Table Saws

[Charles Warwick]

I need a new tablesaw. I moved and had to leave my gigantic cast iron craftsman behind, so now I'm looking again

Menards has got these saws on sale right now, and I was curious to know if anyone has used either of these before:
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardw ... c-9082.htm
http://www.menards.com/main/tools-hardw ... c-9082.htm

I've also moved into a single car garage from my 2 car (which makes me a little sad) so I don't have as much room as I used to which is why I was looking at a saw that would take up less room, and those two saws seems pretty compact so I could fold them away when I'm short on space.

Craigslist has yielded me nothing in the past few months, a few small saws from Protech or Skill and a bunch of old and bulky Craftsmans. I decided that I was tired of waiting, so I started shopping for new ones.

Any suggestions or comments on the two saws I posted?

Edit, found an interesting article reviewing a bunch of saws:
http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/re ... aw#slide-2

[67baja]

I personally am waiting for that Bosch to go on clearance at Lowes. When it does, it will be MINE! Can't go wrong with that Bosch.

[Charles Warwick]

Well it's on sale at Menards for $500 after mail in rebate if there is one near you.

I gotta say, that masterforce looks like a clone of the Bosch. Some people online said it was even made by Bosch, but I don't know for certain.

[Tom Smit]

Have you considerd going this route http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sJoGTf6KL8s

[Charles Warwick]

That's pretty neat, but an 8X4 table pretty dang big. After reading and considering my options, I'm debating finding a smaller contractor or hybrid saw instead of a portable one and just dealing with the extra floor space loss.
Something like this maybe:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-13-Am ... escription

I like the idea of being able to integrate a router table into the table saw to save space.

Do you guys think that having a portable saw like the Bosch 4100 would be a big issue for making cabinets? My first saw was an old, full size cast-iron contractor saw which made cutting sheets easy, but transport near impossible. I just worry that I won't be able to get the same quality of cuts with a smaller/less powerful saw.

[koturban]

That's pretty neat, but an 8X4 table pretty dang big. After reading and considering my options, I'm debating finding a smaller contractor or hybrid saw instead of a portable one and just dealing with the extra floor space loss.
Something like this maybe:
http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-13-Am ... escription

I like the idea of being able to integrate a router table into the table saw to save space.

Do you guys think that having a portable saw like the Bosch 4100 would be a big issue for making cabinets? My first saw was an old, full size cast-iron contractor saw which made cutting sheets easy, but transport near impossible. I just worry that I won't be able to get the same quality of cuts with a smaller/less powerful saw.

If size and space are an issue, have you considered a track saw?

[Tom Smit]

Heh, I'll try again.
The ultimate work bench does not have to be 4x8, but rather, whatever size you want. A router can be fashioned into the sytem as well. And, you don't need to spend big dollars to get good cuts. Even a garage sale table saw will work quite well since every saw should be set up properly to achieve good cuts and reduce/eliminate cut-offs being thrown back at you. And, various style sleds help in attaining accurate cuts.

[Billy Joe]

I have the Ridgid TS3650 table saw. It's a really nice saw, and it doesn't take up a whole lot of floor space. I made an out feed table that can be folded down when not in use, and then moved into a corner of the garage.

[Bruce Weldy]

Very nice outfeed table.....

[DJPhatman]

Very nice outfeed table.....

+1 Well thought out and executed!

[Tom Smit]

Very nice outfeed table.....

+1 Well thought out and executed!

Yup.

[byacey]

Nice table. Is it fastened to the fence rail?

[iamlowsound]

I second the track saw if space is a real issue. My table saw is a small, cheap portable saw that was cobbled together from two different garage sale finds and it makes perfect cuts. A good blade makes all the difference in any saw.

lowsound

[Billy Joe]

Nice table. Is it fastened to the fence rail?

No, it's sitting on 1 1/4 angle iron fastened to the saw cabinet.