Advice on table saw choice

[Charlie]

Yes, a nominal 4x4 in one pass at 90°.

I just looked up a Delta Contractor's saw, a Delta Unisaw, a Grizzly Contractor's saw, a Grizzly Cabinet saw, a JET Contractor's saw, and a JET Cabinet saw. 3 1/8" depth of cut seems to be the norm on a 10" table saw, except for the BT which the depth of cut is 3 9/16". Interesting.

[LCHIEN]

I just looked up a Delta Contractor's saw, a Delta Unisaw, a Grizzly Contractor's saw, a Grizzly Cabinet saw, a JET Contractor's saw, and a JET Cabinet saw. 3 1/8" depth of cut seems to be the norm on a 10" table saw, except for the BT which the depth of cut is 3 9/16". Interesting.

I think that's one of the positive design tradeoffs for an aluminum top (thinner), higher blade RPM smaller pulley and Universal motor they (Ryobi BT3 designers) made. They were able to put the arbor almost half an inch closer to the top of the table than conventional TS's.

[LarryG]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have wondered whether the BT's depth-of-cut capacity is actually exploited by very many of its owners. Furniture with legs or or other members larger than about 3" is pretty rare. The ability to cut a 4x4 in one pass -- something I never did with mine, not once -- would be handy for framers and deck builders; but as has been discussed, the BT is not well-suited to being a job-site saw.

A 3-9/16" (or is it 3-5/8"?) depth of cut sounds impressive for braggin' rights, but how often does the typical owner ever need it or use it? Not often, I'll wager.

[LCHIEN]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have wondered whether the BT's depth-of-cut capacity is actually exploited by very many of its owners. Furniture with legs or or other members larger than about 3" is pretty rare. The ability to cut a 4x4 in one pass -- something I never did with mine, not once -- would be handy for framers and deck builders; but as has been discussed, the BT is not well-suited to being a job-site saw.

A 3-9/16" (or is it 3-5/8"?) depth of cut sounds impressive for braggin' rights, but how often does the typical owner ever need it or use it? Not often, I'll wager.

I have. It annoys me that my CMS won't cut a 4x4 when my BT3 will. I guess that's more because the wood doesn't slide through the Miter saw like a TS, The blade goes down and back up. it actually has enough depth to cut thru 3.5" but only under the center of the blade... it misses the outside edge corner.

[Charlie]

I guess one thing a person should get out of all of this is that there isn't one particular table saw that will fullfill everyones shop needs. It's not neccessarily that they have flaws, just limitations, or things not desired or needed. In the recent years more models of table saws have entered the market, such as the portable Jobsite table saws and the Hybrid table saws, and with all the choices it can be confuseing to some, if not most. As I mentioned before, it's also hard to make a recommendation to someone thats looking for a table saw without knowing their budget, to buy new or used, parts and accessories availability, how much room they have in their shop, what is available for electricity, or if they are willing to shell out the extra investment to upgrade the electrical for a particular choice, or if thats even an option, and what types of woodworking the person plans on persueing, brand loyalty, etc. It can get as personal as choseing a vehicle.

[Charlie]

I don't have a dog in this fight, but I have wondered whether the BT's depth-of-cut capacity is actually exploited by very many of its owners. Furniture with legs or or other members larger than about 3" is pretty rare. The ability to cut a 4x4 in one pass -- something I never did with mine, not once -- would be handy for framers and deck builders; but as has been discussed, the BT is not well-suited to being a job-site saw.

A 3-9/16" (or is it 3-5/8"?) depth of cut sounds impressive for braggin' rights, but how often does the typical owner ever need it or use it? Not often, I'll wager.

In the BT owners manual it says that the maximum depth of cut is 3 9/16". If a guy wants to get real technical about it, some 4" x 4"s are 3 5/8", so it would actually be a 1/16" shy. And if I remember correctly, when doing a through cut it is recommended that the bottom of the gullet on the teeth of the blade be about the same height as the board thats being ripped. So if ripping a 4" x 4" that is 3 5/8" tall, the top of the blade, or maximum depth of cut should be about 4 1/8". Also a full rip on a 4" x 4" would be pretty tough goin I would think, especially if it was hardwood or treated lumber, and that maybe a more efficient machine for the task would be a bandsaw with a new blade. The extra depth of the Ryobi is obviously a plus, but once again, lets not get carried away with what it is, makeing alot of those deeper cuts in time I think would be taxing on the saw. It's a light weight machine, and I don't think that the motor has the extra HP for a deeper cut. It could probably make those cuts, but for how long ? A more powerful cabinet table saw or a bandsaw with a new blade I think would be a more apropriate machine to use.

[master53yoda]

I have used the bt's extra height ripping 2 x 4s . It works just fine with a 24 tooth blade.

[tkarlmann]

OK, sort of

Actually the saw has changed, it's no longer in production. So if a motor goes out it will cost $250 plus shipping, and your at the mercy of Ryobi on that part. In the later years that was about the price for the whole saw. If the motor should ever go out on a Contractor's saw, there are several different electric motor companies in this country that make a motor that will fit, and I would feel better about giveing them my bussiness, plus they are probably alot better motor then what the BT has for the same price. I'll also say that Contractor table saws I think recently have gotten a really unfair bad rap, many were used in cabinet shops. In some cases the birth and advertiseing hype of the Hybrid table saw that seems to have no set standards has takein over some to the uninformed consumer because they look like a Cabinet table saw, in other words when shopping for a Hybrid table saw you need to do your homework. I also feel that now is not the time to be suporting companies that send jobs overseas, and is a good time right now to be buying used American made equipment. What I don't like about this site are the outlandish claims that Harbor Frieght tools are great, and that a Ryobi BT table saw is better then a Contractor's table saw, is the original Hybrid table saw, and is equal to a Industrial Cabinet table saw. People who claim all this remind me of either a used car salesman, or someone that doesn't know what they are talking about. Theirs nothing wrong with haveing pride in the tools you have, and I respect that, but lets not get carried away. I've been a woodworker for about 28 years, and what works for me is the made in the USA Contractor's table saw, a Cabinet table saw would be nice, but in the last few years woodworking has gotten to be even less profitable, crafts shows are down, cabinet shops are closeing, so it makes no sense for me to spend the extra money to upgrade, plus I'm currently unemployed, I couldn't afford the extra cost of the Cabinet table saw, and to have a new electrical service run to my shop. If the Ryobi table saw or any other is what works for you thats all that should matter. Thats just my opinion and reasons, like you have yours. I started out with a Skil table saw, and then a Delta Motorized table saw before I bought what I have now. They all worked and made the cut. It's just more pleasurable, and a time saver to use what I have now. I guess it depends on how serious you want to get into woodworking.

I will stand corrected -- as soon as you brought up the "made in USA" idea. When I first joined this forum I did not have that perspective. As the US economy has tanked, I now think differently. This includes Ryobi as well as HF, in my mind. You are 100% correct to bring this up; it is completely valid.

However, (You knew one was coming), I will continue to say this -- IF the US does not make what I need and want, I will buy an import. I 'owned' a Delta Unisaw for 10 years. I traded it for my BT3100 and got a Ridgid jointer and planer to boot with the same money. The Delta was just too heavy for me to move around my 2-car-garage shop. I absolutely am overjoyed in my ability to move my BT around easily.

Specifics: Motor goes out? Not a problem for me as I have a spare BT3100 in an unopened box! (Which I bought when HD did one of their really deep sales.)

Perhaps ignorance here: Why can't/hasn't someone put a different motor onto a BT saw?

As far as the BT not in production, I still stand on the fact that the Sears version is available, costs too much, and comes complete with a throw-away base that inspires your creativity to build your own base. Too much these days our society wants everything instant, ready-made, prefabricated. Bunk! If you make your own it's simply better.

The answer to economic downturn is not always to pull back; rather to innovate and perhaps STOP doing what isn't selling and put efforts into other areas. If everyone pulled back and tigtened up ... ... um didn't that happen after the crash in 1929? No one wants that again!!!

Good thoughts.

[tkarlmann]

"What about the Sears equivalent saw? What does marketing a saw have to do with it's capabilities?

That post sounds like Congress worrying about letting the top-brass of the big three automakers go because they were afraid they'd "lose the talent". I got news for ya: The talent and the capabilities ain't in the Marketing departments!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Thom...I found the above comment insulting and unsolicited (as in, I didn't intentionally take a shot at you). Unless something was lost in the text translation (often the case), your comment appeared personal, intentional, and you don't seem to care in the least that you've overstepped the common guidelines of most forums. Regardless of my opinion of any tool or woodworking related items, this forum has always been extremely friendly, and accepting of opposing and even dissenting opinions....it makes for some great discussion, and I've learned a lot from the folks here. In this specific case, the acceptance of others is what appears to have changed. Hopefully that change only pertains to small minority...one which I hope you choose to not be a part of. Re-read my comments and yours, and tell me don't agree....be honest. I said nothing derogatory about you or the tools you prefer, but as far as I can tell, the same is not true of your statements.

I'm not sure what exactly you thought was directed at you -- other than you stated you didn't like my comments.

Generally speaking, there was a lot of talk about how something is marketed. I generally take issue with that because my background is in engineering.

This is a small community; I would prefer we all get along. My apologies for anything I wrote that upset you.

Thom

[Irvingj76]

Just looking for a good hobbiest table saw

After reading through this post, I'm still unclear of which saw I should purchase. I am looking for a solid hobbist saw for a small workshop, I am leaning towards the craftsmans 21829 since I have a $175 gift card at sears, but last I looked the price was $529, which seems like alot for the saw. Any suggestions?

[Sawatzky]

First thing I would do is see you can find any of the Ridgid hybrid saws that Home Depot has had on clearance for $300. Might be too late becasue this is an unheard of deal, but worth looking. You might also want to check Lowes. I believe they are clearancing out Delta machinery, and you might find a good deal on a contractor saw. I personally would not buy the craftsman saw at that price. The BT3100 was a good deal at $300, but is not worth what sears is selling it for IMO. I would look for a used saw because often times you can get a lot of saw for the money. If none of those options work for you, get the Craftsman. It is a good saw, just expensive.

[Eric]

For a hobbyist saw there's several factors to consider.
How much are you wanting to spend? If you think $529 is too much, even with your $175 gift card then what kind of a budget are you looking at?

Do you want it to be portable or is there going to be a dedicated spot for it? How much room do you have?

I had my bt3 setup in the same spot for almost 3 years in a dedicated 2 car garage and it worked great. The 21829 saw would be good if you're just going to drag it out once in awhile and do a project. When you're done with it you can store it under a cabinet or against a wall or something.

The Ridgid contractor saw has been highly thought of by various people and there are hobbyists that use the Ridgid benchtop saw and have made fancy cabinets for them.

There's also a lot of people that like the dewalt saws...

There's a ton of different options for table saws. I think the best way to decide on which one you should get is figure out how much money you want to spend, then look at the saws in that price range, then look at the different options that the saws have and decide which options you can't live without. Then start researching what others have said about the saws that fall into your criteria, but remember more people complain than praise so take what you read with a grain of salt.

[Irvingj76]

Table Saw

I'm looking at spending $500 max. I like the craftsman 21829 because of the folding legs and the router table. But like I said $529 for this saw seems like it's over priced. I will keep hoping for a sale. Anyother suggestions. Doesn't necessarly need folding legs and router table.

[Knottscott]

I'm looking at spending $500 max. I like the craftsman 21829 because of the folding legs and the router table. But like I said $529 for this saw seems like it's over priced. I will keep hoping for a sale. Anyother suggestions. Doesn't necessarly need folding legs and router table.

Did you look into the Craftsman 22833? Regular price $550, but it does go on sale, has a mobile base, and is over 250# of full size hybrid saw with a belt drive induction motor. Don't know much else about it.

[steve_c]

If you're interested in the Craftsman 21829, I suggest signing up for the Craftsman Club and keeping an eye on their member-only sales. If I remember correctly during the holiday season the saw was $430 for club members.