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  1. #1
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    2

    Default Do table saws really last a life time?

    Hello All,

    Thank you in advance to all those able to provide me with some guidance or more importantly some ease of mind prior to lashing out on a new table saw. My situation is I am 27 years old and I love woodworking as hobby when I can get away from work. I am by no means a professional however that said I care a lot about good quality machinery and I always try to get a professional finish to my projects.

    I have read the forums regarding the capabilities of different table saws to death so my question is not about comparing different brands etc. The table saw I am going to buy is the JET JPS10-TS which seems to do what I need within my price range. My question relates to the many forums on here that mention that a good table saw that is maintained correctly will last a life time or at best a really long time.

    Question 1: Is this really long time actually true or do many of the wood workers here actually upgrade their equipment quite regularly. I don't think this is possible for me as the wife may start to want to buy expensive things as well.

    Question 2: I am not very aware of the technology advances that have occurred over time with table saws. Are the saws in the market today quickly out dated like computers for instance and if so should I wait till I am retirement age to lash out, or will the saw I buy today be competitive in say 5, 10 even 20 years time. (sorry for the hypothetical)

    Any help on this topic is greatly appreciated.

    Cheers,

    Matt.

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Mar 2009
    Location
    Newcastle
    Posts
    287

    Default

    Nothing lasts forever.... but if looked after, and if you purchase reasonable quality up front, there is no reason why the saw you buy today won't be competitive in 20 years....

    I don't think there has been much technological advances in table saws in the past 50 years, and apart from things like sawstop, can't see much changing in the next 50....

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Cheltenham, Melbourne
    Age
    74
    Posts
    2,224

    Default

    Wouldn't it depend on how long you live for?
    Chris
    ========================================

    Life isn't always fair

    ....................but it's better than the alternative.

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Jun 2007
    Location
    Longreach
    Age
    58
    Posts
    1,108

    Default

    I have had my saw for 15 years, the bloke that I worked for owned it for at least 14 years before that, and He bought it second hand. I should imagine that it's at least 32 or 33 years old. It's still on the original motor, although I have replaced the arbor bearings a couple of times, the last time 12 years ago. I should think that if you buy wisely and look after it, it should last a long time.

    Robert
    Check my facebook:rhbtimber

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Oct 2007
    Location
    Alexandra Vic
    Age
    69
    Posts
    2,810

    Default

    I would agree with the other replies. I run a 1960's Gilbro compact combi saw and planer. Bought it secondhand from a neighbour 8 years ago when he was downsizing home and workshop. He bought it new. Has limitations due to being a compact and tilt table rather than tilt arbour, but has had them since he bought it and I knew about them before buying from him. On it second set of belts, and I rejigged the wiring etc four years ago during a general work over, otherwise factory original, same motor, bearings etc.

    Similar with a 1970's DeWalt RAS, all original except height crank pulleys and belt.

    On the other hand, new junk bought today or twenty years ago will still be junk (if it has not been scrapped) twenty years on.

  7. #6
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    Buy quality, look after it and it will last. We have 100 year old machines at work that are still used daily and just keep going - one of them got 98 years on the original bearings.

    As for being competitive; there will always be something "better" out there, but if what you have does what you need, who cares

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    65
    Posts
    11,997

    Default

    Will a TS last a lifetime? In my case yes, the missus will kill me if I buy another one.

    Regarding technology, unless you want sawstop safety then I would recommend getting an old heavy machine over a new light one.

  9. #8
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Yangebup, Perth
    Posts
    444

    Default

    I've got a 1000 year old axe, although the handles has been replace 98 times and the head has been replace 43 times...

    I agree with the others. Buy quality. Some things have a life, like motors, blades etc. Not too much can go wrong with a metal box as long as you look after it.
    The world is a comedy to those that think, a tragedy to those that feel.

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Dec 2010
    Location
    Perth, Western Australia
    Posts
    96

    Default

    My father bought a compact combi TS (planer, drill, saw with cast iron table) in the late 1950's, used it in his cabinet business until he retired in the early 80's then finally sold it mid 90's when he downsized to a unit.
    It use to run for hours on end, only stopping it to rejig it for a different function.
    It was still going strong when it was sold.
    So buy quality, look after it and it should last your lifetime.
    Arie.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Aug 2003
    Location
    Wodonga
    Age
    59
    Posts
    707

    Default

    If you only use it as much as I currently am with mine, it should last 10 lifetimes.

  12. #11
    Join Date
    May 2012
    Location
    Canberra
    Posts
    2

    Default

    Thanks for those that replied. Your advice is very much appreciated and will make my decision to spend more on better quality much easier.

    Cheers.

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Dec 2004
    Location
    Up North
    Posts
    1,799

    Default

    Remember the old saying "You get what you pay for"?

    Buy cheap and you get cheap.

    Spend a bit more and buy quality and look after it, then you can expect it to last a loooong time.

    Cheers
    Wolffie
    Every day is better than yesterday

    Cheers
    SAISAY

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Jun 1999
    Location
    Westleigh, Sydney
    Age
    77
    Posts
    9,542

    Default

    As others have said, quality will last if looked after. Likely wear parts such as quadrant gears should be regularly lubricated with graphite powder, trunnion bearings greased if applicable. If a part wears, replace it immediately. Keep the table clean and give it a light coat of rust preventative - I use lanolin spray, but there are a few on the market.
    Visit my website
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  15. #14
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Location
    Dandenong, Vic
    Posts
    2,029

    Default

    I have a friend with 2 dewalt DW744XE's type 2. BOTH DEAD.
    The rear bearing gets to hot and melts the bearing sleeve and the field case.
    When it dies you can't tell if its getting to hot unless you get your hand underneath and feel the motor.
    Currently trying to work out the right model to get parts from ereplacements as they don't list 744XE and unfortunately there are 2 different motors by the look at the diagrams.

    Anyone else know which one it may be.

    Whats even crazier he's on his third and he went for dewalt again?
    Peter

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Aug 2008
    Location
    Melbourne
    Age
    34
    Posts
    6,127

    Default

    Quote Originally Posted by _fly_ View Post
    I have a friend with 2 dewalt DW744XE's type 2. BOTH DEAD.
    The rear bearing gets to hot and melts the bearing sleeve and the field case.
    When it dies you can't tell if its getting to hot unless you get your hand underneath and feel the motor.
    Currently trying to work out the right model to get parts from ereplacements as they don't list 744XE and unfortunately there are 2 different motors by the look at the diagrams.

    Anyone else know which one it may be.

    Whats even crazier he's on his third and he went for dewalt again?
    Peter
    Some people learn from their mistakes, some learn from the mistakes of others and some have to touch the fire to see if it's hot

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