Table Saw?

CJ21

Hello Fellow contractors, I am wondering what table saw would u guys remend for job site and home use. A professional benchtop table saw or contractors table saw?

dougchips

I use a Ridgid model with the attached base that folds down. The deck expands so you can rip full sheets of plywood.

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BuiltByMAC

I've got a Makita 2703 10" saw mounted in the add-on table top at my shop. I'm pretty happy with it. I don't bring a table saw to the jobsite. If I have just a few boards to rip, I'll pop lines and use my Skil. I used to bring a little Skil 10" table saw to my jobsites but quickly found it cumbersome and difficult to set up the work area properly.

If I have a lot of ripping to do, I'll bring the wood to the shop where I can control my environment better - set up my outfeed rollers on level ground, keep sawdust out of the HO's backyard, have something to do when it's raining, etc.

Mac

RobertCDF

Your nuts... Sawdust is part of the project. Not on the deck surface duh. But in the yard? It blows away.

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CJ21

Ok thanks guys I have a cheap benchtop table saw, but I will be upgrading to a Jet cabinet saw finishing my building construction degree.

Chris Johnson

I use a Bosch, I found it has the best guide (Holds securely). Others I've tried the guide walks on you. Mind you I'm cutting styrofoam not wood

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Teetorbilt

If the job warrants it, the old Delta 12" is trucked to the site. Nothing beats the security of cast iron and copper wound motors if you have a lot to do in a hurry.

I've had a couple of 10" Ridgid's and 3 Craftsman's in the field up to 10 yrs. and all have performed well. Using quality and sharp blades is just as important as the saw itself, most come with a cheap, "multi-purpose", blade that really does nothing well.

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Tmrrptr

Mostly use a guide and a 77 because lugging a tablesaw around is difficult.
r

joasis

I bought a Ridgid job site saw, fold up version, and it is great......the trim carpenters didn't even bring their saw in, and used mine....I think one of them is going to grab one next time it is on sale...$400....maybe $350.

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BuiltByMAC

I drop tarp below my work area, and sweep up the piles of sawdust at the end of the day to try to keep it from blowing all over their yard. I shoot for zero intrusion, though in some situations it's easier than others. On new construction sites, I don't worry about it because the landscapers come in behind me.

When I'm on the deck, I've got canvas drop cloths that touch the decking, double layer tarp goes over that to protect against sawhorse feet, dropped cuttings, my tools, etc. Depending on how muddy it is around the deck, I'll bring an extra set of shoes for wearing on the deck surface only.

I try to make their experience with me as pleasant as possible. That helps with the referrals and my reputation.

Mac

MikeNeufeld

PErsonal Experience with ridgid, the biggest crap u can buy, had run thru 2 table saw's replaced by warrenty... I do Trim work, and these table saws are not up to snuff. Go Bosch, Dewalt or Makita.....

KentWhitten

Even though I bash Bosch, I have their 10" saw and it is a pretty damn good saw. Has a soft start, place for a spare blade, nice fence, opens up to 25" wide(or something close) and relatively decent weight that you can pack around.

I've got a delta contractor saw also. Cast iron with the steel extensions. Tried a few times taking it to the jobsite and it's just a PITA.

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RobertCDF

Thats odd as a lot of my tools are ridgid and I think they hold up very well, including the saw in question here. I dont use the saw a lot but when I do it is usually to rip a lot of stuff so I run it for a couple hours straight and it keeps going.

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PrecisionFloors

I have used a lot of jobsite saws in my day and imho the Dewalt has them all beat by a wide margin based on just the fence alone. That rack-n- pinion deal is sweet. Mine bounces around in the truck all the time and the fence gets out of adjustment maybe twice a year. About the only thing I could think of to make it better would be lower weight and more power.

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Greg Di

Have you seen the DW745? It's quickly becoming the favorite saw of many carpenters because it has the r&p fence but is smaller in size and weight than the old 744. I wouldn't trade mine for the world.

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Rich Turley

One of my best tool buys was Hitachi. http://www.tylertool.com/hic110tasaww.html

This saw is very portable, I can carry with one hand. Attatches to the stand quickly without any loose bolts or nuts to lose.

Rips a sheet of plywood.

Hook your dry/wet vac into the dust port and it is virtually sawdust free.

Cuts well.

Doesn't break the bank.

Rich

dayspring

I own a Ridgid TS2424, several years old, it is much too heavy to tote from job to job. It has been an excellent saw though. I also own a Bosch jobsite saw (gravity lift)and for everyday jobsite use it has performed flawlessly, easy to set up/break down, accurate fence and plenty of power.

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MikeNeufeld

didnt mean to come off as saying I was hating on ridgid. I know there one line of jigsaw is made in germany by metabo, and it is an outstanding jigsaw.. I guess my luck with them is just not good, although I was fully refunded due to them having a really good warrenty.

Forry

10 yr old makita 10". Still going strong. The fence is stupid, but after 10 years its second nature to me.

Nail banger

Just picked up a Hitachi 10" love the saw, we ripped a couple hundred feet of 2x4 mahagoney with no issues. Great price at $250