Harbor Freight table saw is terrible

[ciaonzo 5,000+ posts]

Lol, ok... for a standard ported box for a first timer who probably won't carpet or paint or stain and probably use big obvious screws and most likely won't be putting in windows and lights etc I personally think a hand saw is good enough. I've built a handful of boxes with no leaks and have had good luck with straight cuts with a circular saw. If I can do it I think most should be able to as well. But if he wants to spend 2 hours on 4 cuts clamping things down then by all means have at it buddy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

He was placing emphasis on safety. Buddy.

 

[Based]

Lol, ok... for a standard ported box for a first timer who probably won't carpet or paint or stain and probably use big obvious screws and most likely won't be putting in windows and lights etc I personally think a hand saw is good enough. I've built a handful of boxes with no leaks and have had good luck with straight cuts with a circular saw. If I can do it I think most should be able to as well. But if he wants to spend 2 hours on 4 cuts clamping things down then by all means have at it buddy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The reason I spent hours on a few cuts is just because I have literally never cut wood before other than cutting subwoofer holes with a jigsaw. I was looking up how to do it and just checking over and over to make sure I did it right. And I still did it wrong. I'm going to get better and faster but really I don't see any shame in taking so long and trying my best to get it right.

And trust me, I'm a safety freak. I was going to clamp things down and wear a mask/glasses no matter what. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

 

[mrpep]

The reason I spent hours on a few cuts is just because I have literally never cut wood before other than cutting subwoofer holes with a jigsaw. I was looking up how to do it and just checking over and over to make sure I did it right. And I still did it wrong. I'm going to get better and faster but really I don't see any shame in taking so long and trying my best to get it right.
And trust me, I'm a safety freak. I was going to clamp things down and wear a mask/glasses no matter what. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

By no means was I trying to shame you, I scrapped my fair share of wood and wasted lots of time trying to make it perfect when I made my first few boxes. I came down to the conclusion that my circular saw was good enough after a while but that's me. I can do pretty straight cut by eye and hand and I use glue and caulk and large clamps to hold all together and I've never had an issue with leaks or gaps. there's nothing wrong with wanting perfect. I think my comments were meant to try to save you from spending money on a new table saw when it can be done with a circular. Good luck and I'm sure it'll be fine you seem very alert and focused to get this right.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[giltyler]

Delta 36-6010 6000 Series 15 Amp 10 in. Portable Table Saw

This may be worth a look

 

[Based]

By no means was I trying to shame you, I scrapped my fair share of wood and wasted lots of time trying to make it perfect when I made my first few boxes. I came down to the conclusion that my circular saw was good enough after a while but that's me. I can do pretty straight cut by eye and hand and I use glue and caulk and large clamps to hold all together and I've never had an issue with leaks or gaps. there's nothing wrong with wanting perfect. I think my comments were meant to try to save you from spending money on a new table saw when it can be done with a circular. Good luck and I'm sure it'll be fine you seem very alert and focused to get this right.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Yeah I have just one more board to cut and I'm done! I've been using a small Ryobi circular saw and it is FINE. No need for a table saw. There is a technique to cutting straight though for sure... But all my cuts are within 1/16 of an inch so I am getting better! At least it's better than getting it cut at Home Depot and having it be a 1/4" off AND slanted!

I just need to figure out a couple things before I make my next box. How do I get wood glue not to drip everywhere, and why is my MDF splitting on the sides even though I'm pre drilling and countersinking //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/frown.gif.a3531fa0534503350665a1e957861287.gif.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Lol, ok... for a standard ported box for a first timer who probably won't carpet or paint or stain and probably use big obvious screws and most likely won't be putting in windows and lights etc I personally think a hand saw is good enough. I've built a handful of boxes with no leaks and have had good luck with straight cuts with a circular saw. If I can do it I think most should be able to as well. But if he wants to spend 2 hours on 4 cuts clamping things down then by all means have at it buddy.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

So what were you like when you 1st started cutting wood? Not everyone here has exp....we have new people come here and ask questions, ask for help, etc. So instead of talking down on the guy, help him out.

Or if you wanna fork over 500 bucks for a nice tablesaw for him I'm rather sure he wouldn't mind.

So what if he takes 2 hours to make 4 cuts. At least he was safe at it and has all his fingers.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

He was placing emphasis on safety. Buddy.

At least someone on here got the hint. //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/biggrin.gif.d71a5d36fcbab170f2364c9f2e3946cb.gif

I just may try that dialing the saw thing. I'm a machinist by trade and got my toolbox in my garage. I'll see about do that what you posted a few replies back with dial indicator and mag base.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Old school Craftsman as well. It's at least 30 years old. I've also built a ton of boxes using my Craftsman circular saw.

 

[Jeffdachef 5,000+ posts]

I was half expecting the saw to fly out and chop half of your shoulder off or something.

 

[Based]

Well I have finished my box. All the cuts were within a 16th of an inch of what they were supposed to be. No 1/4" gaps like I got when Home Depot person cut it. Ports are in, bracing is in, t-nuts are in, caulk and glue is drying now.

This is the first time I've:

Cut wood myself

Actually used screws instead of waiting an hour for each panel to dry. Countersink drill bit too.

Made a ported box

Cut PVC

Used t-nuts

Used caulk

Used the Jasper circle jig and a router

Used bracing

So many first time things this weekend! I must say I'm a little burnt out... I'm not making another box for a while but I'm sure when I make another box it will be much faster/easier.

And no, this box is not perfect. The cuts could be better. And when I cut the PVC I cut it a little slanted. And even though I predrilled, the wood still split on the corners on the sides. And the inside of my box looks like a 10 person bukkake. But I feel a lot more comfortable building boxes now.

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

pics man pics!!

 

[Based]

This is the jist of it lol. I'll take a video tomorrow of it playing. I hope it sounds good dude.

https://ibb.co/jgvVfa

https://ibb.co/nA2nRF

https://ibb.co/jDPZ6F

And yes the ports are uneven. The first hole I cut for a port was perfect, but for some reason the second port hole was too small so I sanded it for a while and just pushed it in as much as I could. Idk how the length of aero ports work with the depth of the wood. But that's another Google search.

 

[Slo_Ride 5,000+ posts]

Well I have finished my box. All the cuts were within a 16th of an inch of what they were supposed to be. No 1/4" gaps like I got when Home Depot person cut it. Ports are in, bracing is in, t-nuts are in, caulk and glue is drying now.
This is the first time I've:

Cut wood myself

Actually used screws instead of waiting an hour for each panel to dry. Countersink drill bit too.

Made a ported box

Cut PVC

Used t-nuts

Used caulk

Used the Jasper circle jig and a router

Used bracing

So many first time things this weekend! I must say I'm a little burnt out... I'm not making another box for a while but I'm sure when I make another box it will be much faster/easier.

And no, this box is not perfect. The cuts could be better. And when I cut the PVC I cut it a little slanted. And even though I predrilled, the wood still split on the corners on the sides. And the inside of my box looks like a 10 person bukkake. But I feel a lot more comfortable building boxes now.

Who doesn't love a good bukkake?

 

[mrpep]

Well I have finished my box. All the cuts were within a 16th of an inch of what they were supposed to be. No 1/4" gaps like I got when Home Depot person cut it. Ports are in, bracing is in, t-nuts are in, caulk and glue is drying now.
This is the first time I've:

Cut wood myself

Actually used screws instead of waiting an hour for each panel to dry. Countersink drill bit too.

Made a ported box

Cut PVC

Used t-nuts

Used caulk

Used the Jasper circle jig and a router

Used bracing

So many first time things this weekend! I must say I'm a little burnt out... I'm not making another box for a while but I'm sure when I make another box it will be much faster/easier.

And no, this box is not perfect. The cuts could be better. And when I cut the PVC I cut it a little slanted. And even though I predrilled, the wood still split on the corners on the sides. And the inside of my box looks like a 10 person bukkake. But I feel a lot more comfortable building boxes now.

Sweet! My first was nothing to write home to ma about either but my last looked pretty **** sweetie you ask me. I got better every time and really enjoyed making them.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Boomin_tahoe 5,000+ posts]

Did you write B U T T on that piece of wood?!?!