Thread: table saw dilemma

Out of the 100`s of tablesaw threads, to my knowledge their still hasnt been the definative answer on the best $500-$900 saw.

You get what you pay for, and they are mostly crap, but their must be a hidden gem in there somewhere.

Just dont be sucked in by a salesman who knows jack about using one under real conditions, and dont fall for the trap "more is better" because when you get all the bells and whistles you pay for that, and generally the rest is poor materials and construction.

The JET 10" JWTS-10 Economy is their cheapest, and having owned and used Jet machines for years i would assume it would be a fantastic budget machine. Its around $800 and over your budget, but sometimes its worth hanging on a month or so and saving the rest. You wont be dissapointed in the long run

Oh and the TSC-10HB is around $1700 (great saw)

[edit- how much is your budget? If its around $1100 then this saw is unbeatable at the price JET 10" JWTS-10CW2-MG a brilliant saw]

Steve

I don't know the particular saws you have available there but I will relate my experience. I started out with a cheap Rockwell direct drive TS. I cut tendons on it, but it was very underpowered. I upgraded to a contractor saw, worked much better as it had a bigger motor. I've recently upgraded to a cabinet saw and that works even better (more power).

You can cut tendons with a decent contractor saw. Now my suggestion: look at used equipment. You can get the most bang for your buck that way.

Good luck

Paul

I agree, in general you get what you pay for, AND how well you setup and maintain your equipment. A well set up and maintained contractors saw can just as accurately and well as a lower end cabinet saws. The difference on the contractor saw is that, motor hangs out the back taking up space, dust collection is poorer, bits will break off, and it will go out of whack easier compared to a cabinet saw. if one can live with these, a contractors saw can represent some value.

I have the TSC-10HB and it is a superb machine It takes a dado blade which cuts perfect finger joints. The router when fitted to the table does interfere with the handle for tilting the blade but in my case by raising the router the handle can be turned. I use my machine daily and it is a joy to work with. What else can I say
les

Originally Posted by SteveMcM

Hi All,

After reading the thread on the $1000 table saw started by Munruben, I went to Carbatec in Canberra to check out the KS-12K. I should point out that my experience with table saws is limited to the $250 ryobi. I said to the Gents there that I would like to do tenoning on the saw. They said that the KS-12K contractor design would vibrate too much to do that and that I would need to go for the TSC-10HB. There is a big difference in the spend, about $800. There are a few people out there who have a lot of experience with the KS. Is this advice correct?

I do want to be able to do the techniques that you see in books, with the table saw that I buy. Finger jointing, tenoning, etc. The bigger saw would kill my budget for the forseeable future. But, I don't want to end up with another saw I regret purchasing.

With the 10HB you get 3hp the router table extension as standard a 10" blade size and they would throw in a melamine cutting blade.

With the KS you get 2hp, 12" size and a spare $700 to spend on e.g. a router and bits.

Advice and comments would be gratefully accepted.

Steve

Hi Steve, I know what you are going through! The KS12K was on my shortlist when I was looking for a tablesaw, but I must admit not for long. After doing a search on this forum, I came up with too many negatives.

As others have pointed out, it is basically a contractor saw, with 2hp motor driving a 12" blade. There are some members of this forum that appear quite happy with this saw, Derek Cohen and Wayne Davey spring to mind. Wayne Davey made up a very nice looking o/h guard and a splitter for it.

There are other, and perhaps better choices, the MJ2325 is one, there are a couple of Jets (as pointed out above).

I opted to spend twice as much for the TS10L and haven't regretted my decision, but in the end it depends on your budget and what you are going to do with it.

At the time I made up a spreadsheet with the various options, if you haven't already found it, it is here.

Good luch with your hunt.

I bought a Ryobi BT3100K ... cost me $800-something from Just Tools ... great features at a good price, and relatively compact and portable.

I don't like big, heavy machines because I don't have a lot of space, and I move occasionally with my work. Oh, and because it isn't cast iron, it won't rust every time I turn my back.

Originally Posted by Ron Dunn

I bought a Ryobi BT3100K ... cost me $800-something from Just Tools ... great features at a good price, and relatively compact and portable.

I don't like big, heavy machines because I don't have a lot of space, and I move occasionally with my work. Oh, and because it isn't cast iron, it won't rust every time I turn my back.

Seen that at the big "B", and find it quite interesting, when compared with the base offering from H&F.

Not on my horizon for a while, tho'

The JET JPS 10 is a very sturdy saw - the motor is enclosed in the cabinet, and is shown at http://www.jet-tools.com.au/T/Tables...cs%20JPS10.dwt for $986.
I bought mine a few months back for $1150 and was happy with the deal and the saw.

You need Internet Explorer to access the site - silly people!

Originally Posted by jchappo

You need Internet Explorer to access the site - silly people!

Indeed

Do they really think that Firefox users are going to fire up IE just to look at their site, NOT........

Originally Posted by Big Shed

Indeed

Do they really think that Firefox users are going to fire up IE just to look at their site, NOT........

I use the IE Tab addon for Firefox - runs IE from within Firefox - absolutely essential in my view.

Originally Posted by jchappo

I use the IE Tab addon for Firefox - runs IE from within Firefox - absolutely essential in my view.

Whether I fire up IE from within Firefox or from Windows, I would still be firing up IE!.

This is the first time I have come across a site that will only work under IE, I think I can live without it.

Regarding the Jet website, it must be poorly constructed. I know nothing about site building apart from it being possible to view the contents on any computer if done correctly.
I have a Mac, and I find this new Jet site opens using either Firefox or Safari. With Firefox, clicking on an illustration leads you to a binary download which I can not open. Safari opens a new window of information as normal.
Maybe PC users could try other browsers.

Eric

I get the same result with Firefox.

I guess what I am saying is, that if Jet want to go out of their way to make it hard to do business with them, why should I bother?

Go to any Jet dealers' website, no prices, all POA, when you do email some of them they don't even bother to reply.

By the sound of things they don't have much stock to sell, as some people are waiting very long times for deliveries promised months ago.

wow! just checked out the site....somethings seem cheaper....but I just looked at the 1200 dusty with dust dawg and its twice the price I paid 6 months ago....