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12-01-2008, 10:31 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Trade:
Victorian Renovation
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
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Best Budget Table saw
Ok I had it today, I have a cheap POS table saw which can only rip t0 11 inches. It works ok, but I need to find something with a 24-36 inch capacity. I need something jobsite ready, I have heard good things about dewalt and ridgid. I would appreciate any feedback.
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12-01-2008, 10:36 PM
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#2
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Pro
Trade:
Sure, what you got?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Auburn Indiana
Posts: 3,893
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Bosch with gravity rise stand.
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12-01-2008, 10:49 PM
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#3
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Pro
Trade:
Carpentry & Landscaping
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Vermont
Posts: 124
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We have a Ridgid...works alright, nothing special and definitly not a high quality saw Id use for anything that had to be exact, the fence isnt very exact...but its a quality saw and reliable...so for a jobsite saw it works great.
Ive also used a dewalt, about the same
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12-01-2008, 11:04 PM
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#4
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Pro
Trade:
Sure, what you got?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Auburn Indiana
Posts: 3,893
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Hold it, Victorian Rennovation? Cheap little table saw only rip to 11" Something does not add up.
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12-01-2008, 11:21 PM
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#5
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Sean
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cullman, AL
Posts: 3,419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HitchC&L
We have a Ridgid...works alright, nothing special and definitly not a high quality saw Id use for anything that had to be exact, the fence isnt very exact...but its a quality saw and reliable...so for a jobsite saw it works great.
Ive also used a dewalt, about the same
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Props to Dewalt for their fence - but the Ridgid beets it hands down. I have had no problems with the fence or anything else on mine. Occasionally you will need to tweak it after installing a new blade for the tape to match up, but thats it. I take it back - the dust collection - break out the 2 small fins in the dust collector area so the sawdust & chips don't pile up. As I recall the Ridgid comes with the rolling stand - the Dewalt you have to buy & the table area isn't as big.
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12-01-2008, 11:26 PM
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#6
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Pro
Trade:
Construction and Remodeling
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Pittsburgh, PA
Posts: 1,689
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.
Hold it, Victorian Rennovation? Cheap little table saw only rip to 11" Something does not add up.
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My thoughts exactly hmmm......
__________________
"Pay now or Pay later"
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12-01-2008, 11:45 PM
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#7
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Registered User
Trade:
Victorian Renovation
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 12
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I just got started with the victorian reno's. I bought stuff as I needed it and have only worked on 4 victorians so far. I got away with an 11 inch cut so far. In NEPA most of the base work sets up around 10 inches, plus your quarter rounds. I really have kinda feel into a niche and am able to do great hand tool work. Any advice regarding set ups, business software would be appreciated.
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12-02-2008, 04:36 AM
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#8
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nail bender
Trade:
Carpentry,interior millwork
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 57
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dewalt has much better features,and you cant beat their fence,has enough umpf to rip 2x material,stand is simple and compact,saw is light
rigid has the bench with wheels,bench is narrow enough to easilly fit through doorways unlike some others,,,i like the dial "a" degree knob,and the motor has more power than the dewalt as it rips 2x material easier,,,because of the bench the rig requires more room in van which is why i wont buy one,call me silly but id rather carry the saw and have a simple folding (and save a great deal of space in the van) stand than have a stand with wheels and have to lift more weight to navigate stairs
__________________
i hate it when i hit the wrong nail !!!
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12-02-2008, 06:21 AM
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#9
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Member
Trade:
home construction
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grand Ledge, MI
Posts: 64
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Makita 10" jobsite: portable, tough, light, powerful - unbeatable with Rousseau stand.
Bob
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12-02-2008, 07:00 PM
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#10
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finish carpenter
Trade:
finish Carpenter/ renovations
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: ns, canada
Posts: 612
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bosch and ridgid beat the dewalt hands down,
ive used all three, i own a bosch and the current general and the last gc i worked for have the ridgid. their very similar other than the ridgid switch is smaller and sometimes tricky to find by feel. i can bomb a 2x into both at a fairly quick pace without them bogging down, where as the 2 dewalts ive used bogged down quite easily even in wet pine
now talking budget what are you talking $$ wise, the saws mentioned are $500-700, if you want something less consider a higher end ryobi, their cheaper than craftsman yet are the same saw only a different color scheme
__________________
cutting some wood
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12-02-2008, 07:20 PM
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#11
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Insert title
Trade:
Doors-Windows-Decks
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: MA&RI
Posts: 4,556
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HitchC&L
We have a Ridgid...works alright, nothing special and definitly not a high quality saw Id use for anything that had to be exact, the fence isnt very exact...but its a quality saw and reliable...so for a jobsite saw it works great.
Ive also used a dewalt, about the same
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I have a Ridgid with the fold up stand and wheels. It gets beat around in my trailer and other than a broken wheel (what a joy) it works great.
In reference to your fence, play with the 4 (I think) screws/bolts next to the lock, within a minute you can have it dead on. I had to tinker with mine well over a year ago and it is still perfect.
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12-02-2008, 11:10 PM
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#12
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Pro
Trade:
Frame to Finish and Concrete
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 195
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Bosch w/ gravity rise. Great saw. Excellent power.
__________________
A smart guy won't say anything and a dumb guy don't know the difference!
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12-02-2008, 11:11 PM
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#13
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Pro
Trade:
Frame to Finish and Concrete
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Nebraska
Posts: 195
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Quote:
Originally Posted by WarnerConstInc.
Hold it, Victorian Rennovation? Cheap little table saw only rip to 11" Something does not add up.
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Is that one of those old cast iron top hobby saws?
__________________
A smart guy won't say anything and a dumb guy don't know the difference!
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12-03-2008, 05:26 AM
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#14
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Aussie in Norway
Trade:
Carpenter and Painter
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Norway
Posts: 235
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I wish I had spent the money on a decent table saw. I went cheap as I usually used a circ saw with a guide to rip materials but here in Norway there are no standards on older houses. Everything I have to do from framing windows to cladding on houses has to be ripped through a table saw and much of it has to be dressed after that. PIA. Buy the absolute best you can. I was eye-balling the Bosch with the gravity rise stand but can't justify it until my cheapo falls/is pushed off a building.
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12-03-2008, 05:51 AM
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#15
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Member
Trade:
home construction
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grand Ledge, MI
Posts: 64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by samthedog
I was eye-balling the Bosch with the gravity rise stand but can't justify it until my cheapo falls/is pushed off a building.
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Rip some doug fir with a dull blade reversed - that should do it, then you can go out and get the saw you want.
Bob
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12-03-2008, 10:33 AM
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#16
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Sean
Trade:
General Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Cullman, AL
Posts: 3,419
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Quote:
Originally Posted by bob14-0
Rip some doug fir with a dull blade reversed - that should do it, then you can go out and get the saw you want.
Bob
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Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!
I would just accidentally run over it with a bobcat
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12-03-2008, 05:48 PM
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#17
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Pro
Trade:
Sure, what you got?
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Auburn Indiana
Posts: 3,893
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Sam, seems to me that a TS-55 or TS-75 would suit you well, I know you have to rig tapers on stuff as well, there is not much eaiser way to rip and cross cut odd shaped items.
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12-03-2008, 07:56 PM
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#18
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Member
Trade:
home construction
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Grand Ledge, MI
Posts: 64
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SLSTech
Warning: The topics covered on this site include activities in which there exists the potential for serious injury or death. ContractorTalk.com DOES NOT guarantee the accuracy or completeness of any information contained on this site. Always use proper safety precaution and reference reliable outside sources before attempting any construction or remodeling task!
I would just accidentally run over it with a bobcat
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The easiest solution would be a claw hammer shower!
Bob
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12-11-2008, 08:19 PM
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#19
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Member
Trade:
siding
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 43
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ryobi comes with a stand 99$ at home depot
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12-11-2008, 08:59 PM
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#20
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Faking my Way
Trade:
Architectural Trim and Punchlist Work
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Lebanon, NJ
Posts: 667
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http://www.amazon.com/JET-708315BTC-...9046561&sr=8-1
I have this table saw. It is a great little budget table saw. The bosch does beat it out with a larger table and better fence, but with a few mods I really like my Jet. It is lighter and the out-feed ext that comes with it makes up for the smaller table. I have a review on it over at Amazon...I will post it here. I just used the saw to make a Red Oak Arts and Crafts Style Bed frame....I can't say I have any complains for the money, but if i needed the saw for production work...I would get a Bosch, it is faster, but the Jet is just as able, tho a little slower to change settings on.
My Review....
I was in the market for a portable 10" table saw that had the ability to rip up to 24 inches. I have used Makita and Bosch portable table saws and I knew that Bosch was hard to beat but it cost alot more then I wanted to spend on a "job site" saw. I found this Jet here on Amazon and read the reviews...some great, some bad...I decided for the price and the features it offered I would give it a try and I am glad I did. While I still think the Bosch is a more accurate and faster table saw to use, the Jet is lighter, has a smaller footprint and costs half as much. I got mine in two days from Amazon and put it together. It went together easy but it did require that I do some adjustments to get everything square. Some of the locations of the set/lock screws for the adjustments could have been located better but I was able to get it done in a resonable amount of time.
Rip Fence.
Out of the box it is not that great...sloppy and hard to keep in square. The sides of the fence are not straight either, they have a bow to them height wise. I was able to tune up my fence by using a SLIGHT amount of JB Weld to tighten up tolerances where the fence meets the rail and I made an aux. fence out of hard wood that I bolted to the side of the rip fence. I tuned that to sit square to the table and all it well. Spray down the table and underside of the fence with Silicone and everything slides super nice.
Blade/Motor.
The blade and motor assemble seem pretty good...plenty of power, smooth running and I didn't notice much run out...but I didn't put a dial indicator on it either. I tuned mine a little further by putting small a 3 1/2 blade stablizer by Frued on it. I still get the full 3" rip height out of the blade.
Miter Gauge.
I have a Sliding Compound Miter saw....I don't do much cross cutting on the table saw...I set the miter gauge that came with the table saw to square and I am happy with it. It does what I need it to do which isn't much. 
Table.
The table is flat and has a decent amount of lead up before the blade as far as portable table saws go. The area behind the blade is small but b/c the table saw comes with an outfeed support I don't have any problems. In fact I like it b/c it makes the table saw smaller and lighter. The extension wing installed flush with the table right out of the box and does its job. It uses to "thumb screws" to lock the rods in place that it slides on which is not a nice as the Bosch but at the same time it does its job with no other side effects besides it a little slower to do.
All in all if you are not doing production trim work and are willing to tune up the saw a little bit this is a great value....
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