Rutlands 210mm Bench Top Table Saw

[spiderlane]

I wonder if anyone has any experience or views on this?

http://www.rutlands.co.uk/sp+woodworkin ... saw+dk2102

I'd really love a table saw but am very short on space in my garage. I'd settled on getting an Axminster TS200 at some stage (and try to improve dust collection) but this is much lighter and cheaper. Of course it's not an induction motor, nor does it have a cast iron table, but in a way that might work in my favour because I'm not sure I've got space to leave it permanently set up so it might need storing under and lifting onto the bench from time to time.

I'm under no illusion that it's going to be comparable to a much more expensive unit but seems a lot of saw for £100 compared with £250 for the Axy (i'd have to use ear protection of course). What do you guys think? I'm going to be an occasional user - would I be able to get accurate, good quality work out of it, or it is going to frustrate me?

All views welcome

Cheers
Mark


Edited to add - looks like a badge engineered version of this -> http://www.screwfix.com/p/scheppach-hs8 ... 40v/44937# and this -> http://www.ffx.co.uk/tools/product/Wood ... wgodv1wA6Q and probably plenty of others too.

 

[Racers]

I started out with a cheap table saw, it was infuriating and noisy, save your money would be my advice.


Pete

 

[skronk]

I started out with a cheap table saw, it was infuriating and noisy, save your money would be my advice.


Pete

Agreed 100%...save your cash.

 

[spiderlane]

Thanks chaps. What other alternatives are there to the TS200 for a compact saw?

I'm not planning on ripping large boards - mainly ripping planks/cross cutting mitres for box making, lamps, small furniture etc so I need something that's not huge but can cut cleanly and accurately.

The Kity 419 seems to have morphed into a Scheppach alternative. Also I've found this which seems to be a better engineered version of the Rutlands one -> http://www.screwfix.com/p/dewalt-dw745- ... 40v/83053#

Thanks
Mark

 

[custard]

A band saw and a decent shooting board might be a better choice.

 

[lurker]

I Agree with custard

 

[spiderlane]

Interesting idea! Does one usually make a shooting board or are they available to buy? (I have a small 3 wheel bandsaw which whilst being old and cheap/cheerful is surprisingly useable)

Cheers
Mark

 

[Walney Col]

Or you might like to consider a good old circular saw. As portable as you like and it's easy enough to make a jig for ripping large sheet goods etc.

I had the Woodstar version of the saw you inquired about and it was absolutely appalling.

Col.

 

[powertools]

The Dewalt one you linked to is 5 times the price of the Rutlands one.
If I were you and this is your first table saw purchase I would buy the FFX one at £80 and buy some good blades to go with it then spend a bit of time setting it up and you will then be good to go.

 

[spiderlane]

Yes you're right. I referenced as a possible example of a higher quality (and much more expensive) implementation of the same sort of idea.

 

[DiscoStu]

I bought the Axi recently. It's great but I don't use it much due to the space I need around it to use it. I've mounted mine on casters which helps, but I am now considering a track saw as this means you only need space for what you cut not twice the space.