Advice on another table saw

[jonmulzer]

My father is wanting a table saw and I told him I would keep an eye on craigslist for him. I have a BT3000 that he really likes, but they are as rare as hen's teeth around here. I have been looking for an older Craftsman from back in the day's that they still had good tools but not many have been coming across craigslist lately. How about this Delta? Does anyone have any experience with them? Would it be worth $100 for a 64 year old man that will only use one a few times a year?

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/724020085.html

[Sawatzky]

That Delta is the lowest line table saw they make. It is smaller than a full size contractor saw, has a universal motor, and probably a very flimsy fence. A BT will be so much better if you can find one. Older Craftsman saws seem to pop up regularly, but all of the ones I have seen in the 200 dollar range were quite old with crappy fences. I think if you buy that Delta you would be very disappointed. I would suggest to keep looking for a good used contractor saw or hopefully a BT will pop up. I have the Ridgid contractor saw and am very happy with it. If you can find a 20% off coupon, the price is about $450.00. Probably more than you want to spend, but you won't find a better new saw for that price!

[Knottscott]

The Delta shown appears to be a TS300 that sold new for ~ $300....it was a successor to the 36-600. Not their greatest, not their worst. Delta made at least two models lower....the TS300 was one step below their full size contractor saw. It's 22" deep x 38"w (5" shy in depth, 2" shy in width of a standard contractor saw). It does have a 15 amp universal motor with a ribbed drive belt, has cast iron top, steel fence and weighs in at ~ 150#. It looks like that one comes with a mobile base as well, and has the guard intact.

The 36-600 was my first TS. It served me well for ~ 2 years and cut just about anything I wanted without much strain, then I upgraded to something bigger. $100 isn't likely to buy a whole lot of tablesaw, but I'd see this one as at least worth the asking price if he's not going to get overly serious. A decent blade will help it alot. It beats the heck out of a $99 benchtop. As long as it continues to run, it'll be worth roughly what he paid for it. With some elbow grease, that rust will come off and shine up pretty nicely.

If you run into a good Emerson made full size Craftsman contractor saw for $100, it could have some advantages over the TS300 (heavier, larger, quieter), but would likely need a fence upgrade if it has a stock fence.

[cabinetman]

My father is wanting a table saw and I told him I would keep an eye on craigslist for him. I have a BT3000 that he really likes, but they are as rare as hen's teeth around here. I have been looking for an older Craftsman from back in the day's that they still had good tools but not many have been coming across craigslist lately. How about this Delta? Does anyone have any experience with them? Would it be worth $100 for a 64 year old man that will only use one a few times a year?

http://indianapolis.craigslist.org/tls/724020085.html

What's the deal with him being 64? Is there a cut-off age for table saws? But, back to the saw. That Delta looks like they added a different fence and it has a mobile base. I would say if it runs and in good shape, it's definitely worth $100.
.

[dkerfoot]

The new BT3 is the Craftsman 21829. I don't know what he is willing to pay, but it has a fabulous rolling stand that would let hem tuck it away in a corner when not in use. Since he has a good 20 years of projects left in him and will soon have more time on his hands, he should be able to put it to good use.

The other improvements over the BT3100 are longer rails, miter slots on the accessory table (they can't be aligned to the blade but are handy for featherboards, etc) the SMT has two positions for the fence and it comes with the full router accessory package.

[jonmulzer]

While I appreciate the Ridgid and 21829 suggestions I was aware of both of those and they are more than he is willing to pay for something that will be used so little. That is why I am looking for an older contractor's saw. The weird thing is that when he mentioned he might want a table saw I had seen several good, older saws come across craigslist but now this is the only one I have seen for a while. I will just keep looking I believe for something of higher quality.

And Cabinetman, there is no big deal about him being 64. I just wanted to let everyone know his age I suppose. I know you old codgers still have a lot of life left.

[pelligrini]

Have you considered giving him your BT3 and getting yourself a 21829 or something in cast iron?

[jonmulzer]

He only gave me life, I don't like him THAT much! :P

[pelligrini]

I had a feeling that was going to be the answer.

[just started]

I would go with the one in the ad. Has a mobile base, Beis-style fence with long rails, real miter slots and a clear blade guard. As long as it runs it is well worth $100.