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18th December 2019, 10:56 AM #1New Member
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Beginner Table Saw Considerations
Hi,
I am new to the forums after being directed here when asking elsewhere regarding a beginner table saw. I have done a fair bit of research into the topic and from what I understand it is better to buy a used contractors (old style) saw/ hybrid saw rather than the new style portable jobsite/contractor saws. So I have been searching for these types of saws within the Sydney area (feel free to message if you have something to suit my needs). However, one thing I never seem to find in these style posts is the power considerations for a table saw. I am not knowledgeable on this topic so if someone could provide some help I would really appreciate it.
My situation is as follows. I am looking for a table saw to make small woodworking projects (I am just starting out, and would rather spend less than more in case this does not catch fire, something in the range of $500-$1000). I work from a garage which isn't tiny but isn't large either. The house I live at is a rental so I need to take this into consideration if a saw I am interested in has power requirements different to that of the standard Australian home circuit.
This last point is what I am curious about. How can you determine if the saw you are looking at will run with the standard home circuit? Since I am living at a rental calling in a sparky to setup a new circuit isn't really an option (also I would much rather avoid additional costs at this stage). In general will contractor saws/hybrid saws require a dedicated circuit? If so, is it more sensible in my case to stick with a portable jobsite saw?
Thanks.
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18th December 2019, 11:47 AM #2GOLD MEMBER
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"standard home circuit" implies a 10-amp plug. Most contractor ones will be fine. Higher amperage requirements are 15-amp but that's uncommon on a contractor size saw. You would see that on a cabinet saw. If you get a photo of the motor plate, anything higher than 2400w implies more than 10amp...
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18th December 2019, 11:49 AM #3GOLD MEMBER
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What you need is a saw that has a standard 10 amp plug, not 15 amp. This will restrict you to less than 3hp (2250 watt) and that power should be sufficient for the purpose you intend. The less than 3hp proviso shouldn't restrict you too much. A quality fence makes a huge difference to the type of saw you're thinking about so keep this in mind if there are multiple offerings available.
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19th December 2019, 12:54 PM #4GOLD MEMBER
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Buy a sawstop. If you decide woodworking is not for you, you'll get your money back - they don't lose much value.
And it'll save those new-to-the-craft fingers, which is worth more than you can imagine!
They come up 2nd hand occasionally, but you have to be patient, and then quick!
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19th December 2019, 01:28 PM #5SENIOR MEMBER
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As someone that has been doing woodworking for some time now, but basically learnt from scratch, if you're a beginner and as stated plan on building small things, consider learning how to build things with hand tools will pay massive dividends in the long run. I'm finding the more skilled i become with hand tools the less i use my power tools. Yes having a table saw is handy for breaking down materials, but in many cases i find its almost just as quick to do things by hand, plus you end up with a better result.
Depending on what you plan on making at some point you'll acquire the hand tools anyway as there are many circumstances where powertools don't fit the bill, whether from a safety point of view or physical limitations.
Plus table saws require dust extraction and that just opens up a massive can of worms that most beginners find it difficult to stomach. Plus given that you're in a rental the landlord may not be happy with either of this or you run the risk of damaging the property as a result of kickback. Lets just say i'm glad i was not in a rental when i first started woodworking, as i'm sure i would have lost my bond with the dents i left in the wall behind my table saw.
Not saying don't get a table saw, as i love having mine. Over the years i have just learnt that what i used to think was a waste of time (using handtools) has become a necessity.
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21st December 2019, 04:54 AM #6
Look you live in a rental -- so calling in a sparky to make a "structural" change is not really an option for you. At a minimum you would need the landlord's consent to the electrical modifications.
as Bernmc advises, swallow deeply and put your dollars towards a Sawstop PLUS at least two brake cartridges for when the fingers get too close to the blade.
or save some initial pennies by investing in quality hand tools -- good condition 2nd hand ones typically sell for about the same price as the rubbish found in the Borgs
one more thing.
depending on how the rental is wired, the wiring to the garage may struggle to support the current draw of a table saw.
The expected current draw may be not much more than a 1200W power washerregards from Alberta, Canada
ian
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21st December 2019, 10:56 AM #7GOLD MEMBER
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Yes, you could save up and buy a Sawstop, most of us don't, wonder why that is? Could be that we don't all have the same financial resources. If you could find something like this - Table Saw Heavy Duty 12” | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Knox Area - Ferntree Gully | 1236565035 - locally you'd be off to a start without spending a fortune, and you won't lose any money if you later have a change of heart. There is one very similar listed on Gumtree at The Gap, but it looks like it's only 1hp. The guy selling it doesn't know much - he has the fence fitted back to front.
If you added a fence like this - Biesemeyer style table saw fence | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Blacktown Area - Schofields | 1234975828 - you would have the basis of a good starter saw. The seller of the fence may well have quite a bit of difficulty moving it at the asking price so there's always the option of respectfully making an offer.
If you keep your eyes open on eBay, Gumtree and your local Facebook selling sites something will come up. Remember you don't have to pay what they're asking, if you make an offer without belittling or offending the seller you might just end up with what you want.
IMO there's not much point in waiting for a second hand Sawstop to come up in the absence of a significant saving.
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23rd December 2019, 03:37 PM #8
I work out of a single car garage and have Carbatec 10" cabinet saw on a mobile base. It works for me but I probably need to rearrange the workshop in order to get the most out of the saw. I plan to do this in the new year.
My point being, that even in relatively small spaces a full size cabinet saw can work. Although a little out of your price range. The 2nd hand market is a little more active in Sydney than in Adelaide so keep your eyes open.
If going new then you could make a Dewalt or similar contractors saw work for you and build a workbench to sit it in.
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Contractor saws will not need a dedicated circuit. My cabinet saw is rated at 9.6A and I only have a single power circuit in my shed. I can run the saw and shop vac at the same time but they have to be started separately otherwise the power draw is too high.
The benefit of the contractor saw is that it is easily relocated when you need to. Living in a rental Im sure at some stage you will be moving on so not having to arrange for a 200kg+ saw to be moved will be one less thing to worry about.
This one is located in Paramatta area. No riving knife it seems but you could easily retro fit a splitter to the throat plate.
Jet JWTS-10 1-1/2HP Workshop Tablesaw | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Parramatta Area - Granville | 1236033957
Cheers.
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23rd December 2019, 03:39 PM #9
edit: double post
Last edited by samo; 23rd December 2019 at 09:27 PM. Reason: double post
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23rd December 2019, 07:24 PM #10
The spiel on the Jet indicates that there is a riving knife but it appears that the seller is just quoting the specs so it would be worth checking.
It also says it's a left tilt saw but the scale on the front indicates that it's a right tilt and steel extension wings - they're cast iron so it looks like they just got the specs direct from the Jet website
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