Hey guys, since we got our house I have been trying to get some decent power tools. One of the next things that I want to get is a table saw so that I can cut wood flooring and do some other general projects around the house. I found on of these for $75 (LINK). Is this a decent table saw for general use? Also, I talked to someone recently who did their own tiling and they bought a special blade that can be used to cut tiles without needing a water saw. Would something like that work on this table?
Thanks guys!
This is the other saw that I am considering too (LINK). Which would you guys recommend? Also would a Harbor Freight saw be decent or should I stay away from their stuff for big tools like this?
I’d check to make sure you can get a table extension for it. At some point you may want to cut sheets of plywood, and you’ll need the fence to go over far enough. Also, see how well the fence aligns, since it looks like it only runs on a front rail.
Personally I would say to skip the table saw, pick up a circular saw and a miter saw. I used to use my table saw a lot for building sub boxes. On Home projects, I almost never use it. When I put our laminate hardwood floors in, I used the miter saw for the flooring and for all the baseboard/crown molding. Typically when I’m working around the house, it’s just me so it’s easier to to clamp a guide on the board (full sheets) and cut with the circular than it is to try to wrestle the wood on to the table saw…
Just my two cents, as I rarely use my table saw anymore…
having borrowed a very similar craftsman saw from my neighbor I can say that it is in fact a death trap. It is impossible to cut down full sheets of ply or mdf safely on it. It looks like they changed the fence clamp a little bit but on the one I used, it absolutely sucked.
I kind of agree with Foz. Unless you really plan to do real work with it, skip the cheap table saw. If you are planning on doing more real work and you don’t mind taking up some space, get a proper cabinet saw. Even the one from Home Depot is decent. Jet also makes some really nice stuff.
You will definitely use a mitre saw more often for home stuff. Everything from trim to flooring to crown molding. Don’t skip there, get a big one like 10" or even 12" if you can afford it. Also look into sliding ones. I have a 7.25" craftsman and the biggest piece of stock you can cut in one pass is a 2x4.
Sounds good guys. I think I’ll just get a laser line circular saw for now and then pick up a miter saw when those jobs come along. Thanks for saving me some money (and probably some fingers)
oh and on the wet saw… you’re best to either rent one or buy one. If you’re only doing 2-3 tile projects around the house, just rent. Even at $50 a day (making up number) you’ll end up using one nicer than what you’ll buy for $150. Although my $150 Ryobi wet saw worked like a champ when I did the bathroom…
Yeah, I’ll probably be tiling two bathrooms and our kitchen in the spring. Possibly even our mudroom in the basement so I may just buy the Ryobi one. It may not be top of the line, but for my purposes I am sure it will be fine. First I need to learn to tile though :doh:
tile is pretty easy. toughest part is getting your thinset mix correct for the tile, location, and the consistency (thickness) of the mix. I almost always mix it a little thinner than I intend to and it makes me hate life when I go to hit a vertical surface.
Home Depot has a Rigid 10" compound mitre for $180. Or the big dog 12" sliding compound mitre for $500. The 10" is probably sufficient, just don’t waste your time with 7.25 stuff unless it’s a regular circular saw.
Just from glancing I see this Dewalt table saw,
If your still looking at something like that I can get that model for around $345. retails around $400+
