Tablesaw advice needed.

[texaswoodworker]

I was looking around Harbor Freight's website the other day and I "saw" a tablesaw that I liked. It is a 4" tablesaw and I think it is a chicago. It is on sale for around $30-$35.

Does anyone have any experience with this saw? I need it mostly to cut 2-3 foot long boards for the scroll saw and possibly 2'x4' plywood sheets.

Does anyone know of any other tablesaws for under $40 that don't take up much space?

Thank you

PS. Is Harbor Freight and Harbor Freight USA the same?

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

I have that saw and I would say don't buy it. Invest into a full size, as it won't cut hardwoods very well and is hard to cut even soft woods. It say's it will cut up to 3/4" but not very well. I bought mine to do what you are wanting to do with it and it don't do the job very well. I mainly use mine when I do which isn't often, for cutting 1/4 and 1/8" pieces to make my frames, it does an okay job I guess, though if I hadn't already bought it, I could do the same thing easier and quicker on a radal saw or full size table saw. My take on this is don't waste your money, look at pawn shops for a full size table saw as I was able to locate one at a pawn shop for around $40 and it works great. Hope this helps.

[texaswoodworker]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into some other saws. I would still like to find one that doesn't take up mush room because my shop is really small.

[Chris "The Wood Artist"]

Originally Posted by texaswoodworker

Thanks for the advice. I will look into some other saws. I would still like to find one that doesn't take up mush room because my shop is really small.

I understand, that was the reason I bought the one I did, it had a lot to do with size. An idea you may use, I took an trim circular saw and made a slot in my workbench for it to make it into a table saw and it uses 4" blades and works great plus it don't take up anymore room than I already had. When it isn't being used I take it off the bench and store it. Another plus with this saw is that I also have a small circular saw to use. Maybe this idea that I done in my shop will help or at least give you some ideas on making one yourself.

I make most of my machines as I am a cheap scape and if I can make it, it allows me to make it fit my needs for that particular machine.

[ubgoofy2003]

Aaron, most bench table saws are small enough that you can just set them on your work bench or something sturdy enough to hold it while you cut wood. The only thing you need to be aware of, is the length of the wood that you want to cut. You need room for it to pass through the saw, without hitting something in the way. You may want to look for a used one, as they are a little pricey. Perk

[texaswoodworker]

I make most of my machines as I am a cheap scape and if I can make it, it allows me to make it fit my needs for that particular machine.

I also like to make a few machines. I thought the price of a router table was way to expensive so I built my own and it works great.

I'll look into some bench table saws and then decide whether I'll make one or buy one.

Thanks for the help guys.

[marshall]

Sometimes you get what you pay for ........

[wood-n-things]

There are several full size saws that fold up for travel and storage as well.