new table saw

[T]

I'm thinking about getting a new table saw. I don't have the disposable income for something really nice and expensive, but I have about 150-200 in gift cards from Lowes.

My current table saw is OLD. Its an old Craftsman. I'm too lazy to go out and take some pics of it, but if you look at this link, its the first one shown at the top with the big ass motor off the back:
http://erdmania.net/ovaltambour.com/workshop.php

Not only is this saw old, I'm damn near scared shitless to use it for the fear of losing life and or limb. It doesn't have any of the safety features the newer models have and that is a big part of the reason I don't use it. Not to mention, the FIL rigged up the on/off switch. The last time I used it, one of the wheels the belt attaches to, flew off it and pretty much gave me a heart attack!


So that being said, they have a few Skil brand ones at Lowes.
option 1 $169:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=197823-46922-3400-12&lpage=none

and the cheaper version for $109:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=5685-46922-3305-01&lpage=none

I'm liking the first one as it has a larger working surface area.

My ? is this....Why is there a $300 price jump from the Skil to the other brands? Is it name? Is it safety? Is it just because they can?

T

[j p frog]

I'm thinking about getting a new table saw. I don't have the disposable income for something really nice and expensive, but I have about 150-200 in gift cards from Lowes.

My current table saw is OLD. Its an old Craftsman. I'm too lazy to go out and take some pics of it, but if you look at this link, its the first one shown at the top with the big ass motor off the back:
http://erdmania.net/ovaltambour.com/workshop.php

Not only is this saw old, I'm damn near scared shitless to use it for the fear of losing life and or limb. It doesn't have any of the safety features the newer models have and that is a big part of the reason I don't use it. Not to mention, the FIL rigged up the on/off switch. The last time I used it, one of the wheels the belt attaches to, flew off it and pretty much gave me a heart attack!


So that being said, they have a few Skil brand ones at Lowes.
option 1 $169:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=197823-46922-3400-12&lpage=none

and the cheaper version for $109:
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=5685-46922-3305-01&lpage=none

I'm liking the first one as it has a larger working surface area.

My ? is this....Why is there a $300 price jump from the Skil to the other brands? Is it name? Is it safety? Is it just because they can?

T

what kind of woodworking are you going to do with it?

[bigslickwood]

Tools are one of those things, where you get what you pay for. I don't want to be a tool snob, but I started out buying cheap tools (I had a comparable $109 Ryobi table saw), and eventually replaced them all. A cheap table saw is dangerous. It won't have the power to cut anything thicker than 3/4", a bad/not straight fence can cause kickback, not having enough surface area can lead you to try unsafe things, etc.

If it were me, the minimum table saw that I would go get is the Home Depot Ridgid TS3650. It gets rave reviews for a 'budget' saw/best value, etc. I've heard and seen that they are on clearance at Home Depot as there is a newer model on the way. I read that they had them clearance priced at $399, but I think I saw one at my local store for $299. If I didn't already have a nice saw, I would have picked it up just because it was such a steal.

Really depends on what you plan to do. For a handful of cuts/year in no thicker than 3/4" wood, then I'm sure the Skil would be fine. If you plan to get semi-serious about it, then the Ridgid is a lot of saw for the money.

edit: just looked at the rest of the Lowe's saws. Even the next cheapest Delta $449, is a LOT more saw than the Skil.

[Irish]

Yeah I don't know about that one, a cheap/underpowered table saw can be really dangerous. I'd wait and try to save up a little more cash if you can. I picked up this one about a year ago:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100090444&N=10000003+90401+1600

I think it was only $299 on sale. If you keep you eyes out every now and then they do go on sale. I have no complaints about the saw above - good power, accurate, and a decent stock fence.

[j p frog]

Tools are one of those things, where you get what you pay for. I don't want to be a tool snob, but I started out buying cheap tools (I had a comparable $109 Ryobi table saw), and eventually replaced them all. A cheap table saw is dangerous. It won't have the power to cut anything thicker than 3/4", a bad/not straight fence can cause kickback, not having enough surface area can lead you to try unsafe things, etc.

If it were me, the minimum table saw that I would go get is the Home Depot Ridgid TS3650. It gets rave reviews for a 'budget' saw/best value, etc. I've heard and seen that they are on clearance at Home Depot as there is a newer model on the way. I read that they had them clearance priced at $399, but I think I saw one at my local store for $299. If I didn't already have a nice saw, I would have picked it up just because it was such a steal.

Really depends on what you plan to do. For a handful of cuts/year in no thicker than 3/4" wood, then I'm sure the Skil would be fine. If you plan to get semi-serious about it, then the Ridgid is a lot of saw for the money.

edit: just looked at the rest of the Lowe's saws. Even the next cheapest Delta $449, is a LOT more saw than the Skil.

I have the above saw.....got a refurb model from one of the traveling tool shows...works great! someday when I am rich and famous will get a cabinetmakers saw....but for now...it does the job.

[bigslickwood]

Just brought home a new drill press... It was the floor model. Got it for $100 less than sticker.

http://www.woodcraft.com/product.aspx?ProductID=835031&FamilyID=21039

[T]

what kind of woodworking are you going to do with it?

Nothing elaborate or anything. Just make some shelves and shit like that. Possibly some picture frames. Probably get around to making that hockey stick table once I gather more sticks.

I just am waaay too leary of the one the FIL gave me. Just seems far too hazardous IMO.

T

[Hirize]

Its not the saw that is dangerous!!

If your doing small things fix up that saw and it might cut better than that Skil POS.

The thing you want GOOD in a table saw is what is underneath the table, your saw may have better quality gears under there than the Skil. Take a look at your saw and the Skil.
Your saw may just need some tuning and elbow grease to make it work like new. Those old craftsmen tools had heavy iron. Hell the table top is worth more than the whole Skil saw anyway, that's cast iron baby!!!

Take the money you have and buy a good fence and mitre.

If you want a mans saw...........http://www.powermatic.com/Products.aspx?Part=1720304K&cat=332232

[MsprinM]

Like Hirize said. Get the manual for the Craftsman. Spend some time on Sawmillcreek.org read about restoring old iron, tune,repair,restore and you will be much happier.That saw is a great machine if you do what needs to be done to it.

[mikeyinsd]

you could donate that hunk of junk craftsman to me... ;)