I really want to get my husband a table saw for Christmas but I have no idea what to look for!!! I want it to be a surprise so I can't grill him about the features he wants with it. He wants to use one for hobbies and to make some furniture (dressers, loft beds, etc.) He doesn't need a hefty duty one for large projects but doesn't want a cheap one either. Can some handy guy give me some help??
2006-12-09 08:49:38 · 9 answers · asked by Lady V 2 in Home & Garden ➔ Do It Yourself (DIY)
How much does the horsepower motor matter?
2006-12-09 08:59:29 · update #1
Makita, Dewalt, Craftsman from Sears, they're all good. But what makes a saw cut properly is the blade or the teeth. The more, the better. You can spend as much or as little as you want. Anything around $200 to $300, will be a good investment. As for small projects for his hobbies, the above mentioned are excellent. My husband has both, the Makita and Craftsman and has built extensions on our home with them. They are your best bet. I think he will love any one. You know boys and their toys.Merry Christmas.
Both of his are 7 1/4 and 13 amps. Hope this helps. They are both easy to handle. My husband said that 15 amps are better, good power. These are all Cricular Saws.
He also has A Craftsman 10 inch, 15 amps, 3.0 hp which he paid $100 for on sale from Sears a few years back. He is very happy with it. Works Great. This one is a Table Saw.
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_Tools-All-Craftsman-Table_Saw
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_Tools-All-Makita-Table_Saw
http://www.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_Tools-All-Table_Saw
2006-12-09 09:35:31 · answer #1 · answered by SCORPIO 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NEVER EVER buy a Craftsman brand power tool. They are designed so that they will not accept standard fixtures like miter gauges. If you buy a Craftsman saw you might as well take the money and shove it down the garbage disposal. I had one, it was a terrible tool.
Now for my reccomendations about what you should buy. Look for a contractor or hybrid style saw with a t-square style fence. If at all possible a 220v saw will be better than 110v saw, but 110 is OK if you would need to rewire the workshop. A ten inch blade will be sufficient. The higher the horsepower, the faster the feed rate can be. I would recomend Jet, Delta, or Powermatic, these are great brands that will last a long time. When you decide to go shopping for a saw go to Woodcraft or Rockler if there is one within 1 hr. of where you live. The people there will be very knowledgable about what you need and will guide you to the right saw. http://Woodcraft.com http://Rockler.com
2006-12-09 13:32:07 · answer #2 · answered by nathanael_beal 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I have been a cabinet maker and woodworker for 24+ years and the rule of thumb when buying tools is and always has been, "buy the best you can afford". I have a Jet JWTS10 contractors saw in my garage and it handles all my woodworking needs. From ripping plywood to ripping solid oak and maple. It will also take a stacked dado set up to 13/16, after that you start to run shy on arbor threads. Cross cuts on large sheet goods are tricky, but I make those like "Norm" does , or do them at my shop on a large sliding saw. Be a smart shopper and look around. Prices can very depending on where you buy by as much as $200 . The lowest Ive seen them is $499.00. With a mobile base this saw is easily moved around the garage and out of the way. A good miter saw would be my next suggestion. High quality ones are not cheap , but right now Menards has a decent 10" sliding compound miter saw for under $100. It would be good to start out with and he can upgrade later. As for other tools a good cordless drill is always handy. Unless he is a carpenter and on the job 5 days a week, a decent 12volt is a good choice. I use my drills constantly and all I use are 9.6 volt drills, and they do everything I need them to do. Heres a hint next year give him cash, He will know exactly what he wants and needs. My wife never buys me tools and likes it that way.LOL. Happy shopping and Merry Christmas!
2016-03-13 05:10:10 · answer #3 · answered by ? 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Get a good stationary one for the projects you describe. Expect to spend $300-500. It needs to have a solid stand. A good rip fence. When you check them out make sure there is no play in the fence, it locks down firmly, but easily. It needs to long, the longer the better. Make sure the blade raises, lowers, tilts smoothly. Get a belt driven, 2hp motor. As far as brands, Jet, Delta, Bosch, Powermatic. But you can find crappy lines within good brands. So beware. Stay away from the little bench saws. The have their purpose, but furniture making isn't one of them.
http://www99.epinions.com/hmgd-Shop_Tools-All-Table_Saw?sp=iother
Another option is a used one. You can find 40-50 yr Powermatics that run like new. A table saw is a simple piece of machinery, but needs to be well built, and many of the brand new ones don't measure up to older ones as far as quality.
2006-12-09 09:40:19 · answer #4 · answered by robling_dwrdesign 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
In tools you get what you pay for. If he will be making furniture, the fence and the miter need to be precision crafted with no play. I spent $300 on just the fence. For the furniture I make, nothing under a 6 or 7 hundred dollar saw would work. I actually bought a used industrial one. I think Jet makes a decent saw for the average homeowner for around $500.
2006-12-09 09:45:02 · answer #5 · answered by Lee T 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check your local library for Woodworker's Jounal Magazine, Oct 20006 has an article "Your Next Table Saw" might be more helpful then advice you get here. It explains the difference between different types of saws and what you should look for.
2006-12-09 12:31:00 · answer #6 · answered by Frank 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with your hubby. Never go cheap as he will be hating every single cut he has to make. Sears has a Craftsman that is arounf the neighborhood of $250 and it is good quality and portable too. There really isn't anything in between ... its either crap, good, and great. Watch out for gimmick added features. Check out the one in this link, its the one I mentioned above... even I like this one and I am not too into the portable idea! There are 2 others at the bottom of the screen which are even better!
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&pid=00921806000&cat=Bench+Power+Tools&subcat=Table+Saws&vertical=TOOL&ihtoken=1
2006-12-09 09:01:48 · answer #7 · answered by wizardslizards 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Be sure it is a belt drive instead of a direct drive. A direct drive belt will burn out the motor very quickly.
2006-12-09 12:54:29 · answer #8 · answered by tmarschall 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ask the salesman at Lowe's, Sears, Home Depot.
2006-12-09 08:58:33 · answer #9 · answered by Billy FZ1 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
go with a sears saw, get a good one.
dont get any thing form the big box stores...it will be consumer duty....that is, made to be used twice and thrown away
2006-12-09 10:49:17 · answer #10 · answered by hillbilly named Possum 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋