Table saw new vs upgrade

cjohnsonmn said:

For about $400 I can get a new "remanufactured" Ridgid 10" R4512. Or for $375 I can get a used "3HP" 10" Craftsman model 113-298762 with a brand new Vega Pro 50 fence system. What will be the better way to go for a beginning woodworker with plans to do a oak staircase and some basic cabinetry and trim work?

Click to expand...

Did you spend much time thinking about how often you will use your table saw, and where you are going to put it in your shop? If you have limited space, you really will want a saw you can move out of the way when you're not using it.

Ultimately, I bought an R4512 and the included wheel kit was a big selling point for me. I could afford a brand new 3HP saw with 52" fence if I wanted one, but I just do not have the extra floor space for a nice tool like that. I would have to get an add-on wheel kit and even when it's just pushed against a wall, it would eat up valuable space.

My R4512 turned out to be a dud (see my thread about having trouble getting it to square up) but I am probably just going to exchange it for another R4512. Would I like to have a 3HP 52" saw? Heck yeah, who wouldn't?! But I would need a bigger shop to hold it, or I would have to get rid of some other tools to make room.

Also the posters talking about needing a miter saw also, I never even had an "electric miter saw" when I learned about woodworking. I had to do stuff like that by hand. It never occurred to me until recently, how useful a miter saw can be if you just mount it on something that has a fence or a place for stop blocks. For long pieces, it is way easier than a table saw and more accurate than a circular saw. For long cuts, though, you will not find much use for your miter saw because it can only make a cut so long, like a radial arm saw.

So you should think about all of the tools you need or want, and try to prioritize which ones will be most useful. For me, this meant I wanted a table saw, miter saw, a drill press, and a router. I'd like to have a planer but I can borrow one from a friend.

Thanks for all the great advice! The reason I put the 3HP in quotes is that Craftsman is really 1.5hp - the label on the front must be referring to peak hp or something that doesnt count as false advertising:whistling2:. I really thought everyone was gonna tell me to go for the new Ridgid, when I got home just now with the craftsman - (guy called earlier and I had to decide on the $75 on first refusal otherwise it would have been gone.) Whew! The fence is in the mail from Amazon now that I read the advice - getting that for $260 on sale + 40 shipping. I also didnt mention that I've been assembling my future woodshop over the last 7-10 years bit by bit - plus lumber and material. (got a Masterforce drill press last summer, Ridged compound miter saw the year before, Ryobi router and bench table 4 years ago and clamps, planes, nailers, handtools etc before that. The last item is a big antique Cresent 8" jointer for $200 I'll pay off and pick up this weekend. Now my unfinished basement is full and ready to finish for my fiance and me so I guess I'll be building a outbuilding shop/garage when I can afford that next. I'll have to keep half the basement as a shop in the meantime. Basement appartment and front porch first. Hoping I can build kitchen and bath cabinet frames with this setup and maybe just buy door and drawer faces? I'm sure I'll be asking lots of question here, so thanks again for havin me as a member and helping me out! That is a picture of the model craftsman but not the one I bought - no rust on mine and the original fence...