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  1. #1
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    Dec 2013
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    Default Looking for recommendations on a 12" table saw. $3,000 max :)



    Hi Guys/Girls,

    My wife and I just bought our first house and I am keen to upgrade the power in the shed and get me a big table saw!

    These are the required specs so far:


    • Decent power 3hp should do it?
    • I live in the desert and have been milling smaller local timbers with an alaskan mill, so will be cutting mostly local hardwoods.
    • I hope to be have 100mm vertical clearance/cutting
    • I can alter the power so no worries on amperage
    • I need it delivered to Alice Springs
    • I would like a decent fence to come with it as I can not afford extras!
    • No need to break down big boards as I have a circular saw



    I thank you all in advance.

    Please throw me all your advice and recommendations.

    Miko

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  3. #2
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Australia
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    67

    Default ST-12D ??

    This saw is the cheapest in its class, does anyone have any experience with this saw?


    http://www.machineryhouse.com.au/W454

  4. #3
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Brisbane
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    1,809

    Default

    I have the equivalent contractor saw model, SB12. It is a good saw for the price and gives 100 mm cut but the fence was ordinary and I had to replace with a better Biesemeyer fence and readout. Resale of their machines seems to be low, from my experience. My opinion is that you should buy the very best, even if you have wait to save for it. If you want a cheapie in the meantime buy second hand. I might even sell mine though freight for 110 kg to Alice might be prohibitive.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

  5. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
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    Australia
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    Smile

    Quote Originally Posted by Xanthorrhoeas View Post
    I have the equivalent contractor saw model, SB12. It is a good saw for the price and gives 100 mm cut but the fence was ordinary and I had to replace with a better Biesemeyer fence and readout. Resale of their machines seems to be low, from my experience. My opinion is that you should buy the very best, even if you have wait to save for it. If you want a cheapie in the meantime buy second hand. I might even sell mine though freight for 110 kg to Alice might be prohibitive.


    Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

    Hi Xanthorrhoeas,

    My father in law just told me the same thing! "Table saws are the heart of the woodshop, get the best one you can!"

    So... Now I am looking for the best 12" table saw I can get, I may have to save a little but it will be worth it.

    Cheers

    Miko

  6. #5
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    If you can stretch to a sliding table model do that. The European stuff is a few more thousand than your initial budget but you will never need to upgrade and if needed the saw can have features added to at a later date. I have a ST12 that no one wants but it is three phase so it sits in a corner with crap piled on top of it.
    CHRIS

  7. #6
    Join Date
    May 2013
    Location
    Auckland, New Zealand
    Posts
    997

    Default

    Do yourself a favour, get a short stroke European panel saw, very versatile, I use my panel saw so often I don't even use my mitre saw/compound mitre saw.

    something like Hammer K3 or Minimax SC2 or Robland NXZ series. I think the Robland is the most economical European saw, it's made in Belgium. Hammer MAYBE made in Asia. SC2 is made in Italy. If you got too much money then get a Felder. It's about double the price of Robland equivalent.

  8. #7
    Join Date
    Nov 2012
    Location
    Brisbane
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    Default

    Hi again Miko
    It is very important to know what you want to build before you buy your saw. For example, if you want to make items such as kitchens and cabinets out of sheet products like mdf, chipboard, or plywood then a sliding table is a must have. Now, I don't use such products, except to make jigs, so I do not absolutely need a slider and more significantly, I do not have room for one. I only make things out of solid timber or cut my own veneers if I use them. But, a good quality saw with a really flat table and accurate fence is important to me. I do not have one (yet) but I am very impressed with the new (to Aus) sawstop machines (from Gabbett/ iwoodlike) which are beautifully finished and, have the really big advantage of being safer -- they won't cut you!
    I have to also say that you should not overlook the importance of the bandsaw. A good bandsaw can be the heart of your workshop and a lesser tablesaw can be its assistant. A good bandsaw can cut 350 mm or more and cut great veneers or resaw timber to make better use of fine figure, a home workshop tablesaw cannot equal that. I recommend that you have a look at John Samuel's threads and others on bandsaws before you commit.
    Best wishes
    David


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  9. #8
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
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    Helensburgh
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    Default

    A basic K3 winner (Hammer slider) without the outrigger takes up no more room in width than a normal table saw with a long fence, I haven't measured it but it might be less, in fact it is 2 metres wide (I just measured it). The outrigger table takes up a lot of room but that is optional when the saw is ordered and can be added later and it costs no more to do it that way. The outrigger table can be removed and stored away leaving the slider for general use. I did not order an outrigger for mine and I cut 1200 square sheets on it after breaking down a 2400 with one cut on the ground. I too was wary of the room I thought it was going to take up but I found I was mistaken but it is easy to believe they take up a lot of room. Length ways it takes up more room and needs overall about 3 metres for the table to extend fully both ways. The problem I would have with cutting full sheets on it (if I had the outrigger) would be the physical ability to get the sheet on the saw. A full sheet of MDF is damned heavy and I do not need any further injuries to the ones I already have. A basic slider changes the way the work is done and for most of the time is way safer. I don't use my mitre saw much at all these days and having just made about 50 drawers it is a joy to mass produce on, everything comes out square and it is quick to do.
    CHRIS

  10. #9
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wongawallan, SE Qld
    Posts
    161

    Default

    Miko, I know it'd be difficult to inspect anything before buying from where you are, but a couple of other things to look out for or query are: the ease of tuning or aligning the blade - i.e. squaring it up to the fence; and the ease of changing out blades and accommodating dado blades.

    I had a HAFCO 12" table saw that I recently sold, partially because it was a real pain in the neck to do anything with the blade other than the standard raise and lower it and tilt it.

    Don't rule out the 10" saws. I'm also just about to start looking for a decent new table saw but will probably go for a 10" this time around as I really didn't find much need for the bigger blade when I had the 12" and there seem to be more and better options in 10". I've just bought a new Laguna band saw for resawing and can't see the need for a 12" table saw.

    One of the ones that I'm considering is the Laguna Platinum Dovetail 250mm table saw, but it's the first that I've looked at (other than a couple of the Carbatec ones) and I've not yet compared it to anything of a similar price/capability.
    http://www.gregmach.com/Machinery/Sa...mDovetail.html

    David mentioned the Sawstop machine above, I had a quick look at one at Gabbett and the guy made a comment about the saw being much the same as the Laguna saw and built in the same factory....(which I haven't verified), though more expensive because of the "sawstop" feature. Although the "sawstop" does seem to be a great safety feature, I gather that once it is activated it essentially wrecks the machine, though it saves your finger. I don't really understand the technology but it makes me a little concerned that it may activate for the wrong reason at some stage down the track and wreck the machine when no finger or limb is at risk.....though that's just me not trusting the concept of incorporating too much technology trying to save us from ourselves and wanting to take the place of common sense and care.

    What area in Alice did you buy? I lived there for about 20 years.

  11. #10
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wongawallan, SE Qld
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    Default

    I'd be interested to hear what anyone thinks of the Ledacraft table saws. Here's a 3hp 12" one:
    http://www.ledamachinery.com.au/inde...ble-saw-detail

  12. #11
    Join Date
    Jun 2005
    Location
    Helensburgh
    Posts
    7,696

    Default

    That looks like the same as the HAFCO with a different badge on it. The SS destroys the blade and needs a new firing mechanism if it is triggered and at the price in Oz is up there with a small European slider. Apparently the quality is many times better that a normal Asian produced saw and so it should be for the price.
    CHRIS

  13. #12
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Nebo, Central Queensland
    Age
    52
    Posts
    119

    Default

    I looked at the Contractor SS and by the time I optioned it up a little I realized I could by a Hammer slider saw for the same price. SS doesn't come close to Hammer cut quality. Had mine for 2 years, happy as a pig in proverbial

  14. #13
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    67

    Cool If you can all keep it a secret.. - It seems I have to buy a TS and a Bandsaw!!

    Quote Originally Posted by Larks View Post
    Miko, I know it'd be difficult to inspect anything before buying from where you are, but a couple of other things to look out for or query are: the ease of tuning or aligning the blade - i.e. squaring it up to the fence; and the ease of changing out blades and accommodating dado blades.

    I had a HAFCO 12" table saw that I recently sold, partially because it was a real pain in the neck to do anything with the blade other than the standard raise and lower it and tilt it.

    Don't rule out the 10" saws. I'm also just about to start looking for a decent new table saw but will probably go for a 10" this time around as I really didn't find much need for the bigger blade when I had the 12" and there seem to be more and better options in 10". I've just bought a new Laguna band saw for resawing and can't see the need for a 12" table saw.

    One of the ones that I'm considering is the Laguna Platinum Dovetail 250mm table saw, but it's the first that I've looked at (other than a couple of the Carbatec ones) and I've not yet compared it to anything of a similar price/capability.
    http://www.gregmach.com/Machinery/Sa...mDovetail.html

    David mentioned the Sawstop machine above, I had a quick look at one at Gabbett and the guy made a comment about the saw being much the same as the Laguna saw and built in the same factory....(which I haven't verified), though more expensive because of the "sawstop" feature. Although the "sawstop" does seem to be a great safety feature, I gather that once it is activated it essentially wrecks the machine, though it saves your finger. I don't really understand the technology but it makes me a little concerned that it may activate for the wrong reason at some stage down the track and wreck the machine when no finger or limb is at risk.....though that's just me not trusting the concept of incorporating too much technology trying to save us from ourselves and wanting to take the place of common sense and care.

    What area in Alice did you buy? I lived there for about 20 years.
    Hey Larks!

    Kurrajong Drive - Eastside, across from the bush, beautiful place - Pool and an 8x4 shed!

    Thank you all for your advice and help on this issue, I have 2 threads going atm relating to my new table saw and sourcing info to suit my woodworking needs. I spent some time on the weekend reviewing 100's of posts on this site (such a great resource) and also writing up what I wanted to do with wood and the machinery that will really suit my purpose. I have really come to the conclusion that 2 separate pieces of machinery are needed.. Ohh oh!

    1.
    Breakdown dried & green desert hardwoods into boards/veneers - Bandsaw

    I had planned to do this on a 12" or larger TS but it is now obvious of the dangers involved in having a saw under 24" if intending of breaking down hardwood over 150mm. I have learnt that a table saw is not for breaking down but it an accurate & precise tool which should be able to be adjusted to suit the purpose.

    2.
    Accurate & clean cutting of hardwoods small amount of "breaking down ply" - TS

    There are way more options in the 10" range and you seem to get a more accurate cut for your money than with a 12".


    Soo.. Unfortunately this will be difficult to explain to my SWIMBO so I might have to keep the bandsaw on the DL!


    Goal posts are changing all the time! I think I should get me a nice 10" TS and then look for a Bandsaw. Who loves their 10" TS?? Fill me in guys/girls!

    Miko

  15. #14
    Join Date
    Sep 2008
    Location
    Wongawallan, SE Qld
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    Default

    I'll be interested to hear your thoughts on the 10" saws and which one you decide on.

    I know Kurrajong Drive well, I lost a bit of bark coming off a motor bike in one of those concrete culverts - probably across the road from you, on the way back from Wriggleys water hole one day. And I used to look after a horse at Scobies Stables, which were around the western part of the loop and on the western side of the road, though it looks like houses or townhouses there now on Google earth.

  16. #15
    Join Date
    Dec 2013
    Location
    Australia
    Posts
    67

    Talking Just bought a BS-470 Leda - Thank you Xanthorrhoeas for the hot tip

    Hey all you mob,

    Xanthorrhoeas mentioned I should have a look at bandsaws and I have spent the last few months reading up about them. I believe that for all my ripping and vaneer needs a bandsaw is the best kind of tool to suit my current situation. I think now a 10" TS with a 18" BS will sort me right out!

    I have just bought a Leda 18" bandsaw and it will arrive over the next few weeks. I will post a review when I get it setup. I have been reading all the reviews and ratings for table saws and it seems that either Laguna or Sawstop will be my choice of table with a Incra fence.

    I hope you are all well.

    Miko


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