInfo=

wow, that's a long link. the skill and ryobi tables are roughly 200, but the ratings are horrible and i just don't feel that they'll be nearly as accurate and durable as the above. if anyone has any thoughts, let me know. i've never owned one. thanks in advance

JoplinMOnative · Accepted Answer

In my opinion, the Porter Cable saw would be a better bet.  Both saws have similar specs, but when I read the reviews for the saws, I noticed that even though both saws have good reviews, both saws also have bad reviews.  Reviews for both saws note cheap plastic parts that break easily.  The worst thing I read about the Porter Cable is a badly designed blade guard.   The worst thing I read about the Craftsman is that the Motor blew easily and the gearbox wore out quickly so, in my opinion, run away from the Craftsman saw and put your money toward the Porter Cable.  It should be a better investment.

Another Idea is to save your money for a while longer and invest in an award-winning saw made by Grizzly Industrial:
http://www.grizzly.com/products/category.aspx?key=530020|530002|530000

? · Answer

1

adrian · Answer

2

Rondi · Answer

2 years ago my cabinet shop burned down in a devastating block fire in an historic district.  I had a 10 inch Delta and an old 9 inch Craftsman.  The Delta was the production bench and the Craftsman was for detail.  The Craftsman was one of those once in a lifetime saws.  It cut sweet.

Skilsaw picked up on the news story and offered me cost replacement tools.  I replaced my entire inventory with Skil tools.  It was a very generous gesture on behalf of Skil.  

With the exception of the worm drive saw.....the portable 10" table saw is likely one of their best affordable tools.  It transports easy.  Cuts nice.  Cut's even better with a 7 1/4 inch blade.  (Yes, it can be done).  It runs around $200.  

I'm older.....60 years now.  If I ever get another table saw and shop it will be a Jet with a 4 foot fence.

tom92117 · Answer

Fredric and Rondi hit the nail on the head with their answers.  Affordability vs. Time Used is the major trade off when ascertaining the true value of the purchase price.  The Jet is awesome, but it's high priced.  Look at some of the used sites like craigslist, you might get very lucky.  I saw an ad about two months ago for a chop saw (name brand) and the guy was selling it for $30.  His ad read, "Got this new from my dad as a present.  Had it for a year and never took it out of the box.  I'll never use it."  It was a $350 new saw.  So bargains can be found out there if you are patient.

Steven · Answer

For the best answer where you will be  less likely to get uninformed opinion and more likely to get a lot of reviews I 'd go an look for a web site like Amazon or a review site where you can look at a lot of reviews.   Go to more than one site.   Places like sears will have reviews as will amazon and you can check who wrote the reviews on some of them.  For that kind of money and for something you will likely be using a while I'd go to a review site.   Not one that has a selfish interest.  On Amazon just make sure you look at the 5 star and the 1 star reviews to make sure the person knows what they are talking about and that is not there only review.  
Other sites to check reviews are Loews and Home Depot.  Check if a good used one is available at resellers where you can look at it.  Not EBAY. Check adds.   
In any case look at it before you buy if at all possible.  Buying site unseen is a bad practice. 
Do your home work our you will regret it.  Best to wait and by once than to get in a hurry and have to return it or worse still be stuck with it.  
I personally have only use one and it was not fancy but it worked.  Real old

Mongo Khan · Answer

I have a 10" Dewalt that I'm satisfied with. It is light weight and accurate. The price has gone up since I bought it but I think it is one of the lower priced saws on the market.
Buy the stand for it. Don't use a stand with casters or wheels. You don't want a table saw scooting around or pivoting when you are pushing a piece of wood thru it.

Anonymous · Answer

Go to Craigslist in your area and pick up a used one. As slow as construction work is you can probably find a nice one for half of the cost of a new one. Sometimes people buy a saw for a single project then sell it. Here's an example of a $230. Craftsman saw for $120.

http://nashville.craigslist.org/tls/2803353096.html

Think Different · Answer

I have a craftsman 10". I had it for well over 20 years the only thing I've had to replace is a pulley and a belt. It has served me fine. For a chop saw I like the Dewalt.

? · Answer

listen I have been a carpenter for 40 years and have table saws
ranging from 700 to 99 dollars, what you need to ask is this
What am I going to use it for and how many times am I really
going to use it.If you are using it for detailed precise work
save your money and get a good one but if its just to have
a table saw for ripping stock building shelves etc..then a cheap one
will do fine...

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which table saw would you get?

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