Hello All, new to wood working

Hello All, new to wood working · 07-02-2009, 01:28 PM

Hello All,
I'm definitely a newbie when it comes to woodworking, but my new father in law has been pointing me in the right direction in this new hobby/addiction. As for my tools I'm slowly starting my collection. I have the basics a compound miter, jigsaw, circular saw, drill and a router. In my search of a beginner table saw I've found this site and figured I could ask for some help on a beginner table saw. I had the choice between getting a miter or table saw and opted for the miter because I was in the process of putting up molding. Now I regret not getting the tablesaw, I just didn't want to get the cheap tablesaw bottom of the line craftsmen or skil tablesaw. I just need something basic to get me started. Any suggestions? I've researched the Ryobi and Hitachi, but I've not seen to many good reviews on either.

And my other addiction is saltwater aquariums.

Thanks for your future advice.

Charlottend · 07-02-2009, 01:39 PM

Sounds like you're at the same stage as I am. What kind of price range have you been looking in for a tablesaw? I've been reading a ton on these lately, and while I definitely don't have the experience of those on the board, I may be able to give you a few models to look at. I've been holding out for a good used deal via Craigslist for a few months now.

Bryan S · 07-02-2009, 01:44 PM

Welcome to our sawdust pile glad you found us. I was a newbie when I joined in here and still feel very much like a rookie at times but there are a great group of folks here and willing to share their knowlege.

tom hintz · 07-02-2009, 02:08 PM

It's hard to go worng putting money into a good table saw. It is the anchor of most woodworking shops (home or pro) and will last a very long time, not to mention make accuracy easier to attain. Most of the major manufacturers make decent saws with a reasonable price for what you get. I have a bunch of table saw reviews on my site at the link below with photos and some with videos. There should be enough info there to get you started in your search!
As always, get the best you can afford. That always saves you money down the road!
http://www.newwoodworker.com/reviews/index.html#ts

ncreefer · 07-02-2009, 02:33 PM

the best I can probably afford at this point would probably be in the $200 range so that puts me with the ryobi btS20 and the hitachi ct10fr....both of which don't thrill me after reading the reviews. Are they as bad as the reviews make them out to be? Or should I go with a recon/refurb table saw of a better model? I'm not in a huge rush since my neighbor is allowing me the use of his tablesaw, but I do not want to abuse this (I'll probably supply him with a new blade as payment).

sapwood · 07-02-2009, 04:00 PM

Welcome to NCWWesr, ncreefer!
Look forward to your progress and input

Roger

froglips · 07-02-2009, 04:23 PM

Welcome! You've found a wonderful community of folks who love to find new and creative uses for trees

For $200, you are well into the ball park of a very good used saw.

I'm sure you are looking over the usual sources of tools. We run a Classified Ad service where good deals can be had. We also have a Pony Express service. So if you find a saw on one side of the state and you live at the other, we can help get it moved.

Enjoy!

Jim

McRabbet · 07-02-2009, 06:49 PM

Welcome to the dustpile, reefer. Happy you've found the site. Tom Hintz has given you great advice with his comment:

As always, get the best you can afford. That always saves you money down the road!

But understandably, $200 is not going to get you the quality and performance you'll need in a new saw. Be patient and watch our Classified Ads (the Powermatic posted today is a bit out of your price bracket) and do some careful searching on Craigslist. As a help, place the following into a Google Search line without the quotes: "tablesaw NC site:craigslist.org". You'll find one from the returned results, for sure. And as others have said, we have a reliable, no cost means to move stuff across the state between members which we call the North Carolina Woodworker Pony Express.

Canuck · 07-02-2009, 08:31 PM

Welcome to the site, Reefer

I too would suggest trying to hold out for something that will last you awhile.

I went out and bought the Ridgid TS2400 jobsite saw and it did pretty well for about
three years. When I started to advance to needing a dado set, I found that this saw
just couldn't handle it!

Best to try and save your coppers and get something that will last a little longer. ie A
good used contractor saw or a hybrid.

Look forward to seeing some pictures of your work.

And.........remember we are here to help out.

Wayne

TracyP · 07-02-2009, 08:49 PM

Welcome, glad to have you!!

merrill77 · 07-02-2009, 09:26 PM

What do you want to build?

If it is furniture / cabinetry, then don't waste your money on a lightweight table saw. Wait until you can afford a decent contractor table saw with a cast iron top, belt-drive motor and most importantly, a GOOD fence. By good, I mean one that you don't need to double-check each time you set it. If the gauge says 5", then it'll cut 5" wide. And it doesn't need to be re-set to be parallel with the blade every time you move it. For me, this was by far the biggest frustration with my first el-cheapo saw. Good used contractor saws come across CL pretty frequently...and in the classifieds here. Delta, Grizzly, etc.

If you don't have the money now, I would suggest waiting until you do. You can do a lot with a circular saw and a good edge guide....and a router and very simple router table.

JackLeg · 07-03-2009, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by merrill77

What do you want to build?

If it is furniture / cabinetry, then don't waste your money on a lightweight table saw. Wait until you can afford a decent contractor table saw with a cast iron top, belt-drive motor and most importantly, a GOOD fence. By good, I mean one that you don't need to double-check each time you set it. If the gauge says 5", then it'll cut 5" wide. And it doesn't need to be re-set to be parallel with the blade every time you move it. For me, this was by far the biggest frustration with my first el-cheapo saw. Good used contractor saws come across CL pretty frequently...and in the classifieds here. Delta, Grizzly, etc.

If you don't have the money now, I would suggest waiting until you do. You can do a lot with a circular saw and a good edge guide....and a router and very simple router table.

Good advice to look for a used saw. I wouldn't waste my money on one of the cheaper imports just to get a saw. Keep your eyes open on CL and on here and other WW sites. You'll find something better for your money. And as Chris says, the fence is the MAIN thing. Welcome aboard!

fergy · 07-03-2009, 10:13 AM

Welcome...I think I know you through RASOC or NCFrag already?

Keep your eyes posted here for a thread of my aquarium stand and hood build. I'm documenting as I go, then I'll post it all at once.

LeftyTom · 07-03-2009, 08:51 PM

Around here, you will find just what a beginner needs.....enablers!

ncreefer · 07-03-2009, 09:11 PM

Originally Posted by fergy

Welcome...I think I know you through RASOC or NCFrag already?

Keep your eyes posted here for a thread of my aquarium stand and hood build. I'm documenting as I go, then I'll post it all at once.

I'm a part of both of those sites, but primarily carolinafishtalk as kjhart04.

Thank you for all of your warm welcomes and advice. As for what I'm looking to build, as of right now I'm thinking the beginner stuff such as bookcases and simple tables, but as we all know thats just the beginning. I've only done a few "simple" things so far like building a work bench and replacing some countertops (just used pre-formed laminate). After starting these projects I realized how important/useful the tablesaw can be, and I'm very thankful my neighbor was kind enough to let me use his. My circular saw and straight edge will probably be enough for me to start with, but always looking for the right tool. So I should stay away from the Ryobi and Hitachi? Remember I'm just a newbie......

Can you really trust a used table saw off of CL? After reading your section on Health/Safety it worries me a little buying a used piece of equipment that can do so much damage. What should I look for, as far as quality?