Thread: Mid range saw recommendations

any reason you can't look at the sawstop contractor saw.

basically has all the features you want, its just not a full proper "cabinet saw" but would still leave a decent amount left in your budget to buy a dado stack. the safety feature aside they actually are a really well made saw.

Originally Posted by havabeer69

any reason you can't look at the sawstop contractor saw.

basically has all the features you want, its just not a full proper "cabinet saw"

Can't see why you're suggesting this when he's already considered it and knocked it out. He even states that he's coming from a Hafco saw that isn't dado capable and wants a saw for 'furniture to boat parts' and you think a contractor saw is going to float his boat?

I've looked at it, but its 'another' contractor saw (albeit a very nice one). My issues include - compromised dust collection compared to a full cabinet design, (which has been an issue with the Hafco) lighter weight components (pressed steel as opposed to cast iron table wings), a compromised trunnion/arbor set up, and a hell of a premium compared to other brands. As said, its not going to be used '24/7', but there will be some native hardwoods going through, and some breaking down of sheet goods: I just tend to prefer a bigger heavier piece of kit working less hard, if that makes sense.

The Leguna F1 2020 is a bit of a lightweight. 1.5hp motor, pressed steel wings, it's only a hybrid not a full cabinet saw and it only weighs 89kg. Of the Carbatec saws the Carbatec Professional would appear to be a much more substantial package for the price - Carbatec Professional 250mm Cabinet Saw with 30" T-Glide Fence Kit | Carbatec. Some members on here who own one have said good things about it.

Gregorys have some nice saws including the Woodman MBS300 if you want something with 100mm depth of cut. The extra depth of the tables on both the Harvey and Woodman saws is useful when handling longer/larger stock.

Do you have the room for a small form slider? If so that could be a good way to go.

Thanks mate - yes, that Carbatec has caught my eye. Chinese made, but good grunt at a good price point, and looks to have the basics right. Interesting that people have good things to say - I may drop in and physically eyeball one...

I have the room - the purchase is partly down to moving to our new house with a 3 bay shed for me to play in, but wasn't aware of any sliders in that sort of price range?

If you're prepared to look at second hand and put in a bit of work there are things to be had at not too much money.
An older MBS300 - Log into Facebook - the basics of these saws hasn't changed for over 25 years.
Here's an older Italian made panel saw - Saw Bench / Panel saw / 12 inch - 240v single phase | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Caboolture Area - Wamuran | 1315670304 - sellers of these older saws are sometimes a bit flexible on the price.
A late model Laguna Fusion with a sliding table - Log into Facebook

In new panel saws there are a few available -
New 2022 aaron Aaron Powerful 1600 mm Single-Phase 230V Sliding Table Saw 5HP 3 75kW Panel Saw MJ-16KB Panel Saw in HOPPERS CROSSING, VIC
New oltre 315mm 12 4HP 1 6m Sliding Table Panel Saw 240V OT-PS-1216A by Oltre Panel Saw in MALAGA, WA

If you have room, you can pick up full size sliders for quite cheap.
These are industrial / professional machines

If have limited space, options are more limited.

I bought a 1.6m slider (SC2) because of limited space. They do occasionally come up second hand but not often

Originally Posted by aldav

Can't see why you're suggesting this when he's already considered it and knocked it out. He even states that he's coming from a Hafco saw that isn't dado capable and wants a saw for 'furniture to boat parts' and you think a contractor saw is going to float his boat?

I have the contractor saw and its been great and accurate, (though I've added cast iron wings, built better dust collection added a DRO etc) which is why I suggested it plus its DADO stack compatible... my frued dial a dado is a great kit. Ripped plenty of hardwood with it, accurate out of the box, tons of support.

I am referring to the mid range contractor saw... not the portable "job site" saw.