Delta 36-979 10" Left-Tilt 1-1/2 HP Contractor Saw w/o Fence, 115/230V $300 Amazon

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Make sure to select Amazon.com as the seller. Free shipping.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg.../-/B000H0RNL2/

[Jeffrey Schronce]

The question is always asked "what saw should I get for $300?". This is the answer. Along with $80 Beiseymer fence from Lowes!

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I was thinking the same thing. If only I could find one.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

Dude on woodnet selling them for $120. Going on ebay for $160.

Note : you can call every store in the US, find one for $80 and have it shipped to your local store for a few bucks! At

[gatordogs2]

Would this Delta 36-979 be a better TS than then BT3100 Clone (Craftsman 21829)? Or is the Craftsman 21829 better?

Want to buy a TS with a $300 Budget.

[LinuxRandal]

Would this Delta 36-979 be a better TS than then BT3100 Clone (Craftsman 21829)? Or is the Craftsman 21829 better?

Want to buy a TS with a $300 Budget.

If you plan on dropping things on your table top, the Delta would be better.
Certain other forums, you tend to get laughed at for not using iron, though not all of us have the place or ability to safely get it into a place (steep steps, lack of help).

They both have a history of good things and problems, and both have been discussed by their owners.

The Craftsman/Ryobi has a riving knife, which will be an advantadge when working at odd angles. The Delta, uses a splitter, and if you cut only at 90% (or mostly) that may be fine for you (have seen people make a 45 degree splitter).

Resale value is kinda a tossup. Normally you get pretty good resale if you part out your BT(clone). The Delta will go for more due to the cast iron top (complete, not stamped steel), and if you kept your fence for another saw, and swapped it's fence, you would come out ok.

[Knottscott]

Would this Delta 36-979 be a better TS than then BT3100 Clone (Craftsman 21829)? Or is the Craftsman 21829 better?

Want to buy a TS with a $300 Budget.

"Better" is a subjective term, that you'll have to decide for yourself, but there are some tangeable differences that make each better suited for different environments and situations.

First, $300 is for the Delta saw only...there's no fence included, so figure that you'll easily be closer to $400-$450 depending on what fence you end up with (Biese deal or Delta T2).

There are also significant physical differences. The Delta offers more surface area, especially in front of the blade. The induction motors are quieter and tend to have a better long term reliability record. There may be minor power differences, but not sure how significant. Mass can be an advantage for stability, but a liability for portabilty. The Delta does have a mobile base to easily maneuver it around the shop, but total weight will fall in the 300# range, vs ~ 150#. The Sears has a nifty roll away stand that makes it nice for small shops where the saw needs to be stowed often.

The 21829 has a riving knife which raises and lowers with the arbor, plus bevels with the blade. The Delta's splitter will only bevel with the blade, but won't change it's height with the blade. The 21829 has an SMT, the Delta has a miter gauge and standard slots. The cast iron surface tends to be low in friction, but also requires some annual maintenance to prevent rust. The outboard motor of the Delta takes up extra space and makes DC more of an obstacle.

In all, I'd guess the trend tends to be more toward the full size saw than away from it, but everyone's circumstances are different. Performance wise, it all boils down to good setup and proper blade selection...I'd bet you'll have a tough time telling cuts apart by looking at the wood.

Ge the one YOU like that best suits your needs.

[Cheeky]

I was thinking the same thing. If only I could find one.

call a store, provide them with the SKU, and ask if any other location has one.

[Jeffrey Schronce]

The Craftsman/Ryobi has a riving knife, which will be an advantadge when working at odd angles. The Delta, uses a splitter, and if you cut only at 90% (or mostly) that may be fine for you (have seen people make a 45 degree splitter).

Huh? What is a 45 degree splitter? Splitter tilts along with the blade it just doesn't move up and down with the blade height.

[LinuxRandal]

Huh? What is a 45 degree splitter? Splitter tilts along with the blade it just doesn't move up and down with the blade height.

Not typing exactly what came to mind.

My first table saw (the one that was at a friends and burned up in his house fire), had NO splitter or guard (they pitched it before first use). The person I aquired it from made a splitter in the style of one of those MJ splitters in a 45 degree angle. There was NO guard or splitter.