Can anyone recommend a good starter table saw for simple woodworking around house?

Question

What's one of the best electric table saws that would be good for cutting out shelves and woodwork trim?

I'm wanting to buy one that is easy to use since I haven't had alot of experience using one.

Any tips would be appreciated!

Answer 1

For simplicity, I like the DeWalt table saw. The rack and pinion fence makes for very easy adjustment. The DeWalt saw is on the more expensive side for small saws, but you said easy, not cheap.

It's been awhile since I used any of the lower cost options. If you go that route, I would stick with name brands like Skil, Ryobi, Rigid, Craftsman, and so on. This way, if it breaks, you can get parts. Go into the hardware store and play with the various options. Investigate features like fence adjustment, fence accuracy, blade adjustment, and power. Consider the table, larger is better than smaller and single piece is better than bolt on wings (on small tables). Pick the one you like and I hope you enjoy it.

Answer 2

While you can buy a contractor style table saw for around $350 they usually have sheetmetal table extensions if any and have too small of a table to rip sheets of plywood safely and accurately. They are basicaly toys. You can just look at one and see that mitering a long piece of trim would be challenging. Cabinet grade saws have large tables with cast iron extentions and more accurate fences making the job of ripping plywood and mitering trim easier and accurate enough for cabinet making. Hence the name I presume. Unfortunately the cheapest cabinet saw I could find was well over a $1000 and the one I really wanted was over $2000. I finally found some middle ground in a saw I found at Home depot. I don't have the model number handy but its their store brand (Rigid) and I paid $549 for it. It's definitely a cabinet style saw for not much more than a contractor saw. It has cast iron table extensions and a farily decent fence, plus a lifetime service warranty. If you can afford to spend the money it's definitely worth the extra $200. However I'm not sure you even need a tablesaw from your description of what your going to use it for. If all you are doing is cutting shelf boards to length and cutting long trim pieces to the right length (or miter) you may be better off buying a miter saw instead. It is specifically designed for such cuts so they are accurate and farly safe to make. If you still have questions feel free to email me. Good luck and be safe.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

EASY is relative. Most table saws in structured price ranges all have very similar features. Big Box home stores often have sales, and one can find a table saw that will be adequate for purposes you describe for under $200. You don't need a lot of bells and whistles, but an item like the fence described; with the DeWalt; might give you an improved job.

I'd suggest a 10 inch blade, motor encased in the main body, direct drive... as opposed to belt driven.

I also suggest checking features of course, and more importantly, knowing all you can about waurantees (also similar in brands) then checking for service/repair/parts locations for that brand/model.

All the named brands so far are valid, though some are branded differently but sold by one mfg.
Keep in mind too that most are either mfg. overseas, or assembled overseas. (No real offense meant)

Certainly it might not hurt to also have a hand held Circular saw, but for more controlled "RIPPING" a table saw is best. You might also consider,,, in knowing your budget,,, a sale price on a "Chop Saw" for cross cutting.

Shop the stores, check out weekend workshops even, read what you can and ask a lot of questions. In this case, even for a DIY,,,"Cheap" is not always a bargain.

Steven Wolf

Answer 5

depending on u'r strength... u can purchase circular saws as small as 4" blade which would work in jst cutting smaller pcs for shelves etc... OR u can invest in a miter/chop saw which is stationary & can cover a only a certain width of the wood board. I have a miter saw & 7 1/4" circular saw but I would like to have a smaller c.saw. I did use my friend's & I believe it was a 5 or less. It was awsome for those little jobs.

hope that helped some. Dewalt makes some good tools

Answer 6

I have a portable Bosch and I love it. More important than a saw is the quality of blade you use...especially for trim work. A million dollar saw with a crappy blade makes for some lousy finish work. When i look at saws my biggest concern is the rip fence and its ability to self align/parallel the blade. This is where my Bosch rules good luck and keep all fingers.

Answer 7

You don't want a table saw, you want a chop saw (AKA miter saw) for trim work. you can buy boards pre cut with correct width for shelving, it is the end cuts you need to focus on which are best done with a chop saw. If you foresee wide shelves get a sliding miter saw.

Answer 8

stick to brand names. if its going to be around the house i'de recommend one that has a folding base + wheels. i know that dewalt and craftsman make these kinds of table saws.

Answer 9

Dewalt and Craftsman make very basic models that are great for small projects.

Answer 10

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