Thread: Table Saws

A Triton Mk3 was my first TS and I still have it. A couple of years ago I bought one of those cheap GMC table saws from Bunnings and for the money are not too bad but leave a lot to be desired. I was just about to buy a new TS a couple of months ago but broke my arm so had to put it on hold. I have had time to browse the models available in my price bracket in the meantime and narrowed it down to either the KS-12K or the MJ2325B.. Both of these are priced at $995.00 from Carba-Tec. The only reservations I have about the latter is the 15amp wiring.
I guess it all depends on your budget, I have only been looking in the $1000.00 price range.
If I was just starting out I think I would be looking at a second hand Triton table. They are a good buy and you can pick a used one pretty reasonable. Go for the 2000 series if you choose that path.

Initially I had a 9" HolzHer (Bosch) circular saw bolted to the underside of an 8'x4' sheet of formply which served me faithfully for 10yrs or so. Then I downgraded to a Triton not sure if it was mark 1 or 2. I traded this in on a Sliding table saw bench named Bevel Australia from Carba-Tec, which was similar to their current model KS-12K. And a couple of weeks ago I traded this in on the Perform 250 table saw model MJ2325D from Carba-Tec.

I got the H&F SB 10H (I think). It's the same one as the Carbatec MJ2325B anyway. Doesn't do some things the more expensive one's do but for my level, beginner to intermediate, it's more than enough.

You'll build plenty of sleds and jigs though.

Can you really go past this saw for value - $1090

http://gpwoodturning.yahoostore.com...._id=1107442135

I don't know whether or not it's a misprint but at .75 HP it seems pretty light on, compared to the H&F or Carbatec at less than $1000. They are 2HP and the rest of the features are similar apart from the quick lock arbor.

Am I missing something?

Originally Posted by Rookie

..but at .75 HP it seems pretty light on,
Am I missing something?

I think it's 1 3/4 (1.75)

I support Boban's recommendation.

I entered as a newbie to woodworking and went down the Triton path...

WC 2000 - $500
Dust Bag - $50
Saw - $250
Dust Extracor $50
Sliding Table - $250

By the time I was happy with my triton setup I'd spent about $1400....

So if you don't have a reasonable quality 9 1/4 circular saw you are up for $750 for WC and Saw.

Given the very poor fence set up, the abysmal mitre gauge/protracor set up - and the constant requirement to check alignment - I'd still clear of the WC. Having said that my experience has made me appreciate by Jet all the more straight, square, consistent cuts really are possible.

don't get me wrong here, I have a number of great triton stuff Jigsaw, TROS, and Multistands - I just think the WC has had its day.

For mobility there are plenty of good quality portable 10" saws as well.

At around $1000 there are a number of suppliers that provide good quality options in contractor type saws. There is a wealth of information available about buidling infeed and outfeed tables that will allow for cash strapped to over come many of the disadvantages of table size.

G'day,

Depends on the individual. I know some blokes with a Triton and happily work with one, could've got that, but it would be probably the next day I'd want bigger.

For me, a C/Tec TSC-10HB.

There's all sorts of reasons for whatever t/saw:

• just what you're going to do with it;

• what your funds are; and

• how soon might you or want to outgrow something because you could've bought Y over X, but settled with X

This is one of the rites of passage for any woodworker, selecting a tablesaw!

You might want to leisurely browse through this thread, and if that whets your appetite a search on table saw, tablesaw, TSC10HB will give you further light reading!


Be warned though, when you do all this reading and searching, don't lose sight of the original objective, ie you want to buy a tablesaw

I finished up buying a Carbatec TL10S, but not sure whether they actually have decided to continue stocking them and if so at what price.

I think this is a case where "right first time" is a good rule. Nothing worse than making a serious compromise on a saw - you just wish you had bitten on the bullet first time around. I have to say that Jet looks pretty good - though I'm a big blue supporter.

Originally Posted by Waldo

G'day,

Depends on the individual. I know some blokes with a Triton and happily work with one, could've got that, but it would be probably the next day I'd want bigger.

For me, a C/Tec TSC-10HB.

You happy with the fence now then Waldo?

Originally Posted by Big Shed

You happy with the fence now then Waldo?

G'day Big Shed,

Pretty much, it locks down a bit harder now , but when I'm running anything with some weight through I stll butt a piece of timber to the fence on the front rail and clamp it, so I make sure I get no movement.

Originally Posted by Arry

what kind of table saw ... you have?

Not the one I want, but hopefully that will change soon. Its a Durden Junior Joiner, a compromise machine with a planer, but does nothing very well. The fence is a PITA, and of course the arbor doesn't tilt (or the table for that matter!) Rattles and roars, horrid little thing.
The previous threads on which saw to buy are proving to be valuable reading, but budget is the main deciding factor. How often can you counter the "I thought you had every tool known to man!", by going out and buying another one of something already sitting in the shed? Sensible arguments about upgrading, or comparing a sewing machine with an overlocker don't wash 'round here. In the mean time I do most of my cutting at work and bring the bits home. That one is a Hare & Forbes budget sliding table model.

Cheers,

Started out with the Triton Compact table.

Upgraded last week to the Jet JPS-10 - Iove it!!

John