What table saw do you recommend?

[#1]

The ability of a fence to be in parallel with the blade is directly related to whether it locks at the front and the back of the table. Make sure you select a model that doesn't just lock at the front of the table. Most good quality table saws come with adjustment grub screws to ensure the blade is calibrated to be in parallel with the fence.

Generally, table saws have a standard hand adjust and locking mechanism for fence adjustment. You can make or buy a micro-adjustment jig for a table saw fence, but I can't find a machine that comes with one.

Almost every table saw in the $1,000 range will come with a dust extraction port, you might need an adaptor to suit your shop vac’s hose size.

Many saws will be able to be retrofitted to have a dado blade installed. This is generally not recommended by manufacturers or specified on the feature lists as fitment normally requires removal of safety devices and table insert plates.

I've had a chance to check out the Hitachi 10-Inch Job Site Table Saw C-10RJ and it certainly seems like a great machine and it ticks all the boxes. Another saw worth considering would be the Bosch GTS 10 J Professional - MitchellMc

Sawstop if you value your fingers but it is expensive. I have a Bosch with the riser stand, nice but the standard blade is fairly ordinary for finishing and the sliding table gets stuck with dust that has to be regularly cleaned out.

Makita makes a similar saw and Bunnings sell the stand-less one which probably has similar issues with the blade and sliding table. Dewalt for a quality tool company this offering looks to be poor value. Ryobi is what it is, it would test your skills to adjust it to turn it into a semi decent saw. Ozito is a bit better than the next option.

Out of left field is Evolution 255mm 1500W Multi-Purpose Table Saw. It utilises patented Evolution multipurpose cutting technology, optimised to cut mild steel, non-ferrous metals, wood and plastic with one blade cutting mild steel leaves an instantly workable finish, producing no heat, no burr and virtually no sparks. - Brad

I have had a few 'cheap' table saws and have now decided it was time to spend a bit more than I wanted. I found most of the $1,000 table saws and below don't stay flat or square for long. They usually have a pressed steel top plus the fences are poorly designed in my view.

Saying that, the Hitachi is a good saw. I also looked at the Bosch GTS10J. The Dewalt has a good one but that's over $1,000 and their lower price one isn't that good. An option if you save a touch more is the SB-12 for $1,309. A touch more but it’s a cast iron top with dust extraction and the fence is a lot more sturdy, plus you can get wheels to move it around the garage. You will need to spend a minimum of $2,000 for one to suit a dado stack, which is annoying. But I use a router and a straight edge for that issue. The table saw I've got on order is the ST-254. It’s got everything I want and need, plus I have the room in my garage.

Also remember - get the right tool the first time. It may end up costing more in the long run when you keep upgrading or it doesn't have a good warranty. - Razzer

Inexpensive: Ozito $219 at Bunnings.

Safe: SawStop from $1,995 at specialist woodworking supply shops.

There is the Triton method of mounting a circular saw upside down in a table, it can be cheap and useful but with no riving knife I wouldn't call it safe, kickback is something to read up on.

I have a Bosch GTS 10 XC with Gravity saw with a sliding table, I think they are discontinued now. Dust does get in the slider fairly easily. Looking at Carbatec prices for add on to whatever base unit you get.

Laminate cutting blade $159

Dado stack 30mm bore $399

Rockler multi track 2.25 $68.90

Rockler flip stop 2.25 $40.90

- Brad

You can ask a thousand people the same question and all will give you their thoughts. There are a number of questions you need to ask yourself:

What is it that I am going to do? Is the table going to be transportable or left in a fixed place? Size - how big do I need/want? Flexibility - the range of task I can do with it? Dust extraction? And how much am I wanting to spend??

If you are looking at a fixed position table, having used one for many years I would not go past the SawStop. I would even consider the Sawstop Jobsite Saw Pro for mobility. The table is the only one that I know of that has a built-in safety cut-off. In both cases they are pricey, however I am a believer in buy once because in the end you finish up buying another costing the same. - r23on

[dbaarda]

Note the "Evolution 255mm 1500W Multi-Purpose Table Saw" looks a hell of a lot like a rebadged Ozito table saw, with an added fancy multi-material blade and a matching narrower riving-knife. The Ozito is much cheaper, but the fancy blade probably justifies the additional price of the Evolution.

[Noyade]

"Hitachi 10-Inch Job Site Table Saw C-10RJ"

To 'cut' a long story short - but possibly this machine is now marketed under the Hikoki brand?

I saw a box sitting in my local Bunnings isle two weeks ago - with a price of less than $500.

What really intrigued me were the wheels - the ability to pack it up and wheel away. 

I pondered it - but moved on.

On Saturday last - it was still there.

So I bought it.

I haven't been able to put it though its paces yet - but what an amazing bit of kit!

Everything about it so far looks well thought out and engineered.

There was only one problem. The box was missing the blade spanners and holder. I rang Hikoki this afternoon - but I'm not confident of a resolution.

So I whipped up a 'long' steel 3mm plate spanner for the inner flange. The outer 24mm nut isn't an issue - any ring or open spanner will do.

Probably better than the original spanners.

I'm hoping to put it through its paces on the weekend.

Cheers.

Now, THAT'S a spanner!

[EricL]

Hi @Noyade 

That is indeed a beautiful piece of machinery. Looking forward to hearing about the test results.

Eric

[Noyade]

"Probably better than the original spanners."

I was completely wrong with that assumption. There is a lotta force required to undo/tighten the locking nut - so much so in fact the spanner end I made above buckled and spread.

So, today I went with 5 mm steel plate and eventually through trial and error ground it back to around 4mm thickness for a perfect fit.

Now working extremely well on the inner flange.

Disappointingly Hikoki continue to ignore my email requests for the original spanners.

 

[JacobZ]

Hi @Noyade,

I've had a look at the Parts List for the Hikoki AC Table Saw, and there is a blade wrench listed.

I am relatively confident we could order one for you if you would like me to look into it.

I imagine the 5mm plate spanner you have made should do the trick, but the option is there if you would like it.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Noyade]

Hi Jacob @JacobZ 

"I am relatively confident we could order one for you if you would like me to look into it."

Jacob, I'm more than happy for you to try. I suggested this to Hikoki, but their logic was, "it comes back to us anyway."

All they've done so far is email me a photo of "where it should be."

Two spanners and a holder.

Photo from Hikoki.

Well, it isn't. 

And it's not in the box or trapped in stylofoam.

Cheers mate - good luck!

Mine...

[JacobZ]

Hi @Noyade,

I'd say you got a discounted price because it was the display model, which would mean it is sold as is, so you'd likely have to pay for the wrench.

If you're still interested, I'll add it to my list of jobs for Monday.

Let me know what you think.

Jacob

[Noyade]

Hi @JacobZ 

No, not a display model.

Fully boxed and sealed.

I spoke with the staff member. This was the last boxed one and it wasn't a clearance sticker - just a reduced price. She even thanked me for buying it because it was "annoying me" still being in the aisle. I was told it was a promotion by Hikoki.

Once opened everything was in the original wrapping.

I have the receipt.

I have no intention of buying the spanners and holder - they should have been in the box.

[Noyade]

This is the issue.

Probably just slightly less than 4mm thickness to grab the inner flange.

No issues at all with the outer nut.

I believe I have conquered the problem, but it annoys me I had to do all this.

And now I get nothing but the runaround from Hikoki. If the sliding mitre was missing, or the fence - this machine would have been returned to Bunnings in  nanosecond.  

[AlanM52]

A bit late arriving here... wheel fell off the walker.

I am happy with the Ozito and don't mind having to come up with little workarounds to make it more functional.

  

I have the earlier model with the back extension and we use Irwin blades.

Cheers

[JacobZ]

Hi @Noyade,

Considering you have the receipt, it was boxed, and there is no reasonable reason for the spanner to be missing, then you are entitled to a replacement spanner.

Apologies about the mess around. I will get in touch with our Spare Parts team to get the ball rolling.

I'll reach out for some details via PM.

Jacob
 

[Noyade]

There's no need for you to apologise @JacobZ and I appreciate you looking into this for me.

I have replied to your PM.

Cheers!