Saw Advice

[murphyabu]

Morning all,

I have been visiting your threads and using them for research over the last few weeks as I am looking into buying a table saw,

I currently have a El Chop saw (Hand me down) which is a great bit of kit,

I've also got a Dewalt Circular Saw,

Having just moved into a new house there are a hundred and one tasks to be carried out, stud walls to be put up, cabinets to be made, idea furniture to be adapted to prevent it falling apart etc

At present a lot of the cuts I am doing involve ripping down sheets of 18mm ply/mdf for shelving and alike, for those types of cuts i am using the circular saw with a straightedge as a guide, however as you know this often leaves quite a margin for error,

This brings me onto the subject of table saws,

I have been looking at the Dewalt/Makita Flip saws but then started looking into dedicated table saws as I already have a working chop saw,

I've a budget of around the £400 mark and I'm looking for a saw I can use for ripping plywood down to size whilst also being able to make fine cuts for use in cabinets, so accuracy is important,
At the moment I've a shortlist of;
Woodstar ST12
Jet JTS-315
DW345
Axminster TS200

The plan is to use the saw initially on legs/temp workbench before finally integrating it into a workbench on wheels which can be maneuvered around the garage and out onto the driveway etc with removable exit tables etc.

What would be your saw of preference from the above and do you think there's another make/model I may have overlooked???

Thanks in advance for your help

 

[carlb40]

The site saws - jet/ woodstar will not be that accurate for fine work.
So that leaves the TS200 and similar. Bare in mind to cut wide panels you will need the side extension table, unless you make your own.

This might help.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n0yFbiJ3ZRI

So basic saw
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... -table-saw

Plus rip fence
http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-rip-fence-upgrade

Plus ply/mdf and metal tubing etc should be under your budget.
Another option would may be the TS250 if you can wait for stock?

http://www.axminster.co.uk/axminster-ho ... -table-saw

 

[RogerP]

whilst also being able to make fine cuts for use in cabinets, so accuracy is important,

I know on paper the specs. look tempting but, as Carl says, the site saws will not be good enough for cabinet work. I tried on once but was not very impressed, very noisy and cheaply made.

 

[murphyabu]

Carl I like the math!!!!

Had a look at the saw and they say hobby, is that really an appropriate word? I'm hoping it's a bit more substantial than a 'hobby' saw.

Thanks for the video link too,

If I am building a rolling workbench is there an additional ruler guide system I could work into the bench that the axminster guide would also fit.....

 

[murphyabu]

Just spoke to Axminster who stated the TS-250 isn't likely to be back in stock for another month

I've also started to wonder that if it's out of stock for so long is that because they are changing their parts supplier etc? Will it still be the same highly rated saw that comes back into stock?

 

[carlb40]

Axminster say the Hobby range is to be used for 100hrs per year. At a diy/home user rate that should be fine. I doubt anyone who uses a table saw for 5hrs plus a day would consider it. I have had mine just over 14 months now and it's been fine. With mine i try to do batch cuts, so it could get used for 20 minutes or so one day, then not be used for a few days etc. So the times even themselves out.

As to the guide system i'm not sure. The main rail looks specific to that fence. One other option would be to make your own Biesmeyer style fence.
https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=biese ... 0&bih=1078

 

[Grahamshed]

Who knows ? Chances are just that it is coming from China and takes that long to get here. They probably order container loads at a time.

 

[carlb40]

Just spoke to Axminster who stated the TS-250 isn't likely to be back in stock for another month

I've also started to wonder that if it's out of stock for so long is that because they are changing their parts supplier etc? Will it still be the same highly rated saw that comes back into stock?

The larger TS250 is new this year, so they are probably waiting on the first batch.

 

[murphyabu]

Considering the price difference and the increased cut capability it looks like I will have to wait a month and become a TS-250 guinea pig.....

Thanks for the advice.

 

[carlb40]

Considering the price difference and the increased cut capability it looks like I will have to wait a month and become a TS-250 guinea pig.....

Thanks for the advice.

The only other one i know at the mo - which is probably the same saw? Is the charnwood
http://www.charnwood.net/shop/product/1 ... saw?cid=22

But you can only buy the complete package, not in sections like the Axi version.

 

[RogerP]

..................
Had a look at the saw and they say hobby, is that really an appropriate word? I'm hoping it's a bit more substantial than a 'hobby' saw............

I thought from the start it's rather poor choice of name and with the horrible red paint I'm sure it puts a lot of people off.

 

[murphyabu]

If that's the same saw Carl that's quite a price difference between the two makes....

Unless another viable option presents itself I'll have to do something about that red paint Roger

 

[david123]

+1 for TS200 and the fence, had the upgrade fence for a while now and love it. You will find other threads on here about how to fettle it when it arrives, it was fairly streight forward to sort out. I love the saw.

Good luck