I am getting started in woodworking and am in the market for a table saw. Got a bosch portable right now that is pretty good and served me well. I am looking for pros and cons, space not being a consideration. I can afford a good cabinet saw but do i need one? I would like to have the option make my own kitchen and bathroom cabinets. Do i need 3HP or can i run smooth with the 1-3/4 to 2 HP a hybrid will provide?
Thanks All
Replies
You need to ask yourself what kind of things are you going to do with the saw. A more powerful motor (220V) will help in cutting hardwoods and thick stock, but if you are building with soft maple, fir or poplar, the 110v motor on a contractors saw will do. I have an old Rockwell contractors saw and I put a 50 inch fence on it about 10 years ago. That made a huge difference in how much I can do with the saw. I would go for a full size cabinet saw if I had the choice. If you don't move it to job sites , then the size and weight of the cabinet saw make it even more accurate.
I sometimes roll my contractor saw to job sites and use a thin kerf blade as my motor is weak. I have my eye on the new Uni-saw with a riving knife as I have used the old saw for 35 years and don't use a guard. I won't be rolling a cabinet saw to sites, but I will still have the old 10 inch contractor to push around. I don't know if I can get that new tool past my wife of 37 years as she may notice that change. Ha Ha. I don't like the small portable table saws as I think the blades wobble and the fences are inadequate. I know at least the ones I have seen on job sites wobble.
I would use the new Mikita, Dewalt or Festool plunge saw with the track before buying a small portable table saw.
For what it is worth...
Don
Last summer I took the step from a very nice Craftsman (Orion) 22124 hybrid to a Shop Fox 3hp cabinet saw. Aside from higher cost and the requirement of 220v, the cabinet saw has nearly all the advantages in performance and longevity.
With that said, properly aligned and equipped with the correct blade, there was nothing the hybrid struggled with much, and was plenty capable of the needs of this hobbyist. The 3hp cabinet saw was a matter of fulfilling long time desire to own one, but I don't need it. It is however a pleasure to use and never flinches at anything I cut.
If you've got 220v, the cabinet saw will be a once in a lifetime purchase. When the prices are close to $1k, the cabinet saw has the upper hand in value IMO, however with the release of a $600 Ridgid hybrid and a $650 Steel City 35920, the value debate heats up a little. Executive decision time.
Edited 3/9/2009 3:13 pm ET by Knotscott
Could you get the job done with the hybrid, yes. The question is what are you going to be doing. I'm a hobyist and started with a lowes 10" table top piece of crap. Made some things, and mostly remained frustrated at what it took to get a decent cut. I then moved up to a shopsmith that was an improvement but underpowered. I finally saved and got a grizzly cabinet saw and WOW is the only word I can think of. If you absolutely cannot do 220, then get the hybrid, otherwise get the HP and the Cabinet saw.
If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it.
And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
If you really enjoy woodworking and can see yourself doing it 10 years from now, get a cab saw. If you are still on the fence, or not sure if they are worth the money, go with a hybrid.
Myself, I started with a DeWalt hybrid 10 years ago. Last year, I sold it and purchased a SawStop. Fortunately, I was able to sell the hybrid for $700, which was about 80% of the purchase price.
I think the price of many of the hybrids can be almost as much as a cabinet saw... They lack weight and power of a cabinet saw... but all of them can easily make a cabinet and cut through most 3/4 stock.
Lastly, check craigslist. You may be able to get a used cabinet saw for a reasonable price. Heck, just today I saw a 3 HP sawstop for $2,200!
http://denver.craigslist.org/tls/1066836962.html
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