On Sun, 04 Sep 2005 07:40:53 -0500, Hedley wrote:
Save up your $--you'll need a bit more to get a decent table saw
unless you can find a used one.


Hi, this was good advice.

A GOOD table saw lasts a very long time and is user-maintainable /
repairable (assuming that the user has a couple noodles in his bowl).

At a garage sale, I bought a $150 Craftsman contractors saw with the
original fence. I trued up the trunion so that the blade runs parallel to
the miter slots (okay, it's out of parellel by about .001") and I added a
sub-face to the fence. I also got a few zero-clearance inserts and decent
blades (the DeWalt 40 tooth carbide is $50 from Woodcraft, prolly less
elsewhere and is a good blade). That's it.

It isn't a production saw by any means. But I can run stock through it
and get smooth parallel cuts at the desired dimension, make finger
joints, slots, grooves, tenons and miters that are as good as they need
to be. I use it in the evenings to knock out odds & ends for our home.

Maybe someday I'll drop a wad of cash on a dream saw. Maybe not ... this
20 year old Craftsman 10" is still running fine. In fact, I'm posting to
the list today about making an accessory for it.

Bill