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09-04-2014 02:40 PM
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Hello Gents,
I am Bow (like Bow and Arrow, not the command) and I am a hobby wood worker. I currently live in Yuma, AZ.
I have been building small projects (Speaker Cabinets, small stands, free standing shelves, racks, etc) for a number of years using mostly Pine or Plywood, my Miter Saw, drill press, Dremel tool, brute force and ignorance… but I have recently decide to get a table saw.
I poked around an line looking for reviews and decided to get a Craftsman 10” Table Saw with Laser Trac (21807) on Monday, as the reviews where not THAT bad… after assembly, and 4-5 hours of tweaking, I could not get the blade 90 degrees perpendicular to the table without forcing the tilt adjustment and locking it under pressure, nor could I get the Aft Blade right toe out of the blade (aft of blade closer to the fence)... and yes, I attempted all the adjustments provided in the manual, so Tuesday morning, it went back to the store and I got my cash back…
My wife was disappointed, as she had offered to get it for me as a Birthday present, but told me to keep researching and get a decent one…
That search lead me to this forum, as I was looking at the Delta 36-725. I have read the threads about this saw on the site, and looked on the web for real reviews and I think I am heading that way. It seems the biggest complaint is the assembly process, and the Saw is pretty solid after setup… I realize I should get a cabinet saw, but for the amount of woodworking I do, I have trouble justifying the price, or the space.
The projects on this site are incredible, as is the knowledge base, so please forgive my lack of experience in the woodworking field.
-- Bow
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15 replies so far
#1 posted 09-04-2014 02:55 PM
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I have the Delta 36-725 and I’m still happy with it. Have you read through this post? http://lumberjocks.com/replies/on/2711572
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#2 posted 09-04-2014 03:04 PM
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The Delta 36-xxx series were all very capable contractor\professional saws. I have owned one for many years (20 maybe?) and although tempted many times to get a proper “cabinet saw”, I just never found a good enough reason to do so. I can make cuts as precise as the best of them with a proper saw tune up before starting work.
The only thing I have found lacking is the rip capacity. That is my excuse for shopping for a cabinet saw but I think I am going to keep it and just add a Incra TS\LS Fence system to improve the accuracy and greatly increase my rip capacity.
If you decide to get it, let us know and hopefully we can get your new saw tuned up and ready to rip in no time.
Good Luck.
-- Brad, Texas, https://www.youtube.com/user/tonkatoytruck/feed
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#3 posted 09-05-2014 01:02 AM
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Bow, I literally spent days evaluating saws – long story short – I am buying mine this week-end. Best option under 900$ Steel City is some 35990 still available at 649-699 – But for many reasons I prefer the Delta. Good luck
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#4 posted 09-05-2014 01:23 AM
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Gents,
Thank you for all the replies.
I am leaning toward the Delta and hope to get it tomorrow. The $600 price tag was a bit North of my budget for a saw, but I figure that It will take me a while before I out grow it, and with the good reviews it gets on this forum, it will be worth the extra cash spent.
Thanks again for the input.
-- Bow
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#5 posted 09-05-2014 02:48 AM
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It also doesn’t hurt to see if they honor competitor coupons, like Harbor Freight. My Lowes accepted it and got the saw for just under $400. I’m really glad I got this one as it was within my budget, performs very well, mobile, and heck of a lot better than my old Ryobi TS. Absolutely no regrets.
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#6 posted 09-05-2014 03:33 AM
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The biggest difference for me when considering these 2 saws were table mounted trunnions (delta) cabinet mounted trunnions (sc) dc port 2.5” (delta) 4” (sc).
Paul
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#7 posted 09-05-2014 04:12 AM
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Thanks Rayne, I have a 20% off HF Coupon… and considering there is 1 Lowe’s, 1 HD, and 1 HF in town, and the closest one is 65 miles from here, I’d say they are “competition”!
Paul, I’ll have to learn about Tables Saws.. I have no idea what the trunnions are that you speak of. but thanks for the input
-- Bow
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#8 posted 09-05-2014 02:37 PM
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It also doesn t hurt to see if they honor competitor coupons, like Harbor Freight. My Lowes accepted it and got the saw for just under $400. I m really glad I got this one as it was within my budget, performs very well, mobile, and heck of a lot better than my old Ryobi TS. Absolutely no regrets.
- Rayne
You’re lucky. I tried using the HF 20% coupon at my Lowes and was told sorry they don’t take general open coupons for HF because it’s not considered a direct competitor. If the coupon had been for an identical product then they would take it, or if it had been a Home Depot coupon they would take it.
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#9 posted 09-06-2014 12:28 AM
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Yeah, it all depends on the store manager of that particular location. If the 20% coupon doesn’t work, keep an eye out for the 10% coupon that Lowe’s offers from time to time. Their last one just expired 2 days ago, but I’m sure another one will come out soon. Better than nothing, plus if you have their Lowe’s card, you get another 5% off.
As for the Trunnions, there isn’t an easy way to “unbolt” the table from the saw, BUT there is an easy to align the blade to the table (Delta 36-725 just in case another one is being discussed) by loosening two set screws on one of the rail guides and adjusting it that way. I have a Powerpoint file from Delta if you (or anyone), wants it. We can give credit to Terry (thetinman), who initiated the review on this saw and gave us the idea of adjusting the set screws for blade alignment.
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#10 posted 09-06-2014 12:42 AM
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Bow – Stop right here! Here is how you can save 10-20% on your saw, 100% guaranteed.
A) Buy a 10% coupon on ebay like this one: http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Lowes-10-Off-Coupons-Save-up-to-1-000-per-coupon-/181517534379?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a4349c4ab
They work, I bought one yesterday.
B) Buy discounted gift cards here: https://www.raise.com/buy-lowe-s-in-store-only-gift-cards
There are many sites. Make sure to pick the “ecode” so you can place your order online with Lowes.com
If you ever buy at Home Depot, it is even easier to buy discounted gift cards – 10% off.
PM me if you need help.
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#11 posted 09-06-2014 06:04 AM
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Jac, damn. .. I picked it up this afternoon… No HF discount allowed unless it was the same item…
Thanks anyway! Assembly in progress, and by the Tinman schedule, I’m at beer #3….
-- Bow
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#12 posted 09-06-2014 08:49 AM
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Get on craigslist. The woodworkers in my area are going nuts right now cleaning out their garages (at least in Seattle).
I just picked up an older Jet JJ-8 (Metric) for $250 and promptly ordered a Byrd Shellix cutter. The tables are flatter than my straight edge rofl.
-- --Rob, Seattle, WA
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#13 posted 09-06-2014 12:45 PM
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Congrats on your recent purchase. Just check the fence carefully. I posted a pic in a thread here that showed how the locking handle, plate and all, was separated perfectly at the welds. Might be a cause for concern.
-- there's a solution to every problem.......you just have to be willing to find it.
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#14 posted 09-06-2014 02:54 PM
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I’ve had the Delta 36-725 for about a year. I just completed 14 kitchen cabinets with raised panel doors using this saw. No complaints from me. The saw is accurate and a pleasure to use. It’s a good saw for the money, and if you can get it at a discount it’s a bargain.
Ed
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#15 posted 09-06-2014 05:05 PM
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I just picked up the delta after returning a ridgid 4512. The ridgid had a blade shift of .020” at the back while it only had a shift of .004” at the front. I have mine fully assembled but I have yet to get everything properly aligned.
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