Thread: Table saw and router recommendations for a beginner

Hey Ganked,
from my perspective, I started with a crappy GMC with an extruded aluminium top.
I have now upgraded to an old Sherwood with big cast iron top and wings. It is like heaven yet it is only an entry level in the cast iron world.
so for starters go for something with a big cast iron top and wings and of course needs to tilt and lower easily.
I am sure there will be more experience show up soon with more detailed advice.
oh and fence. a nice smooth easy fence is heaven too.

Craig

Have a look under "for sale on Ebay. Gumtree, etc" as there is a Leda advertised in Ferntree Gully.

No association with the seller, just happened to see the post.

Originally Posted by Chesand

Have a look under "for sale on Ebay. Gumtree, etc" as there is a Leda advertised in Ferntree Gully.

No association with the seller, just happened to see the post.

Victoria - 12" Leda Table Saw

That Leda Table Saw looks great. If I wasn't on the other side of the country I'd jump at that as an upgrade from my Hafco SB-12. If I were the original poster I'd move on that quick smart, it's a nice piece of kit.

keep all your fingers

buy a sawstop.

Originally Posted by havabeer69

keep all your fingers

buy a sawstop.

I agree and have one but the original post inferred that he was after a second hand machine

Originally Posted by Chesand

I agree and have one but the original post inferred that he was after a second hand machine

Got mine 2nd hand. Not common, but they do come up. SawStop Contractor Saw with Standard 30inch Aluminium Fence | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Blue Mountains - Katoomba | 1240560832

Originally Posted by Bernmc

Got mine 2nd hand. Not common, but they do come up. SawStop Contractor Saw with Standard 30inch Aluminium Fence | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Blue Mountains - Katoomba | 1240560832

Am I missing something? That ad lists it for $1 more than retail: https://www.carbatec.com.au/sawstop-...luminium-fence

Ganked, the amount you would like to spend and if you want to make things from rough timber or mostly sheets of ply etc would help for giving you advice. I personally regret purchasing a contractors saw with aluminium top and brushed motor, I recommend a cast iron top and induction motor for smooth, reliable cutting for decades.

Buy good quality gear right from day one and save yourself heaps in the long run.

Originally Posted by rod1949

Buy good quality gear right from day one and save yourself heaps in the long run.

this,

i have regrets as i originally bought a 2nd hand older Hare and Forbes machine 12" table saw. i spent some more money on a decent fence, and trying to fix up the worn parts to get reliable cuts etc but it just never happened or was going to be too much effort.

i really should have just bought the Sawstop from the start, straight out of the box it just cuts straight, the brake DEFINITELY works (ask my how i know), and there is tons of support, accessories and mods for it.

But yep i would definetly consider buying something nice shiny and new compared to the cheaper unknown condition shed finds.

Definitely should post your budget and space considerations. Otherwise get a Hammer K3 or a Sawstop PCS and call it a day for the rest of your life.

Originally Posted by Midnight Man

Am I missing something? That ad lists it for $1 more than retail: SawStop Contractor Saw with Standard 30" Aluminium Fence | Carbatec | Carbatec - The Home of Woodworking

He's asking too much, but the added value (in his eyes) would be the mobile base ($330) and blades.

Got to love those prices. I'd pay the extra to buy the blades and mobile base knowing that I'm getting it brand new off the shop floor. Especially at those price ranges, someone with $3000 to spend on a saw probably isn't worried about paying a little extra for a brand new one. I'm typically looking for at least a 20% reduction off new price when going second hand, adding a bunch of stuff I might not need isn't going to change that. Even then I'm pretty patient so I can wait for good deals, only time I'll jump is if it's something that doesn't come up often. Don't seem to see Sawstops come up in Perth much, think I recall seeing two on Gumtree over the years and both were basically retail price - a couple of hundred. Not a huge fan of their business practices either, I wouldn't kick one out of my shop but I'd have a very hard time paying the listed Australian prices for them.

The other thing I used to see a lot as a photographer was people wanting to get out of the game and looking to sell $20,000 worth of kit in one sale for $18000. The venn diagram of people who need top of the line equipment and people looking for a whole kit are two completely separate circles.