Table saw rec's.

[waynecrider]

I need a smaller bench top hobby type table saw to cut lens boards, finger joints and 1/4" planks for fixing old Graflex / Graphic type cameras. I'd prefer something other then the $99 Ryobi Home Depot special. Any suggestions for a good one?

 

[Dinesh]

I have the Bosch 4000T. It about as good a bench saw as you will find. It has a nice flat table and a great fence.

Good luck.

 

[reellis67]

It's all about the fence on a smaller table saw. Many of the little ones don't sport fences that can stay straight very well, so check carefully when you are doing your evaluation. I can't really make any recommendations because I've got a BT-3000, which is a bit larger than what you were looking for...

- Randy

 

[johnnywalker]

I have a small Makita with an 8 inch blade that is very well made. It weren't cheap tho. I agree with Randy about the fences, and this one is very good. I also use it for picture frames.

 

[noseoil]

Wayne, don't forget to find a very good carbide blade or two. Get a rip blade and a combination blade for cross-cutting. The cuts will only be as good as the blade, no matter which saw / fence combination you are running. tim

 

[Dave Parker]

Wayne,

do you have a harbor freight store close to you, if so, they have a small bench top that uses 4" blades, I have one of these and it is great for what your looking to do, very stable fence and came with both a combo as well as a rip blade, its on sale this month for $40, I love mine for those small projects that don't require the larger saw.

Dave

 

[wildbill]

I've used several saws in the past and even the pricey ones can have sloppy fences. I recently picked up a craftsman on sale for about $130. My dad's got the same model. It comes with a stand you bolt together and the fence is pretty decent. It's also got slide out extensions for 4x8 sheets. Model #21803. I made a reducing back for my 8x10, 4x10 slider panel, and several lens boards so far without any accuracy problems. Get yourself a 7 1/4 inch plywood blade for fine work, they're cheap and you usually don't need bigger.
vinny

 

[waynecrider]

Wayne,

do you have a harbor freight store close to you, if so, they have a small bench top that uses 4" blades, I have one of these and it is great for what your looking to do, very stable fence and came with both a combo as well as a rip blade, its on sale this month for $40, I love mine for those small projects that don't require the larger saw.

Dave

Thanks everyone. I just checked and found out one is close by. I'll give it a look. Probably will check the Makita as well.

 

[colivet]

Get a push stick too!

 

[Curt]

I have a Powermatic 66 but for a smaller one don't get the Ryobi. A cast iron table is a plus for the precision and great fence is an absolute for safety. A cheap one can be dangerous and won't give very good results.

 

[Mark Fisher]

Try
http://www.micromark.com/
They have a great variety of serious small power tools that I can recommend. We have a set of these at our model shop at work for any small work we do.

 

[Allen Friday]

http://www.sawstop.com/

I post this for all who use a table saw, even though it is much more expensive that the one mentioned in this thread. Hopefully this technology will be available soon in all table saws.

Be sure to check out the "hot dog video."

 

[Colin Graham]

http://www.sawstop.com/

I post this for all who use a table saw, even though it is much more expensive that the one mentioned in this thread. Hopefully this technology will be available soon in all table saws.

Be sure to check out the "hot dog video."

That's truly remarkable. My father-in-law had three pins put into the fingers of his right hand after a table saw mishap a few years back. There fingers are still there, but he still cant really use them.

 

[photobum]

These little table top and off brand saws (including Craftsman) are OK for cutting light plywood or soft pine. If you are looking for a long, square cut in a heavy piece of oak you need a saw with some guts to it. The Powermatic that Curt has is about the best saw made. I use a Delta contractors saw. Very heavy with an open base and easy to enclose. They can also be wired for 220 volts, that helps prevent stalling. The best light saw made is a Inca. Very hard to find.

Now before you flame me, try cutting a piece of 5/4 rock maple. You can see the light saws torque right off square during the cut.

If your only making lensboards any saw will work.

 

[phfitz]

Allen Friday,

Thanks for the link, damn interesting. Expensive? Compared to an injury?

"http://www.sawstop.com/

I post this for all who use a table saw, even though it is much more expensive that the one mentioned in this thread. Hopefully this technology will be available soon in all table saws.

Be sure to check out the "hot dog video.""

 

[Papa Tango]

These little table top and off brand saws (including Craftsman) are OK for cutting light plywood or soft pine. If you are looking for a long, square cut in a heavy piece of oak you need a saw with some guts to it. The Powermatic that Curt has is about the best saw made. I use a Delta contractors saw. Very heavy with an open base and easy to enclose. They can also be wired for 220 volts, that helps prevent stalling. The best light saw made is a Inca. Very hard to find.

Now before you flame me, try cutting a piece of 5/4 rock maple. You can see the light saws torque right off square during the cut.

If your only making lensboards any saw will work.

Photobum makes a serious point here. I have always believed in buying the best tool for the job that I could afford (and sometimes more...). The point is that as skills improve and projects expand, the limitations of light craft and hobbyist grade power tools shows up really quickly. And then the expense is had of getting the better grade equipment or tool anyway.

 

[John Koehrer]

Dremel once upon a time made a really nice 4" table saw with an adjustable fence that was capable of very fine adjustment. They no longer support the saw so I'm looking for replacement belts. For 1/4" material it works fine any thing else better be a really soft wood.

 

[bdial]

If you only intend to do small work, then a Proxxon may fill the bill.

http://www.woodcraft.com/family.aspx?FamilyID=4905