Ryobi made a little brother to the BT3 saws, it's also sold as a Craftsman. If I remember correctly Ryobi called it "BTS21" or "BTS31" - something like that. The "BTS" series was not a little BT3 by any means; it was a big step down. Not recommended. If the current Craftsman 21828 is a BTS re-badge, avoid it.
Since space/size is a major part of your criteria, instead of a saw on folding legs or a saw on a typical stand plus a mobile base, consider such a saw without the factory legs/folding base. Instead, build a small storage cabinet to support the saw and put wheels on that. You'll gain storage space in place of wasting that area with stands or whatnot. Such a cabinet also adds a little mass to the whole assembly reducing vibration and making the saw more stable when cutting big stuff.
Another option to consider: besides a table saw, consider a good circular saw (with quality blades) and a "saw board" for cutting big/heavy sheet goods. With a saw board and a good saw blade, a circular saw can cut sheet goods down to size with quality cuts... and it can be easier (and safer) than trying to handle a heavy sheet on a small table saw. The "work table" for a saw board + circular saw is just a flat spot on the patio, garage floor, etc. with a few 2x4s supporting the workpiece and giving the saw blade clearance to the hard floor. To cut sheet goods on the table saw you typically need infeed and outfeed support tables and room in front of and behind the saw. I do it both ways: circ saw + saw board or my BT3000 with infeed & outfeed tables for plywood; I get good results either way.
mpc
Since space/size is a major part of your criteria, instead of a saw on folding legs or a saw on a typical stand plus a mobile base, consider such a saw without the factory legs/folding base. Instead, build a small storage cabinet to support the saw and put wheels on that. You'll gain storage space in place of wasting that area with stands or whatnot. Such a cabinet also adds a little mass to the whole assembly reducing vibration and making the saw more stable when cutting big stuff.
Another option to consider: besides a table saw, consider a good circular saw (with quality blades) and a "saw board" for cutting big/heavy sheet goods. With a saw board and a good saw blade, a circular saw can cut sheet goods down to size with quality cuts... and it can be easier (and safer) than trying to handle a heavy sheet on a small table saw. The "work table" for a saw board + circular saw is just a flat spot on the patio, garage floor, etc. with a few 2x4s supporting the workpiece and giving the saw blade clearance to the hard floor. To cut sheet goods on the table saw you typically need infeed and outfeed support tables and room in front of and behind the saw. I do it both ways: circ saw + saw board or my BT3000 with infeed & outfeed tables for plywood; I get good results either way.
mpc
Comment