Time for a new table saw...

[Nickp]

I think I'm done with the Darra James 12" table saw...I'm ready to cut it loose to a deserving "ole arn" fan...

The bigger question is what to buy...big brands all over the place...Powermatic, Laguna, General, Grizzly, Delta...and more, no doubt.

I'd like a cabinet saw...NO right tilters...1ph, 220V...sufficient HP, etc...I don't plan on using it to break down sheets...that'll be done ahead of time with circ saw...so I don't need a lot of reach on the right side...

Any of you done some shopping or kept up with the saws or push your favorite...?

I'm still looking at the usual haunts...Craigslist, Marketplace, eBay...but I think I want a new one...maybe it's a whim but I haven't had a new one my whole life...either used or hand-me-down. Don't get me wrong...I've enjoyed the Darra James immensely...it's as old as I am...

It's the right time to shop right now as I'm still mobile in my new 2-car shop...still shuffling machines around the joint waiting for the final layout to hit me...

So what would you guys buy if you were buying new today...?

[Sominus]

Sawstop?

[Nickp]

Sawstop?

I did leave that off the list, didn't I...

Dont' think I like the whole destroy stuff mechanism...I'd rather keep my fingies outta da works myself...

Plus, I think I'd rather spend the difference in accessories for a different brand.

BTW...I should have mentioned I don't plan on using it to break down sheets...that'll be done ahead of time with circ saw...so I don't need a lot of reach on the right side...

[Bushwhacker]

Like you, I have never had a new one either. My first one was a hand me down from my dad.
When I entered the Army, my parents divorced and i lost contact with him.
22 years later after I retred, I found him in northern Illinois and went to visit him.
I think he felt he had to give me some thing and took me to his back yard.
Against the garage he had an old square cast iron Craftsman Table saw, covered in plastic.
It had been out there for several years and was covered with rust. He insisted that we load it in the back of my truck.
I finally got around to cleaning it up, and got in running.
I needed some parts for it and contacted Sears. The catalog for it was on microfiche in the back of the store.
It took a while to find what I needed. Page by page.
Once I found the right saw, then it was a search to find the parts I needed.
The serial numbers for the parts, were 2 digits each. This was an old saw.
I used that saw for many years until it slowly fell apart, The guide broke and the motor went out, I replaced it with an old washing machine motor.
I finally set it out for trash.
About 15 years ago, one of my sons in law, died and I bought his Contractors 10 inch.
It still works well. Hard to do dust collection with it and its open stand it is on.
I think I would like a Saw Stop of some sort.
It just worries me about if it is going to work if you ever needed the Saw Stop feature.
To test for it, is like testing grenades and flash bulbs. You only get one use out of them.

I'd be curious what saw you decide to get Nick. I hope you will keep us in the loop.

Bushwhacker

[Bushwhacker]

I agree Nick, it would be expensive to repair if the saw stop feature ever went off, but it would still be cheaper then the loss of fingers.
I too, plan to simply keep my fingers out of the blades.
I watch videos of different build on Utube and a lot of those guys scare me. They all seem to reach over the blade to pick up the cut off pieces.
I had a policy that I follow all the time, I NEVER move my hands or fingers past the edge of the top of the saw. I ALWAYs use push sticks.
My push sticks are all chewed up on the one end from hitting the blade. Once they are too raggedy to push with, I cut off the end and re-notch them. Get too short, I make a new one.
I have been doing this for a long time now, At 77 I still have all of my 10 fingers.

Bushwhacker

[Nickp]

You're right, David...stuff like dust collection, riving knives, other safety features, etc...are a PITA to add on to those ole goodies. For safety, I use a short fence on the Darra James so the piece has plenty of room between blade and fence. I've gotten used to that but it is a nuisance when lining up big/long pieces for the cut.

And yes, it is cheaper to replace the stop mechanism and blade than lose a finger but I gather fingers aren't the only thing that might set it off...

I have friends that have Jet, Laguna, Grizzly and they are very happy with them...also others that have old Craftsman that are equally happy.

I'm thinking this will be the last table saw that I purchase and I might splurge on some bells and whistles...I'm overdue for some "me" stuff...

This might be the start of getting a whole bunch of shiny stuff...

[Cherryville Chuck]

No thanks on Sawstop. I prefer to use good work methods. The old Sears saws were good and were probably Delta, Rockwell, Beaver saws. Farther back might be Belsaw or Williams and Hussey. I bought an old 10 Rockwell from a buddy that wanted to upgrade. He sold it to me for $100. I put a Mule/Accusquare fence on although the original wasn't that bad. I already had the Mule by that time. It will do almost anything my Unisaw will and one is 3 hp and the other either 1 1/2 or 2. Both are 220v. Neither has good DC. Bang for buck these days is probably Grizz or General. If I were to go with Unisaw sized saw today I might go Powermatic instead. There is a lot of iron in one of those and I don't know if the Grizz or General match it. I love the Uni but Delta seems to be going downhill like PC so I don't have faith in their long term ability to provide parts.

[Herb Stoops]

I have a Craftsman 12" and I use 10" blades on it. It has never bogged down, not sure what the hp. is but it is a direct drive motor,that raises and lowers straight up and down.. Don't go less than 2hp.220, lots of accidents are caused by under powered saws. When saws bog down, operators slow their feed rate or stop to let the saw recuperate,or worse back up and the the saw kicks the board back. The more power the better, 3hp if you can. It is a real pleasure to use a saw you can not slow down. Less burning too. Laguana Fusion has a good one with a 1 3/4hp. motor, Wood craft has it $100 off right now, that pays shipping, out of stock til Feb.
HErb

[honesttjohn]

Grizzly has a sale going on right now. My choice for a new cabinet saw.

[Nickp]

I have a Craftsman 12" and I use 10" blades on it. It has never bogged down, not sure what the hp. is but it is a direct drive motor,that raises and lowers straight up and down.. Don't go less than 2hp.220, lots of accidents are caused by under powered saws. When saws bog down, operators slow their feed rate or stop to let the saw recuperate,or worse back up and the the saw kicks the board back. The more power the better, 3hp if you can. It is a real pleasure to use a saw you can not slow down. Less burning too. Laguana Fusion has a good one with a 1 3/4hp. motor, Wood craft has it $100 off right now, that pays shipping, out of stock til Feb.
HErb

Herb, did you need to bushing down for a 5/8" arbor from 1"...?

[Herb Stoops]

@NickpNo I have to bush up to 1" for the 12".
Herb

[Nickp]

@NickpNo I have to bush up to 1" for the 12".
Herb

LOL...yeah, that's what I meant...

[Herb Stoops]

@NickpNo I have to bush up to 1" for the 12".
Herb

LOL...yeah, that's what I meant...

I know you knew that, thought you were just testing me out.
HErb