Cheap table saw?

eep803 · 22 Aug 2008

Hi, my first posting on here, I only found your site a few days ago. I'm a general handyman I do a bit of woodworking (custom shelves, boxing in) for work but I do much more of it for my own house and pleasure. I mainly make furniture, ply carcases fronted with softwood frames.

I have a Trend router, circular saw, jigsaw and sliding crosscut mitre saw. I think the next thing I need is a small table saw.

I've made a sawboard as recommended somewhere on this site and elsewhere fr ripping down the 4x8 sheets and am more than happy to carry on using this so I don't need a a huge table and I've the mitre saw so dont need a sliding carriage.

I think the main thing I'll use the table saw is ripping down wide softwood boards into strips of the correct width for making my cabinet frames out of or drawers or boxe etc. So a nice neat accurate cut is what I'm after.

I dont have a workshop as such, I use a mates or my patio if its dry so small size is a must.

And finally the price. I'd kind of like to keep the price below £100. However sometimes its just not possible to get something worth having for a certain price so if this price is too low then let me know the lowest and I'll see what I can do.

Sorry for the long post but I figured the detail would help. Many thanks, for your time, Dave

wizer · 22 Aug 2008

Welcome to the forum. I am afraid you will not find a decent, accurate, safe TS for under £100. You won't even get one for under £200.

Here's a couple of threads which might help.

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hp?t=25864

https://www.ukworkshop.co.uk/forums/view ... hp?t=25892

The best advice I can give it to save up until you can afford something better. It will last longer, run better and serve you well.

xraymtb · 22 Aug 2008

Although, and I'm surprised Wizer didnt mention it, there is always the Triton workcentre (which is under £200 I believe as you have a CS already and you may get an Ebay bargain at £100). Its portable, accurate (providing its setup properly), folds down reasonably small and would do everything you need and more.

For £200 (and using your existing CS), it will be better than any other table saw in that price range IMHO.

eep803 · 22 Aug 2008

Hi, thanks for the replies, I'd seen those two posts ta, its a shame the prices are a bit high. I've seen the triton workcentre and had wondered how good it was. I've seen the eaziway unit aswell but had heard less favourable things about it.

How easy is it to get the circular saw out of the triton workcentre as I only have one CS and one minute may be wanting to rip 4x8 down with the sawboard and the next trimming PAR down to size?

I like the triton idea as I could mount my router in it as well.

Cheers, Dave

xraymtb · 22 Aug 2008

eep803":2pm8b8rr said:
How easy is it to get the circular saw out of the triton workcentre as I only have one CS and one minute may be wanting to rip 4x8 down with the sawboard and the next trimming PAR down to size?

With the Triton saw as well it's very easy. I'm not sure about other saws as I never used any in the workcentre - according to the manual it works just the same though - you turn four knobs half a turn and out it comes. Takes seconds and goes back in exactly the same place.

George_N · 22 Aug 2008

I've used both Makita and Triton saws in my WC2000. Both saws go in and out of the Workcenter equally easily. The Triton saw is easier to set up as it was designed to go in the Workcentre and has holes in the baseplate for adjusting cams. I found my 190 mm Makita a bit limiting in depth of cut so bought the 235 mm Triton saw (which with minor modifications can take a 250 mm blade). I think the Triton set up is good value for money at the lower end of the market and works well. I built a whole kitchen full of cabinets with mine plus other projects. The Workcentre itself is fairly big but the legs can be folded for storage.