Thread: Newb needs budget TS help: Hitachi vs. JET vs. Ryobi

hello everyone, i need help deciding which budget bable saw i should get:

Budget: $200

Contenders:

Hitachi C10FR - $170 on sale at Lowes til Wednesday 4/11/07

JET 708315LSB - $197 on sale at Mendards til Sat 4/14/07

Ryobi BTS20R - $229 at HD, seems like they go on sale for $200 sometimes

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Hitachi:

Pros: I've seen it at Lowes and I like the little features such as LED light to luminate the workpiece, Cut line indicator, and other little features. sale price is very nice. Seems sturdy.

Cons: I've read negative comments on amazon.com and other online forums that this is just one bad TS. Heard CS is crappy.

JET:

Pros: Sale price is nice, belt driven (quieter, smoother), I've seen it at Mendards already. 5 yr warranty. Good customer service.

Cons: Wings seem weak, miter seems small, doesn't seem as sturdy. Not as portable.

Ryobi:

Pros: Endorsed as a very good budget TS by Woodworker's Journal and Fine Woodworking.

Cons: Not on sale, but heard it goes on sale. Haven't actually seen it as HD is 30 mins away from home.

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I'm sure i'm forgetting a bunch as well but please give me your inputs.

I'm using it mostly for building speaker boxes so its going to be ripping mostly MDF's.

My dad builds houses on the side so I'll probably be using it for some of that as well. But in no means is this going to be a heavy duty used TS as in a contractor.

Please help out this rookie decide. Give me your 2 cents please.