Woodstar

[Graeme murdoch]

Im thinking about buying myself a table saw, normally i would buy Bosch but im on a bit of a budget at the moment so have been looking about and have seen the WOODSTAR ST10L was wondering if anyone on here has used this machine before and have any thoughts on it or Woodstar as a make.

Also then thought about a planer thicknesser and woodstar have one model number PT85 again anyone used this machine thoughts good and bad welcomed.

Both machines will have light trade use so if anyone would recomened another brand, ideas welcomed would also prefer 110v but not nessary.

Thanks in advance.

 

[stoatyboy]

I have the PT85 and would be wary before buying

I get massive snipe on it when thicknessing and can't seem to sort it out and the fence on mine was Crarp - it moves when you lean wood against it which isn't really what you need.

I'm working on mods to sort it (like building my own fence) but would rather the thing worked - maybe it's me though. The thing is there's nothing adjustable on it (apart from knives and depth of cut obviously) so you can't really fettle it in any way

when I was buying there was about three or four that all looked and priced almost identical - i'd recommend doubling your budget and going for something a bit better that you can 'dial in' I wish I had

but it was cheap and it does (just) work (just)

 

[Graeme murdoch]

Not what i was wanting to hear.

What would people recommend for a site table saw and planner thicknesser?

 

[OPJ]

Looking for second-hand tools maybe worth considering, here. For example; I recently picked up an Elektra Beckum (now Metabo) PK200 table saw on eBay for only £52 plus the cost of fuel. It's a good little saw and, although it didn't come with any of the extension accessories, this basic saw alone would've cost £400 brand new! :shock:

There certainly are bargains out there to be had.

If this is for 'site' work then you'd probably want something similar; compact and lightweight but also, accurate and reliable (which possibly rules out Woodstar and many of the other 'budget brands'...).

Do you really need a surface planer function for site work? Would a stand-alone portable thicknesser do? Again, try to stick to the known brands (DeWalt, Makita, Metabo...) and look for a good price on a used piece of kit.

However, if this is mostly going to get 'occasional' use in your workshop then, many of the budget brands (SIP, Charnwood, Sealey, etc.) sell the exact same products only, they're painted a different colour and have a different badge stuck on them. Cheap stuff can get you by if it's not used very often. However, if it's being used more often and getting moved from one place to the next, you'll probably soon be made aware of the shortcomings.