Does anyone have a preferred table saw?

[thomas]

I got an electra beckum pkf 255 with all the add ons a while back and i must say its excellent, i was debating getting the festool instead but really a good table saw is always gonna be quicker and i would say safer than a circular saw. If i never had to move my saw around tho I would have got an old cast iron wadkin type jobie instead of the pkf but there are just to heavy, still if you dont care for the weight they can be had for fairly good value, and are completely rock solid.

[netwerks]

i was debating getting the festool instead but really a good table saw is always gonna be quicker and i would say safer than a circular saw.

I would not say a table saw is quicker...in fact I would say the Festool is quicker than a table saw in this application and in my experience and far more versatile than a table saw.

I can rip big panels without a panel jig (and without a second pair of hands) and I can do accurate plunge cuts which can't be done on a circular saw.

I can also cut small bracing easily which I could not do on a circular saw. (video to come later today)

I can easily take it anywhere and work in the back seat of my car and when I'm done with my project I get my garage space back.

As far as "safer" goes I think they're equally as safe, dependent on the user.

[jswingchun]

I can easily take it anywhere and work in the back seat of my car and when I'm done with my project I get my garage space back.

I don't know if it is safe to work in the back seat of your car. Unless you have a really big car, it would be a bit cramped.

[netwerks]

I can easily take it anywhere and work in the back seat of my car and when I'm done with my project I get my garage space back.

I don't know if it is safe to work in the back seat of your car. Unless you have a really big car, it would be a bit cramped.

I meant transport it in the back seat of my car... I was not awake yet and I had my three daughters arguing downstairs over the last 'effin pop-tart!

[jswingchun]

mmmmmmmmm, pop tarts...

[netwerks]

strawberry no less... We never have them in the house so of course mother in-law bought them and created a morning melee.

[thomas]

i was debating getting the festool instead but really a good table saw is always gonna be quicker and i would say safer than a circular saw.

I would not say a table saw is quicker...in fact I would say the Festool is quicker than a table saw in this application and in my experience and far more versatile than a table saw.

I can rip big panels without a panel jig (and without a second pair of hands) and I can do accurate plunge cuts which can't be done on a circular saw.

I can also cut small bracing easily which I could not do on a circular saw. (video to come later today)

I can easily take it anywhere and work in the back seat of my car and when I'm done with my project I get my garage space back.

As far as "safer" goes I think they're equally as safe, dependent on the user.

Well speed depends on how you use them but i've always found table saws quicker and used well think it always will be, building 8 of the same cab also tends to favour a table saw. Minus the taking it anywhere and the plunge cuts which i dont like anyway, a proper table saw will do all you mention and better than a circular saw too. 8x4's are simple with a sliding carridge and bracing is a breeze with the angled push bar and end stop.

[Harley]

mmmmmmmmm, pop tarts...

..... so of course mother in-law bought them

mmmmmmmm, mother in laws.

[Steve Regier]

I believe someone here was saying that the Festool plunge cut saw could not make fast, square, cross and rip cuts of repeatable dimension like a table saw. Oh yes it can!
http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Rev ... Guides.pdf
Check and Mate

[ewetho]

i was debating getting the festool instead but really a good table saw is always gonna be quicker and i would say safer than a circular saw.

I would not say a table saw is quicker...in fact I would say the Festool is quicker than a table saw in this application and in my experience and far more versatile than a table saw.

I can rip big panels without a panel jig (and without a second pair of hands) and I can do accurate plunge cuts which can't be done on a circular saw.

I can also cut small bracing easily which I could not do on a circular saw. (video to come later today)

I can easily take it anywhere and work in the back seat of my car and when I'm done with my project I get my garage space back.

As far as "safer" goes I think they're equally as safe, dependent on the user.

Well speed depends on how you use them but i've always found table saws quicker and used well think it always will be, building 8 of the same cab also tends to favour a table saw. Minus the taking it anywhere and the plunge cuts which i dont like anyway, a proper table saw will do all you mention and better than a circular saw too. 8x4's are simple with a sliding carridge and bracing is a breeze with the angled push bar and end stop.

If you have NICE table saw the value of a Festool is lessoned but could be an invaluable addition to the arsenal. If you have a less expensive common table saw (smaller base like a run of the mill home owners skill saw) of recent vintage then you would be better off with the Festool. It would actually make the table saw go on the back burner.

So if you have a good size high quality table saw (like a nice Delta) you are sitting pretty. If not the Festool is calling you, whether you know it or not.

For what is basically a Circular Saw, No they are not cheap but you absolutely get your money's worth. There is a reason why finish carpenter have them in spades. Was talking to a friend of the family that does construction type stuff and his cousins just recently got laid off and he went up to help the on side work and they have a PILE of old circular saws, routers, jig saws etc etc etc and even table saws they no longer use. They all use Festools. It actually kept them in work much longer than other guys. He saw them and all he could say was WOW! Ain't cheap but WOW are they good.

[jswingchun]

I believe someone here was saying that the Festool plunge cut saw could not make fast, square, cross and rip cuts of repeatable dimension like a table saw. Oh yes it can!
http://www.festoolusa.com/media/pdf/Rev ... Guides.pdf
Check and Mate

Wow, that looks a lot like the EZ Repeaters from Eurekazone. I wonder who had them first (no I don't)....

http://www.eurekazone.com/content/repeater-set

$181 versus $325

[netwerks]

I can see that kind of cut. I think my choice of parts was poor. I'm thinking parts like the 4x5 supports behind the throat in a Jack or an omnitop. Non rectangular small pieces.

Hate to resurrect this thread but here is a picture that depicts how you do it with the Festool, Leland.

It does not matter how big or small the piece you need, all you need is equivalent sized board underneath the track system to support it. I ripped 8' x 1" pieces for a few hours on Sunday.

[LelandCrooks]

If I only had traditional table saws I can see the utility. One of my saws is a sliding table with a larger miter guage, which it appears to me accomplishes the same thing.

I still may have to get one someday.

[Greg Plouvier]

I've been running a Powermatic 66 with the Beismeyer fence for 17 years - if you have the room a good table saw is the way to go. Accessories are a panel sled, dado set, and a taper jig. Way faster.