"Glen" wrote in message
...
My table saw (a used Taiwanese import I bought used about 15 years ago)

I bought a Rigid 110V saw when they first came out I think about tenor
twelve years ago. I basically looked for the most expensive saw I could
find available RIGHT NOW and figured I would have the best chance of getting
a decent saw. I would not call it cabinet grade, but it has been used for
cabinets, window framing, trim, framing, and cutting marine aluminum. The
saw itself still works just fine. I had a couple minor issues with range of
movement when angling the blade, but most of the time I have the blade set
at 90 deg to the table anyway. The only other issue I have is after ten
years some of the leg screws backed out. Probably a result of movement and
abuse as I have had it on several different sites and used it for everything
and it still works perfectly, and rips 3/4 ply with ease if you do not try
to force feed when needed. Its my understanding that Hitachi makes their
motors now, but that's not a bad thing. My Hitachi miter saw is much older
(16-17 years) and been used for much the same kind of work.

I am not a cabinet grade carpenter or even a carpenter, but this saw still
does decent work. If I am doing precise work I always put a tape from the
fence to the blade on both the lead and the following edges. For rough work
I just use the guide scale and go.

I would like to add that my Uncle Paul is a cabinet grade carpenter.
Actually detail quality might be a better description. He has an ancient
220V saw in his work shop with a giant table. When he was asked to spend a
couple years before he retired managing a plant outside of his home town he
decided not to move his entire shop. Instead he setup a smaller shop in his
temporary home and among the things he selected was the same model Rigid saw
as mine. It has a roller base with a step/kick pedal to set it down solid
when working. Mine gets moved constantly. His probably got used as a
stationary tool.

Its not super cheap, but its not the price of a big stationary Jet or Delta
either. Its way better than either of the Sears Crapsmen table saws I used
in the past. I have a big 220V Delta 12" radial arm saw that I almost never
use because the Rigid table saw does most things I need, and I can move it
around to wherever is convenient.