Biggest bang for buck table saw and router

[prochobo 10+ year member]

What should I look for when buying a table saw and router? What's good and what's bad? Any recommendations on specific models or brands?

Considering how much I'll actually use the saw, I'd like to keep the price of it at or around $200 and the router at around $75. I understand that I won't get the best quality; I'm just looking for the biggest bang for my buck.

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[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

i got my table saw from sears @ 179 bucks i belive, its the one with the largest fence capability and cuts wood perfectly

for a router, i went with a craftsman first i still use it, buti got a porter cable i cant wait to try out

 

[Trixter 10+ year member]

i got me a pro-tech 10" table saw from menards, $90...i don't use it make a living with it or anything so it's fine for me.

i got a black and decker plunge router at menards also for aroud $70.

 

[Trixter 10+ year member]

Is there a tabel router?

you can get a table for a router. it mounts under it upsidedown.

 

[MikeNeufeld 10+ year member]

bosch FTW

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

Don't look at a table saw for the price, look at the features and reviews. In this market, the price almost always dictates the quality anyway. People can't pull a BMW and charge huge amounts just for their name on the product.

 

[Fattony911 10+ year member]

Dewalt has always been good to me take a look at there modesl i have both dewalt table saw and router set. Quality products

 

[hempy 10+ year member]

I would check pawn shops for good equipment before you pay for retail.

Construction workers need crack too, y'know.

 

[btnhfan 5,000+ posts]

Check craigslist too.

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

Well, I think I found what I'm looking for.

Craftsman 10" table saw http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Bench+Power+Tools&pid=00921803000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Table+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

Craftsman plunge router

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Portable+Power+Tools&pid=00917540000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Routers+%26+Laminate+Trimmers&BV_SessionID=@@@@1827724953.1180708847@@@@&BV_EngineID=cclhaddkmldimdkcefecemldffidfki.0

Look good?

 

[PV Audio 5,000+ posts]

No, no no. The router may be good, but craftsman does NOT make a good table saw for that price. Seriously, don't go by the price of the good, go by what it does and how good reviews it has. The fence on those saws isn't really a fence, rather, it's a piece of metal that slides on the saw that is never straight. Save money, and invest in a good dewalt, rigid, hitachi or other saw that is unique, not a cookie cutter table saw (most manufacturers make an exact replica of that model).

 

[djman37 5,000+ posts]

What should I look for when buying a table saw and router? What's good and what's bad? Any recommendations on specific models or brands?
Considering how much I'll actually use the saw, I'd like to keep the price of it at or around $200 and the router at around $75. I understand that I won't get the best quality; I'm just looking for the biggest bang for my buck.

make sure your router fits on a Jasper jig, or it'll be a waste. I have a 'dedicated' roundover| flush router now....stupid harbor freight router didn't fit the jig.

 

[envengineer 10+ year member]

No, no no. The router may be good, but craftsman does NOT make a good table saw for that price. Seriously, don't go by the price of the good, go by what it does and how good reviews it has. The fence on those saws isn't really a fence, rather, it's a piece of metal that slides on the saw that is never straight. Save money, and invest in a good dewalt, rigid, hitachi or other saw that is unique, not a cookie cutter table saw (most manufacturers make an exact replica of that model).

x2

Go to sears and put your hands on the cheap table saws. The fences ****. The only decent craftsman saws are the ones with biesemeyer fences and those are overpriced. While you are at sears, try moving the fence one of the Bosch saws in the $500-$600 range. That is what a fence on a budget saw should feel like.

 

[Fattony911 10+ year member]

just save up and get a good table saw. I did what your trying to do and it just wasnt even worth it. I bought a 100 ryobi, cuts werent even better than a skill saw, not worth it, luckily i was able to return it.

 

[W8 a minute 10+ year member]

It's already been said but....Craigslist, local for sale ads, newspapers, etc.

These sell fairly cheap used so you can pick up a nice one.

 

[W8 a minute 10+ year member]

here ya go. You can probably negotiate a cheaper price.

http://louisville.craigslist.org/tls/339803714.html

 

[prochobo 10+ year member]

i got my table saw from sears @ 179 bucks i belive, its the one with the largest fence capability and cuts wood perfectly
for a router, i went with a craftsman first i still use it, buti got a porter cable i cant wait to try out

Is the table saw a Craftsman? If so, how do you like it?

No, no no. The router may be good, but craftsman does NOT make a good table saw for that price. Seriously, don't go by the price of the good, go by what it does and how good reviews it has. The fence on those saws isn't really a fence, rather, it's a piece of metal that slides on the saw that is never straight. Save money, and invest in a good dewalt, rigid, hitachi or other saw that is unique, not a cookie cutter table saw (most manufacturers make an exact replica of that model).

I have read reviews and I haven't found too many complaints about that saw. I'm going to go to Sears and try em out though. However, people don't realize I'm not making a living off of this saw. I can live with a **** up here and there if it saves me $200 and I'm not going to use it very heavily, maybe a box here and there so I'm willing to live with the trade offs as long as the saw isn't a complete POS.

 

[THUMPPER 10+ year member]

I have all Sears Craftsman Professional tools and I am glad I spent my money

on them..I own almost every peice of Craftsman pro wood tools that they make

the warrantee is awsome and the tools are top quality

the table saw is awsome...I make 8 foot long rips that are perfect

the whole table is cast with the router attachment

I think the table saw was about $900 canadian plus tax

performance for the $$$$ I would not buy anything else

I have used tools that cost 3X more and they have no advantage

I do have a SKILL router (the only non Craftsman pro tool I have)

but I have the Craftsman Pro on order

 

[W8 a minute 10+ year member]

If you don't buy this you're a fool:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00922104000&cat=Bench+Power+Tools&subcat=Table+Saws&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1

 

[Headbanger 10+ year member]

What do you guys think of the craftsman professional model? I bought one of these a couple weeks ago and haven't even used it yet. Here's a link:

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Bench+Power+Tools&pid=00921829000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Table+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes