What brand should I go with for wood working tools?

[Asron87]

I have some carriages to build and I'd like to buy a table saw next week. Is there a particular brand that stands out or is going with DeWALT a good idea? I was thinking about going with the portable DeWALT with a 10" blade. I'd also like to get a chop saw eventually. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Aaron

[Al 1]

Asron,   Any good brand name saw should do the trick.  Have you ever used this type of equip?
Al-1
 

[RocklockI]

Al 1 welcome !  sorry no advice on what to buy ....
 
Gary

[GGaskill]

How much money are you willing to spend?

[Asron87]

How much money are you willing to spend?

The one I was looking at is a little under $400 but I'd be willing to spend around $600 or so.

[Cat Whisperer]

Al 1 -- WELCOME to the board!  Good comment, good question.

Ashron -

Find an old-timer that is a master at what you want to do.

There are always good pieces of equipment second-hand that can be gotten cheaply.  After a few years of use, you'll either keep using them or move up in quality.  Which ones?  That's what the oldtimer is for - to show you on his equipment what can and cannot be done.

You'll find the experience will prove to be MORE valuable than just buying a piece of tooling.

Where?  Who?  Start by asking - local community colleges are but ONE place.  Industry is good -  just start asking who's good at ( ... ) .  5 -  10 - 15 people later you'll know.

[Ex 49'er]

Buy what you can afford. Save room for more cannons, tho.   

[projector]

I'm using a 20 year old Powermatic 66 that I've had for about 3 years.  It's a great saw but expensive if bought new.  Keep an eye on local listings and buy a quality used piece of equipment.

[little seacoast]

Buy the best quality tools you can afford, hand tools as well as power tools. A cheap poorly made tool is no bargain.  My Powermatic model 65 table saw is as old as I am and works perfectly, ditto the jointer, bandsaw, drill presses, etc. The only problem with heavy duty tools is they require room in use or not.  Just finished a new 24x36 shop to house mine.

[GGaskill]

Haunt the estate sales looking for a Delta Unisaw.  These are great saws and you should be able to find one for $200 or so.  But they don't grow on trees so expect to visit a lot of sales before you find one.

If time is more important than money, check out the Grizzly table saws with the cast base (Unisaw knockoffs.)  Not cheap but the one I have used is almost as good as a Unisaw.

[GRIMJIM]

I'm using a 20 year old Powermatic 66 that I've had for about 3 years.  It's a great saw but expensive if bought new.  Keep an eye on local listings and buy a quality used piece of equipment.

I have one as well, but I am a cabinetmaker by trade. If you want to expand into other wood projects, I would buy the best you can afford. Look for used, powermatic or delta unisaw. These are stationary saws though. You can buy or make a mobile base for them but they take up a good amount of room.
I am moderator on the woodworking forum and we had a discussion about this a while back. I'll look up the thread now.

[Zulu]

Asron87,
You have been given a lot of advise here.  All I can add is "buy a little more than you can afford".  I use a Delta Unisaw and there are few better.  If you can find a used one, great!
A poor choice now will cost you more if you want a better saw next year.  It's like a cannon.  Today, you spend $500 on one and next year you want one that cost $900.
Zulu

[GRIMJIM]

http://www.gboreloaded.com/forums/index.php/topic,231259.msg1099290988.html#msg1099290988

[IvarForkbeard]

I have helped a friend restore some old wood and metal working equipment. From an Oliver wood lathe, and a mortising machine from the same company, to a metal lathe that is older than he is and he is 85. The experience and knowledge I have gotten from just hanging around him is phenomenal. If you look around, look for a saw that has a cast iron bed. It may take some work to get it back into condition, but well worth the effort.

[projector]

Buy the best quality tools you can afford, hand tools as well as power tools. A cheap poorly made tool is no bargain.  My Powermatic model 65 table saw is as old as I am and works perfectly, ditto the jointer, bandsaw, drill presses, etc. The only problem with heavy duty tools is they require room in use or not.  Just finished a new 24x36 shop to house mine.

I set my saw up to a large table at the same height.  It catches large sheets on the other side and serves as an island bench for other uses.  Other smaller tools like my band saw and combo sander are on wheels so I can pull them out when needed and put them away.  I have way too many hobbies so the shop has to stay versatile. 
 
 

[little seacoast]

I can identify with you on the need to keep things flexible, everything from flyrods, gun carriages, telescopes as well as furniture and cabinets gets built in there.
The big lathe and the table saw with cast iron extension wings are bolted down due to their weight but everything else including a sliding table shaper are on movable bases.  Don't move them often but it's nice not to need three men and a boy when I do. 

[Asron87]

  I'm not sure whats going on with my computer but two of my replies didn't go through. I ended up just buying a portable DeWALT table saw. I needed one now and it needed to be portable. And like Zulu said... I'm just going to want to upgrade later anyway. I wish I had more time to reply but thanks guys, I still have lots of tools to buy and still need a lot of help.