Semi industrial 10" table saw - what would you recommend?

[dadtotwo]

Hello everyone,

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Kev and after running in the rat race for years I've decided i loath it and want to work for myself with what i love, wood, so last year i quit, took a year out, chilled and dedicated time to my two young kids (hence the online name). Yes I've been very lucky (especially when the wife cleared off a couple of years back!!!) to be able to do this. Now I have rented a small industrial unit and I'm going to make stuff - I like making stuff and hopefully make a few quid in the process.

BUT I am stuck - read and read and read again though I may I cannot decide which table saw to buy - this will be one of my 3 major purchases and the one eating up most of my budget so I must get it right - can anyone please give me some recommendations. Not hobby or home garage stuff as I'll need bigger as time goes on so want to get one that will last my next 10 years (my old garage eazybench with my black and decker stuck to it just wont do any more lol).

I've looked at the Axminster Industrial Series TSCE-12R 305mm Saw Bench, WOW i love it, price £2760 double wow, bit to much. The American Sawstop stuff - sweet, not in the uk though. I also looked at the 10" Woodford Woodworking Cabinet Saw 3HP 1 Phase Ref: 8060101 and liked it - anyone use it?

I would be happy in the £1000 region but if its worth it then £1500 to £1800 to get the quality is possible.

Any help would be appreciated and thank you in advance

Kev

 

[Mar_mite]

Second hand? I had an old startrite in my old place. You can pick them up quite cheap on eBay and it was a fantastic saw.

 

[Ed Bray]

I had an old Kity 419 sawbench with sliding table that I used for years until least year I bought a SIP 01332 Table Saw secondhand from Dodge on this forum. The difference was chalk and cheese. 3HP cast iron tables, used industry standard mitre slots, The only downside I have found with it is the arbour which is only 25.4mm rather than the industry standard of 30mm (adapters are readily available), and it cannot take a Dado Set (not many UK saws can). It comes with a 2 year warranty. The Rip fence is fantastic. I replaced the blade that was with the saw with a 40 tooth combination blade Freud Pro and it is great.

Now, I am not saying it is the greatest saw in the world, but for price and features it is very good for the money and can compete comfortable with similar saws that have been made in Asia. It also has a sliding table available for it if you have the room and inclination. Just thought you might want to throw it into the mix, can be had for circa £1000 without the sliding table and £1500 with it. I also have the wheel set for it, it is a heavy saw, I used the wheel kit to put it where I wanted it and then removed it as it sticks out at the bottom and I don't have a massive amount of room in the garage.

Now I know SIP kit has not got the greatest reputation for quality tools, but I have a number of SIP items and have had no issues with any of them (1.5Hp Dust Collector, Ultimate Sliding Compound Mitre Saw, 8" Disc and Belt Sander, Table Saw, Folding Mitre Saw bench), maybe I have just been lucky so far, but I would not hesitate to buy another SIP item if I needed it.

 

[DennisCA]

Secondhand is the way to go. Maybe a nice wadkin could be found?

 

[RogerP]

I agree all these old British saws are great BUT ....

Given you can find the right one at the right price, unless you're very lucky you'll probably have to travel many miles to collect it, you'll need two blokes, a van and lifting equipment and a lost day for all involved. On top of that it will probably need overhauling/servicing/mending.

Unless the seller will let you view and try before bidding (and that means a journey) you won't know it's true condition until you arrive to collect it - and it's too late then.

If there's one just around the corner in excellent condition that's one thing but .........

 

[Inoffthered]

Secondhand is the way to go. Maybe a nice wadkin could be found?

I see you are in Wrexham, quite a distance from Nottingham but there is some interesting stuff up for auction on saturday at Arthur Johnsons weekly machinery auction.

Follow this link and scroll down

http://www.arthurjohnson.co.uk/catalogu ... s=thissale


Wadkin Bursgreen saw table
Wadkin crosscut
Startrite bandsaw

 

[RogerP]

You could have a look at some of these.

http://woodfordwm.co.uk/acatalog/Table_Saws1.html

 

[dadtotwo]

Wow, thank you gentlemen. Gives me some new sources to look at. RogerP - you are right its one of the considerations, its why ideally i'd like to buy "good old solid British" but with all of the overhauling completed by those who know what they are doing, genuinely lol, (I'm yet to learn) delivery and, dare I say it, a warranty of some description. I'll start digging into what you have all told me so far, thanks again.

 

[DennisCA]

You could have a look at some of these.

http://woodfordwm.co.uk/acatalog/Table_Saws1.html

That's an old link with prices that are no longer actual. I was going to buy one of those even at the new higher price, but was fortunately advised against it, for the same amount of money I got a german rapid PK-100 and it's just 100x the amount of machine, even if it's 40 years old.

 

[heimlaga]

Well...... knowing the slim profit marigins in woodworking theese days I would absolutely look for a secondhand saw in decent condition. Not a badly rusted rebuild case with moss growing on the table and not a new one.
Own time spent on your own tools in the startup phase is generally free from both tax and interest so you can afford to spend some time on your tools though not too much because then you have no time left to make a profit. Too much and too little are seldom good.

If your workshop is of moderate size I would consider a saw with a not too big sliding table. The sliding table increases your productivity. On the other hand I suppose that a full size slider like an Altendorf may be too big for your space?
Wadkin Bursgreen and L'invincible and Rapid are a few examples of moderately sized sliders that may turn up secondhand. Big secondhand sliders like Martin and Altendorf don't necsessarily have to cost more because few people have room enough for them.

If you have access to three phase electricity you should look for a three phase saw. A three phase motor has a lot more torque for the same power rating.

 

[RogerP]

It's probably best not to give a direct link but do have a search on eBay for Sedgwick there's at least one that caught my eye.

 

[woodchip]

We are using a wadkin bursgreen ags10 in our professional workshop. It was made in 1962 and cuts perfectly. It has a fabulous cast iron top, and the fence is sturdy and gives parallel cuts. What's not to like? I've seen similar saws on ebay for less than £500 and cannot recommend them highly enough. Even if you bought one with a duff motor you wouldn't have to spend much to sort it out and the rest of the machine is bulletproof.

 

[doctor Bob]

Now I have rented a small industrial unit and I'm going to make stuff - I like making stuff and hopefully make a few quid in the process.
Kev

What stuff are you going to make?

 

[kostello]

Sawdust[WINKING FACE]

 

[RobinBHM]

What you want to make is very pertinent to the choice of saw.

A basic table saw with a rip fence, is really restricted to ripping and some small cross cut use if it has a sliding mitre.

A dimension saw such as a sedgewick or wadkin ags, may have a sliding table, which is very useful but this mounts to the side of the top so the slider is some distance from the blade. The ultimate for precision cuts is a true panel saw, which has the sliding part right next to the blade and is a hugely versatile machine.

If your unit is 3 phase, you will have more options in the second hand market.

I would spend time on ebay looking at machines and you will learn a lot about what you can get for your money. If there is a second hand dealer within reach, I would definitely go and browse so you can compare an old industrial cast iron machine to a brand new lighter weight machine.

It is such a key machine, dont rush into buying and if buying second hand never buy unseen and dont believe the ebay description

 

[kmthor]

Hi there
Have a look at Scott and Sergeant web site (sorry i cant post the link) they have a iTech 4HP motor cast iron top for under 1000.
hope this helps

 

[dadtotwo]

Again thank you all. Thanks kmthor - their show room looks like a good ride out, possibly a bank balance fatal one looking around their catalogue. All the names you guys have recommended - ie older and tougher are there - boys toys and no moaning Mrs - does it get any better??

Workshop is about 20mx25m with two small offices, landlord is local council who are very good. Only single phase though.

As for what stuff; first off is concentrating on certain collectibles and their framing - a known market on my antiques side of the business, whilst putting those together its a case of let my imagination play to a certain extent for the making stuff side. ebay/facebook some items such as garden games, garden furniture, or a birdbox with style or two, bogwood art, pet habitats. Literally whatever i can think of. Apprenticed mechanical engineer so love metal as much as wood, play with electronics so a birdbox with a skype link to your kids phone or tab could be fun idea.

Already got orders for gates and a couple of dovecotes, some planters. Also a summer project for a ladies garden. She is soon to be wheelchair bound and wants a ramp up to the top terrace of her garden. She wants the ramp to be at least half the width of the garden, so thats 7 meters rising 6 foot level to level, and (this is the BEST bit) she wants the open timber framing to look like the old western railway bridges or more accurately those bridges they always seemed to have on Thunderbirds which were blown up every week. Be great fun.

My job is to enjoy my job from now on. I know the margins are small in this industry (heimlaga), but the antiques and collectables at first will only be a small part and is already capable of supporting my product development side comfortably.

And gents, your help is invaluable. Thank you.

PS just looking at Scott & Sergents Startite 301 bandsaw 240V. I feel that trip coming on !

 

[dadtotwo]

decision made, Axminster Trade Series AW10BSB2 Saw Bench with table extensions and sliding table. Thanks again for the info. No doubt i'll have more questions as time goes on and maybe even answers to others questions. Wish me luck folks.