Looking to Purchase New Portable Table Saw - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

TurnkeyConst · 04-15-2009, 09:16 AM

Hey Guys!

Well here lately we have lost time on jobs due to not having an adequate table saw for ripping materials. So I am asking for your advice on a table saw wit portable stand. It will be residing in my enclosed trailer and know it will take up space but I am willing to sacrifice. If you guys could give me advice on equipment whether something that is working great for you or whichever. I am prob looking to spend 6-700$ on a credit card.

Things we may need to do with it:
possibly rip plywood when needed for shelving
Ripping small boards for fillers, etc.
Also many other things that involve ripping and requiring straight cuts.

I appreciate any advice you can provide.

WarnerConstInc. · 04-15-2009, 09:33 AM

Bosch with the gravity rise stand, this is an old subject. Use the search feature.

TrimmanVa · 04-15-2009, 09:44 AM

the ridgid table saw is the best portable ive used and ive used most all.

TurnkeyConst · 04-15-2009, 09:45 AM

Hey thanks! That's what I was looking @. I couldn't get the search feature to work in my browser on my blackberry. Thanks a bunch!

Five Star · 04-15-2009, 10:40 AM

ive been pretty happy with the new makita 2704 it comes with a stand and you can rip 2x4s standing up on edge,cut height of blade is 3 5/8. and it has eletric brake

EIDOL · 04-15-2009, 11:20 AM

I have 10" ridgid that i have own for three years, it's the best one that i have ever used.
The fence locks and stays put even when ripping full sheets of ply also the table expands to allow rips up to 25"
the dust shoot dia. is sized so you can attach a shop vac this really helps with the dust and clean up.
It's light enough that i can get out of my truck by myself.
Also it will run on extension cord i have a 50' 12 wire cord for this doesn't seem to affect performance
this saw has hundreds of hours of use and still going strong
Its' in your price range folds up and has wheels to

TurnkeyConst · 04-15-2009, 11:34 AM

Thanks guys!
I will check them out. We used to purchase Ridgid tools till we had several problems out of several tools and finally gave up, kinda like we did with dewalt! So this evening maybe I can swing by and check out both the makita and the ridgid to compare to the bosch.

EIDOL · 04-15-2009, 12:14 PM

Let me guess you had trouble with the switches on dewalt tools

TurnkeyConst · 04-15-2009, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by EIDOL

Let me guess you had trouble with the switches on dewalt tools

we have had switch problems on both dewalts and ridgid tools. We have almost given up on them. Even after being sent for warranty work it is only a matter of time before it happens again. I have a bosch skil saw that I have been most pleased with!

woodworkbykirk · 04-15-2009, 09:13 PM

bosch is the best one out next to the saw stop

the ridgid is a decent saw when new and maintained, ive used two of them. one was maintained, the other had a bad switch, and the fence was out of wack, not to mention the guy who owned it had been running the same blade on it for 2 years without sharpening. imagine having to force mdf through it and it bogging down.

i own the bosch, the only issue ive had with it so far is the back ache i get from carrying it around as i dont have teh gravity rise but the older fold down stand

jiffy · 04-15-2009, 10:12 PM

I'll go on a limb and say I like the Makita's better than Bosch just because the Makita Gravity stand is much easier to use in my opinion.

Five Star · 04-16-2009, 07:55 AM

jiffy, i agree with you on the makita being nicer than the bosch,the stand is solid and the power is incredible,especially if you rip lumber and with 3 5/8 blade hieght i find my self ripping 2x4s on edge all the time.

**Double-A** · 04-16-2009, 05:42 PM

The new Bosch model is a really nice saw. I like it for two good reasons. First and foremost is the riving knife. Even if your guys jerk the blade guard off of the saw, the riving knife stays put. It goes up and down with the blade and it will save someone from serious injury, even if they don't realize it.

With all the Southern Yellow Pine in use and its tendency to close up and pinch blades, its a wonder more folks aren't in the hospital.

The second reason is, its a Bosch.

bob14-0 · 04-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Makita 10" table saw w/Rousseau stand - hard to beat for power, accuracy and portability. That being said, if I were choosing a saw today, I'd drop the coin on a SawStop.

Bob

TurnkeyConst · 04-16-2009, 07:13 PM

Well I made the purchase today! I decided to buy the Bosch. Table saw. Already after a couple hours on the job it started saving money. Not owning a really nice saw has been our downfall numerous times. But we have solved it now. The gravity stand will take some getting used to, but it is well worth the investment. If the bosch doesn't hold up I will go for the Makita. I look forward to many hours going on this tool and well worth the investment. Thanks everyone for their advice! I kept after every reply and appreciate all the response even though it was an old topic. Thanks guys!

WarnerConstInc. · 04-16-2009, 08:04 PM

Many years of good use in your future.

**Double-A** · 04-16-2009, 08:14 PM

Do yourself a favor and drop some more coin on a rip blade. It makes all the difference in the world. If you think that saw is chewing through lumber now with the stock blade, you'll think you've died and gone to heaven with a decent rip blade.

TurnkeyConst · 04-16-2009, 08:16 PM

As far as a rip blade any particular brand? If they are like 7 1/4 blades it will take forever to find a decent brand!

WarnerConstInc. · 04-16-2009, 08:24 PM

Easy one to find, Tenryu. Harder to find but, the best blade you can buy, Matsush!ta.

TurnkeyConst · 04-16-2009, 08:42 PM

Ill look around for them. If all else fails I should be able to order one online I hope. I have learned that if you purchase a good blade it will make life easier! Maybe not life but cutting wood for sure!