New Table Saw

**goslin23** · 06-21-2007, 12:28 PM

Well, I can recommend the Rigid TS3650. I've had it for a month so far and it has produced great results. The fence is nice and accurate with T-slots for adding accessories, it has a 36" rip capacity, plenty of power for everything I've thrown at it so far, not too bad with dust collection on my shop vac and very generous cast iron table.. It's about 300 pounds and HD has them for $499 right now.

**Russianwolf** · 06-21-2007, 12:46 PM

The BT3 is still available through Sears as a Craftsman clone.

Unfortunately I can't think of anything off the top of my head in your price range that has an SMT. It's an add on for a couple saws (Jet comes to mind), but an expensive one.

You are likely better off getting a nice saw in your price range and building a miter sled or two (for the angle you use most). In the end they will likely be more accurate since it's hard to get off by 1/2 a degree when setting it up, which can happen even on my BT.

**gary** · 06-21-2007, 12:49 PM

Powermatic 64

Can be had on Amazon for under 800 at times. Currently $673. Same fence as the PM66 and a cast iron top.

http://www.amazon.com/Powermatic-179...2451689&sr=1-5

**Ken Massingale** · 06-21-2007, 01:44 PM

Originally posted by goslin23

Well, I can recommend the Rigid TS3650. I've had it for a month so far and it has produced great results. The fence is nice and accurate with T-slots for adding accessories, it has a 36" rip capacity, plenty of power for everything I've thrown at it so far, not too bad with dust collection on my shop vac and very generous cast iron table.. It's about 300 pounds and HD has them for $499 right now.

Another vote for the TS3650.

**Knottscott** · 06-21-2007, 02:20 PM

Hi Marc - You won't find a new cabinet saw within your budget but you might land a used one. Keep in mind that anything over 2hp will require 220v.

The newer hybrid designs have many of the same advantages as the cabinet saw with no downside relative to a contractor saw design with outboard motor... that's what I'd be looking at. Every year more and more models are offered with the motor mounted internally as opposed to hanging out the back...I'm surprised it took this long after the invention of lighter weight jobsite saws. The advantages of an internal motor design are a smaller footprint, better dust collection, better power transfer and lower vibration from a shorter drive belt, often more mass (better stability), and they pose no risk of lifting things with the motor when the saw is tilted, which knocks the alignment out. At the top end of your price range, a good sale could put you into something with steel Biesemeyer type fence, full enclosure, and cast iron wings like the 22124, Delta 36-715, Griz G0478, or GI 50-220CM1 (recently on sale at Woodcraft for $699). Jet has several new offerings in your price range too, and the Craftsman 22114 is in that range.

Lots of really good choices in your price range. The ultimate performance boils down to setup and blade selection, so keep your eyes peeled and buy the one you like best.

Here are a couple of link to a similar discussion about mid priced saws.

**cgallery** · 06-21-2007, 06:41 PM

I like the Jet 708100. A hybrid that looks like a contractor. You can find these for $399 on sale, about $449 otherwise.

http://www.jettools.com/shop/index.c...=6056005&vid=1

**ragswl4** · 06-21-2007, 07:52 PM

Originally posted by Snap Marc

Also, is there anything out there that has a similar SMT type sliding cross cut sled? I love the extra wide cross cutting capability of the BT3100.

As far as the sled goes, I have been looking seriously at this since I sold my BT3100 and replaced with a Craftsman 22114. I miss the SMT.

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/Inc...erExpress.html

**Knottscott** · 06-22-2007, 04:34 AM

Originally posted by ragswl4

As far as the sled goes, I have been looking seriously at this since I sold my BT3100 and replaced with a Craftsman 22114. I miss the SMT.

http://benchmark.20m.com/reviews/Inc...erExpress.html

A shop made crosscut sled is a fairly easy and inexpensive alternative. There are several aftermarket SMT's but they tend to be pricey. The Jet Supersaws offer one as an option, as well as the DW746. Those can both be fitted to other saws. I think Mule has one that's reasonable but I'm not sure how good it is.

There's also a hybrid made by Mao Shan under a few different brand names available that's not too expensive....Rod Kirby's CarbaTech is one example. I believe it's available under the Canwood name in Canada as well.

**RodKirby** · 06-22-2007, 01:32 PM

I agree with Dustmite - a crosscut sled will fill most of your needs, but the SMT here allowed me to cut the large "triangles" off my 45� miter sled...

**cgallery** · 06-22-2007, 01:36 PM

Or you can just make a cross-cut sled w/ adjustable fence. About the same capacity in my configuration as the sliding table was. And stays true.

http://www.bt3central.com/showthread...highlight=sled

**drumpriest** · 06-22-2007, 11:31 PM

I have found that I actually like my cross cut sled better than my old SMT. I can get more reliable cuts out of it between tune ups. My saw was chosen on reviews and the big feature "riving knife". Can't think of any saws in that price range so equipped.

Not sure that you can find a hybrid in that range either, honestly. Jet has a new contractor saw with integral dust collection, making it a bit of a hybrid.

The Ridgid is always an interesting choice. Nice saw, good fence, though not the traditional "high end" style for a fence. More like a really nice benchtop style fence. Can't argue with Ken's projects though...

**Snap Marc** · 06-24-2007, 10:09 AM

Deciding

Okay, so I have narrowed my choices to what seems to be two or three saws. The Ridgid is sort of number one right now, next is the Powermatic 64, and finally the Delta 36-980. All three are shown here...

I think the Ridgid is the best bet as far as cast iron, weight, power, warranty, availibility, etc. I also have the Ridgid Planer, Oscilating Spindle Sander, Jointer and more. So the Orange and Gray will certainly match my workshop. Also, the Herculift seems a nice option for easy movement. My only doubt is the fence on the Ridgid. The Delta and Powermatics have the larger smoother fences, but reviews say the Ridgid is nice and solid.

Thanks to you all for your help. Any more feedback on these three would be great. Especially looking for commenst about the fences.

Attached Files

**drumpriest** · 06-24-2007, 01:00 PM

The powermatic fence is going to be the best of those 3 I'd bet. It looks to be the same one that is on my PM2000, which I like a good deal better than the T2 or Ridgig fences. There's rip capacity too, the PM has the advantage there. Herc-u-lift is certainly cool though.

**Ken Massingale** · 06-24-2007, 02:08 PM

Originally posted by Snap Marc

Okay, so I have narrowed my choices to what seems to be two or three saws. The Ridgid is sort of number one right now, next is the Powermatic 64, and finally the Delta 36-980. All three are shown here...

I think the Ridgid is the best bet as far as cast iron, weight, power, warranty, availibility, etc. I also have the Ridgid Planer, Oscilating Spindle Sander, Jointer and more. So the Orange and Gray will certainly match my workshop. Also, the Herculift seems a nice option for easy movement. My only doubt is the fence on the Ridgid. The Delta and Powermatics have the larger smoother fences, but reviews say the Ridgid is nice and solid.

Thanks to you all for your help. Any more feedback on these three would be great. Especially looking for commenst about the fences.

I haven't touched the PM or Delta fence, Marc, and all I can say about the 3650 fence is that it is dead-on straight front to back, square to the table and locks tight exactly where you tell it to. That's all I ask of a fence and it does it well.

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