Job site table saw for beginner?

It sounds like with all the additions you plan on adding to the saw it will be stationary and not moving a whole lot. The only reason I would buy a job site saw is to move it from location to location. I would consider a contractor or hybrid style saw. These saws are bigger, which would allow your rip capacity to be greater, and much more accurate. Check craigslist daily and you will find a deal.

+1 On getting a contractor or hybrid saw (both have a cast iron top, belt driven motor). The Dewalt and Bosch jobsite saws are the best in their class of saws, but they are still a jobsite saw.

-- Mike ---- Visit my woodworking blog: http://sawdustnewbie.com

Job site saws have a number of disadvantages like a small table top.small fence. light weight(makes them easier to tip over) many do not let you use a dado blade,the miter gauge is toy like,the miter slots make it hard to use a sled.
One of the best saws in a low price range is a Ridgid contractor saw,it has a moble base that lets you move it around you shop or garage.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/RIDGID-13-Amp-10-in-Professional-Table-Saw-R4512/202500206#.UqdE2NJDtRg

-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos

I like the dewalt saw. if you have palns to build a table around it, for other tools; then you’ll have to buy a larger fence rails. there are some nice set ups here on LJ’s . I would rather go with contractor style T.S. (money) now, and after a few years if you get more serious about finer woodworking; then step up to a full cabinet table saw, that has the HP to do the bigger denser lumber.

This can be very helpful for finding out about table saws.

http://lumberjocks.com/knotscott/blog/32154

-- https://www.artisticwoodstudio.com/videos

Ditto what the others have said….why buy portable if you don’t need portability? That’s typically the only user advantage of a portable saw over a decent stationary saw. For the same money or less, a good used full size cast iron saw with a belt drive induction motor has the lion’s share of advantages. For near $500 you can buy a new full size stationary saw.

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

I agree with the other guys here, get on craigslist type table saw, and explore your options, I got my Craftsman 113.299142 for about $125 and it’s far more capable than a jobsite saw, cast iron top, full dado support… I did replace the fence with a delta t2, as the stock one is a festering bowl of dog snot. Everything is adjustable, so I can get it calibrated just perfect. I see table saw deals like this all the time on craigslist, craftsman, delta, rockford, etc… and if in a couple years you decide on a full size cabinet saw (like I’m about to), you can sell it with all the upgrades you’ve done to it and make most of your money back.

So I’m a newbie like you, working on my first project.

I recently bought the DW745 because I was tired to trying to make do without a TS.

And I am happy with it, understanding it’s limitations. I haven’t done much with it yet except make a crosscut sled. Hope to start using it for my real project pretty soon.

I mainly choose the 745 because the size lets me store it away when not in use, and the current HD pricing makes it a real bargain (IMHO).

However, if I had to do it again, I might go for a slightly larger saw, like the rigid or the PC, which is on wheels.
My projects are on the small side, so I think the 745 will work out for my, and do what I need it to do.

I did need to square the blade against the meter slot after buying the table, I think it was about 20 thousands off, and in the wrong direction. It was fairly easy to do, I used a digital caliper, and you need to loosen 4 screws I think.

Randy

-- Randy, Los Angeles/Brentwood, Ca

Hey Neil, welcome to LJ.

I’ll echo all the others. You will be better off finding a good used contractor style saw. Since I’m just down the road from you in Salina, I can say with great certainty that Craftsman 113’s come up frequently on the Salina or Manhattan Craigslist—some other models, as well, but not as often. That would give you a much more capable machine for less than the cost of a DW745, even if you want to upgrade the fence (the stock Craftsman ones are usable, but are the weak point of the model) You can still pretty easily build a complete workstation around one of those with all the features you want.

Good luck on the woodworking journey

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

This Ridgid TS2412 would make a great saw for $150. Some minor TLC, a good blade, and alignment would have that saw singing to you in no time, with money left for wood.

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

If you really want a portable saw, be sure to check out the Ridgid R4510. The fence is solid, the miter slots are standard size, and the arbor accepts a dado stack up to 13/16”. As others have pointed out, however, all job site saws (including the R4510) have a number of disadvantages: small table size, poor miter gauge, aluminum (or even plastic) table surface, low power.

I bought the R4510 when I started wood working in my garage. It’s been okay. I thought I wanted something portable that I could push out of the way at night. Unfortunately even with a decent blade (Freud Fusion thin kerf) it still burns 4/4 hardwood. I think it’s really only powered for construction lumber and plywood. I wish I’d bought the R4512 contractor instead. Or even saved my pennies for a Grizzly 1023 or 690, or a used Unisaw.

Thanks everyone for the help! This is really good information. Based on the comments, I will look (by look, I mean convince the wife) at getting a hybrid or contractor saw. I will keep you posted. Thanks again for the help. What an awesome site!

-- Neil - Manhattan, KS