Thread: Sam's Dilemma: BUILD or BUY?

I actually have a (likely the same one) Ryobi TS and i'd say that regardless of what you do there is only so much tuning you can do, mine cuts square and accurate enough after a weekend of pulling apart and putting back together but i wouldn't throw further money at it.
I have an upgrade penciled in but other machines first as i don't use a TS enough

Keep all the bits you have got and use them to build slides and jigs for the new saw they won't go to waste

Originally Posted by Aussiephil

I actually have a (likely the same one) Ryobi TS and i'd say that regardless of what you do there is only so much tuning you can do, mine cuts square and accurate enough after a weekend of pulling apart and putting back together but i wouldn't throw further money at it.
I have an upgrade penciled in but other machines first as i don't use a TS enough

Keep all the bits you have got and use them to build slides and jigs for the new saw they won't go to waste

Hi Phil, great point, I'm guessing all the aluminium extrusion will eventually find its uses!.

Originally Posted by SadSam71

I've made do with a Ryobi table saw for many years now along with its crappy mitre slots and even worse fence system. Despite all the alignment issues & headaches The 1500w motors been ok and I've always managed to be able to make things with it (least on the second try!). Instead of buying a brand new table saw I decided a few weeks ago to buy some aluminium and upgrade the crappy bits on it like the fence system and mitre slots. $170 later I had all the aluminium I needed to make the upgrades.

Then my finances changed... I'm now in a position to buy a new saw. Should I just go ahead and continue the rebuild of the Ryobi and turn it into a cabinet saw or give in to a brand spanking new one?.

The Carbtec Pro 250mm Cabinet Saw and Sherwood have caught my eye....

I don't think you'll ever be able to turn a Ryobi jobsite saw into a cabinet saw. If you can afford the Carbatec unit that's on sale for $1999 atm I'd go for it, it's two big steps up from what you have, jobsite saw----->contractor's saw-----> cabinet saw. I have the Carbatec unit with the T-Glide fence that I bought as an upgrade from a contractor's saw and that's a major leap in capability. If you went to that from the Ryobi I think I can guarantee you'd be seriously impressed, I know I was. The table insert on the Carbatec isn't it's best feature and is best replaced with the aftermarket zero clearance insert-------> Zero Clearance Insert to suit Carbatec TS-C250P | Carbatec

Owners of Harvey table saws are generally very pleased with their units but that's about another $400-500 more that the Carbatec one. For the price atm I don't think there's anything to rival the Carbatec saw.

Originally Posted by Biggus

If you can afford the Carbatec unit that's on sale for $1999 atm I'd go for it

I phoned up today to get some information on the size of the thing because I only have a single car garage for my workshop.ATM they have none in stock, estimated 4 weeks wait for more stock.

Originally Posted by Biggus

The table insert on the Carbatec isn't it's best feature and is best replaced with the aftermarket zero clearance insert-------> Zero Clearance Insert to suit Carbatec TS-C250P | Carbatec

Should be able to knock one of them up with the aluminium I have!.

Not surprised that they're out of stock atm. They're pretty much the standard recommendation for an entry level cabinet saw. I'm thrilled with mine, it's so nice to have a really dependable fence, and the quick release blade guard is great if you're swapping between rips and cross cuts regularly (using a cross cut sled). My previous saw, an SB-12 contractor's saw was a major pain with regard to removing and replacing the guard, and the quick release feature as well as the ability to mount a riving knife was perhaps the major reason for upgrading. The better fence, improved dust collection, and quieter operation was just added gravy.

I can see me keeping mine for a long time. About the only thing that would tempt me away from it would be a small sliding table saw like this------> Index Woodfast Group Australia but that's another three and a half grand as well as being significantly larger and heavier and needing a 15a power point. It would be nice but it's not really necessary for a hobbyist who doesn't make any money from this whole woodworking thing.

I don't see how this is even a question. It's like asking if you should fix up a 20 year old Kia or buy a new Camry

Originally Posted by Biggus

About the only thing that would tempt me away from it would be a small sliding table saw like this------> Index Woodfast Group Australia

Theres one which does the whole sliding thing, they seem to be quite popular in the UK: Evolution 1500W 255mm Table Saw w. Stand R255MTS | Total Tools
I know!, its a cheapy!, but I've seen some reviews for it and they looked quite good.

Would I have any issues with the size of my garage with the Carbtec?, I have a 11x20ft garage...

Originally Posted by SadSam71

Theres one which does the whole sliding thing, they seem to be quite popular in the UK: Evolution 1500W 255mm Table Saw w. Stand R255MTS | Total Tools
I know!, its a cheapy!, but I've seen some reviews for it and they looked quite good.

Would I have any issues with the size of my garage with the Carbtec?, I have a 11x20ft garage...

I don't reckon I'll be selling mine for one of those Evolution jobbies. As to space I guess it all depends on what else you have in the garage. I just ran the tape measure over it and it's 1525mmx960mm, that's about 5'1"x3'2". Stick it on a mobile base and it should work just fine, even better if the garage has a roller door.

Originally Posted by SadSam71

Theres one which does the whole sliding thing, they seem to be quite popular in the UK: Evolution 1500W 255mm Table Saw w. Stand R255MTS | Total Tools
I know!, its a cheapy!, but I've seen some reviews for it and they looked quite good.

Maybe "quite good" for $300, but not even worth considering compared to a proper cabinet saw.

Originally Posted by Biggus

I don't reckon I'll be selling mine for one of those Evolution jobbies

Are you sure? HAHAHA!

Originally Posted by Biggus

As to space I guess it all depends on what else you have in the garage. I just ran the tape measure over it and it's 1525mmx960mm, that's about 5'1"x3'2". Stick it on a mobile base and it should work just fine, even better if the garage has a roller door.

Drill Press, crappy workbench and jogging machine lol. + the crappy Ryobi (in bits ATM). Yep got a roller door

Originally Posted by elanjacobs

Maybe "quite good" for $300, but not even worth considering compared to a proper cabinet saw.

Sorry mate, it was mean't as a joke, pommy humour, dont take much too seriously

I guess you'll have to make the judgement on whether it will work. If you can open the roller door and put some stuff outside while you work it would help (looking at you jogging machine!). What are you doing about dust control? The saw has a 100mm (4") dust port. Got a shop vac at least?

Originally Posted by SadSam71

Sorry mate, it was mean't as a joke, pommy humour, dont take much too seriously

You never know around here, I've seen people who were serious about stuff like that

Re dust, if you're gonna get a big saw, you'll need a 2hp dust collector at a minimum to have a chance of being useful so factor that in to your budget and space.

Originally Posted by Biggus

Stick it on a mobile base and it should work just fine, even better if the garage has a roller door.

What options are there to make the unit mobile?.