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Thread: Mid range saw recommendations
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30th September 2023, 07:46 PM #1Senior Member
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Mid range saw recommendations
Apologies if I've missed a thread that answers this, but assuming that you have a budget in the 'up to $6k range', what table saw would you go for at this point? I'm looking to upgrade from an old Hafco that has done me well, but is specifically unable to run a dado stack. Some observations to shape replies:
1. I know, I know, 'you can't put a price on safety', but in the real world I just can't justify the premium for sawstop, so no thanks. I'll just keep being careful.
2. Serious hobby, some small scale commission work use, ranging from furniture to boat parts. It won't be running all day every day.
3. Needs Dado capability.
4. Prefer the basics to be solid, rather than loads of bells and whistles - good solid trunnions, biggest motor that'll go single phase (I have 15A fuzed sockets in the shop), and a sensible ability to set up and adjust for square/vertical.
I'm looking at Carbatec, Gregory Machinery's Harvey saws, Laguna Fusion, the Hafco range... I see that Carbatec have the 2020 Laguna available at around $2k - that looks like good value?
All helpful/constructive comments welcomed from the experts.
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30th September 2023, 10:15 PM #2GOLD MEMBER
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any reason you can't look at the sawstop contractor saw.
basically has all the features you want, its just not a full proper "cabinet saw" but would still leave a decent amount left in your budget to buy a dado stack. the safety feature aside they actually are a really well made saw.
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30th September 2023, 10:34 PM #3GOLD MEMBER
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1st October 2023, 08:27 AM #4Senior Member
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I've looked at it, but its 'another' contractor saw (albeit a very nice one). My issues include - compromised dust collection compared to a full cabinet design, (which has been an issue with the Hafco) lighter weight components (pressed steel as opposed to cast iron table wings), a compromised trunnion/arbor set up, and a hell of a premium compared to other brands. As said, its not going to be used '24/7', but there will be some native hardwoods going through, and some breaking down of sheet goods: I just tend to prefer a bigger heavier piece of kit working less hard, if that makes sense.
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1st October 2023, 11:32 AM #5GOLD MEMBER
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The Leguna F1 2020 is a bit of a lightweight. 1.5hp motor, pressed steel wings, it's only a hybrid not a full cabinet saw and it only weighs 89kg. Of the Carbatec saws the Carbatec Professional would appear to be a much more substantial package for the price - Carbatec Professional 250mm Cabinet Saw with 30" T-Glide Fence Kit | Carbatec. Some members on here who own one have said good things about it.
Gregorys have some nice saws including the Woodman MBS300 if you want something with 100mm depth of cut. The extra depth of the tables on both the Harvey and Woodman saws is useful when handling longer/larger stock.
Do you have the room for a small form slider? If so that could be a good way to go.
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1st October 2023, 12:31 PM #6Senior Member
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Thanks mate - yes, that Carbatec has caught my eye. Chinese made, but good grunt at a good price point, and looks to have the basics right. Interesting that people have good things to say - I may drop in and physically eyeball one...
I have the room - the purchase is partly down to moving to our new house with a 3 bay shed for me to play in, but wasn't aware of any sliders in that sort of price range?
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1st October 2023, 12:59 PM #7GOLD MEMBER
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If you're prepared to look at second hand and put in a bit of work there are things to be had at not too much money.
An older MBS300 - Log into Facebook - the basics of these saws hasn't changed for over 25 years.
Here's an older Italian made panel saw - Saw Bench / Panel saw / 12 inch - 240v single phase | Power Tools | Gumtree Australia Caboolture Area - Wamuran | 1315670304 - sellers of these older saws are sometimes a bit flexible on the price.
A late model Laguna Fusion with a sliding table - Log into Facebook
In new panel saws there are a few available -
New 2022 aaron Aaron Powerful 1600 mm Single-Phase 230V Sliding Table Saw 5HP 3 75kW Panel Saw MJ-16KB Panel Saw in HOPPERS CROSSING, VIC
New oltre 315mm 12 4HP 1 6m Sliding Table Panel Saw 240V OT-PS-1216A by Oltre Panel Saw in MALAGA, WA
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1st October 2023, 01:29 PM #8SENIOR MEMBER
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If you have room, you can pick up full size sliders for quite cheap.
These are industrial / professional machines
If have limited space, options are more limited.
I bought a 1.6m slider (SC2) because of limited space. They do occasionally come up second hand but not often
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1st October 2023, 07:53 PM #9GOLD MEMBER
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I have the contractor saw and its been great and accurate, (though I've added cast iron wings, built better dust collection added a DRO etc) which is why I suggested it plus its DADO stack compatible... my frued dial a dado is a great kit. Ripped plenty of hardwood with it, accurate out of the box, tons of support.
I am referring to the mid range contractor saw... not the portable "job site" saw.
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