Craftsman Table Saw

[Danno30008]

Hey everyone:

I am looking at this table saw on e bay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=290219425540&ssPageName=ADME:B:BOC:US:1123

It looks like it is in great shape..

My questions are how does this saw stack up for someone that does not have $1000 for a new Grizzly?

My woodworking is begining to become a hobby..

So, any and all thoughts and input would be appreciated.
Take caree
Dan

[aschueler]

I kind of have an axe to grind with Craftsman power tools. I have a compound mitre saw from Craftsman that has a fence that's really off kilter. I like their hand tools a lot, but have been hearing other things about the quality of their power tools more and more.

That said, and knowing that I am biased against Craftsman, I think you can find a contractor's table saw for maybe $100-$200 more than that one on ebay, but new.

I have the Ridgid ts3650 and have had a hell of a good time cutting wood with it. If I remember right, it was about $450 last yr, so it's probably closer to $500 this year. I couldn't find it on the HD website, though.

It has a 36" rip capacity (in theory), totally cast iron, and a pretty good fence. It's mitre gauge is difficult to use (I need a cross cut sled -- next project maybe?). Good reviews all around so far as I can find.

I looked at the Grizzly website and they have a similar table saw for $550, with a 30 inch rip capacity that looks a lot sturdier than the craftsman.

Of course, I am not factoring in the router table bit, but I think there's better deals out there. Hopefully you don't find this advice offensive from a beginner himself.

[old_guy]

Since most "real" table saws are at least 1 1/2 horsepower, this one seems badly underpowered at only 1/2 horse. Take your tax rebate and get a better saw.

[Don]

Hey, Guys. My take on it is that this is not a bad deal or saw, provided that it is one of the old style V-belt drives (not direct) and that the 1/2 HP motor is actually 1-1/2 which I think is a typo on the part of the seller. I like the left tilt which is hard to find in a saw this price. If you look at the larger front image you can see that the tilt locking handle is broken off, a failing common to that Sears design (I used them for many years in my youth). I like the cast iron table. The cast router table will be a benefit when needed and the rip fence looks good and will be a double duty with the router table. The wheels make it versatile enough to move to the driveway for big jobs. I think this is a good first saw, the seller probably has a couple hundred more in it. At $300 or less it would be an even better deal. The belt drive and 1-1/2 hp motor is important though or its a deal breaker, I wish there was a picture of the back.

dawjr

[Danno30008]

Thanks everyone and no offense taken aschueler, I asked for opinions and want them, both positive and negitive.

I will send him a question about the motor and see how it shakes out. I offered him $250.. He had it on Craigs List for $300 and I called him saying I would take it, then he decided to list on E Bay.. Kinda pissed me off, so I can wait and see how it turns out.

Thanks again for the input.

Take care

Dan

[Danno30008]

Ok, one more time....

My local Lowes has this one for sale fof $499 with a $100 gift card, so it makes it $399.

I like Hitachi tools, but need some good intel from you guys aboout this saw.. What do you think?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=159372-46578-C10FL&lpage=none

Thanks and take care

Dan

[osgoor]

I just purchased a new Ridgid TS3660 table saw from Home Depot for $425 + tax. This is a great saw, high quality and heavy (almost 300 lbs). the regular price for the saw is $466.00 but I had a coupon from Harbor Freight that they honored.

my .02 cents

[Don]

Looks like it would do the job. Again, my main concern with saws like this is the drive. If it is of the direct drive variety, either geared or toothed belt they tend to scream. Many say it does not bother them, but when I'm on the table saw it is usually running for a while so I wouldn't be able to stand it. Think of a chop saw running continually while you are trying to work. I can't see the back side of this saw either, if it has a motor hanging out the back and a simple v-belt drive, you will only hear the blade - that's a pleasure.

Plus they're listing 15 amps. One HP is 745 watts. At 110 volts that's really about 2.2 HP, enough for almost all work that you would do on a saw like this though. They all take liberties and include the initial inertia of the blade and all the rotating stock - Sears began that crapola. That's when we started seeing 1-1/2 HP "Develops" 3HP. A little later things are simply listed as 3HP(peak) usually in small letters, now they've done away with even that. Just trying to make it more than it is, not a bad thing as long as you are aware of what's going on.

Did Depot stop selling their line of Rigid tablesaws? I do have a buddy that has one of those and he does like it too.

and that's my .02 cents worth

[aschueler]

Stumbled on this page looking up the Hitachi. Has oodles of details.

http://www.consumersearch.com/www/house_and_home/table-saw-reviews/review.html

[Don]

That's a great link, anything you want to know about saw brands and features. Thanks.

dawjr

[Danno30008]

Thanks everyone!

I will get back to the forum when I pull the trigger.

Take care

Dan

[Danno30008]

Thanks, thanks and THANKS!

I appreciate all the feedback.

This forum is great and I am glad I found it!

Take care everyone

Dan

[FrankAtl]

Here's another one for $200.00 on Atlanta Craigs list. Looks similar but can't really tell from the picture. Needs some cleanup.

[Danno30008]

Hey:

I am going with the Hitachi from Lowes...

I found a 15% off coupon on line, so when you combine that with the $100 gift card it brings the price down to $325, plus they have a 6 months intrest free, no payments promo going on if you get one of their credit cards.. Sounds like a plan, use their money for six months plus the other discounts.. :D
Again thanks for all the suggestions and take care
Dan

[Domer]

I just bought the Rigid 3660 (exactly the same as the 3650 except that it come in one box instead of two) from Home Depot as a present for my sister in law. It goes for $549 but if you open a credit card account with them you can get 10% off.

I read a lot of reviews on line comparing all the different saws. There was a very favorable review from Fine Woodworking on the Rigid. It got their best value award.

If you go to the Rigid site, not Home Depot, there is a blog on this saw. The main thing that they complained about is front to back wobble. It just so happened that the Rigid guy was in the Home Depot store at the same time I was. He said that the wobble is true but easily fixed. Just attach a web between the front and back legs, wood or sheet metal.

It looks like a solid saw that should last for years and like Craftsman used to be, you can get parts. They also have a three month return policy and a three year warranty.