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Posted by Pete C. on February 8, 2009, 2:08 pm
aemeijers wrote:
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>
> jim wrote:
> >> James wrote:
> >>> I am not a carpenter or even a handyman. The only kind of saw I have
owned
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> >>> for 25 years is a skill saw. Even with very casual use, I am still not
> >>> good at using a skill saw to cut a straight edge on a piece of plywood or a
> >>> 2 x 4 !!
> >>> Perhaps several times a year, I will have a need to cut 2 x 4's , some
> >>> trim pieces , and perhaps some plywood. Because I am not really skilled
> >>> at using a skill saw, I have thought of getting a bare bones, but quality
> >>> table saw. Again, I just need something that will allow me to cut boards
> >>> and trim pieces and end up with a straight cut. It doesn't have to be
very
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> >>> high powered, or have a lot of fancy adjustments. I guess just an
> >>> adjustable fence (isn't that what they call it........ the piece you move
> >>> left and right, and put your stock up against for cutting?) and I guess
> >>> something that adjusts the depth of a cut. I don't think I would need any
> >>> angle cutting, such as a miter saw is used for.
> >>> So, what is a recommended brand, and/or a particular saw not exceeding $150
> >>> ? Can I get a quality one for that price ??
> >>> I am thinking of looking at Sears and Home Depot, but wanted to get
comments
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> >>> here first.
> >>> Thanks for any advice !!
> >>> James
> >> I think your price range is low for a decent unit. A Ryobi *might* be
> >> passable as some of their other products are. For my occasional table
> >> saw needs I have a Bosch (branded) TS4000? contractors saw that has been
> >> very good. I recall it being closer to $400 though.- Hide quoted text -
> >> - Show quoted text -
> > Not sure of the price but have always ahd good luck with Craftsmen
>
> Going through a similar mental exercise (Plus some hands-on
> experimenting, visiting my father's place where all needed tools are
> available), and came to the following conclusions:
> 1. The low end table saws with the tiny tables are useless for ripping
> plywood and panels more than a couple feet on a side, unless you rig all
> sorts of tall sawhorses, and/or have a helper available. And unless you
> have a walkout basement, barn, or extra bay in the garage, they are pain
> in the ass to store and set up. Surprisingly easy to get them out of
> adjustment if they get moved around a lot.
If your project needs smaller parts, this is where the big boxes are
good in they all have panel saws so you can have them rough cut your
material into sizes that are much more manageable for finish cuts on a
small contractor type saw. Often a simple cut in half to 4x4 pieces is
enough to do the job.
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>
> 2. A cheap power miter saw beats the heck out of a table saw for trim
> miters and cutting 2x4s square for framing projects. (I can't freehand
> square cuts any more either.) And they are easy to move around,
> especially if you spring for a fold-up stand.
Yes, though you can do them on the table saw, while you can't do TS
tasks on a miter saw, so if you are space / budge limits the TS should
come first.
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>
> 3. For once-in-a-blue-moon panel ripping, several solid sawhorses, and 4
> carefully placed 2x4s, plus a metal rip guide (a long straight piece of
> metal channel) and some clamps, will let you rip panels with a skilsaw
> about as well as a tiny table saw will. Just slide the saw up the rip
> guide, and the cut is straight. I wouldn't use something like that for
> production work, because it takes too long to set up each cut, but if
> you are only cutting a few boards a year, it works. Once you learn the
> right offset for your skilsaw/blade combination, setting the fence to
> the right offset on the raw material doesn't take long. One strong clamp
> at each end, and a stiff enough fence, and the cut is straight enough
> for anything short of fine cabinetry. Laying out the loose 2x4s properly
> under the work piece keeps the cut from binding up, or the wood from
> splintering at the end. (and keeps you from cutting into the sawhorses.)
For the jobs where measurements are tight and I don't trust the big box
to get close enough with their panel saw I will put the sheet of
material on my 4x6 work table and do the rip guide thing myself,
supporting the overhang as appropriate.
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>
> Anyway, once weather warms up, and I get off my ass and actually start
> on my long-postponed projects here, that is the approach I plan to take.
> Already have the miter saw, and a half-ass skilsaw (which may need
> replacing, since bearings are a tad sloppy.) So all I need is some
> better sawhorses, and some2x4s and a piece of metal channel. I think I
> have enough clamps laying around....
Building a panel saw is a good project :)
With an upright panel saw you can actually sandwich a vertical stock
rack between the panel saw and the wall if you leave clearance to one
side to get stuff in and out.
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Posted by benick on February 7, 2009, 10:03 pm
show/hide quoted text
> James wrote:
>> I am not a carpenter or even a handyman. The only kind of saw I have
>> owned
>> for 25 years is a skill saw. Even with very casual use, I am still not
>> good at using a skill saw to cut a straight edge on a piece of plywood or
>> a
>> 2 x 4 !!
>> Perhaps several times a year, I will have a need to cut 2 x 4's , some
>> trim pieces , and perhaps some plywood. Because I am not really
>> skilled
>> at using a skill saw, I have thought of getting a bare bones, but quality
>> table saw. Again, I just need something that will allow me to cut
>> boards
>> and trim pieces and end up with a straight cut. It doesn't have to be
>> very
>> high powered, or have a lot of fancy adjustments. I guess just an
>> adjustable fence (isn't that what they call it........ the piece you move
>> left and right, and put your stock up against for cutting?) and I guess
>> something that adjusts the depth of a cut. I don't think I would need
>> any
>> angle cutting, such as a miter saw is used for.
>> So, what is a recommended brand, and/or a particular saw not exceeding
>> $150
>> ? Can I get a quality one for that price ??
>> I am thinking of looking at Sears and Home Depot, but wanted to get
>> comments
>> here first.
>> Thanks for any advice !!
>> James
> I think your price range is low for a decent unit. A Ryobi *might* be
> passable as some of their other products are. For my occasional table
> saw needs I have a Bosch (branded) TS4000? contractors saw that has been
> very good. I recall it being closer to $400 though.
Ditto on the Ryobi...I bought a 10" miter saw ($75) and a tablesaw with a
stand ($99) at Homedepot...Can't beat it for occasional use...But I ain't
into the , mine is bigger and better than yours crap....Just needed to
gitter done on a budget...LOL...Also have a duffel bag full of Ryobi
cordless tools ($150) that work good as well....
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Posted by Ed Pawlowski on February 7, 2009, 11:12 pm
show/hide quoted text
> Perhaps several times a year, I will have a need to cut 2 x 4's , some
> trim pieces , and perhaps some plywood.
> So, what is a recommended brand, and/or a particular saw not exceeding
> $150
> ? Can I get a quality one for that price ??
At that price you won't get much. Look for used. There are saws in the $250
range that will probably do what you want. Serious saws start at $800 and
go to $3500 or so. Local shopping papers often have five or ten saws listed
for sale. If you find one that has not been abused you may get a very good
deal. Belt driven saws are quieter and smoother running that direct drive
saws. The Ridgid saws at Home Depot are decent but more than your budget.
No matter what you end up with, take some time to learn how to use the saw,
how to use a push stick, learn to use the fence and miter properly and never
use them together or you can get kickback that is very serious.
The blade that come with the saw is OK for hacking a 2 x 4, but not so good
for serious trim cutting or plywood. Good blades start at $50, very good
blades are $100 and up.Freud is a good brand for the modest priced ones.
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Posted by Steve Barker on February 7, 2009, 11:16 pm
James wrote:
show/hide quoted text
> I am not a carpenter or even a handyman. The only kind of saw I have owned
> for 25 years is a skill saw. Even with very casual use, I am still not
> good at using a skill saw to cut a straight edge on a piece of plywood or a
> 2 x 4 !!
>
> Perhaps several times a year, I will have a need to cut 2 x 4's , some
> trim pieces , and perhaps some plywood. Because I am not really skilled
> at using a skill saw, I have thought of getting a bare bones, but quality
> table saw. Again, I just need something that will allow me to cut boards
> and trim pieces and end up with a straight cut. It doesn't have to be very
> high powered, or have a lot of fancy adjustments. I guess just an
> adjustable fence (isn't that what they call it........ the piece you move
> left and right, and put your stock up against for cutting?) and I guess
> something that adjusts the depth of a cut. I don't think I would need any
> angle cutting, such as a miter saw is used for.
>
> So, what is a recommended brand, and/or a particular saw not exceeding $150
> ? Can I get a quality one for that price ??
>
> I am thinking of looking at Sears and Home Depot, but wanted to get comments
> here first.
>
> Thanks for any advice !!
>
> James
>
>
what you need is a miter saw, not a table saw.
steve
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Posted by James on February 8, 2009, 8:52 am
Steve, I don't think one can cut plywood with a miter saw ~!
James
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> jim wrote:
> >> James wrote:
> >>> I am not a carpenter or even a handyman. The only kind of saw I have