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Posted: 6/5/2023 9:51:17 PM EDT
**UPDATE- Going with a guide/track saw configuration and NOT a table saw. Trying to find one in stock for $40-$50....please share suggestions.
Thanks!! ** Giving some thought to building my own bar instead of paying someone else to do it. If I plan ahead Lowe's/HD will do most, if not all, of the cuts for me. One tool I don't have that'd be nice is a table saw. HF has them for $150-$300. In the store I wasn't able to tell much of a difference between the three offerings. Does anyone have experience with these? Thanks |
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Quoted: Giving some thought to building my own bar instead of paying someone else to do it. If I plan ahead Lowe's/HD will do most, if not all, of the cuts for me. One tool I don't have that'd be nice is a table saw. HF has them for $150-$300. In the store I wasn't able to tell much of a difference between the three offerings. Does anyone have experience with these? Thanks View Quote Have the 1st version of the Hercules....the new 1 is improved , as it has the rack/pinion fence....its exactly like the DeWalt.... bought it, and the 12" slide mitre saw(anuther DeWalt copy, turns more rpms...) at the time on special sale/coupons for less'n 600 bux....and that includes 7% S/Tax....no issues, have had for 4 yrs now, and use/make a live'n with this stuff day'ly... |
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I would rather have a quality circular saw than a HF table saw. a couple clamps and a straight edge and you'll be as good as any rough carpenter in no time.
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Quoted: https://media-cldnry.s-nbcnews.com/image/upload/newscms/2020_05/1534230/natasha_baggett_hand_1.jpeg View Quote Got a Bosch 4000 series jobsite saw that's got 3 fingers to its credit(not mine, thankfully) |
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Quoted: I would rather have a quality circular saw than a HF table saw. a couple clamps and a straight edge and you'll be as good as any rough carpenter in no time. View Quote don't discount the Hercules stuff.....its as 'professional' as you'll find....but yeah, I got a rig out'a 1/4" ply I use ....and have for 48 yrs....I call it....'Ol Skool Festool'....... |
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I have the Hercules table and miter saw. Both are great, just get them with a coupon.
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Quoted: Have the 1st version of the Hercules....the new 1 is improved , as it has the rack/pinion fence....its exactly like the DeWalt.... bought it, and the 12" slide mitre saw(anuther DeWalt copy, turns more rpms...) at the time on special sale/coupons for less'n 600 bux....and that includes 7% S/Tax....no issues, have had for 4 yrs now, and use/make a live'n with this stuff day'ly... View Quote Holy shit, reading this post gave me a headache. Did midcap type this for you? |
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Quoted: Holy shit, reading this post gave me a headache. Did midcap type this for you? View Quote learn ta read?.....dunno whut else ta tell ya... try this..... https://www.amazon.com/Goodys-Headache-Powders-Strength-50-Count/dp/B001G7QRK8 |
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I tiled my whole house in natural slate 15 years ago with a $75 Harbor Freight tile saw. It worked awesome.
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If you're going to buy a cheap tablesaw and don't know what you're doing, buy a tracksaw instead.
Especially if you plan to rip sheet goods. Which you are planning to do. Buy the Wen and rock on or spend a bit more for the makita if you might use it down the road. |
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Quoted: If you're going to buy a cheap tablesaw and don't know what you're doing, buy a tracksaw instead. Especially if you plan to rip sheet goods. Which you are planning to do. Buy the Wen and rock on or spend a bit more for the makita if you might use it down the road. View Quote They have their place....but they'll never do whut a tablesaw will, or be as versatile |
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I try and find deals on marketplace / Craigslist you'd be amazed at the homeowners that buy nice tools for one time use then sell. Just picked up a 10 inch dewalt table saw a couple weeks ago for 200.
Dewalt quit making them for some reason. I put more use on it the first day than the previous owner. |
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Quoted: They have their place....but they'll never do whut a tablesaw will, or be as versatile View Quote OP isn't doing fine woodwork. I have a very nice sawstop cabinet saw and still reach for my tracksaw frequently. For projects like he has in mind and with no prior experience he would be far safer with the tracksaw. Cutting sheet goods on a tablesaw without proper precautions is dicey. |
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Quoted: Plywood most likely. View Quote For just cutting plywood, a circular saw, a straight 2x2 and some clamps is more than sufficient. I own a table saw and rarely pull it out relative to the circular saw. I have a fancy Kreg guide, and use the trusty straight 2x2 and clamps more than the Kreg. |
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Quoted: OP isn't doing fine woodwork. I have a very nice sawstop cabinet saw and still reach for my tracksaw frequently. For projects like he has in mind and with no prior experience he would be far safer with the tracksaw. Cutting sheet goods on a tablesaw without proper precautions is dicey. View Quote It CAN be....I've work'd onsite, and in a dedicated millshop(3 phase stuff, moulders, ripsaw, shapers,resaws etc) for over 45 yrs...I use my 'homemade tracksaw' rig to break down sheet goods out onsite to smaller width(s) to put on the compact tablesaw....but I have a bosch jobsite saw(larger) that I can rip whole sheets by myself, no problem, and have many times....'course, like anything...xperience is paramount.... |
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Quoted: I would rather have a quality circular saw than a HF table saw. a couple clamps and a straight edge and you'll be as good as any rough carpenter in no time. View Quote I have a smaller Milwaukee circular saw. Works well but I don't have any experience ripping/tearing full sheets of plywood with it. |
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Quoted: It CAN be....I've work'd onsite, and in a dedicated millshop(3 phase stuff, moulders, ripsaw, shapers,resaws etc) for over 45 yrs...I use my 'homemade tracksaw' rig to break down sheet goods to smaller width(s) to put on the compact tablesaw....but I have a bosch jobsite saw(larger) that I can rip whole sheets by myself, no problem, and have many times....'course, like anything...xperience is paramount.... View Quote Again, you have experience. You're literally someone who has worked in the industry. Judging by the OP's username, he has probably seen a few tablesaw amputations, but if he is asking about a harbor freight tablesaw, I doubt he has a lot of experience with one, or outfeed/infeed rollers, or anything else I would want to rip sheets on a ts. It's not that you can't... but passable tracksaws are cheap nowadays and don't take up much space. |
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Quoted: It's currently on sale for $299. I don't think it would get much cheaper. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I have the Hercules table and miter saw. Both are great, just get them with a coupon. It's currently on sale for $299. I don't think it would get much cheaper. Yeah that’s not bad. Pre Covid it was $250. Both of my saws were square out of the box. All big box brands are made overseas anyways. The herc saws come with a couple year warranty now too. |
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Quoted: I have a smaller Milwaukee circular saw. Works well but I don't have any experience ripping/tearing full sheets of plywood with it. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I would rather have a quality circular saw than a HF table saw. a couple clamps and a straight edge and you'll be as good as any rough carpenter in no time. I have a smaller Milwaukee circular saw. Works well but I don't have any experience ripping/tearing full sheets of plywood with it. OP, if the goal is to rip sheet goods down, a HF table saw is absolutely the wrong tool. You want a track saw. To rip big sheet goods down on a table saw properly, you need a cabinet saw or a helper and outfeed table and larger jobsite saw. The far easier and safer way is a track saw. |
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Quoted: Again, you have experience. You're literally someone who has worked in the industry. Judging by the OP's username, he has probably seen a few tablesaw amputations, but if he is asking about a harbor freight tablesaw, I doubt he has a lot of experience with one, or outfeed/infeed rollers, or anything else I would want to rip sheets on a ts. It's not that you can't... but passable tracksaws are cheap nowadays and don't take up much space. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: It CAN be....I've work'd onsite, and in a dedicated millshop(3 phase stuff, moulders, ripsaw, shapers,resaws etc) for over 45 yrs...I use my 'homemade tracksaw' rig to break down sheet goods to smaller width(s) to put on the compact tablesaw....but I have a bosch jobsite saw(larger) that I can rip whole sheets by myself, no problem, and have many times....'course, like anything...xperience is paramount.... Again, you have experience. You're literally someone who has worked in the industry. Judging by the OP's username, he has probably seen a few tablesaw amputations, but if he is asking about a harbor freight tablesaw, I doubt he has a lot of experience with one, or outfeed/infeed rollers, or anything else I would want to rip sheets on a ts. It's not that you can't... but passable tracksaws are cheap nowadays and don't take up much space. This. Sheet goods should be processed on a cabinet saw or big jobsite saw with lots of support. Or, more easily, with a track saw. |
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I was in the same spot as you, spend a little more and go for the Dewalt Jobsite saw, I really like mine.
Attached File |
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Quoted: I was in the same spot as you, spend a little more and go for the Dewalt Jobsite saw, I really like mine. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/20962/Dewalt7485TableSaw1_jpg-2841736.JPG View Quote I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. |
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Save yourself the headaches and dump >$2k on a hybrid table saw.
I have this one. https://lagunatools.com/classic/tablesaws/f2/ |
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Quoted: I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I was in the same spot as you, spend a little more and go for the Dewalt Jobsite saw, I really like mine. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/20962/Dewalt7485TableSaw1_jpg-2841736.JPG I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. That is a good point about the dado setup. The Dewalt jobsite that I bought can't do dado - but I knew that when I bought it, but for my use dado isn't a factor. But I agree, if you are planning on cabinetry or joinery, the the dado option is very important! |
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Quoted: don't discount the Hercules stuff.....its as 'professional' as you'll find....but yeah, I got a rig out'a 1/4" ply I use ....and have for 48 yrs....I call it....'Ol Skool Festool'....... View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I would rather have a quality circular saw than a HF table saw. a couple clamps and a straight edge and you'll be as good as any rough carpenter in no time. don't discount the Hercules stuff.....its as 'professional' as you'll find....but yeah, I got a rig out'a 1/4" ply I use ....and have for 48 yrs....I call it....'Ol Skool Festool'....... I’ve just spent a few days working a Hercules angle grinder pretty hard. My last grinder was a Porter Cable. This thing is hanging in there pretty well. I’d probably go with a straight edge & circular saw for sheet goods, but don’t listen to me. I’m a hack when it comes to DIY stuff. |
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Harbor Freight sells a 2 piece metal straight edge that is 8 foot when slid together and clamps to the sheet so you can rip a piece of plywood with a skillsaw.
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You need a track saw for ripping plywood!
Festool doesn't want you to see this DIY track saw |
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Quoted: I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. View Quote IMHO a router is far better than a dado blade. Back in the days of radial arm saws, dados ruled but a router is the better option with good routers available cheap. |
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Quoted: I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: I was in the same spot as you, spend a little more and go for the Dewalt Jobsite saw, I really like mine. https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/20962/Dewalt7485TableSaw1_jpg-2841736.JPG I would add too if you're going to get a portable tablesaw as your only tablesaw, make sure it can take a dado stack. If cabinetry is what you want, that will make drawers a snap (look up the quarter quarter quarter method). I think the Dewalt can (not sure about the smaller 8 1/4 versions). I used to have a similar Hitachi that could. I don't know if the HF can. I'd guess probably so as they sell a dado set in the store. I don't want to sound like a downer on inexpensive table saws. With a good setup, a crosscut sled, and some jigs, they can do great work. I'm just leery of large sheets on small saws. That is literally my only hangup here. It is way too easy to pinch or throw a workpiece, or get your hand dragged over the blade. Great point on the dado. My first was a smaller 10" Dewalt. It couldn't take a dado, and the infeed was so short that sleds were pretty much worthless. I grew out of it quickly. I know two people with a Metabo HPT 10" and the both love them. One of them even has a Sawstop Contractor Saw collecting dust in the back of his garage now because of the Metabo's ease of use and capability. |
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Quoted: Harbor Freight sells a 2 piece metal straight edge that is 8 foot when slid together and clamps to the sheet so you can rip a piece of plywood with a skillsaw. View Quote This? To be honest, it does seem like a better idea to grab one of these and then use my circular saw. All I'd need to to is either clamp the sheet to a surface or use horses to hold it. |
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Quoted: This? To be honest, it does seem like a better idea to grab one of these and then use my circular saw. All I'd need to to is either clamp the sheet to a surface or use horses to hold it. View Quote Yup that. I have a 35 year old craftsman table saw I use mostly but I've used that straight edge a lot. I don't know about their pics of them using it without having it clamped down, but yeah a couple of small clamps and good to go. Put together to rip the 8' way or one piece to rip the 4' way. I use it for layouts on stuff as well when I need a straight edge. Was super helpful building my wooden boat then my teardrop camper. |
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Quoted: Yup that. I have a 35 year old craftsman table saw I use mostly but I've used that straight edge a lot. View Quote Seems like so long as I can keep the board flat and measure twice....should work well for the few cuts I have to make. This will be a pretty simple project so a $40 guide will let me get everything the right size to nail/screw together. Thanks |
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Quoted: This? To be honest, it does seem like a better idea to grab one of these and then use my circular saw. All I'd need to to is either clamp the sheet to a surface or use horses to hold it. View Quote I have a delta table saw, but I often use one of those straight edges and my circular saw for breaking down plywood. It's easier since I'm always working by myself and not as young as I used to be. |
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Quoted: This? To be honest, it does seem like a better idea to grab one of these and then use my circular saw. All I'd need to to is either clamp the sheet to a surface or use horses to hold it. View Quote Set the plywood on a sheet of Styrofoam then rip away. |
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Quoted: IMHO a router is far better than a dado blade. Back in the days of radial arm saws, dados ruled but a router is the better option with good routers available cheap. View Quote Unless OP wants to also buy a router table and a full size router, it's just simpler to stick with the dado. And non-through cuts on a tablesaw with a dado are pretty safe (relatively speaking of course) If he's asking about an HF tablesaw he probably does not want to fill his garage with tools he won't use much. It's easy to go wild spending someone else's money. If he can get away with a dado blade, great. If he's batching cabinet drawers it is an excellent tool. If he has room for a router table and router hey, it would also be an excellent option. He's probably going to want at least a trim router for softening edges or doing some decorative molding anyway. My priorities here are safety first and then value. My workflow for this project would be tracksaw to rip then tablesaw to clean and I'd do drawers with a dado on the tablesaw, but I also have a large full size cabinet saw. Nothing wrong with the router table option but I trust my TS more. |
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Quoted: Seems like so long as I can keep the board flat and measure twice....should work well for the few cuts I have to make. This will be a pretty simple project so a $40 guide will let me get everything the right size to nail/screw together. Thanks View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Yup that. I have a 35 year old craftsman table saw I use mostly but I've used that straight edge a lot. Seems like so long as I can keep the board flat and measure twice....should work well for the few cuts I have to make. This will be a pretty simple project so a $40 guide will let me get everything the right size to nail/screw together. Thanks I've got the older shorter version of that from HF. As someone above noted, just throw some extra clamps on it. If you're having a hard time finding a large enough work flat work surface, a quick and easy way is to buy a 1.5" sheet of foam board and lay it on the ground in your driveway or garage, then run the track saw over it. Cutting a bit of foam won't hurt a thing. For your measurements, don't forget to measure to account for the thickness of the kerf or thickness of the blade, and to plan which side of your line you'll cut on. |
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Quoted: Set the plywood on a sheet of Styrofoam then rip away. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: This? To be honest, it does seem like a better idea to grab one of these and then use my circular saw. All I'd need to to is either clamp the sheet to a surface or use horses to hold it. Set the plywood on a sheet of Styrofoam then rip away. Seems like they don't carry the 100" anymore. The closest store that has one is a few hundred miles away. |
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Only a couple of "tools" scare me. Table saws are one of them.
Harbor Freight table saws? That's some Final Destination shit right there. If you're just ripping plywood, get a Kreg rip jig. I have one and I love it. |
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I used the Kreg ripping guide for my bar back and it worked fine. That or a track saw would be my recommendation. Attached File
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Quoted: I used the Kreg ripping guide for my bar back and it worked fine. That or a track saw would be my recommendation.https://www.ar15.com/media/mediaFiles/221907/PXL_20221120_215722558_jpg-2841857.JPG View Quote Wow!! Beautiful work there! Love the antique cash register. I've got an antique slot machine I'm thinking of putting on mine (1950's Mills Deuce's Wild). I'm going to go the way of the track/guide rather than a table saw. Thanks! |
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Quoted: Odd I checked where I bought mine and they had it. At my second home in rural MS. View Quote View All Quotes View All Quotes Quoted: Quoted: Seems like they don't carry the 100" anymore. The closest store that has one is a few hundred miles away. Odd I checked where I bought mine and they had it. At my second home in rural MS. Type in zip 18020 and see where they are in stock. They're not from what I'm seeing. I checked Amazon and there's a $100 option but that's the cheapest. No other $40 ones. Thanks |
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Got a cheap Craftsman I paid $30 for on CL. Thing is f’ing scary. No way would I attempt to rip a sheet of plywood on that tiny table.
Wonder if you’d be better off with a pair of sawhorses, long straight edge and a handheld circular saw? |
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Quoted: Got a cheap Craftsman I paid $30 for on CL. Thing is f’ing scary. No way would I attempt to rip a sheet of plywood on that tiny table. Wonder if you’d be better off with a pair of sawhorses, long straight edge and a handheld circular saw? View Quote Yeah I agree....looking at tracks/guides now. See OP. Thanks |
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