Best Table Saw Under $700

Look around for a used cabinet saw or wait it out and get the SawStop.

Look around for a used cabinet saw or wait it out and get the SawStop.

- EdDantes

Thanks for the honest input

A contractor type saw like the Delta or Ridgid would be a pretty good step up from a jobsite saw and many woodworkers find that type of saw works for all their needs. If you know you will eventually get a Sawstop, however, I wouldn’t buy a new contractor saw because you will not recoup much of the expense. A used saw is a different story—you can usually get your money back when reselling.

Depending on your area and patience level, it’s often possible to find very capable contractor saws for $250 or less and cabinet saws for around twice that on the used market.

Another option would be to build a workstation for your jobsite saw to give you a more solid base and larger top. If you do a search, there are lots of examples out there.

-- https://www.jtplaneworks.com - In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

if your mind is already dreaming of a sawstop save to get that,or youll wish you had.

-- working with my hands is a joy,it gives me a sense of fulfillment,somthing so many seek and so few find.-SAM MALOOF.

You are going to be hard pressed to find a sawstop for $700 or less… but you can find Contractor saws, various hybrids, Unisaws, Delta 12/14’s, PM66’s, PM72’s and lots of other more impressive machines for that. Sometimes, a LOT less and with a lot of extra goodies thrown in.

Cheers,
Brad

-- Brad in FL - In Dog I trust... everything else is questionable

First I would deeply consider what I will really be doing with it for the next few years. For example in the next couple years, i personally could most likely replace my table saw with a track saw, which you could definitely get. But when I have to rip multiple small strips, I really like the table saw. But if I had to rip 20 strips of pine/poplar/alder 1 1/2”, then a job site saw would be good enough for me. But you could be opening up a kitchen cabinet shop, i don’t know. So it really comes down to use case IMO.

First I would deeply consider what I will really be doing with it for the next few years. For example in the next couple years, i personally could most likely replace my table saw with a track saw, which you could definitely get. But when I have to rip multiple small strips, I really like the table saw. But if I had to rip 20 strips of pine/poplar/alder 1 1/2”, then a job site saw would be good enough for me. But you could be opening up a kitchen cabinet shop, i don t know. So it really comes down to use case IMO.

- SMP

Great advice. A really good track saw can do most of the things i would be upgrading the table saw for anyway.

The safety of the saw stop is just so appealing to me.

First I would deeply consider what I will really be doing with it for the next few years. For example in the next couple years, i personally could most likely replace my table saw with a track saw, which you could definitely get. But when I have to rip multiple small strips, I really like the table saw. But if I had to rip 20 strips of pine/poplar/alder 1 1/2”, then a job site saw would be good enough for me. But you could be opening up a kitchen cabinet shop, i don t know. So it really comes down to use case IMO.

- SMP

Great advice. A really good track saw can do most of the things i would be upgrading the table saw for anyway.

The safety of the saw stop is just so appealing to me.

- Jordan123

I think the Festool TS55 can literally do everything I need to do, and more with attachments, it would just be a little trickier with small strips. I’ve been wanting one for years, but then comparing them with Dewalt and Makita etc, and now Kreg makes one.

With my luck if I bought a sawstop, I would test it on hot dog, forget to change the cartridge(or out of laziness/cheapness etc), and then end up cutting my finger off because I let my guard down. When i have been fine using a Delta contractor saw with no guard for 25 years.

First I would deeply consider what I will really be doing with it for the next few years. For example in the next couple years, i personally could most likely replace my table saw with a track saw, which you could definitely get. But when I have to rip multiple small strips, I really like the table saw. But if I had to rip 20 strips of pine/poplar/alder 1 1/2”, then a job site saw would be good enough for me. But you could be opening up a kitchen cabinet shop, i don t know. So it really comes down to use case IMO.

- SMP

Great advice. A really good track saw can do most of the things i would be upgrading the table saw for anyway.

The safety of the saw stop is just so appealing to me.

- Jordan123

I think the Festool TS55 can literally do everything I need to do, and more with attachments, it would just be a little trickier with small strips. I ve been wanting one for years, but then comparing them with Dewalt and Makita etc, and now Kreg makes one.

With my luck if I bought a sawstop, I would test it on hot dog, forget to change the cartridge(or out of laziness/cheapness etc), and then end up cutting my finger off because I let my guard down. When i have been fine using a Delta contractor saw with no guard for 25 years.

- SMP

I agree. For repeatable cuts the table saw is obviously the way to go. I’ve heard only good things about the makita.

Also go knock on some wood now after saying that.

If you think a track saw might be able to do what you need, check out this recent thread

http://lumberjocks.com/topics/302955

Takes a track saw and adds more ability for repeated cuts and miters.

-- https://www.jtplaneworks.com - In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice, there is.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/51Kr7wFoSFL.jpg

this one

-- if it is to be it is up to me

Keep checking Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, etc…..ya never know what might pop up. If you list your general location, someone here might know of a great deal on a full size saw for you.

-- Happiness is like wetting your pants...everyone can see it, but only you can feel the warmth....

I have two homes so two shops….Grizzly 1023 cabinet saw in main shop for last ten years. For summer shop, after some research, I decided on the $599 Delta at Lowes. I love it. Just less power than the 220V Grizzly but with a thin kerf blade, you almost don’t notice it. It is well made, accurate and has done everything I needed.

-- I'm a consultant...when she wants my opinion, she will ask for it.

I have two homes so two shops….Grizzly 1023 cabinet saw in main shop for last ten years. For summer shop, after some research, I decided on the $599 Delta at Lowes. I love it. Just less power than the 220V Grizzly but with a thin kerf blade, you almost don’t notice it. It is well made, accurate and has done everything I needed. Great fence.

-- I'm a consultant...when she wants my opinion, she will ask for it.

Jordan: not sure where you are located, but if in striking distance of Cape Cod, have a very lightly used Jet contractors saw for sale. LMk via this forum and if interested we can discuss via phone.