Thread: First 'serious' table saw

You could have a read through this to get some ideas.
I am not sure why you would be having trouble with your fence rails as they look much the same as a number of other saws including mine. Could it be that H&F have tried to cut manufacturing costs and reduced the thickness of the material used in the tubing for the rails?

It's always possible that cost cutting has gone too far and started to impact on quality. I'm considering requesting a full refund due to warranty and design fault and looking at either a panel saw from H&F W700 | PS-1810 Panel Saw | machineryhouse.com.au, or this Carba-Tec 12" Panel Saw w/ Scriber on Cabinet Base : CARBA-TEC from CarbaTec.

The answer to this really depends on what you are going to do with your saw. Personally I think a panel saw is overkill unless you are doing lots with laminate or veneer. If you're making kitchens and the like then they are great. But for most things, I reckon they are overrated.

I'd also steer clear of 12" saw - nothing wrong with them per se but again they are largely unnecessary. I've got a 10" saw and it's plenty. A 12" saw needs much more power to get up to speed and unless you are cutting really big timber, it is unnecessary, costs more for blades (with a greatly reduced range) and needs more power (as you've found ).

I'd be looking at a jet to Laguna table saw. Give Gregory machinery in Brisbane a call to see what jet stuff they've got left over - they were doing good deals on their leftover jet stock at one stage.

Trav

I agree with Trav on this. I bought a Laguna 10" Platinum from Gregorys in Brisbane for just on $2K (back in April tho) and its a beauty. Solid build, plenty of hp, good fence and everything lined up square and flat on assembly.

CharlieZ

You might have a look at SawStop Model itPCS32230 or larger models from Gabbett Machines, Kings Park (Sydney). Costs about $4,000 but it puts saws from Carbatec or Hare & Forbes to shame. Solid, well made, and smooth operation, especially the t-slot mitre and rip fences (no slop, easy glide). Simple blade change and fine blade clearance. I'm not promoting it but was impressed with what I saw.

I'm looking at table saws at the moment too. I'll probably be buying in about 6 months, and I'm not coming from something quite as good as a WC2000... Oh no, I've been using a 909 table saw from Masters. "Better than Ozito, just" springs to mind.

Anyhow, I've pinned it down to either:
The Carbatech Contractor's saw: Contractor’s Saws : CARBA-TEC Not sure what the fence quality would be like, but I hope that it'd be better than what you've experienced with your Hafco! I intend to go and have a play with one at the next woodworking show I can get to. Takes a dado stack too! Probably sub-optimal on the dust extraction and noise fronts though.

My other option is the Laguna Fusion from Gregory Machinery. I was just quoted a shade under $1700. From the sound of it, without going to a full-blown cabinet saw this thing is the duck's guts. Several people on here rave about them.

I haven't investigated shipping, but I know we have a Carbatec dealer here in town, so I could probably get the Carbatech for ~$1100 with the mobile base. By the sounds of it, I'd be scratching $2K by the time the Laguna was in my shed.

Food for though!