Replies

1. 
   sawdustmaker | May 25, 2004 12:43am | #1

   Welcome, Don! Have you considered a used table saw? If you look around, you might find some good deals.

2. 
   LD | May 25, 2004 12:52am | #2

   Look in Amazon.  You get all sorts of info, including comparison of features, prices and purchaser reviews.

   Dave

3. 
   TomMGTC | May 25, 2004 01:02am | #3

   Which ryobi saw are you currently using. If it is the bt3000 you may be hard pressed to find a saw thta will perform as well in the price range you stated. I have seen some very fine work come from those saws.

   Tom

   Douglasville, GA

1. 
   Walnutburl | May 25, 2004 04:50pm | #4

   Hey Grande, right now Grizzly has a summer sale...2 hp contractors table saw, model G0444Z for $525. I have the 1023 model and have not had a problem with it. It is 3 years old. I would also look at used saws but buyer beware. There are some good deals out there, if you know what you are looking for.

   Edited 5/25/2004 9:51 am ET by Walnutburl

   Edited 5/25/2004 9:52 am ET by Walnutburl

1. 
   Grande | May 25, 2004 05:14pm | #5

   My only concern with Grizzly is a review that I read in FWW #167 on the Grizzly 1022PROZ. It stated that  the table had a 0.02" dish to it. This makes me a little nervous about Grizzly.

4. 
   AlanWS | May 26, 2004 11:52pm | #6

   This link isn't exactly what you asked for, but it does a good job of describing the range of saw types available, so you can see where in the sequence you can afford a saw, and what the tradeoffs might be:

   http://benchmark.20m.com/articles/SelectingATablesaw/selecting_a_tablesaw.html

   It also has links to some reviews.

   There is likely to be a large difference between saws in the price range you mention, because the top of your range is toward the bottom of the range for contractor's saws. If you don't have a need for the saw to be light and portable, many find contractor's saws to offer significant advantages in fence, power, accuracy, and durability. Fine Woodworking issue #167 (2003/2004 annual tool and shops issue) had a review of 9 tablesaws. Oh - I noticed you've read it. One reason it's nice to buy locally rather than having it shipped is that you not only have someone to deal with, but you have a chance to check out the particular machine you buy. Just as there's no certainty that a different Grizzly will have a dished top, you also can't be sure the other brands won't.

   
   

   ---

   Edited 5/26/2004 5:00 pm ET by AlanS

5. 
   RANGERP75R | May 27, 2004 05:57am | #7

   Grande

      Agree with Tom from Douglasville. If you have the Ryobi $99 + saw, you can junk it. If you have the Ryobi BT3000 or 3100, saddle it up and ride it hard cause it'll do more than any saw in a $300-$500 range as is.

   Regards...

   sarge..jt

   Proud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

1. 
   Grande | May 27, 2004 02:48pm | #8

   Unfortunately, it's the Ryobi $99 saw. I'm going to keep it around for "junk" work. I'll most likely store it some place until I get tired of it taking up space.

1. 
   RANGERP75R | May 27, 2004 05:19pm | #9

   Grande

      You might advertise it local as it's OK for "once in awhile" week-end tinkerers. The BT 3000 or 3100 can be an interesting saw with a little tuning and imagination.

   Regards...

   sarge..jtProud member of the :  "I Rocked With ToolDoc Club" .... :>) 

   
6. 
   YesMaam27577 | May 28, 2004 03:38am | #10

   Hi Grande -- welcome to the group. I normally hang out over at Breaktime, the site associated with Fine Homebuilding. There's lots of folks over there who are builders, and trim carpenters.

   Over there, I've heard a lot of good comments about the Bosch portable tablesaw. It sells for $500, including a set of fold-up legs. The guys at Breaktime that have one seem to be very pleased.

   Unless you're the lead dog, the view just never changes.