Do it Yourself: Re: [DIY] Table Saw

22 September 2013

Re: [DIY] Table Saw

That Craftsman sounds like it has a lot of great family history in it. You definitely need to find a way to get it home!

Not positive but I believe DeWalt is considered the better brand. I'm not sure if that is all power tools or only specific to certain types.

I have a Ryobi table saw from Lowes several years ago (I don't think they carry that model anymore BT3100). It had a major switch problem (the switch would not turn the saw off) that affected many saws of that model at one point or another. They remedied the problem for free. Overall I'm pleased with it for my needs. It's got decent working space with sliding tables. I've abused it a bit by ripping 2x4s but it's still going strong (knock on wood).

I can't compare it to anything else as it's the only saw that I've owned. However, I would suggest as with any tool... get the highest quality that you can afford. So if the DeWalt is better quality with better accessories and/or function capabilities then go for it. I think we all find at some point with our current tools that we wish we would have "stepped up" with the original purchase instead of now thinking about getting a better tool or more functioning tool because of a project that requires those needs.

Hope your flooring project goes smoothly!

On Sat, Sep 21, 2013 at 2:17 PM, Frank Ruggiero <frankruggiero@me.com> wrote:

Yes. It is a Craftsman. Everything on it is steel. It was purchased by my grandfather. When I was a child it seemed old over 40 years ago. So I believe it must be over 60 years old. My grandfather used it, my father used it and I have used it, now for 3 generations.

I just wish I could get it to my house but it is beyond heavy. I probably need to disassemble it.

It got me thinking if I bought my own table saw, should I spend the extra money and go for the Dewalt over the Ryobi (which Home Depot is recommending). I probably should go with the Dewalt, right?

Frank

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On Sep 21, 2013, at 4:07 PM, subprong <subprong@gmail.com> wrote:

That's the beauty of those old tools. They didn't seem to cut corners when manufacturing them. Heavy and durable material and apparently that saw is still going strong today.

Sounds like a table saw is the way to go for that bamboo flooring. Check out this article that also has some cutting tips...

http://homeguides.sfgate.com/cut-bamboo-flooring-44351.html

On Sat, Sep 21, 2013 at 1:18 PM, Frank Ruggiero <frankruggiero@me.com> wrote:

Hi Subprong.

I'm talking about cutting Bamboo flooring strips. I would essentially need to cross cut and then rip the last row.

The strips are about 3-4 feet in length.

Originally I was going to bring a radial arm saw to my house from my mothers house, but it is HEAVY. I mean heavy. I think it was made in the 50's. It is so heavy, that at first I thought it was mounted into the cement floor.

Then I figured maybe a table saw could both rip and cut giving me an advantage over the radial arm saw.

Frank

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On Sep 21, 2013, at 2:55 PM, subprong <subprong@gmail.com> wrote:

Are you talking about sheet goods such as plywood and OSB. Or are you talking about ripping 2x4s.

A table saw will cross cut, rip cut, miter and bevel. However, how well it does is the big question and determined by the saw that you purchase. IMHO, you'll not want to settle for cheaper home use models (Skil and such). Look for at least the mid-range more powerful models that also offer a bigger surface area for the wood.

Either way, you may want to build some extension tables for the saw for the big pieces of wood to set on while cutting and to slide off onto once the cut is finished. If a piece of wood sags or drags or rocks off the blade, bad things can happen with the cut and potentially to the operator.

Here is a rather fancy version. You could actually just use portable patio tables that are set up at the same height as the saw table, if need be.

http://www.woodcraft.com/Articles/Articles.aspx?articleid=432

Also, know that Home Depot and Lowes stores both have a huge saw and will cut sheet goods for customers. This is good if you need big 4x8 sheets cut down to size for transportation reasons or if you simply need them cut down to size for storage or more manageable pieces to cut on your own table saw.

-

If you've got money to burn and want to buy a specialty tool, you could opt for a track saw for those big pieces of sheet goods. Takes up a lot less space....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=SE8Cjfb7VY8#t=175

On Sat, Sep 21, 2013 at 10:30 AM, Frank Ruggiero <frankruggiero@me.com> wrote:

Hi Experts.

Am I correct in assuming that if I purchased a table saw, that I could cross cut and rip wood that is about 4 feet in length?

Trying to find one machine that can do both.

Thanks.

Frank

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