Thread: basic small table saw

Sam there are small tablesaws around. Have a look in Bunnies.

If you don't want a fence, simply take it off.

As for your other criteria I think you will find models with these features but you might have to look at higher quality gear such as Festool.

Do a google search.

Bunnings sell some small cheap saws. Not quite sure what you mean by angle and height adjusters. If you mean does the blade have a rise and fall adjustment, then yes it does. and if you mean by angle adjustment, does the blade tilt through to 45deg, yes most of them do. These cheap saws are not very good quality but I had one for a while and it did what I wanted it to do. Fence is almost useless on them though.

I have had a few small table saws' and the best, smallest to meet your requirements is my Metabo (this model is no longer made). Festool is great but you need a new mortgage to buy it sadly.
I had a Metabo years ago and sold it to a carpenter (best mate) and when I realised my error he would not sell it back as it was way to practical for him so I waited and searched ebay then I found another one in QLD and shipped it to melb.
This on is on a stand that unbolts and so so the side tables and fences and can be used with a slide in the groove fence, OH and it has a scriber blade as well but mine is removed at the moment.
The Metabo is far better in quality than bigger saws as it cuts straight on angles with no movement unlike many that I have used that are huge and wont fit in a trailer.
I have had offers for $1000 to sell it and knocked it back as I was using it. My last one I sold for $1100 to my mate which is what it cost me. Gives you an idea on price.

What are you using it for?
If you want to have a look when your down in Melb next feel free, I have attatched a pic for you. The slide fence unbolts easily and the green box is the pull down size about 15-20kg approx, the saw can be used easily for mitre and blade height adj etc. To give an idea of size there is a 250mm ruler on the saw in front of the saw blade.

Cheers
James

Munruben, Yes that is what i meant. Sorry I am still fairly new to all this and I couldn't think of the right word. Thanks for the tips I will have another look next time I go to Bunnings.

Kitsol, Thank you very much for all the info. I will mostly be using it for cutting boards to size. Nothing huge, probably nothing over a meter by 60cm. Also some basic joint like dado.

Thanks for all the info!

As your newish, the best thing to look for is a fence that wont push away at the back causing a non square rip. To over come this it would be good to clamp the back of the fence to stop it moving. If you have not used a table or panel saw before I would advise you to to do a course for your finger safety etc as they can bite hard.
Good luck as you will buy small then get better (not bigger) saws over the next few years, I did and I started buying small after years as a cabinet maker.

When your ready to spend money I would strongly go the Festool for your requirements. Have a look at the places that sell trade tools not just hard ware stores.
I have included a link to the saw that has been mentioned and another cabinet maker has it and highly recommends it. Cant get kink to work properly so you may have to copy and past it. Dumb computer, not me, never me!

http://www.idealtools.com.au/festool..._cutting_depth

Enjoy the fun.

hi shonfield. i agree with artme. you should take a look the festool cms table saw. it also can be used as a router table. bandsaw(upside down jigsaw module) and a linisher.
it is a little pricey. but i think they are still on special right now.
try vektools.com.au

btw, why do you want to take the fence off?
are you cutting/ripping sheet goods?

then take a look at the festool ts-55 saw.

and no, i dont work for festool.........

regards, justin.

What does everyone think of the makita table saws?
The MLT100 is on ebay for $600 and everywhere else it seems to be about $1100. Don't know why there selling them so cheap, there brand new.

This is the one:
MLT100-Table Saw 255mm

Hi Shonfield,

I've been looking at small table saws too and I believe the older Makita model was/is $1100 but the newer MLT100 (the one on ebay) is around $600-700 generally. Not sure what the difference is or why they cut the price in half.

There's also an Hitachi tablesaw for $450-600 that was discussed here https://www.woodworkforums.com/f11/hi...ble-saw-73916/.

Can anyone comment on how these saws compare to a Triton workcenter or even one of these https://www.machineryhouse.com.au/Pr...stockCode=W441 ? The W441 has an induction motor, does this mean it will be relatively quiet ?

Cheers'

Sam

edit - I just got the Aldi specials email and they're selling the Taurus tablesaw again - $199.

Most of these ones have smaller blades and small rip capacities compared to better ones. My max rip capacity is 1000mm which is why I bought it, just to give you an idea.
For dado work these seem a great place to start, I would probably change the blade to a sixty tooth or fine cutting blade for accurate work and that would be it.


As for Makita stuff being cheaper well there is a reason for that, I have heard they are good looking copies that look the same but have cheap guts and cant be repaired. So it come down t buyer beware. Some times you can get end of model runouts but I would still be careful.

I found my Triton setup was neither your armpit nor your elbow -ie. Not small enough to be called compact and not big enough for some jobs, it lacked accuracy and no matter how much care I took this remained a problem until the day I sold it. It was very good for doing jobs where total accuracy did not matter.

You Might find with the sort of set up you are after accuracy will be a curse unless you spend the dinheiro on good gear.

Unfortunately, what artme says is true, you get what you pay for.