Tablesaw ffrom Lowes

[Bushmaster]

Need a little help. My wife came home today with the mobile Bosch TS (gotta love her) from Lowes. Unfortunately, while I love it, I really dont have a need for the fold up, contractor part of it. I need more of a cabinet saw for my work (room on top, solid cast iron wings, dust collection, etc.) So, tomorrow we are going back to Lowes and picking out a TS in the $500 - $600 range. My dilemna..what should I get? I was looking at the Hitachi and the Jet..seriously leaning towards the jet. Then again, if there is something cheaper that will meet my needs, then thats what I should get. I might just wait and get something after christmas.

By the way. I am a weekend woodworker. I am working on a Bar/Back Bar project right now. Will post pix when I get finished. I don't need a $1300 TS. I wouldn't do it justice.

Hope you guys can help.

[p8ntblr]

Do you have to buy it from Lowes? If not you may want to consider the Ridgid TS3650 from Home Depot or the Craftsman 22114 from sears. Check out the search function for previous discussions about both saws. The 22114 is a little more than your price range but they often go on sale.

[stormdog74]

Do you have to buy it from Lowes? If not you may want to consider the Ridgid TS3650 from Home Depot or the Craftsman 22114 from sears. Check out the search function for previous discussions about both saws. The 22114 is a little more than your price range but they often go on sale.

I agree about the Ridgid - great saw, plus you can moved it easily if you need to.

[Bushmaster]

Thanks for the advice

At this time I do have to use Lowes. I might just return the Bosch and wait until one of the others goes on sale. I have heard good things about the Ridgid, and maybe I will go that route. But it will have to wait until after x-mas.

[gary]

Lowes has a Delta contractor saw with 2 cast iron wings for around $450.

Why do you have to buy it at Lowes? You can get more selection and better prices elsewhere.

[Knottscott]

The Bosch is a nice jobsite saw but in comparison to a full size cast iron saw, it'll have some limitations due to weight and size.

I didn't realize that Lowes even has Jet anymore. If so, they are typically well regarded. They've been carrying the new Delta's which have been getting very good reports and offer a choice of 3 good fences on a solid machine....even the entry level T2 fence is a very good steel t-square design modeled after the Biesemeyer fence. The saw w/CI wings is ~ $450 and the T2 fence runs in the $120 to $150 range. The Hitachi has the advantage of being a hybrid with an internal motor vs an outboard, but the fence is a fairly poor example by today's standards...weaker aluminum and not all that stout...especially compared to what Delta and others are offering. The wings are steel, not cast iron. Also worth noting is that there is no blade height lock, which means the blade to drop a bit during a cut....especially frustrating for dado cuts. I'd go for the Delta or Jet over the Hitachi, but they will all offer some advantages over the smaller Bosch if you don't need the portability.

Edit: If you choose to wait or go elsewhere, I'd seriously consider going with a hybrid design over the contractor saw format. The Craftsman 22114 and Delta were mentioned, and Jet has several in their "Homeshop" and Proshop lines, along with Grizzly, Steel City, DeWalt, General International, Shop Fox, and Sunhill.

Delta 36-980...~ $599 at Lowe's (less on sale):

[siliconbauhaus]

Need a little help. My wife came home today with the mobile Bosch TS (gotta love her) from Lowes.

Let me know if you guys are planning a divorce

[Scottydont]

I would recommend the Craftsman 22114. I have the Delta Hybrid saw that is nearly identical. It is on sale for $693 which I know it's a bit over you buget but I am glad I streched a bit to get into mine. It is way better that the contractor style saws. Don't snicker because it's a Craftsman. It has gotten great reviews and was designed by a bunch of ex- delta guys. SWEEEET!

[ragswl4]

I would recommend the Craftsman 22114. I have the Delta Hybrid saw that is nearly identical. It is on sale for $693 which I know it's a bit over you buget but I am glad I streched a bit to get into mine. It is way better that the contractor style saws. Don't snicker because it's a Craftsman. It has gotten great reviews and was designed by a bunch of ex- delta guys. SWEEEET!

I have the same saw and love it. The Rigid TS3560 is another great choice for the price.

[Stytooner]

I think since you are willing to wait a little while, you might see some better deals around Christmas. This year especially so. I think next year you will start seeing many more saws with riving knives. I think your Bosch may have one. I am sure the RK models won't be priced low, but some of the other models might be.

[Bushmaster]

Thanks for the info

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up going with the Ridgid TS3650 . Now I get to have an adventure putting it together. Do any of you have any tips or tricks when it comes to building one of these? Things I need to watch out for? Please let me know.

[Andrew Benedetto]

The Ridgid forum is a good place. Had a TS3650 back when the arbor had issues, returned it. The sears Hybrid is a better saw, this is basically like my 70's sears / emmerson saw w. some improvements. The delta and t-2 fence @ Lowes , I think is a better choice if you want a contractor style, but the new hybrids are a better design and take up less space.
Now that you have this, I would advise reinforcing the stand w. side braces like the front and rear ones, some have made them out of hardboard. The bolts in the herculift that are the sliding ones at the corners should be non threaded in the part that contacts the tubing as to not bind. My saw had that depicted but fully threaded bolts were provided, an easy fix, 4 bolts I think. You can move the fence set up to the right for more x-cut capacity, I also would add an extention table on the left.
http://www.ridgidforum.com/forum/index.php

[Snap Marc]

JET ProSHOP 10" - Cast Iron

I just finished all of my TS research. I shopped the Ridgid, Delta and Grizzley. I ended up with the JET ProSHOP. It's amazing so far (three days) and is a hybrid as well. Beautiful dust collection. Perfect cuts. Solid and strong fence.

Here's a pic. It retails for near $899 or $999 (sometimes more) but at my local WoodCraft, they just ran a sale on it and offered me an additional 10% off. Pricing dropped down, after everything, to $540 (steel wings) or $630 (cast iron). I opted for the latter.

I'm sure your local WoodCraft owner will strike a deal to move one of these new model offered by JET. The build is very nice. I really love the STOP button.

Check it...

[Ken Massingale]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I ended up going with the Ridgid TS3650 . Now I get to have an adventure putting it together. Do any of you have any tips or tricks when it comes to building one of these? Things I need to watch out for? Please let me know.

You're going to love the 3650 Bushmaster. Check out the Ridgid forum, if I can be of any help don't hesitate to PM or email me.

[Bushmaster]

Thanks

Thanks for all the help. I am sure I will be asking for assistance when I get to putting this thing together.