Which Table saw to choose

[evidence]

Hi all,

I'm new here and have spent the last few days reading as many threads as I could find on table saws, but decided to join and ask my own question.

I would like advice on which table saw to choose. I'm currently living in Poland where my table saw choices are sadly limited. My main criteria is being available in Poland. It must also be able to rip at least 500 mm, as I'll be cutting mostly sheet material. I'd also like to keep the price around £300 - £500.

So far I've narrowed it down to: DeWalt DW745 (£475), Axminster BTS10ST (£370 including shipping to Poland from UK), Charnwood W619 (which I managed to find for £475), or do I stump up for the Axminster TS-200-2 (totally blows my budget at £648)

The DW745 and the BTS10ST appeal because I only have a garage workshop, and I'd still like to be able to get the car inside. On the other hand the W619 has a cast iron top and an induction motor for the same price. The TS-200 seems to be the best of both worlds with a small form factor, cast iron top and an induction motor.

 

[RogerP]

In UK Axminster BTS10ST is £299.96 and the TS 200-2 is £349.96 both with UK VAT included but obviously not carriage to Poland. Even with the sliding table and stand (£109.96 and £29.95) I would think the Axminster TS 200-2 to be just within your budget by the time carriage is added.

 

[evidence]

My price for the TS-200 was based on the complete kit (£529.96+postage to poland=£648). I also need the table extension to rip 500 mm, which I assume is not included with the base saw.

 

[marcros]

IMHO, none of these saws are ideally suited to your requirement of "mainly cutting sheet material". I would look at a track saw, some part dogs, and a shop built version of the MFT table, (with either a genuine or CNC cut top)

 

[evidence]

Can you suggest where I could get such a set up with such a budget? I did investigate track saws and they seemed really expensive.

 

[marcros]

ok, but you need to do some research, because I do not know whether one is better than another. I also haven't checked the prices- just picked the first one. If you ask about specific saws, you should get some feedback.

http://www.dm-tools.co.uk/product.php/s ... dcXKnhIhUQ
http://www.yandles.co.uk/triton-tts1400 ... eal/p17863
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Woodstar-Diva ... 1160526154

plus dewalt, makita, festoon which will be nearer to the top of your budget.

have a look here for the mfg ideas- I would think that you could get a top cut locally.

ae-you-thinking-about-getting-a-festool-mft-3-t79021.html?hilit=mft%20ketter

 

[marcros]

if you can stretch to it, i would go for the festoon. You will be getting a professional top end tool, whereas none of the table saws that you have listed are anywhere near that.

http://www.axminster.co.uk/festool-ts-5 ... connectors

with all of these, you can cut onto a supported surface- a piece of polystyrene will do- you don't need the mft table abthough it looks very useful.

 

[evidence]

Thanks.

I've always wondered how easy it was to cut square with a track saw. One of the main benefits I see with a table saw is the fence to keep everything at 90 degrees.

 

[RogerP]

If you're mainly cutting up sheet material I think a track saw will be the best choice but for real wood a table saw will be better as with sleds, jigs etc. they can be used for many more tasks.

 

[Ed Bray]

I have to confess, I could not see the benefit of a track saw until I got and used one. I typically only use my table saw now for small crosscuts on a sled. The track-saw is much more versatile than you would expect if you have not used one, and the use of an MFT type top in conjunction with 20mm dogs really extend it's usefulness.

The track-saw is equally at home ripping lengths of hardwood as it is sheet materials and the splinter guards ensure a fine finish on both sides of the cut when used with the correct blades. As for the accuracy of a track-saw, like a table saw, if set up correctly it is at least if not more accurate than the table saw particularly those in the OPs price range.

It's main limitation against a table saw within the OPs price range is depth of cut as a TS-55 type saw typically has a 2" cut whereas a 10" table saw would cut to circa 3".

The DeWalt track saw with 2x 1.5mtr rails can be had for circa £350 in the UK, so within the OPs budget, he would even have enough to spend to get a MFT 1080 replacement top circa £70 in UK and some rail clamps and park/qwas type dogs.

 

[evidence]

Would you ever use something like this?

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wolfcraft-69000 ... B005VB1CDC

 

[JR147]

Since I got my track saw a few months ago I've not used my table saw. The track saw works great for cutting sheet material and with a bit of care getting square cuts is fine. I'm seriously considering getting rid of the table saw and looking at an MFT/3 setup as it would give me a load more space.

I've got the Axminster TS250 (mk 1) and it's a decent saw but needs a fair amount of setup to get it right, and a fence upgrade is an essential. Once that's done it is a good saw.

 

[marcros]

i have to admit, I am wondering the same about replacing my table saw with a track saw and mft style table.

 

[evidence]

So I decided to sit on my hands for awhile and made do with a circular saw and guide, but suddenly I need to cut long angle cuts and adjusting angles accurately on my circular saw is just a bitch. So, I'm back to my original question. Any recommendations for table saws up to around 600 pound?

 

[RickN]

Track saw matey much safer than hefting sheet goods onto the table IMO https://youtu.be/Wzy-yWyV-mM

 

[biskit]

I've just got a TS250 and now i've got it set up i love it. I fitted a small side table, and a wheeled stand, fitted the upgrade fence. Just looking at the last youtube clip RickN put up I think how easy life would have been the last 50 years if I'd had a track saw

 

[evidence]

Track saw matey much safer than hefting sheet goods onto the table IMO https://youtu.be/Wzy-yWyV-mM

Track saws are great, but they can't replace a table saw. Trying to a rip a 2"x4" with a tracksaw would be interesting.

 

[RickN]

Ahh but your original post said you'd be mainly working sheet goods and had need to cut long tapers... in that case buy both 8)

 

[heimlaga]

How much space do you have?
Do you have 3 phase electricity?
How far du you live from the German border and do you have access to a trailer or a pickup or something or do you know some lorry business that could bring it home as a return load?

Secondhand machines are cheap and rather plentiful in Germany. For some 500 euros you could get a mighty good secondhand cabinet saw with cast iron table and maybe a sliding table as well. A Rapid for instance.
I would not waste my hard earned money on an entry grade saw if I had the opportunity to get an advanced hobby grade or professional grade saw for the same amount of money. Entry grade saws are more or less wothless on the secondhand market so if you ever want to upgrade your money will be wasted.
I have imported a few secondhand machines from Sweden and that hasn't been too difficult.

If you lack the space for a better saw you are forced to make do with an entry grade saw though.

 

[evidence]

Ahh but your original post said you'd be mainly working sheet goods and had need to cut long tapers... in that case buy both 8)

I thought that was going to be the case, but in fact it turned out that my local hardware store started offering to cut down sheet goods free of charge. Now my main problem is ripping bevels.

I've narrowed my choice to the Charnwood W619 or the Axminster TS-200-2. Anyone have a preference, or better suggestion in the same price range?