Ohio Force Table Saw

[john a]

I am considering purchasing a used Ohio Force table saw. It is 220 with 9 amps, model number 919-004. Can anyone tell me anything about this table saw?

[Dagster]

Unfortunately I've never heard of that brand. How much will you be paying? Do you have any links to information?

Grizzly makes a good cabinet saw at an affordable price. I have one and love it. They often have scratch and dent sales as well if you live near one.

[Don]

Hey, John A and welcome to the forum. I'm with Dagster on this one. I've heard of Ohio Forge stuff, usually a bargain line of tools, including benchtop tablesaws. But, since you are writing that this one is 220 . . . ? That puts it at about 1980 watts or about 2-1/2HP. If it's a direct drive unit it will be marginal for heavier stuff. If it's a belt drive it would be a little better.

One thing to consider with table saws is the work surface. If the primary surface is aluminum, then it will be okay for the jobsite and rough work. A cast iron primary surface is better for smaller, more precise work because it can be cleaned, polished and waxed. The materials slide across the surface much better. They're more of a joy to use and they don't vibrate as much.

The wings, or extensions are another consideration, aluminum wings are draggy, if they are of the "open web" design, you won't care for them for fine work. I would almost rather have a stamped steel extensions than aluminum.

Usually direct drive saws are limited on arbor length as well, dado heads sometimes don't fit.

But the number one consideration in my book on a table saw is the noise factor. Many of the direct drive saws sound like a chop saw, meaning they scream. A table saw usually runs continuously while you are cutting up a project. A heavy, multiple belt driven saw only whispers, they are not anxiety inducing. Plus, everybody says you cannot have too much horsepower in cars, and this is certainly true of saws. More power is not going to hurt you physically, less can though.

A woodshop usually revolves around the table saw, you won't ever regret spending money on a better unit purchase. I'm with Dagster again on the Grizzly units, I have this one myself - http://www.grizzly.com/products/G1023Z - They came out with the "left" tilt saws right after I bought mine - crap! That's one reason I always loved the early PowerMatic table saws, they were left tilt, Rockwells (Delta) were typically right tilt. Those three and five horsepower saws are the cabinet making standard in most shops and millwork houses.

Good luck with your decision, whatever you decide - the guys here will help.

All the best, Don

[john a]

Update on more information. It is a belt drive with the red link belt,steel pullies on both ends and it has cast iron top and cast iron grid type wings on both sides. The stand is very sturdy. It's a right tilt also. Comes with a nearly new 80 tooth blade. No mitre gage. The fence is held in chrome steel tubes front and back.

Am going over tomorrow with my "assessment tools" to check out arbor run out, bearings, flatness of table etc. He wants $200 plan to offer $100, it needs cleaning, top is rusty but not pitted and sawdust caked on the gears.

The motor is huge and heavy it is marked 18/9 amps and is set up for 220. He says he has ripped 2x4 at 45 degrees with little trouble. Will take a couple of 2x4's and see how it does.

I do not have a saw now and plan to build some garage cabinets. I have looked a a couple of older sears units and was not impressed. So I am looking forward to this thing checking out.

Many thanks for all the advice, will update you on my findings. Glad I found this forum. Been up nights looking at past posts. LOTS to learn.

[Don]

Hey, John. Sounds like its in the ballpark. You could probably clean it up and have a great saw for many years. Mitre gauges are readily available, don't worry about that.

I doubt that you'd find a table that wasn't flat, cast iron will break before it bends, the wings could need shimming to get them right though.

Good luck, and let us know how it turns out.

dawjr