Which table saw to buy?

[WilSurf]

Are there myswaggers on here who can advice a not so expensiv table saw for me?
I have work coming up in our house and a hand saw isn't the right tool. 
Budget isn't that high, around $500.

Is was reading up on the Bosch models but they are $700

[Rumpig]

What is it you plan to use the table saw for out of curiosity?

[isportfish]

I use a triton 2000 for my cutting needs and find it easy, accurate and powerful to use.

Don't seem to be that popular anymore though.

[oldmate]

What is it you plan to use the table saw for out of curiosity?

x2 ?

[isportfish]

I use a triton 2000 for my cutting needs and find it easy, accurate and powerful to use.

Don't seem to be that popular anymore though.

Should add that I mostly make furniture with it.

[oldmate]

Should add that I mostly make furniture with it.

And that's why they aren't that popular, not many people can be ar**ed making their own furniture, easier to walk into fantastic furniture and buy cheap China crap.

[dazzler]

In some ways it depends on what sort of quality cut you are after.  I started out with the Triton Workcentre and it was really quite good.  What I didnt like about it was the thin metal top was prone to movement dependent on the weather and didnt always remain dead flat.  There are, or were, some very knowledgable people out in forum land that can get these things cutting very true.

Then moved on to a carbatec 10" TSCHB and that was really a step up in accuracy.

Now I have a Laguna Fusion and its terrific too.  I suppose what I am saying is its a bit like camper trailers- often upsizing LOL....

At $500 budget I reckon a dewalt or Makita 255mm contracting style saw.  Second hand should be around $400.

If you build it into a bench like the paulk style they are very good. and you have a lot more table saw space and the bench makes them more useable.    paulkhomes.com and http://www.paulkhomes.com/order-plans.html

But dont discount the Triton Workcentre if you have the time and patience to set them up.

Totally left field but I came across this the other day;


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TjN37QWWB_o
https://youtu.be/TjN37QWWB_o


(sorry bloody youtube not embedding properly)

[dales133]

I got an aldi one a few years ago and it's actualy a good little saw for 180 bucks.
Plenty of power and acurate too, I've used it heaps on my current build.
The only issue with it is the fence can't go past about 250mm but for what it is its better than alot of brand name saws for the money.
I'll probably upgrade soon but it will do me for now

[AdrianLR]

I made our bathroom cabinets, bath surround and other things on the Triton. Company's gone now so secondhand only. Speaking of which, I've been meaning to put mine on Gumtree as wood work, electronics and welding in the same shed don't get along all that well.  I'll put it in the classifieds here tomorrow if anyone's interested.

[Bill]

Im another with a Triton workstation.
Ive had it 8 years now and it has never missed a beat.
Bit of advice if you go this route is to take your time setting it up.
Get it right and you shouldnt have to adjust again.
Ive made heaps of furniture with mine.
Bill

[Snapman007]

If you need it for sheet work, I'd be looking at a track saw at that price point.

[oldmate]

I made our bathroom cabinets, bath surround and other things on the Triton. Company's gone now so secondhand only. Speaking of which, I've been meaning to put mine on Gumtree as wood work, electronics and welding in the same shed don't get along all that well.  I'll put it in the classifieds here tomorrow if anyone's interested.

Yep, doing cabinet work is easier these days, with cut to size places doing it all for you as a flat pack. All edged, hinges routed, all panels pre drilled, just put it together like a flat pack.

[GUEY]

Yep, doing cabinet work is easier these days, with cut to size places doing it all for you as a flat pack. All edged, hinges routed, all panels pre drilled, just put it together like a flat pack.

Don't be telling people that. You'll put certain swaggers out of work

The weapon of choice, those little table saws scare the Shit out of me...

[kylarama]

Are there myswaggers on here who can advice a not so expensiv table saw for me?
I have work coming up in our house and a hand saw isn't the right tool. 

As others said, what type of work?  General carpentry and joinery? ie timber docking and cutting up sheets.

A 10-12 inch slide compound mitre saw and a track saw would be far better and more versatile.  However costs more too.  A decent blade in a quality 7 1/4" saw, straight edge and quick grips also can cut up sheets accurately and neatly.

The Dewalt, Makita and Bosch portable table saws all look okay, but watch for table flex (most are plastic bodies to keep weight down) and the fences need allot of careful adjustment to make sure they are square.  Forget about ripping up 8X4' sheets with these, the decks are too small IMO.

For $500 I'd be checking out the classifieds for a 2nd hand belt driven 12" table saw with a cast iron deck.  If you want portability, there is nothing wrong with Triton, just a bit more fiddly to use.  Great 2nd bargins can be had from someone selling off their workshop collection.

FYI.  The Triton business is still alive and kicking.  Carbatec stock everything and I believe Mitre 10 can also get it.

http://www.carbatec.com.au/triton-power-tools-accessories_c20845?zenid=ftr1t9n64g7nu82007ui6qche4

[oldmate]

Don't be telling people that. You'll put certain swaggers out of work

The weapon of choice, those little table saws scare the Shit out of me...

  . Yep. That's a real table saw.

[GGV8Cruza]

If you build it into a bench like the paulk style they are very good. and you have a lot more table saw space and the bench makes them more useable.    paulkhomes.com and http://www.paulkhomes.com/order-plans.html

I wonder if the plans come in metric, I like the bench and it will save a lot of space in the shed

GG

[Artie01]

What a coincidence, there is a triton 200 with a triton saw and a triton dust extractor for 600 at the moment.... I used a triton bench when I first started making furniture, has its limitations but is a bloody good bit of gear if you use it right.

This on a Triton.. (the table, I don't do chairs  )

[WilSurf]

What is it you plan to use the table saw for out of curiosity?

Very basic stuff really.
I want to make a little storage for the fire wood, need to cut up fire wood to let it dry, making a frame for an attic ladder etc.
No furniture for me (yet, you never know)

[fridayman]

Very basic stuff really.
I want to make a little storage for the fire wood, need to cut up fire wood to let it dry, making a frame for an attic ladder etc.
No furniture for me (yet, you never know)

I recently bought a Hafco 10" table saw for $150 - there are some bargains around. While its a great saw with a cast iron top, the stand was a bit crap, so I built a solid timber base on castors. Now that I have it I seem to use it all the time, and keep finding more and more projects that I want to do.

A decent sliding mitre saw may be more useful for the jobs that you mention though, and will be more portable.

[Rumpig]

A decent sliding mitre saw may be more useful for the jobs that you mention though, and will be more portable.

as mentioned above, it sounds like you are after a mitre saw / drop saw rather then a table saw. From memory,  Makita do a 260mm sliding mitre saw in the price range you are talking about for example, but plenty of other brands available in that price range aswell

[Cracka]

I wonder if the plans come in metric, I like the bench and it will save a lot of space in the shed

GG

Yes they do GG, after that post last night I stayed up and watched all 14 or so parts of the construction and he mentions the plans contain both imperial and metric measurements.

It's a pretty impressive piece of kit.

[GGV8Cruza]

Yes they do GG, after that post last night I stayed up and watched all 14 or so parts of the construction and he mentions the plans contain both imperial and metric measurements.

It's a pretty impressive piece of kit.

Thanks,

Looks as though I have a new project underway soon 

GG

[WilSurf]

as mentioned above, it sounds like you are after a mitre saw / drop saw rather then a table saw. From memory,  Makita do a 260mm sliding mitre saw in the price range you are talking about for example, but plenty of other brands available in that price range aswell

What is the difference between a compound mitre and a sliding mitre saw?

[oldmate]

If a cut off saw can make angle cuts on 2 different planes (horizontal and vertical) it is referred to as a compound mitre saw, then you can get ones that slide for wider cuts, (sliding compound saw). A sliding coumpound in a larger size will normally have a wider angle range.  I like my 305mm sliding saw but it's big heavy and a pain to carry for the work I normally do, but it's great if you are setting up for a few days doing skirting, arcs, flooring, framing etc

[WilSurf]

OK.
Any brands better then others?