Thread: Sherwood 10” Contractors Table Saw - Timbecon

Can't comment on the Sherwood 10"CTS.
I have the Sherwood 12in Hybrid, very happy with it.
Takes 10"or 12"blades.
Not that much dearer.
Something to consider/compare
https://www.timbecon.com.au/sherwood...inet-table-saw

I'm thinking of a new bench saw, been looking at this one and/or the one VeraWood has mentioned

carbatec has Laguna fusion models for similar price, but they aren't what you would call a contractors saw

one thing tho, I've recently bought the Sherwood 14" standard bandsaw, I was a bit dissappointed to find the mitre slots weren't standard 3/4 (smaller) and made it difficult to upgrade, I would hope that the contractors saw wouldn't be the same, worth checking

Thanks for that, Yes, it looks great but I need a bit more mobility unfortunately.
I was curious about the fence but it looks like the 12" Hybrid has a different, maybe heavier duty fence ??
Interesting that they are both 1800Watt but the Hybrid is 15Amp & the Contractor can run from 10amp outlet,
I wonder how the motors compare ?

Thanks Hodgo, spec says 19mm so I assume they are standard 3/4". I will ask when I call Timbecon if no one else can comment

Originally Posted by Frank56

Thanks for that, Yes, it looks great but I need a bit more mobility unfortunately.
I was curious about the fence but it looks like the 12" Hybrid has a different, maybe heavier duty fence ??
Interesting that they are both 1800Watt but the Hybrid is 15Amp & the Contractor can run from 10amp outlet,
I wonder how the motors compare ?

I'd say it was a mistake.

G'day Frank,

I've got one, the fence is so-so. I've never been able to set it up to lock nicely in position - has a few millimetres play at the far end, so I'm used to twisting the fence to the left as I lock it.
That works, and other than that the saw is fair for the price ($1100 when I bought it and the manufacturer had decided to put in a 2300 watt motor instead of the 1800 version I ordered - they were then sold with 2300 watt motors for a few years but look to have gone back to the original motor now).

The other issues I have with it are:

- an unusable guard - your work gets jammed under it far too easily because of the play in it - I gave up on it.
- The mobile wheel arrangement could be better and often when moving it the wheels retract. Not a biggie, but annoying.
- The front and rear rails are two piece - so a fair bit of work to get these setup (have had to do this 3 times for various reasons)

I do like the riving knife - very easy to use, loosen a knob, push a lever and lift the knife into position (only a thin kerf riving knife though).

Bottom line, the saw is built to a price, and seeing how much it's increased you may do better to spend a bit more.

Hope this helps, Jeff

EDIT: forgot one - due to this style of saw, getting the table parallel to the blade is a frustrating exercise. Loosen trunnion bolts, tap with mallet, tighten, find out that it moved while tightening, rinse and repeat until it's good...

Thanks Jeff, just what I was looking for.
Sadly, even for the extra price now, there are not many competitors that I have found here. Any suggestions??

My must haves were, mobile, decent fence, riving knife, accurate.

For all the fiddling to get it setup, once done, do you think it is an accurate saw for finer work eg.

Blade holds it’s square to table both ways,
Bevel cuts are accurate and repeatable,
Fence is repeatable even if fiddly.

Thanks, again,
Frank

Hi Frank,

I have only owned this saw - so have nothing to compare it with - others may want to chime in.
I should also note that the mitre gauge supplied is very basic - so I bought an Incra 1000HD ($379 - today's price)
A better saw will have better accessories and costs like this might not be necessary.
So if you get this saw, expect to buy a good mitre gauge and to be making sleds to help with repeatability.

It's a basic saw, entry level in Timbecon's own words. So don't expect too much.

To answer your points:

- Once set, blade stays parallel.

- Bevel cuts - I'm yet to master this, I always have issues with box mitres, and it seems plenty of box makers don't rely on a table saw to complete this task (disc sanders or mitre shooting boards). This saw doesn't have a positive 45 degree stop to get to a repeatable 45 so you have to set it up and do repeated test cuts until you are happy with them, every time.

- Once setup, the fence is accurate.

For me I think it's a good saw for the price paid (remember mine is 3HP), and I am in a tiny space, so can't go bigger.
In the future, I may upgrade to something like a Laguna or Sawstop - funds allowing. I would love to have a slider but haven't the room.

As you are in Brisbane, you have other options like sourcing a good second hand saw. I would certainly be exploring that.

I do hope this helps, I have limited experience, so others may be able to give you some better information.

Regards, Jeff

Re mitre gauge,
look at a "New" brand from Banggood/AliExpress as an upgrade option.
A couple of different models available.
I have one and am happy with it.

My brother has this saw, although his is the 2300W version and is therefore quite powerful enough for long ripping runs. I seem to remember he paid $1,199 as it was on special at the time.

I distinctly remember spending two days setting the saw up, quite involved but steady as she goes and all was well. The dust extraction system is basically a plastic rectangular funnel, which works reasonably well as long as you have a fair amount of suction happening. The blade guard was fairly iffy and as for overhead dust collection, not an option back then. In the meantime my brother built his own dust guard extraction system over the blade, which works very well.

As for the setting up of the blade alignment, fiddly as anything, but pretty much all saws in the lower and medium price/build range are in the same boat. Once set, it has been very accurate and as far as i can tell it has not moved. For angle cuts he uses a digital magnetic widget thingy that sticks to the blade, he just turns it until the desired angle has been met, then goes from there. He makes quite a few boxes and 45º cuts are part and parcel of everyday operations and don't give him any hassles.

He also made up a cutting sled with drop in 45º strips of timber for repeatability, this was something that changed his view of the saw completely. Prior to that, maybe for the first three months, he always grumbled about its accuracy as the mitre attachment was not easy to set to a dead on degree angle. I may add that the mitre attachment in my Men's Shed Saw Stop unit isn't much better, if at all.

Another thing he added, was a router on the right side of the saw, this allows him to use the fence for the router. It was quite fiddly to setup, actually a bit of a pain I seem to remember, but now he couldn't live without it.

It is quite good value specification wise, but a little fiddly to setup, but once setup and sorted to his and occasionally my own usage, it has been excellent.

Mick.

Thanks Mick and Jeff, plenty to think about. Just a shame Timbecon are not here so cannot take a look for myself.

I am going to Carbatec to look at the Laguna Fusion F1, a bit pricier again but does get good reports even as an entry level saw.

Originally Posted by Frank56

Thanks Mick and Jeff, plenty to think about. Just a shame Timbecon are not here so cannot take a look for myself.

I am going to Carbatec to look at the Laguna Fusion F1, a bit pricier again but does get good reports even as an entry level saw.

Frank - what did you end up deciding?

I decided against the Sherwood then was almost ready to buy a Laguna F1 from carbatec ( Still not in stock untill March sometime)

However I found the "Woodworker 10" Contractors Saw" in stock at Woodwork machinery Plus in Darra ( Brisbane) that I could have a decent look at.
They direct import from China, I believe.
It seems to be almost identical to a Shop Fox W1837 in the US which get decent reviews.

I take delivery this week & will update when I have had it running

Originally Posted by Frank56

I decided against the Sherwood then was almost ready to buy a Laguna F1 from carbatec ( Still not in stock untill March sometime)

However I found the "Woodworker 10" Contractors Saw" in stock at Woodwork machinery Plus in Darra ( Brisbane) that I could have a decent look at.
They direct import from China, I believe.
It seems to be almost identical to a Shop Fox W1837 in the US which get decent reviews.

I take delivery this week & will update when I have had it running

Hey mate, how did you go with this?
I too am embarking on the quest of the first table saw, looking at the Sherwood hybrid 12", Laguna F1 and I spotted the Woodworker 10" too. Your thoughts on it so far?