Which £1500 table saw?

[ade_tumu]

Hello everyone,

Having decided to buy a JET PT, I'm finding it difficult to find which table saw to go for. I've visited Axminster and looked looked at both the Axminster AW12BSB2 and Jet JTS-600. Overall, I liked the AW12BSB2 but felt it was let down by a poor micro adjuster (coarse and not so easy to use?). The JTS-600 seemed to have a better micro-adjuster but was slightly less good in other aspects. I visited the Charnwood shop to view their offering, but wasn't impressed. I tried to visit the Record main shop in Derbyshire but despite the fact they say the showroom has a full product range, their TS250 wasn't available to see. I like the idea of a 5 year guarantee but reading around, I'm not sure how good the Record machine is. So I feel at bit of a loss as to what to buy. If you've experience of the Axminster, Jet, Record or other comparable machines, what are your thoughts on them? (I need an all-rounder, 1ph machine.) Thanks.

 

[Waka]

Have you considered looking at the Xcalibar range?

 

[tomlt]

If you've got the room axminster mj12-600, love mine, great saw, but don't underestimate the size.

Rgrds, Tom.

 

[doctor Bob]

Funny isn't it, I have an Altendorf WA80, doesn't even have a micro adjuster.........
Yet I had a Robland E300 which had one.

The Altendorf is unbelievably accurate, the Robland was crap.

I therefore tend to believe the crappier the saw the more useless gimmicks the company will put on them.

 

[marcros]

What does the hammer saw come in at?

 

[siggy_7]

The three saws you are looking at are all quite different. The Jet is a much smaller saw than the others so think about the capacity you want before going for that. I have the Record TS250-RS and quite like it - having a 4' slider in a compact and mobile machine is fairly unique so if you want the sliding carriage in a portable package it's a good option. Not as solid as a more industrial machine though. If you don't want the panel saw style sliding table then I gather the Axminster saw is a very good one, and if you have the space then go for the MJ12-1600 as it's a step up from the Record in terms of capacity and overall robustness of the machine, but at the expense of size and mobility.

 

[ade_tumu]

Thanks for your comments. I shall look at the Hammer and Excalibur options suggested.

The workshop won't accomodate the Axminster MJ12, I don't think, which is a shame.

 

[Steve Maskery]

Definitely look at the Xcalibur from Woodford. Mine is the older model, but the newer version has left-tilt and switch on the left too. It is built like a tank and is a pleasure to use. No fine adjuster, but it is easy enough to build your own if you need one and the pleasure that comes from using such a solid machine is a bonus every time you turn it on.
I'm currently planning a new workshop and I have no wish to change my tablesaw.
S