buying inexpensive table saw

[mark]

I've recently completed framing my basement, all without the use of a table saw. Now I'm building some cabinets for my new shop, and I've just got to have a table saw now. I'd like to buy an inexpensive model, but I don't want to cheap out too bad. What minimum features will I need to make long cuts, 1/8" dado cuts, and I think a dust chute sounds ideal. Any advice?

[woodmannie]

I use a Pro-Tech saw that I got at Lowe's. It ran about $100. It's great for the price I paid. It's made by another manufacturer(like makita), just a home owner version. Atleast that's what I was told. as for long cuts, guessing you mean rips, I get a helper. My wife is always in the shop with me. As for the dados, I use the rip fence and adjust it. That's the only draw back, dado gaurds need to be ordered. Hope I helped.

[joe g]

>ive been looking at pro tech for a second saw / i.e . portable job saw . I have a makita 10" but its to big to haul around .
how do you like the pro tech ? they were once rated not bad by "tools of the trade" i think . thanks in advance
joe

[Charlie Cadenhead]

Check out the GRIZZLY saws. I don't have one, but a lot of people like them. They have a web site. I think it's www.grizzly.com
A good tool for the money.

[Kelly]

Mark
Inexpensive is a relative term. Usually people who want cheap tools get poor quality too. If you want a tool that's going to be versatile and last you're going to have to think of it as an investment and spend a little of your hard earned cash. Of course, if you're not going to use it that often, just about any saw will do. I've used several portable table saws (I'm assuming you're not going to spring for a contractors saw) and the low-end ones ($200-300 range) were very dissappointing. The most important feature of a table saw is it's fence. Alot of the low-end fences aren't accurate at all and you always have to measure with a tape and make sure that the fence and blade are parallel (so that your material doesn't pinch the blade) or make an auxiliary table and fence. I went out and bought the DeWalt and have been smiling ever since. Is it bigger, heavier, and more expensive? Yes. But, bigger and heavier means more stable. And, as far as price, it was a little under $500 (which I think is well worth it). And, the fence is VERY accurate. It works on a rack & pinion set up with an adjustment knob. It is connected both front and rear, and moves evenly across the table. It also extends past the table to make a cut capacity of just over 24", so it will cut a 4x8 sheet in half. Something the other saws can't do. It has a dust chute and I believe it is also the only portable table saw that can take dado blade sets. It's also adjustable! If, over the years, you knock it out of wack a bit, you can always true it up. I really like working with it. Well, that's my 2 cents worth. Good luck.
Kelly

[George]

I have a Ryobi BT3000 with a 15 AMP. motor and am very pleased with it. It was very accurate out of the box so much so I used it a year before I had to make any adjustments, it is also light enough that it can be portable. I recomend you look at this site http://170.181.72.27/ryobi/ and read why you should buy a BT 3000. The cost is about $399 from Lowe's, Costco is selling one with a router and some other accessories for $499.
George

[Dale Wentz]

I have their miter saw, and am very happy with it. I also have a Ryobi, and have used a Dewalt, and like my pro-tec much more.

Dale

[woodmannie]

Hey, the Protech is good for quick cuts, squaring, frame work, etc. The only drwback I found is the dado and the fence could use a little help. I fixed the fence prob. by attaching a 1x to it. Holes are there for this reason.

[bob]

I recently got a craftsman limited edition ts for around 200 bucks. This is a good table saw and it comes with a stand. As for the ripping capacity: 24in. to the right, 17in. to the left. Check it out at sears.com, then go to the tool section and it should be on the front page.