First table saw

[Halo Jones]

Hi all. I am a newbie woodworker thinking about new equipment (and there is a lot to think about!). I am looking at table saws and realise that the axminster TS200 and the makita MLT100 get decent reviews for starter saws but I cannot justify the £300 odd pounds to SWMBO until I show I am really interested in woodworking (read that as "until I produce something that she likes/finds interesting"!).

Therefore I am looking at either the JET JTS-10 or the SIP 1321. I realise these will be inferior machines but both can be had for ~£150 and I think are decent brands. Any and all suggestions welcome.

 

[Sportique]

Hi Halo - a fellow Fifer :!: welcome to the forum.

You could consider buying second hand, I was fortunate and picked up a Makita a few years ago - does exactly what I need.

Sorry I can't help with the models you have quoted.

Drop me a PM if you want to come over and chat!

Dave

 

[Digit]

HJ, welcome. A good SH buy is better than a cheapo new purhcase, trust me!

Roy.

 

[Halo Jones]

@ Sportique

It is good to know there is someone close by to call on after I've bored my wife to death. :lol:

@ All

I have thought - and bought - second hand (hand planes and a router) but table saws tend to be "pick-up only" and it seems that unless you live in Sussex or some such you will wait an age. Am I missing a gold mine of second hand deals somewhere or do I just have to be prepared to travel.

Also, how do you tell a good from a bad second hand buy?

 

[chippy1970]

hi dont get a cheapo one you will regret it. Get a half decent one, i have the Electra beckum now Metabo ts250 it was £500 but i think you might find one cheaper now. Its not my first table saw but i would highly recommend it to anyone. Very accurate and solid.

 

[Digit]

Good or bad? Well first of all it's got to run! Secondly it should not produce any nasty noises. Preferably cast iron tables, at least a 10 inch blade and preferably an induction motor.
I would also want to see it take a heavy cut and check that the motor does not over heat.
One of the rules of the game is that there is never one for sale locally when you want one!

Roy.

 

[acewoodturner]

Hi Halo from another Fifer

I am in Glenrothes (which may or may not be too far from you!) if you want to come and look at my workshop and see my nice wadkin table saw that I picked up on ebay for £200 a few years ago.
I work for myself as a cabinet maker/ laser engraver in an 880 square feet unit and will pm you my details so you can contact me if you want to.
There must be a few Fifers on this forum, who else is local and would you fancy meeting up for a blether?

 

[stoatyboy]

Hi - don't buy cheap tat

if you don't like woodworking you won't be able to sell it cos it's cheap tat - but if you buy something decent then you will be ableto sell it

AND if it's decent you'll be much more likely to enjoy it as it will actually do what you want it to and be adjustable etc etc

I lost two years arsing about with a crarp tablesaw trying to get it to cut straight don't do it.

oh and I live in Sussex and never see anything second hand that I want either!!!

Welcome

 

[Halo Jones]

Thanks for all the advice folks. I will just have to curb the "machine lust" until I can save a few pennies :? . I'm about to set off for a few weeks in the sun with no internet, e-bay or forums so I might have calmed down by the time I get back.

If anyone is looking to upgrade then you know who you can offload your old saw to (for a reasonable price, off course)!

 

[Shane]

I had the SIP 01321 to get me going, it did the job but it really was bloody awful, screamed like a banshee and bits broke off, but it did what I needed at the time. As said, increase your budget a little, go for the TS200 or MLT100 and you'll be a lot happier.

 

[Tarkin]

As someone who bought a cheapie table saw (Axminster white one with a extruded ally top), its a so-so experience. But as someone who also lives in the middle of nowhere (although not Fife), getting second hand can be a pain, which is why I ended up with what I have. Very much a compromise situation. That and I bought a LN block plane at the same time... :roll:

If you're inventive, they can be fettled into something that will do the job: a good blade, modifications to the fence and ear defenders to stop the ungodly whine are all required.

Maybe one day I can have cast iron and induction...one day.

 

[Dibs-h]

Well if you see one and can't get to it easily - you could post up and ask if someone is nearby? A few folk on here have enabled me to buy stuff on Ebay, they've gone round collected it and stuck it in a box and I've had a courier collect it. Bloomin marvelous!

Whilst it's not something I would want to make use of frequently - but for a 1 off purchase - you never know, there are some fantastic folk on here, who I'm sure would be happy to help.

Obviously in the case of a t\s - it's not going to fit in a box, but if someone is local - you'd have the benefit of knowing it does actually work - beforehand, etc.

HIH

Dibs.

 

[big soft moose]

Obviously in the case of a t\s - it's not going to fit in a box, but if someone is local - you'd have the benefit of knowing it does actually work - beforehand, etc.

HIH

Dibs.

it would go on a pallet tho