Grtechguy wrote: Edit 2: This one has a router table built in as well http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4731288797.html
I have basically an older version of that same Craftsman saw, it's pretty solid. But that one in St. Louis has an accessory fence, or if it is original to the saw it is greatly upgraded from the one that came on my model. That would be REAL nice to have.
SEADave wrote:Grtechguy wrote: Edit 2: This one has a router table built in as well http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4731288797.htmlI have basically an older version of that same Craftsman saw, it's pretty solid. But that one in St. Louis has an accessory fence, or if it is original to the saw it is greatly upgraded from the one that came on my model. That would be REAL nice to have.
My saw is pretty much the older version of that one as well, and I'm happy with it.
One thing to remember about any used saw is it's likely to require some tuneup and adjustment once you get it home, to make sure everything is straight and true.
psteav wrote: Wow, this kinda blew up. What do y'all think of this one? http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4763676370.html dusterbd13, I'd love to take you up on your offer, but you're about eight states away, and I don't even wanna think what shipping that thing would run. Thanks though.
I wouldn't call that a table saw. It's more like a saw on a table.
Completely inadequate for furniture making. 1940's vintage, terribly inaccurate, awkward cutting on the tilt table, and possibly a 6 1/2" blade (You want a 10"). Don't make her have to use that.
Most of the advice in this thread is spot on. Your budget is extremely tight for a tool that would actually be useful.
And you really should have bought that Delta. That's a fine tool, at a tenth of it's value.
I have a Ryobi cabinet saw that's not too bad. It's about 25 years old.
It's similar to this, but much more abused.
In your price range, I'd definitely be looking at used if it's an option. You will get a whole lot more saw for your money. The larger the table the better for furniture building.
Cast iron is king when it comes to cabinet saws. I'd love to have one. My band saw has a cast table. Like Wally said, waxing the deck will solve the rust and sticking issues. I use standard automotive wax and it lasts a long time. I have also seen them laminated with Formica. It costs you about 1/16" of cut depth, but it's slick, durable, never rusts and you won't have to kill someone when they set their drink on the table.
OK, I get it, the Delta is/was a good deal....it is also SEVEN HOURS DRIVE. If it's that screaming a deal, it won't be there this weekend, and that's the absolute soonest I could go get it.
I also understand (now) that $200 will not buy anything new that's worth having, and that it'll be a stretch to find something used in that range. Looks like she's gonna get a miter saw for Christmas instead and I'll keep on the lookout for a decent used table saw this winter.
Are you still in Columbia, MO?
If so, I'd be looking for something like this.
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/tls/4764749688.html
A lot of the older Craftsman stuff isn't bad. This saw looks to have a cast table. The fence probably isn't the best in the world, but you can upgrade it for her birthday.
I have a Craftsman that I got a number of years ago, but it cost about 3 times your budget. Being a retired shop teacher I use it a lot for many different kinds of projects and it has done very well. I like being able to rip a full sheet of plywood lengthwise.
Toyman01 wrote: Are you still in Columbia, MO? If so, I'd be looking for something like this. http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/tls/4764749688.html A lot of the older Craftsman stuff isn't bad. This saw looks to have a cast table. The fence probably isn't the best in the world, but you can upgrade it for her birthday.
Yeah, the fences on old Craftsman table saws weren't the greatest, but they can still work fine - you just have to take more time setting them to make sure they are parallel to the blade.
psteav wrote: ...wants to start building furniture...
This isn't the world of contactor saws with little tables. Furniture making tends to use big table saws with massive tables. Generally 220 volt.
If you're in the Maryland area, I know where you can get a nice setup, with many gee-gaws included. But it won't be for a mere $200.
Toyman01 wrote: Are you still in Columbia, MO? If so, I'd be looking for something like this. http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/tls/4764749688.html A lot of the older Craftsman stuff isn't bad. This saw looks to have a cast table. The fence probably isn't the best in the world, but you can upgrade it for her birthday.
My father has that saw, and mine is similar but a bit older. The fence is a bit fussy but useable. My father made all his kitchen cabinets and some furniture with his as did my grandfather with mine. I made a birdhouse and nicked a finger.
Ive built tons of furniture with a contractor saw. Cast iron table, modified fence, shop made extension tables. Good blade. Good tuneup. Zero clearance insert. I miss my old woodshop.
psteav wrote: Wow, this kinda blew up. What do y'all think of this one? http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4763676370.html dusterbd13, I'd love to take you up on your offer, but you're about eight states away, and I don't even wanna think what shipping that thing would run. Thanks though.
people give me those all the time. i think i've had 4 or 5. i set one up in my dad's shop, the rest are gone(given away or scrapped if motor bad)
i bought the $500 hitachi contractor's saw last year at a garage sale for $150. it wasn't even used enough to mark the label on the factory blade. keep an eye out for used for sure.
psteav:
I did a bunch of hunting like this about a year or so ago, so I feel your pain. I took a look on the Columbia, Mo and St Louis Craigslists sites. Found a couple of saws that might be interesting:
http://columbiamo.craigslist.org/tls/4796313273.html - Dewalt DW746 Hybrid Table Saw - Built like a cabinet saw, but with the trunnions (saw guts) mounted to the table and not the cabinet - $250. Looks like it needs a little cleaning, but it would be a really nice saw if you could get it. Biggest warning flags.. Dewalt discontinued it some time ago and the motor is custom to the table and not repairable. If the motor fails, it is like $380 from Dewalt. 1 3/4 HP. Runs on 120v/20A. If the extensions as cast iron, that is a nice upgrade. Default was steel...
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4779798592.html - Rigid TS2412 - $180 - This is a more recent version of the standard craftsman belt drive table saw (Made by Emerson Electric Co. Made the Craftsman saws since the 50's before they got shipped over to Taiwan). This one has a better fence than you will see on most of the Craftsman saws. Good aftermarket fences go for Big bucks, so this is a nice upgrade. Biggest concern here is that the extensions are probably steel and not cast iron. However, since it is an emerson saw, you can always keep an eye out for old Craftsman cast iron extensions and replace them. Its in Belleville, IL.
Like Dusterbd13 said, you can do great work with the craftsman belt driven saws once you have dialed it in. Biggest complaints are usually related to the fence.
Get a link belt (Harbor Freight has them for like $18 with a 25% off coupon). Machined pulleys are also a nice upgrade too. Inline Industries sells a whole kit with the belt and pulleys. It will reduce the vibration from the motor/belt significantly. Less vibration means cleaner cuts.
I'd stay away from any direct drive saw (the current contractor saws, small tables, plastic bases). The best way to describe them is they are a circular saw attached upside down to a table.
Good Luck,
-Mike
One more thing. Saw blades. With most of the saws you will be looking at in the <$200 range, they will probably be <1.5 hp 110v saws. You will probably want thin-kerf blades to make the most of the limited power of these types of saws.
All I know about them is that they take up as much room as a pool table, the blades are worth a kings ransom and they make more mess than sanding bodywork. Plus I dont need sawdust in the same garage I weld in.
I also know that my buddy has a really nice one when I need to (make him) use it.
Here were are few other options. Don't know how far away they are:
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4756743532.html - Mid 80's Craftsman. $100. Needs some cleanup and a better rip fence.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4774107477.html - $125/bo. Similar to above...
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4754266860.html - $150. Ask for the model number. If it is a 113. model, it is an Emerson Electric. If it is 315., then it is a TTI/Ryobi. Outsourced to Taiwan and not as good as the Emerson one. This has either the cast iron or aluminum extensions. If cast iron, this is better than the stamped steel of the first one. Same as above that you will probably want to replace the fence. Also, this is not really 3hp. It is probably 1-1.5hp. 3hp is the max draw, and it really won't do that.
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4761935772.html - Similar to the last one with the cast iron extensions. Again, ask for the model number to make sure it is an Emerson vs. TTI.. $200...
http://stlouis.craigslist.org/tls/4778037678.html - $200 - This is a lot for an OLD Craftsman, but older ones are build better. This has the cast iron extensions.
The last one is the same model that's taking up valuable space in my shop. If anyone local wants it, bring some diet mt dew when you pick it up and we'll call it even.
Also, as a side note, I use my amf dewalt radial arm to do almost all my saw work these days. Very good dual purpose saw. Radial arms were originally intended to take over for miter, rip, and crosscut duties. With a proper table and work techniques they doo almost every job well. The last true multipurpose radial arm was produced in the late 50's though. Later saws just don't work as well for all operations.
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