Help me pick a table saw under 250.

[slikrider20 10+ year member]

Alright, tomorrow im going to be going three ways on a new table saw. I was going to get a craftsman but a few on here said it kinda sucked, not a very good fence or something. Someone who has had experience with a table saw in the 250 dollar range or less that has been happy with the results let me know. Thanks.

Click to read more...

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

Actually Craftsmans have a pretty decent fence as far as cheap table saws go. If you are willing to spend a little bit more this is one of the best portable saws on the market. It has the best fence outside of a full sized shop saw.

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Bench+Power+Tools&pid=00921270000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Table+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

 

[slikrider20 10+ year member]

too much.

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?cat=Bench+Power+Tools&pid=00921805000&vertical=TOOL&subcat=Table+Saws&BV_UseBVCookie=Yes

I'd go with that one then. Or this one..I have the same one in a Craftsman version (same exact saw just different colors) and it is a nice table top and fence but my Dewalt has more power.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=159362-46578-C10FR&lpage=none

 

[rpfuror 10+ year member]

I have gone thru 3 mid range table saws over the years and when it comes down to a fence most of them in you price range are "ok" you just have to follow the "measure twice, cut once" and make sure to do this on both the input and exit of the blade. This comes down to the build when you put it together and how things are aligned.

When people talk about a good fence, this is one that you lock in place and cut because you know it dead on. The Hitachi mentions above isn’t bad, I stay say from craftsman mainly because most the stuff I have bought there in a pinch has turn out to be junk.

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

^^^ agree 100%. It is near impossible to get a good table saw for less than 400 bucks. I have gone through 3 motors on my Craftsman saw. Their cordless tools are junk too.

 

[Pyro_By_Nature 5,000+ posts]

Ryobi bt3100 maybe? I forgot how much they go for new, but you should be able to find one within your price range, or a hair more.Some people talk shit, but I've owned this saw for a little while now.Set it up right, and it'll treat you good.It hasn't let me down.

 

[slikrider20 10+ year member]

I just picked up the 200 dollar craftsman, whoever said the fence sucked was full of shit...thats all i gotta say. nice saw.

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

The fence is nice for the price point. Its the motors you have to worry about, at least with the three i went through. If you are just going to use it every once in awhile you should be fine. I use my stuff daily, all day long sometimes 7 days a week.

 

[2wheeler 10+ year member]

If all your going to do is build 2 or 3 boxes then that craftsman is OK. Barely. Keep a good, sharp blade on it and always check the fence before you make a cut. Bummer about cheap saws is that the fence can clamp on crooked, making straight cuts impossible. A crooked fence also can create a bind that can and will throw your workpiece across the garage, somtimes with your fingers flying right behind..

All you really need to make a box is a table saw and a router. It amazes me how many guys will spend thousands on audio gear, but totally cheap out on tools. If you don't want to buy a decent tool, then go to home depot and rent what you need. Good tools can be rented for way less money than buying cheap stuff.

 

[Paul73 10+ year member]

If all your going to do is build 2 or 3 boxes then that craftsman is OK. Barely. Keep a good, sharp blade on it and always check the fence before you make a cut. Bummer about cheap saws is that the fence can clamp on crooked, making straight cuts impossible. A crooked fence also can create a bind that can and will throw your workpiece across the garage, somtimes with your fingers flying right behind..
All you really need to make a box is a table saw and a router. It amazes me how many guys will spend thousands on audio gear, but totally cheap out on tools. If you don't want to buy a decent tool, then go to home depot and rent what you need. Good tools can be rented for way less money than buying cheap stuff.

//content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/word.gif.64b12e39f936af3b4fff38a1c0bd0244.gif

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

the cheaper craftsman one i have has a larger ripping area ( ie you can set ur guide to cut like 40 inches ) thats why i like it... it was only like 239 IIRC