Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

--
HomeBrewer

http://home.earthlink.net/~t3e871/index.html
www.rcparkflyers.com
Remove the xxx to reply!

Thu, Feb 5, 2004, 5:29am (EST-1) (HomeBrewer)
says:
snip I always find a negative review or comment about said saw. snip

ROTFLMAO Then stop listening to people.

Doesn't matter what it is, some where, some time, some one, is
going to bad mouth whatever. So, just go outl, find something you like,
and can afford, and buy it. Hell, if I listened to people here, I
probably wouldn't have any of the tools I have, except maybe my Disston
saw, and possibly a hammer or two, and I bet I'd still get somebody
bitching about those. I don't ask anyone about what I SHOULD buy, after
all, they aren't laying out any money, so I don't figure anybody should
have a say in what I buy, besides me. Sometimes I have to go by what
I've got in my wallet, rather than what I'd prefer, but, it all works
out.

When I do buy something fairly expensive (to my standards, not some
people), I go out and look at what I want. I don't buy any tools sight
unseen, say from Amazon. But, I've pretty much got all I actually need,
so now only really wanting a decent, low-priced jointer, and an
air-compressor (my kids won't give me back mine, so I want a relatively
small-size one, and I'll paint it yellow, then they won't want to touch
it). LOL

JOAT
It's what you learn after you know it all that counts.
- Pete Maccarrone

Life just ain't life without good music. - JOAT
Web Page Update 4 Feb 2004.
Some tunes I like.
http://community-2.webtv.net/Jakofal...OMETUNESILIKE/

I just bought a new table saw. I read the reviews here and at:

http://www.rd.com/americanwoodworker...ontentId=2 44

Then I decided what features were important for me. Used my price range and
picked a saw. I think the important thing is focus on what features are
important and get the best fit you can. I don't think you can get
perfection.

Dave


"HomeBrewer" wrote in message
...
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I
want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford
a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No
matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

--
HomeBrewer

http://home.earthlink.net/~t3e871/index.html
www.rcparkflyers.com
Remove the xxx to reply!

HomeBrewer wrote:
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw.
I want to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I
cannot afford a cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my
hobby. I keep researching saws and finding good deals either online
or locally. No matter how sweet the deal, I always find a negative
review or comment about said saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the
absolute perfect contractor table saw, that I can run and buy before
I hear anything negative about it. My budget keeps lowering because
now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on that topic). I
can see spending $400-$450.

I upgraded from a Delta bench saw to a Grizzly G1022 contractor saw. It's
great! Having had the bench saw, I *really* appreciated the features of the
contractor saw -- large table top, accurate fence, standard miter slot
width, and the power to cut 3/4" plywood without bogging down.

Some of the first cuts I made with the G1022 was slicing thin crosscuts from
the end of a pine 2"x4" using the miter gauge. They weren't quite thin
enough to read through, but almost. g I was pretty excited. The Delta
bench saw couldn't get half that thin with the same carbide blade.
Vibrations would have the thin slice come off in chunks.

I thnk you'll be happy with whatever you get that's reasonable. It's a lot
like buying a pickup truck. Don't wait until everyone has agreed that GMC
is the only right one. g

-- Mark

HomeBrewer wrote:
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.


I've read numerous bad comments about my Ridgid TS2424 here. I've also noted
that they were never posted by people that actually owned the saw. Personally,
I've had no complaints myself and would buy it again.

Am I trying to suggest that it's perfect? Hardly. No doubt someone with far
greater skills than mine could find something wrong with it, but it serves my
needs well.

Decide what you want in a saw, and then look for one that provides it. You
aren't going to find perfection.

I recall recently reading a bunch of reviews of miter saw stands: I was
attracted to a Trojan 2000. Visiting a local store, I became unattracted when I
got to see a Delta stand already put together. I bought the Delta on the spot.
I already knew what aspects of the Delta made people bitch when I bought it, but
I am absolutely delighted with the thing. PITA to set up, but I'm past that, so
it's all good now.

Use those reviews judiciously.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

Maybe, but they would probably find a lot more strengths in it also. In all
of out searches for the perfect tool that will cut the perfect edge we
forget that the skill of the operator is the final strength that determines
how well the job is done. A man with the right skill and knowledge can turn
out a board as square and straight with a hand saw and plane as any machine
or group of machines ever made can make. find a good tool learn how to use
it and it will do the job needed for you. (as long as it's not yellow IMHO
;-) )

Am I trying to suggest that it's perfect? Hardly. No doubt someone with
far
greater skills than mine could find something wrong with it, but it serves
my
needs well.
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

Mortimer Schnerd writes:

I've read numerous bad comments about my Ridgid TS2424 here. I've also noted
that they were never posted by people that actually owned the saw.
Personally,
I've had no complaints myself and would buy it again.

I've run a Ridgid TS2424 for way over 18 months now, and find it a very useful
saw, with a decent fence. Is the fence a Biese or HTC? No. But it's accurate,
easy to set, easy to adjust. Power transmission with the 5 groove pulley and
flexible belt is very smooth and efficient. It went together fairly
quickly--I'm not at all sorry to see the passing of the days when you had to
wire the motor and the switch yourself from a set of instructions that might
please Genghis Khan but no one else. Motor is a 13 amp, IIRC (haven't looked
for about a year) and works for most woods up to 6/4. It's a bit weak on 8/4
hardwoods like oak, but that's a characteristic of contractor's saws in
general, not the TS2424 in particular. Currently running a 24 tooth Freud glue
line rip blade, but also use the Freud F410 a lot. Could use a T miter slot,
but that's not a critical item for me.

Andexpecting to get a Ridgid TS3630 soon. I'm curious to see what changes have
been made (I see solid wings in the photos) other than fence width.

Charlie Self
"A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other
way." Mark Twain
http://hometown.aol.com/charliediy/m.../business.html

"HomeBrewer" wrote in message ...
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

Even if I could afford a cabinet saw, I don't have the room! I'm
strongly considering the Delta 36-650. Lowes sells it for $499. It's
not left-tilt, and it doesn't have built-in dust collection, two
things I thought I wanted. But it seems pretty solid for the price.
See the below review for more info:

http://www.woodnet.net/toolreviews/t...aws_delta.html

Cheers,

Scott

"HomeBrewer" wrote in message
...


researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No
matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw.

Yep! That's life. Remember that 90% of the happy owners never log onto
Usenet and say "I'm so happy with my Acme Fribbitz Model 104!"

90% of the unhappy owners will logon and say "My Acme Fribbitz 104 is a
piece of dung!"



that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

Let $$ be your guide. Go for "bang for buck" - pick the new Griz contractor
saw and be done with it.

anything built before 1970.


okay, that's a bit of an oversimplification. get under the hood and
look for cracked castings and excessive wear. assume you will have to
replace the fence, some belts and bearings, maybe make a mobile base
for it.

what I did for the fence was get a biesemeyer from their
scratch-n-dent website and make the rails from locally purchased
steel.

Bridger



On Thu, 5 Feb 2004 05:29:28 -0600, "HomeBrewer"
wrote:

Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

"HomeBrewer" wrote in message ...
So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it.

The problem is there's no such thing. They all have strengths and
weaknesses, and no matter how popular any particular model is, each
one is sure to have a critic regarding certain specific issues, or
someone who had a bad customer service experience, etc. So forget
about a perfect saw.

Fortunately, you don't need a perfect saw. You just need a good one
that will accomplish what you want it to do, be of reasonably good
quality, with reasonable accuracy, ease of use and features, at a
reasonable price. The good news is that saws of this type are
plentiful, and you have several to choose from. Take a look at a
mid-level Jet, Delta, Powermatic contractor saw, and, perhaps,
Grizzly. You are unlikely to go too far wrong with any of the first
three, and, to a lesser extent, the fourth. Choose one that is within
your budget. You can always upgrade individual aspects (such as the
fence, a critical component) as your requirements change.
Alternatively, you can always sell one of these saws and upgrade to a
better one without taking too much of a beating on depreciation if you
maintain it well.

In short, don't obsess over it (this is not a criticism; I've done it
too). Just go choose a saw from a reputable manufacturer within your
budget. Buy the best one of these you can afford. Within these
parameters, it doesn't really matter that much which one you choose.
It's more important that you just get one and start cutting wood with
it.

Also, try not to look back too much and second-guess yourself. Just
enjoy your new saw. Good luck with your choice. You're about to
purchase a tool which will bring you many hours of joy.

I have the 36-650, and I'm happy with it. Hell, I'd be happy with
anything after that old monkey wards 9" TS I will have waiting to be
scrapped.

But seriously, It is a good saw. I did quite a bit of research, and
wound up buying it locally at the farm supply store on sale. Take the
time to tune it up. I'm not sure of the blade that comes with it,
haven't done any heavy duty, long term cutting on it yet, just small
stuff. But hey, maybe I'll find a good deal at the woodworking show in a
couple of weeks.

John

T. wrote:

Thu, Feb 5, 2004, 5:29am (EST-1) (HomeBrewer)
says:
snip I always find a negative review or comment about said saw. snip

ROTFLMAO Then stop listening to people.



I was so happy with my tools. Until I found this group. Now I'm so unhappy I
have to sell everything and start over.

Not frigging hardly.


This group reminds me allot of a buddy (not friend) of mine. I have this old
1982 Sherwood amp with Fisher Studio speakers. I tell him it's twenty years old
and it still rocks. He launches into some prattle using manufacturers names and
cryptic model numbers and the attributes and detriments of each and how my
Sherwood and Fisher compares.

If I took this person seriously I would have sledge hammered the amp and speakers.

Funny thing is, while watching TV it's awful hard to tell between the neighbors
dog and the TV dog, when theres a siren we look to see if there are flashing
lights outside, and thank you for custom phone ring tones.


If you listen to what every goofball has to say you'll find yourself right where
you are, Dazed and Confused.

OTOH, your looking for something perfect which either marks you as a troll, or
you haven't enough life experience to realize nothings perfect and your
expectations are unrealistic.

Buy used. That way when something's not perfect you can live with it because it
didn't cost that much.


--

Mark

N.E. Ohio


Never argue with a fool, a bystander can't tell you apart. (S. Clemens, A.K.A.
Mark Twain)

When in doubt hit the throttle. It may not help but it sure ends the suspense.
(Gaz, r.moto)

HomeBrewer wrote:
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw.
I want to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I
cannot afford a cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my
hobby. I keep researching saws and finding good deals either online
or locally. No matter how sweet the deal, I always find a negative
review or comment about said saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the
absolute perfect contractor table saw, that I can run and buy before
I hear anything negative about it. My budget keeps lowering because
now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on that topic). I
can see spending $400-$450.

I bought my used Unisaw (1985, three phase, mint condition, only drawback
being the Jetlock fence) for $400. Found it on ebay and it was 20 miles from
my house and on my way home from work. You can find one if you're patient.

Ok, I did it - I searched and searched - and I bought a saw. The Ridgid
TS3650 Table Saw from HD. I got it out of the door for $530, with a coupon I
had. I just got it put together and adjusted late last night and can't wait
to rip a board today. Now, let 's hear the negative stuff about this
saw...Let me have it!

--
HomeBrewer

http://home.earthlink.net/~t3e871/index.html
www.rcparkflyers.com
Remove the xxx to reply!



"HomeBrewer" wrote in message
...
Ok, here's my problem. I have an el cheapo delta benchtop table saw. I
want
to upgrade to a very precise, heavy duty contractors saw. I cannot afford
a
cabinet saw and probably couldn't justify it for my hobby. I keep
researching saws and finding good deals either online or locally. No
matter
how sweet the deal, I always find a negative review or comment about said
saw. So, someone PLEASE tell me the absolute perfect contractor table saw,
that I can run and buy before I hear anything negative about it. My budget
keeps lowering because now I HAVE to have a new jointer (new post later on
that topic). I can see spending $400-$450.

--
HomeBrewer

http://home.earthlink.net/~t3e871/index.html
www.rcparkflyers.com
Remove the xxx to reply!

On Fri, 6 Feb 2004 05:22:29 -0600, "HomeBrewer"
wrote:

Ok, I did it - I searched and searched - and I bought a saw. The Ridgid
TS3650 Table Saw from HD. I got it out of the door for $530, with a coupon I
had. I just got it put together and adjusted late last night and can't wait
to rip a board today. Now, let 's hear the negative stuff about this
saw...Let me have it!



you have been assimilated.....

Mark wrote:

I was so happy with my tools. Until I found this group. Now I'm so unhappy
I have to sell everything and start over.

Not frigging hardly.

It doesn't pay to compete with these guys anyway. Half of them are
millionaires, it seems like. Went out to buy some beer, and decided to
pick up a new Super Skitrzfl 1000XL 24" jointer with a six-phase 1800V
motor and its own nuclear generation plant, plus a Duper Drfzltpf LX 16"
table saw with 320" rip capacity, Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fence (a $1200 add
on for only $1150, what a bargain, at La Maison des Hautes Prix), and a 500
cu. in. big block Chevy power plant converted to run on beer farts. (But
only if you drink $7 a bottle beer. It doesn't run on Bud farts.)

Ah, sour grapes, I really want one of those Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fences.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

Silvan wrote in
:

Mark wrote:

I was so happy with my tools. Until I found this group. Now I'm so
unhappy I have to sell everything and start over.

Not frigging hardly.

It doesn't pay to compete with these guys anyway. Half of them are
millionaires, it seems like. Went out to buy some beer, and decided
to pick up a new Super Skitrzfl 1000XL 24" jointer with a six-phase
1800V motor and its own nuclear generation plant, plus a Duper
Drfzltpf LX 16" table saw with 320" rip capacity,

I got one of theese on Ebay for $35.00 last week. The widow of a guy
with no fingers was getting rid or it. Bad memories. She was so angry
that when I offerd her $240,000.00 for it she refused. She wanted to
"diss" the thing so she insisted that I only pay her $35.00 for it.

Shipping was $12,000.00.

On Fri, 06 Feb 2004 18:43:28 -0500, Silvan
wrote:

Mark wrote:

I was so happy with my tools. Until I found this group. Now I'm so unhappy
I have to sell everything and start over.

Not frigging hardly.

It doesn't pay to compete with these guys anyway. Half of them are
millionaires, it seems like. Went out to buy some beer, and decided to
pick up a new Super Skitrzfl 1000XL 24" jointer with a six-phase 1800V
motor and its own nuclear generation plant, plus a Duper Drfzltpf LX 16"
table saw with 320" rip capacity, Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fence (a $1200 add
on for only $1150, what a bargain, at La Maison des Hautes Prix), and a 500
cu. in. big block Chevy power plant converted to run on beer farts. (But
only if you drink $7 a bottle beer. It doesn't run on Bud farts.)

Ah, sour grapes, I really want one of those Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fences.



if you wait a few mor months rippo has announced the new improved
Rip-o-Luxe 30000 to be released in april...

Silvan wrote:
Mark wrote:

I was so happy with my tools. Until I found this group. Now I'm so unhappy
I have to sell everything and start over.

Not frigging hardly.

It doesn't pay to compete with these guys anyway. Half of them are
millionaires, it seems like. Went out to buy some beer, and decided to
pick up a new Super Skitrzfl 1000XL 24" jointer with a six-phase 1800V
motor and its own nuclear generation plant,


If you paid more than $50 million for the nuclear power plant, you got screwed.
Besides, solar energy is the only kind to use these days if you had any class.



--
Mortimer Schnerd, RN


http://www.mortimerschnerd.com

Joe Willmann wrote:

1800V motor and its own nuclear generation plant, plus a Duper
Drfzltpf LX 16" table saw with 320" rip capacity,

"diss" the thing so she insisted that I only pay her $35.00 for it.

Shipping was $12,000.00.

You still got a hell of a bargain. You suck!

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

Bridger wrote:

Ah, sour grapes, I really want one of those Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fences.

if you wait a few mor months rippo has announced the new improved
Rip-o-Luxe 30000 to be released in april...

Is that the one that's guaranteed accurate to 0.000000000001" for life?

Anything less will make terrible cuts, after all, so I want the best.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

Mortimer Schnerd, RN wrote:

pick up a new Super Skitrzfl 1000XL 24" jointer with a six-phase 1800V
motor and its own nuclear generation plant,

If you paid more than $50 million for the nuclear power plant, you got
screwed. Besides, solar energy is the only kind to use these days if you
had any class.

Solar won't produce enough amps.

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 11:45:10 -0500, Silvan
wrote:

Bridger wrote:

Ah, sour grapes, I really want one of those Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fences.

if you wait a few mor months rippo has announced the new improved
Rip-o-Luxe 30000 to be released in april...

Is that the one that's guaranteed accurate to 0.000000000001" for life?

Anything less will make terrible cuts, after all, so I want the best.


You'll need an aftermarket jig, for another million, to make sure.

Barry

I still think you coulda got it for $5 less if you had just held out
and not jumped on the first bargin you see.



On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 17:15:11 GMT, B a r r y B u r k e J r .
wrote:

On Sun, 08 Feb 2004 11:45:10 -0500, Silvan
wrote:

Bridger wrote:

Ah, sour grapes, I really want one of those Rip-o-Luxe 24000 XLX fences.

if you wait a few mor months rippo has announced the new improved
Rip-o-Luxe 30000 to be released in april...

Is that the one that's guaranteed accurate to 0.000000000001" for life?

Anything less will make terrible cuts, after all, so I want the best.


You'll need an aftermarket jig, for another million, to make sure.

Barry

Silvan wrote:

If you paid more than $50 million for the nuclear power plant, you
got screwed. Besides, solar energy is the only kind to use these
days if you had any class.

Solar won't produce enough amps.

Get the "Square Miles In Space" option. ;-)

-- Mark

Mark Jerde wrote:

got screwed. Besides, solar energy is the only kind to use these
days if you had any class.

Solar won't produce enough amps.

Get the "Square Miles In Space" option. ;-)

Have they finally started renting out the moon then?

--
Michael McIntyre ---- Silvan
Linux fanatic, and certified Geek; registered Linux user #243621
http://www.geocities.com/Paris/Rue/5407/