What table saw?

[RorieT]

Hi folks,

My £150 table saw has had its days, so looking to replace with something that will last. I recently spent a fair bit on a nice mitre chop saw, so know the benefits of 'investing', but i don't want to duplicate the capability of my mitre saw if i can.

My main uses to date have been ripping and working with sheet material. Laminate flooring etc is normally done by my chop saw (other than ripping of course).

But i want to start increasing my cbability in making 'stuff'. So i know my requirements are

Strong and true fence
Good quality rails
power enough to deal with 20mm oak an sheet maerial regularly, but sometimes more.
I want to make jigs etc to make my work neater and safer, so i believe i need a good table?

I have gone down the road of the following, but perhaps these are too much? Space isn't a problem, and i'm happy spending what i need to, but i don't want to waste money.

1) Is this the right direction, or should i look at smaller saws? Perhaps one i can mount in a workstation?
2) Are all these saws much the same? I want a side bar for ease in cutting sheet material. Is the rail for the JET the same thing as that on the AMX10?
3) Any other comments?

P.S. There is nowhere local that has these types of machine on display, and i am struggling to find a huge amount of info online. One job i have just now is to notch (or check?) a section out of a 20x120mm oak skirting. For this the fence will need to be really close to the blade. As of yet, i have not found a way to run the wood through to get a consistent cut as the wood drifts from the fence as its cut….any suggestions? Will the sliding sections of theses saws help solve my problem?
Thanks!

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tr ... ench-25325
http://www.charnwood.net/shop/product/1 ... saw?cid=22
http://www.axminster.co.uk/jet-jts-600-saw-bench
http://www.screwfix.com/p/record-power- ... 230v/66730
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tr ... -panel-saw
http://www.sipuk.co.uk/sip-10-cast-iron ... 01332.html
http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-pre ... 240v/31206

 

[heimlaga]

Have you considered secondhand?

Secondhand high quality cast iron cabinet saws seem to turn up in Britain every now and the for unbelieveably low prizes. Buying a machine has has been heavily used for 30 or 40 or 70 years inevitably means that you end up spending a bit of time and money on it before it is ready to run but work you do for yourself is free from tax and VAT and commuting costs so you are able to gets a remarkable leverage on the investment.
I rekon 20-70 percent of the cost for a new machine as fairly normal when including purchase cost plus transport plus parts plus one's own low tax free labour rate when rebuilding an old machine to top condition. This means that suddenly a hobbyist or part timer can afford top quality machines...... or spend significantly less that others spend on machines of the same quality.
Hovever everyone's skills and life situation isn't up to rebuilding an old machine but the option is always worth considering.

Good luck whatever you choose to do!

 

[RorieT]

Hi,

I am keeping an eye on the 'used' market, but to be honest, i'd prefer to buy new!

It doesn't help that where i am there is little in the way of used tools, and when they arrive on the market, there is normally a stupidly high asking price!

 

[Wizard9999]

Have you considered an Xcalibur from Woodford?

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Cabinet-Saw-1 ... 853wt_1192

(Apologies to Mods if I am breaking the rules by posting a link to an Ebay item, but the Woodford website is spectacularly bad and I can't find the saws on it. I'm only trying to show the OP this option, not promoting any sales efforts per se).

I have the previous version and it is fantastic, but I have heard from at least one person who has access to both that the new one is miles better.

Good luck with your deliberations.

Terry.

 

[Random Orbital Bob]

Apology accepted Terry (but it'll cost you at least 6 pints!)

 

[shipbadger]

Rorie,

Can I suggest you have a look at the 'Buying Advice/Tool Reviews' section of this site. I found it very useful when buying machinery for my workshop. You'll need to use the search facility to dig out the threads you need but will be able to find information on most machines. All you need to remember is that each machine is purchased and used by a person who will have individual needs/space/finance etc. and their reviews may reflect this. There are no machines (usually) that stand head and shoulders above the others, each will have good and not so good features so decide on what you think you need it for and how much you want to spend.

Me, I've a SIP 01332 with a sliding table, these machines generally had good reviews and a few niggles aside I've been very happy with it; but supply seems to be erratic nowadays.

Tony Comber

 

[OM99]

Have you seen this model from charnwood http://www.charnwood.net/shop/product/8 ... w-1?cid=46

a bit less than the 650 and got 5mm more depth of cut at 90 degree.

 

[shipbadger]

One other thing I should have said, most of the machines of far eastern origin come with a poor blade. Be prepared to replace it with something better (mine ran with a distinct wobble), or preferably with several so that the most a suitable for the job can be used. I use Atkinson Walker via Workshop Heaven but as they say 'other makes are available'.

Tony Comber

 

[MartinCox]

I've got the Axi saw you linked to - plus the side extension table (very useful) and sliding bar extension ( good but needs constant checking and is very space hungry). Heavy cast iron tops on top of solid sheet metal base.

Also the Osborne precision mitre gauge (excellent). Of course, high quality sharp blades make a huge difference no matter what saw you have.

I build a mfd style table at rear of saw as run off surface doubling up as work and assembly bench.


Would be very happy to buy again if I had to.

 

[hammer n nails]

Axi are selling an almost new one on ebay

 

[Lons]

Can't comment on the others but I've had the SIP 01332 since new for a number of years and it does everything I ask of it. I'd have got the sliding table as well but too big a footpring for me.

 

[RorieT]

Thanks for the replies folks

I think the Xcalibur is a bit too expensive, but looks like a good saw!

I have done a lot of reading over the last few days - my head hurts! Thats how i have limited it down to these few saws, but looking for some 'on-tool advice' from folk that have them. So thanks for the comments so far!

Any other thoughts on the sliding bar? Are they all much and such?

 

[sammy.se]

I have an Axminster ts200 with sliding table and extension table. A good setup for occasional use, but requires recalibration and fettling of the fence quite often. But for the money, I couldn't find anything better. If you can afford the ts250 then go for that since its more powerful.

 

[deema]

Before you buy a new saw, may I suggest you see if there is anyone close with something like a Wadkin, Startrite or a Sedgwick (they still make them) and have a play before you go down the new route. With the exception of very few new saws, I believe you will appreciate what you can buy for you money with a secondhand work horse. I'm not suggesting other than a Sedgwick or a Hammer that you look at any at other brand of newly built secondhand saw.

 

[RorieT]

Ok,
After several more hours of reading, i think i am slowly getting there!

However, one thing i really don't understand is the sliding rails!

Can somebody please explain the difference between the axminster aw10 side rail and the framing arrangement on the TS250RS (record power) like the links below. I understand that the TS250RS can take a whole sheet of material? But can the axminster? Or is that just a basic guide/slider?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-tr ... ench-25325

http://www.recordpower.co.uk/product/ts ... e8zpUv_Qdu

 

[wallace]

Rorie if your ever passing durham your welcome to have a play on my wadkin pk its 65years old but very accurate as youd expect from a pattern makers saw. I did not pay a huge amount for it. Its worth waiting for something older