Thread: older panel saws.. how to tell a decent one

Hi

I have a factory where I mainly do metal work, general engineering, mechanical... not wood work. But I do quite often need to do some wood working "stuff". Often it's just cutting sheets of ply to size for bracing other projects. Sometimes it's more presentable work, and I would like to do some light furniture stuff in my down time. But this is definitely an occasional thing. I have a decent jointer, planer and router table. I was keen to add a table saw, but have noticed a number of (quite a bit) older panel saws on Marketplace around $1000-1500. I have the 3 phase power and I have the space, and a panel saw looks a lot more capable for around the same money as a fairly crappy contractor saw.

What I don't know is how to judge a decent one. I obviously don't need any of the features of a new saw like CNC fences, as I won't use it even every week. I just want something that is in decent condition and cuts nicely. Can you give me some advice on what to look for and what to avoid? I'm really asking how do I judge condition.. what should I look at to see if it's worn out.