Thread: Table saw comparison

Have updated my spreadsheet with the latest specs and have also added some links and references to articles in various aspects of tablesaws.

Have now seen the Leda saws, still to look at Jet, Hafco and Carbatec.

Now that I am back from Adelaide, a trip to Melbourne is in order to do the rounds.

Thanks Big Shed.

FWIW I put together a list of broad questions that a newbie chasing a TS or other machine is likely to encounter: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...t=45901&page=4

Originally Posted by rsser

Thanks Big Shed.

FWIW I put together a list of broad questions that a newbie chasing a TS or other machine is likely to encounter: https://www.woodworkforums.com/showth...t=45901&page=4

Hi rsser, have included that link in the spreadsheet.

PS A Best of FWW pub called Powertool Basics has a useful piece by Gary Rogowski on how to check out and tune up your ww machine AND the tolerances you can live with.

My new Leda TS table flatness is well outside. Time for a phone call.

(For those interested, you may still find a copy with the mags at your newsagent).

Just added another tablesaw to the mix, anyone have any opinions on the Scheppach TS4010 12" tablesaw with sliding table.

Being manufactured in Germany, they should be a cut above the rest, are they?

They are certainly a couple of cuts above the rest in price!

Not a big fan of Scheppach. Their products look terrible look flimsy for their big price tag. You just don’t get the usual German well engineered feel.

I could be completely wrong as I have never used one. so don't take my word.

Originally Posted by Wongo

Not a big fan of Scheppach. Their products look terrible look flimsy for their big price tag. You just don’t get the usual German well engineered feel.

I could be completely wrong as I have never used one. so don't take my word.

Wongo, a bit like the Jet saws I looked at today, see my next post.

Finally went to Melbourne for a day to have a look at various tablesaws I
have been researching on the net, in catalogues and on this forum.

Rang a few places to make sure that the saws I wanted to see were on the
floor, and got positive replies.

First stop Hafco in Dandenong South and after driving 200km, found that the
saw I wanted to see wasn't on the showroom floor, or in stock. So much for
ringing! The next model up, ST-250 was on the floor, so had a look at it and
just had to imagine it without the sliding table and with fence further over
to the left. Salesman had absolutely zero product knowledge, but I did find
out that the prices on their saws had dropped between $30 and $50. Also had a
look at heir contractor saw model, the ST-10, and least said, soonest mended,
shocking quality castings, small 2" dust off take underneath.

So, after this great start to the day, off to Woodworkers Warehouse. Sales
staff a great improvement on Hafco, but if I was hoping to see the much
praised Jet quality, I was in for a disappointment. Only 2 saws on the floor,
both the cheaper contractor models, 1 had pressed steel side tables, not very
impressive. After being assured that "we may have some stock in 2-3 weeks", I
departed. Still not even a candidate for consideration.

Off to Carbatec in Springvale. Much more stock on the floor, but boy not in
very impressive condition. Most were not set up properly, and I don't mean
set up like you and I would do in our shed, but at least set up so that most
of the bits are at least there and roughly in the right place, so that the
customer can at least get a feel for what the tool can do. For example, a
CT10ST without a fence ("Oh, we had to give that to a customer"), a CTJ650
with the fence in the wrong place. The pride and joy of so many forumites,
the TSC10HB, which I had been looking forward to with bated breath, was in a
prarticularly sorry state. No router extendsion wing, even though the ost
catalogue says it comes with one. The front fence sticking out 6-8" to the
the left of the saw, the rear runner is level with left of the saw, result
fence falls of right hand side, not only that but as you slide it to the
right from the blade, it drops about a 1/4" as it passes the right extension
wing, when I asked why "oh there is a knob thingy missing from underneath the
fence at the rear".

Call me picky, but when I go somewhere to spend $2000-3000 I expect to
equipment in at least saleable condition. After all, when I walk in to a car
showroom, I don't expect a brand new car on the floor with the front grille
missing, wheels missing the hub caps etc etc.

I must say that the service I received at Carbatec was superb, but again most
saws were not in stock, with indeterminate delivery dates.

So, back to Bendigo, a sadder but wiser man, although not any poorer because
try as I might I can't seem to buy a tablesaw!

Are the 2 Jets you looked at in the $2000 to $3000 range?

Originally Posted by Wongo

Are the 2 Jets you looked at in the $2000 to $3000 range?

I would have liked to, but they only had 2 contractor saws, as I said.

Should've dropped in at WMS in Preston Fred. Last I saw they had a properly setup Carbatec 10" (though at a hundred more than C'tec's price) and a Magno contractor saw at around $800.

As for Scheppach, some of their stuff is now coming from Asia so it pays to check.

Originally Posted by rsser

Should've dropped in at WMS in Preston Fred. Last I saw they had a properly setup Carbatec 10" (though at a hundred more than C'tec's price) and a Magno contractor saw at around $800.

As for Scheppach, some of their stuff is now coming from Asia so it pays to check.

Ern, whereabouts in Preston and what does the acronym stand for?

Thanks

Fred

Fred, WMS = Woodworking Machinery Specialist @ <TABLE cellSpacing=1 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD noWrap align=left colSpan=4>129 Plenty Road</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=left colSpan=4>Preston 3072 Victoria, Australia</TD></TR><TR><TD noWrap align=left colSpan=4>Ph: (03) 9416 9022 Fax: (03) 9480 5147</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Thanks for that Pat