Tequila

Member
Used a job site size RIGID table saw for about 8 years, average use. I don't abuse equipment. The reduction drive bearings went out, wouldn't.t you know it-- that part is no longer available??? Purchased a JET 10 inch saw for almost $700.00 and the third time I turned it on the chicken sh$$t switch fell apart. Bought it in November last fall, stored in the barn, Jet says to late. Does anyone make a decent piece of equipment ??
 
Probably not in the low priced saws. I bought one of the "better" Craftsman contractor's table saws just before they went Chinese. Didn't have any trouble selling that when I quit woodworking

Some of the old Jet equipment was good, but not any longer. Grizzly has some good saws - and some not so good (all imported, of course). I like the looks of the Porter Cable saw that I see at Lowes, but don't know if it is good or not.

The old Delta Unisaws were the best, but buyers will pay nearly new prices for used ones.

The high priced saws are better (so I'm told), if you have $2500 - $3500 to spend.
 
I lucked out and bought the last 10" cast iron table saw that Delta made about 10 years ago on a closeout deal. 1.5HP belt drive and it has been a great saw.

If I were looking for a new saw today I think I would be shopping used for better quality.
 
I see you need lessons in how to get WARRANTY on RIGID power tools . as i have had some issues a couple times . And NOW when i take a RIGID power tool back to the store WHERE i bought it from there is no problems NOW . It either gets fixed or replaced . I own a Rigid 12 volt heavy duty drill and that was the start of it all as when i bought it the big sign over the tool dept read , BUY ANY RIGID CORDED OR CORDLESS POWER TOOL BEFORE DEC. (what ever the date was at the time) AND GET LIFE TIME FREE REPLACEMENT FOR LIFE . Well when it took a dump i was in the middle of a complete redo of the down stairs of this OLD HOUSE . I was spending money like a drunken sailor at HOME DEPOT . I took the drill back and they started doing the two step on me (not the thing to do ) I came unglued on them big time to the point that people coming thru the door were turning around and leaving . After a vary heated discussion with the store manager and the mouthy assistant manager my drill was repaired and returned in three days plus the loan of another drill. about a month latter my NEW RIGID 1/4 sheet sander threw the pad off the unit and hit me in the nuts and put me on the floor here again the fight was on but they replaced it and the next one and the one after that and the one after that one and for all my trouble i ended up with a NEW RIGID 14 inch bandsaw for two hundred bucks . Plus now the store has on file at the store all the warranty cards of all my RIGID tools along with a copy of a reg. letter sent to RIGID power tools verifying that my RIGID POWER TOOLS are indeed covered under the repair warranty and also a copy of the letter FROM THE OHIO ATTORNEY Gen.'s office that was sent to them over these problems . As at first they claimed that i NEVER SENT IN THE REG. FOR THE WARRANTY as they had nothing on file . We had PROOF of the percusses with the org sales slips and canceled checkes . THEY DID NOT COUNT ON THAT . as i have every bill for every tool i have bought dating back to 1962 . THERE WARRANTY STATES that the tool will be repaired OR replaced as long as you have it reg. or have the org. sales slip.
 
Exactly. My Jet has lasted me for 20 years with no problems. This guy probably throws away his car when the tires wear out.
 
I still have a Craftsman 9" table saw I bought in 1984.

Use it quite a bit and it is still going.

However 9" saw blades are getting hard to find.

Bottom line is, old stuff is better than new. My tool shopping is generally done at pawn shops, flea markets and junk stores.

Gene
 
Ihave an old possibly 1950's Craftsman 10 inch that I thought was greatly underpowered with a 3hp 240 V motor, I bought a FREUD blade and now I have a SAW! I have been using table saws for 45 years and used carbon stel blades I maintained by myself as long as I could see to file them. I tried several carbide bledes in recent years but the FREUD is the only carbide that cuts like my old carbon steel blades. My conclusion: No saw is better than the blade
 
TRACTOR VET, you're my Hero!!!! If more folks were like you, we'd all be better off. I admire you and your perseverence.
 
Table saws and radial arm saws are two types of tools which always seem underpriced on craigslist. Usually, the older (and better) the saw, the less the seller is asking for it. Of course, this isn't much use to you if you live in a sparsely populated area where there aren't so many sellers per square mile. City dwellers are the best for selling expensive, underused tools.

Stan
 
I generally buy used for the reasons you mention and save a bundle, so longs as I don"t expect new and shiny. I just bought an 8" rockwell jointer for $400, but I have to work at it to get the gibs out and I"ll have to rewire the switch. No biggie.

I think if you are running a casual shop (ie your groceries don"t depend on it) older used is your best deal. Otherwise you will have to ante up a lot of money for a General out of Canada or a Laguna Tools or another tool intended for commercial shops.

Its kinda like... tractors. Expect to work on "em. Expect the new ones to be less user-serviceable than the old ones, even though they are more pricey.
 
Grizzly makes good equipment and so does Powermatic. If you have big bucks Northfield Machinery hasn"t changed the design of their equipment in probably 50 years but I don"t think they make a contractors saw.
 
I've got the Bosch - never had any trouble.

It can't be compared with a true cabinet saw, but for portability it's hard to beat.

Have had it for a few years now, so haven't shopped lately, but at the time it's fold down stand was the best out there.

Works well.

fence system has never given me any trouble - again - it's more a portable job site saw than something you'd use for fine furniture making - but in its class, I'd rank it right up there at the top.

I know there are some plastic parts inside that make people nervous - but I think that's true for most of them. And I've never had any trouble whatsoever - so, can't really say what would happen if something broke.

it's a good saw. I've gotten my money's worth out of it, and I see no reason it won't be with me for many more years.
 
Grizzley, it"s a little more expensive than the garbage at big box stores but well worth the investment. Give them a look
 

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