Entry Level Table Saw - Advice needed.

Hi All,
I have been trawling through threads and youtube vids trying to collate some information and advice on a suitable table saw to set myself up. While there are HEAPS of threads and plenty of good advice, I can't seem to find what matches my budget and requirements.

Initially I started looking with a budget of $600-800 at the Bosch, Dewalt etc. jobsite saws, however they just seem a bit small and inconvenient and I'm suspicious that the fence's on these units don't look very accurate. I then found the Sherwood SWCS 1254 Contractors Saw. This seemed like a nice step up into something a bit more user friendly for cutting medium size timber while still being small enough and mobile, all for $1200. However on investigation I have read some pretty average reviews on this saw (and the Rigid which seems to be the same saw) especially pertaining to getting everything squared up. So a few other threads recommend going for an entry level cabinet saw like the Carbatec Professional 10" for $2000. I then went and found more threads where people rave about the Dewalt DWE7491XE job site saw which has a rack and pinion fence and they say is very easy to get accurate cuts and it is around $1300. So I'm left pretty confused about what to do.

Basically, I want to keep my budget as low as possible, but I find no reason in going cheap if I can't achieve the accurate cuts I want - I'd rather spend the extra and be happy with the saw I get. I am entry level at the moment, but I want a saw that I won't grow out of too quick - I will use it very little right now, but I expect it to increase over the years.
My main project at the moment is joining 30mm boards to make a feature shelf in a salon, so I want to be able to dress the edges perfectly square so I can get a good join.

Things I will value are:
Reasonably small and mobile
10amp power (preferred)
Cost
Accuracy

Is the Sherwood a waste of time and money?
Will the Dewalt be a good long term option? Is it as accurate and useful as they say?
If I stump up for the Carbatec will I have no regrets?
Any other model I should be looking at?
My absolute max budget would be $2k, because I just can't justify spending any more (and $2k is still a stretch for how much I will use this saw at the moment).

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Having read through the threads, you will not be surprised to see that I and a few others repeat our view that there are many good quality second hand saws out there. I got what would be a $1,600- $1,800 saw new, for $650. It allowed me to spend money on new blades, a better fence and a mobile stand.
It also meant I didn't feel too bad when I took to it with an angle grinder to improve dust collection!
Other than that, I have only ever used mine, a Leda MJ2325, which is very similar to many of the other generic saws around so cannot comment on others.

Best of luck

Regards

Bauldy

If you’re trying to dress the edges of timber perfectly straight and square you might be advised to purchase a jointer?

Just saw you were trying to get one on the Market Place.
Looks like it may be harder that I thought.
That was a very good deal with the extras, so keep looking and you never know.

Regards

Bauldy

With a hard cap of $2000 the Carbatec unit isn't really an option since by the time you've kitted it out properly and paired it with an acceptable dust collector you're looking at closer to something like $2700-$2800.
Anything less than this is going to be a bundle of compromises inherent in getting something like a contractor saw so second hand is the obvious choice, and you live in a major population center which means you should be able to score something acceptable if you keep an eye out for a month or two.

I too will reiterate the 2nd hand route. That CTec one for $300 is a right bargain, perfect entry saw at a damn fine price. I'd expect you could turn it around for that same price in a year or twos time once you've really settled on what your next saw needs to be. (edited to correct the price)

Hi All,

Really appreciate everyone's advice on here.

I think maybe my eye's got big on me, but I don't like doing things by halves. I generally like to buy the best of something.

Realistically, I'm no master craftsman - just a DIY'er getting back into woodworking after about a decade absent, so I think I might be better to spend less now and upgrade as my ability and requirements grow.

I think I will keep my eye out for a decent second hand unit to get me in the game and then as my ability and time spent in the garage grows, I will expand. Plus, as per many other threads I have read, there is plenty of money to spend on other tools and equipment.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TobyH

Hi All,

Really appreciate everyone's advice on here.

I think maybe my eye's got big on me, but I don't like doing things by halves. I generally like to buy the best of something.

Realistically, I'm no master craftsman - just a DIY'er getting back into woodworking after about a decade absent, so I think I might be better to spend less now and upgrade as my ability and requirements grow.

I think I will keep my eye out for a decent second hand unit to get me in the game and then as my ability and time spent in the garage grows, I will expand. Plus, as per many other threads I have read, there is plenty of money to spend on other tools and equipment.

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Best choice in the circumstances I reckon. If you do grab that $300 saw in the marketplace (and I think it's a good idea) I also think you should fit a splitter to that table insert. I didn't spot a guard in the pics so at the very least fit a wooden splitter, to minimise the risk of kick back. Wouldn't want to go and hurt yourself (or put a hole in the side of your shed).

It's been good to read everyone's thoughts on this thread and a few others similiar.

I was in the exact same boat and with a very limited budget I was caught between not wanting to spend too much money but then not wasting it and a $500 saw that wasn't going to be worthwhile. I have just been lucky enough to pick up a 2nd hand Sherwood that is less than 12 months old with a few accessories for $900 from ebay. Hopefully this will do me so I won't have to upgrade for a long time.