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  1. #1
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    Nov 2004
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    Default Portable table saw an option?

    I've had a Triton with the 2400W saw for a few years and then I sold it. I like to make small boxes occasionally as well as the odd cupboard and a Table saw would be useful. The boxes I prefer to make are mitred edge boxes and boxes with box joints which are all easier to do with a Table saw. One of the reasons I had to sell the Triton workcentre and saw was it took up a bit of space which I needed for something else and it was noisy. I am now contemplating buying a small Table saw ala the ones sold at Bunnings. The range is typical for them and ranges from Ozito with a dodgy fence (which could be replaced with a homemade improved version) to a Ryobi with a solid fence but only about 550mm rip capacity through to Dewalt which looks like a decent tool at almost $900. So, the question I have is accuracy of these saws and the noise level, how do they compare with the less portable versions? Also dust control will be necessary and they will need some form of dust control ability.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Nov 2007
    Location
    Victoria
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    Default

    I bought the dewalt 745 from Bunnings a few weeks ago (local total tools didn't have any stock)and so far it's been great. Plenty of good reviews around. The rack and pinnion fence locks in tight and that's what sold me. Noise wise during a cut it is close to 100db. I haven't done anything about dust collection yet. Didn't buy a stand at the time but picked a different dewalt saw stand from just tools for $40.

    Only other TS I have experience with is a prescio festool. Let me know if you want any more info on this saw.

  4. #3
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    Default

    Thanks Sam, do you feel it gives accurate repeatable cuts? Can I ask what have you used it for and would it be as loud as a portable circular saw?

  5. #4
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    Nov 2007
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    Victoria
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    Yep accurate repeatable cuts, the fence doesn't move at all. Was ripping stuff just before that all came out uniform. It is equally loud as a circular saw, which I guess it really is (same motor to a 9 1/4 circ. saw?).

  6. #5
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    Jun 2005
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    Helensburgh
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    For box making you need this, the ultimate cordless table saw....




    and being used to make boxes here



    I don't know what I would do with it but this saw has always fascinated me. It might be one of those tools you buy then can't do without.
    CHRIS

  7. #6
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    Default

    Sam, is there any blade wander at all which might be noticeable on long straight cuts?

    Chris, lovely saw but out of my price range unless I can get one second hand.

  8. #7
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    Jun 2005
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tiger View Post
    Chris, lovely saw but out of my price range unless I can get one second hand.
    Unlikely I would think, oh well I will get back to dreaming!
    CHRIS

  9. #8
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    Feb 2003
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    back in Alberta for a while
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    Quote Originally Posted by Tiger View Post
    I am contemplating buying a small Table saw ala the ones sold at Bunnings. The range is typical for them and ranges from Ozito with a dodgy fence (which could be replaced with a homemade improved version) to a Ryobi with a solid fence but only about 550mm rip capacity through to Dewalt which looks like a decent tool at almost $900. So, the question I have is accuracy of these saws and the noise level, how do they compare with the less portable versions? Also dust control will be necessary and they will need some form of dust control ability.
    I have a North American DW745 which I think is basically the same saw as sold by Bunnings.

    Comments
    as already stated the fence and repeatability when ripping is great.
    out of the box the box the blade on my saw was parallel to the mitre slots and 90 degrees to the table.
    I haven't detected any wobble in the arbor when doing long rips.
    the mitre slots are U rather than T shaped -- this means you have to remove the retaining clip from the front of an Incra mitre gauge.

    setting a blade angle other than 90 degrees is a bit of a pain -- if I were regularly cutting 45 degree mitres I'd build a cross cut sled with a 45 degree ramp and leave the saw setup at 90 degrees.

    the table is small -- possibly too small for cross-cutting for box making. This is "fixable" if you build a suitable sled. Many build a stand and extended table to house the saw.

    Dust collection is so-so. The included dust port is designed for connection to a shop vac rather than a proper DC. And overhead collection -- at least on my variant of the saw -- is non existent. However, DeWalt make a variant with an overhead collector designed for connection to a 30 mm (?) shop vac hose.
    If you enclose the saw -- 4 sides and the bottom -- a standard modified 2hp DC should be effective.

    I can't comment on the quality of the supplied blade as I purchased a Freud two blade set to use with the saw.

    the riving knife is effective and easily set.

    the saw doesn't accept a dado set -- but for boxes I think you are better off with one of a Box joint blade. https://www.amazon.ca/Freud-SBOX8-Cu.../dp/B000ASGV1E or Saw Blades for Finger Joints, Square Cut Box Joints, Rabbets, Grooves, and Dovetails
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  10. #9
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    Nov 2007
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    Victoria
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    No blade wobble on mine either as far as I've noticed. The supplied blade seems ok too, no marks or problems with the edges of the tas oak and plywood I've cut (both 19 thick). Also breezed through 45 thick radiata.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Nov 2004
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    Eastern Suburbs Melbourne
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    Default

    Thanks guys for confirming the lack of wobble, there was a youtube video on this very saw that mentioned there was some wobble and ragged cuts but it may have been a blunt saw that was partially to blame.
    Ian 80% of the intended work will be box-making and many of these boxes will be mitred edge boxes so the inability to set the blade accurately and quickly will be an issue for me, it was something that frustrated me a lot when I had the Triton. It looks easy to do on the Dewalt but if there's a lot of stuffing around in order to get the true 45 then that is a problem. I do use a shooting board to clean up edges but this can be laborious when there's a few to do. I do have a 2hp dust extractor so I guess I'll need to enclose it, the Triton was the major producer of dust and so I will need to do something to reduce the amount of dust production. The inability to use a dado-blade is also a limitation but your suggestion may be a good option, is it simple enough to change blades on this saw?

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jul 2017
    Location
    Sydney
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    Default

    Subscribed as keen to get thoughts of others regarding tiger's dilemma.

    I'm tossing up between the Dewault and the Carbatec Site Saw. I like the fence on the dewault and i'm not mechanically gifted so I like the "Out of the Box" accuracy that's reported with this saw.

    I've got very limited space (single car garage) and a limited budget so can't go anything bigger unfortunately.

    If i do go down the path of the Dewault, I'll be building it into a bench to gain more table area and have more in/outfeed capacity. Something where if i remove the blade & fence, it's just an extention of my workbench. Oh and Jigs galore more than likely...

  13. #12
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    the saw has an adjustable stop at 45 degrees, but for box making you would have to check for a build-up of crud on the stop every time you changed the angle.
    Also, you have to hold the motor / blade assembly firmly against the stop while you tighten the nut.
    To my mind a sled with a 45 degree ramp would be an easier option.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

  14. #13
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  15. #14
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    Nov 2004
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    Eastern Suburbs Melbourne
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    Default

    One of my great frustrations was not being able to tilt the saw blade when I had my Triton, I'm not sure that I want to re-visit that experience. Is this typical of other table saws as well?

  16. #15
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    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    For box making you need this, the ultimate cordless table saw....



    I don't know what I would do with it but this saw has always fascinated me. It might be one of those tools you buy then can't do without.
    Quote Originally Posted by Tiger View Post
    Chris, lovely saw but out of my price range unless I can get one second hand.
    Quote Originally Posted by Chris Parks View Post
    Unlikely I would think, oh well I will get back to dreaming!
    Not sure that the joint maker is all that "expensive" in the scheme of things.

    At $1435 USD (about $1800 AUD plus GST and shipping) it's only about 2 times what Bunnings wants for the DW745.
    regards from Alberta, Canada

    ian

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