Thread: Beginner table saw opinions.

The only problem with a lot of the newish table (or more usually contractors) saws that run a few hundred is they tend to be pretty crap when it comes to rigidity and precision. A second cabinet saw with a good cast iron top is definitely the way to go to get something good and affordable.

If the newer cheap table saws look like they'd do what you want, more or less, an ELU TSG172/173 flipsaw would be cheaper and probably better still if it's been looked after. Depends how big you want to rip stuff though.

I bought a 10" Woodfast (insert Carbatec, etc, etc) cabinet saw from the forum or gumtree with a large cast iron top and sliding panel for $300 from memory, and it's a good upgrade from my old ELU flipsaw.

cheers, Ian

Following this post with interest


Northern Beaches Sydney

Having a look at gumtree and previous experience with a makita site saw...that General was the obvious choice as well provided you don’t mind a bit of fiddling if it needs setup. My advice is don’t buy a saw without cast iron unless you need to carry it to a building site!

My first saw was a second hand Hafco 12” contractor saw... TS12 from memory and they’re still available new. Paid $500 for it and it was a great intro, allowed me to do a lot getting started. The biggest downside of that saw was the fence. It had a Ripmaster fence I think it was called, that clamped at both ends, and so was a pain in the butt for repeatability and I’d have to check it for square before each cut. On the plus side I sold it 6 years later for $500... can’t complain about that!

If at all able, try to get a saw with a T-style fence and it’ll last you a lot longer.

Originally Posted by Packdaddy

My first saw was a second hand Hafco 12” contractor saw... TS12 from memory and they’re still available new. Paid $500 for it and it was a great intro, allowed me to do a lot getting started. The biggest downside of that saw was the fence. It had a Ripmaster fence I think it was called, that clamped at both ends, and so was a pain in the butt for repeatability and I’d have to check it for square before each cut. On the plus side I sold it 6 years later for $500... can’t complain about that!

I bought that same saw several years ago for a similar price, sold the Ripmaster fence for $150 (still in its box) and bought an Incra TSLS fence system. I still have it today. I ditched the pressed metal stand and sat it on a 25mm plywood box with a mobile base attached. For most woodworkers it is all the saw you would ever need.

Originally Posted by doug3030

I bought that same saw several years ago for a similar price, sold the Ripmaster fence for $150 (still in its box) and bought an Incra TSLS fence system. I still have it today. I ditched the pressed metal stand and sat it on a 25mm plywood box with a mobile base attached. For most woodworkers it is all the saw you would ever need.

Nice fence! That thing would be amazing. I just had a look and the fence is $1500 retail though [emoji15] That plus a budget table saw is going to cost as much a decent cabinet saw!!

Originally Posted by Packdaddy

Nice fence! That thing would be amazing. I just had a look and the fence is $1500 retail though [emoji15] That plus a budget table saw is going to cost as much a decent cabinet saw!!

Yes, but when I bought my Incra fence the US Dollar was worth less than ours (A$0.73 from memory) and the USPS wasn't treating postage to Australia as such a cash grab.The whole setup cost about $1100 and cabinet saws back then were more expensive too. The maths would not be so favorable now.

One of the other pluses for the contract type saw is the base is separate from the cabinet. This makes easy to put a inverted pyramidal hopper in between the base and the cabinet and a 6" dust port in the centre of the hopper for very good dust extraction - ditch the crappy plastic saw blade surround and partially block the opening in the back with a heavy piece of plastic curtin and it adds up to very efficient dust extraction.

Is the TS12 Hafco 12" contractor saw that has been mentioned a similar build to the Hafco SB-12 that they now sell for around $1,265.

Thanks

Originally Posted by Randy91

Is the TS12 Hafco 12" contractor saw that has been mentioned a similar build to the Hafco SB-12 that they now sell for around $1,265.

Thanks

Yep, same saw.