What’s a good basic table saw? I look at them online and can’t really tell much a difference. I’m tempted to just get a harbor freight one but know the fence will probably be loose and other annoyances…

Anyone have a specific recommendation for someone who is only occasionally playing around with simple carpentry?

  • Nomecks
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    9 months ago

    Yeah it’s only a thousand dollars right? Just 3-5x a normal table saw!

    • Meeech
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      59 months ago

      How much is your finger worth then in your opinion?

      • Nomecks
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        49 months ago

        The guy asked for a basic table saw. A thousand dollar saw is not basic.

        • bluGill
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          39 months ago

          I agree, but I would suggest the guy should be willing to spend the money for safety. If he cannot afford it get a handsaw.

          • Nomecks
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            09 months ago

            Surely you can see how silly that is. You can cut your finger off with all kinds of woodworking tools. Does Sawstop make a hand saw? How about chisels?

            • bluGill
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              29 months ago

              You can, but it is less likely. Most likely you draw blood but the would heals normally in a week without needing a doctor

              chisles are more dangerious but you normally work away from your body.

              • Nomecks
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                19 months ago

                You’re missing my point: A thousand dollar table saw is not a basic saw. It’s not something anyone but a serious wood worker is going to buy unless they’re rich. This person is going to buy a used Ryobi because the suggestions in this thread are so dumb. “Go buy a $650 saw! Go buy a $1000 saw!” How is that helpful at all? Do you recommend buying Snap On to your friends who want to turn a few bolts? This thread is a pile of gate keeping by people who either have way too much money or are serious woodworkers. And I’m getting downvoted for calling out this stupidity.

                • bluGill
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                  29 months ago

                  You are missing the point. table saws are too dangerious to risk the cheap saw. Better to do without. Ther are alternatives that while slower are also cheaper.

                  i understand this is a lot of money. your fingers are worth it.

    • @[email protected]
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      39 months ago

      In the US, my emergency room bill (just stitches thank god) cost significantly more than the $900 smallest Sawstop.

    • ozebb
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      29 months ago

      When my wife and I bought ours it was only 1.5x a comparable (similar motor/blade spec) DeWalt/Bosch, maybe 2x a comparable Delta. The only saws available at 1/5 the price were on Craigslist.

      Yeah, it’s more, but as hobbyists we figured we were (1) more likely to make a painful (and costly) mistake than a professional who’s working with the thing day in and day out and (2) less likely to be able to restore/maintain a used saw of unknown age, provenance, condition, etc. Worth it for us, and IMO probably for most serious amateurs.