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+-- Thread: What kind of table saw do you have (/showthread.php?tid=7378624)
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - GNP - 06-08-2025
Started with a Delta contractor saw and now have a Delta Unisaw.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - KC - 06-09-2025
Like R Clark, I learned in a base hobby shop. Two older Unisaws to begin with, one or maybe both of those replaced at some point with Powermatic 12" models. First saw I bought for me was a Delta 34-670 in 1989. Big step down, but we're still using things I built with that saw. Replaced that with a JET Xacta with the long table in 1998 when I started making things for money. Used the JET until 2019 or so when I needed to replace the arbor shaft assembly for the third time. I was in the middle of building cabinets for the retirement house and had already decided I was going to buy a SawStop once we got moved, so I went ahead and made the switch early. Got the 1.75 PCS with the long table. No regrets on the 1.75, but doing it today I'd do with the shorter table.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - Gary G™ - 06-09-2025
I started with a Craftsman RAS in 1999 while we were building the house.
Quickly added a Craftsman branded Emerson Electric contractor saw.
I went thru a couple of iterations of Craftsman contractor saws until I found a deal on a Unisaw.
If I ever need to replace it, I expect I’d get a Sawstop — mostly because I’ve known several older guys with more than 20 years experience injure themselves after turning 70. One gent said he thought the blade had stopped and reached into it.
I believe they simply lose their sense of time/space.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - jteneyck - 06-09-2025
(06-09-2025, 08:41 AM)Gary G™ Wrote: I started with a Craftsman RAS in 1999 while we were building the house.
Quickly added a Craftsman branded Emerson Electric contractor saw.
I went thru a couple of iterations of Craftsman contractor saws until I found a deal on a Unisaw.
If I ever need to replace it, I expect I’d get a Sawstop — mostly because I’ve known several older guys with more than 20 years experience injure themselves after turning 70. One gent said he thought the blade had stopped and reached into it.
I believe they simply lose their sense of time/space.
That's pretty hard to do if you use the guard. Those who remove safety equipment should buy a SawStop.
I convinced my 75+ year old woodworking friend, who has tremors, to put a guard on his saw. His argument for not using it, besides "I've been doing this for 50 years and still have all my digits.", was that it was cumbersome. I showed him the SharkGuard. Thankfully, he bought one and now uses it.
The older we get, the more we should take precautions to help ensure our safety in the shop. Our awareness, reaction time, focus, coordination, and more all get slower. Experience can only make up for some of it.
John
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - AHill - 06-09-2025
I have a Powermatic PM2000 3HP cabinet saw with the 50" rails. I started my WW hobby with a Delta 1.5 HP Contractor saw. Sadly, my PM sits idle in my garage because there's no space to use it.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - BpB123 - 06-09-2025
Great thread …
My journey started with a home built saw my grandfather made and I used with my dad in the 70’s.
My dad upgraded to a 12” Craftsman radial arm saw that he later gave to me when I bought my 1st house in the mid-80’s
I was given a Shop Smith and used that for years.
I upgraded to a Jet contractor’s saw w/ Bies. Fence (purchased from a fellow Woodnet member) This lasted until my oldest mistook the gas for the brake while parking the car in the garage ☹️
I purchased a Craftsman hybrid saw (“zip code” saw) new and moved the Bies fence to it.
That is my current saw and have been using it for close to 20yrs
If I were to upgrade again (low likelihood), I would get a Saw Stop
Thanks all for sharing your stories.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - DieselDennis - 06-09-2025
Started off with a gift of a Craftsman (Ryobi) table saw. It was loud. Had a little sliding table on the left. Was just OK. Table wasn't very big and the fence wasn't great. And if you pushed too hard ripping something, the saw would begin to tip. Sold it to a coworker and bought a green Jet contractor saw. Had cast iron wings on both sides and 30" rail with an Xacta Fence. Was a big upgrade. Built a mobile base / storage cabinet underneath it and was quite content. Put a PALS system on it and could realign it fairly easily. Thought the 1 1/2 HP motor lacked power though. Would struggle ripping 6/4 stock (or so I thought). So I began perusing an upgrade.
Came across a local university that was selling a PM66 from their theatre dept on an online auction. Couldn't really test it, but was able to see the condition, and that it had three cast iron wings and a cast iron router table bolted to the rails. So this made the top about 6' wide and all cast iron. Got it bought and home. Breathed a sigh of relief when the motor came on. Proceeded to build a mobile base out of angle iron and a couple of tool cabinets under the wings and router table.
Will have an opportunity to get the SawStop ICS my FIL has, but I'm not jumping at the chance right now. I would take his DW735 off his hands though.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - joe1086 - 06-09-2025
I started out with a Craftsman contractor's saw in 1985. Pretty sure it was direct drive. A few years later I bought a used Delta 3hp cabinet saw with a 51" (?) Bies fence for $800. It is a snug fit in my basement shop and I bump my hip on the front rail every time I walk past it. Sad thing is lately it works more as place to stack c**p than a tool.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - Bill Wilson - 06-09-2025
I too started out with a direct drive Craftsman from the early/mid-80's. Used that saw for a long time, as I couldn't afford anything else. Replaced it with a Jet. I think it's considered a hybrid as the motor is up under the cabinet, but it has an open, contractor style base & legs. I'd love to have something else, but this saw still serves all of my needs and fits where it needs to fit, so I'll probably keep it until one of us kicks the bucket.
RE: What kind of table saw do you have - joe1086 - 06-09-2025
I should probably cut the rails down to smaller size. When I bought the saw with the 51" table, I envisioned ripping sheet goods...but the reality was I barely have enough room in front and behind the saw to make that work comfortably. I bought a inexpensive Wen track saw a few years ago and don't really need that wide table saw capacity.