Contractor Table Saw

edanielvijay

Member
Joined
Jan 27, 2012
Messages
57
Hi,
I m hobby woodworker and am looking to buy a contractor table saw for cutting small lumber. I think a small table saw would definitely make life little easier for cutting drawer boxes or other thin strips of lumber etc,.

I checked Bosch 4100 and DewaltDW745 and both has pros/cons. Bosch 4100 does not have rail/guide fence like Dewalt but aceept blades to cut dados. However, Dewalt does not have dado support but the rail guide is a big advantage. Bosch costs $80 more than Dewalt but I think its not that of a big deal.

Any advise which one is better to go with.

Also, if there are any easy way that this can be done with a TS-55/MFT3, please advice.

-Danny

 
Hi Danny

The TS55 and MFT3 are a terrific combination - almost doing everything that can be done with a radial arm saw and out performing in terms of cutting width. Just add a couple of extra rails and you will be able to break down sheet material quickly and accurately. Do not forget the dust extractor - a CT is the unsung hero in the Festool line-up.

For cutting thin strips you may need to have some form of table saw but do not buy anything too cheap - I did and regretted it from the very start - anyone want a dusty Jet that's hardly used? I now have the CMS and TS55 combination for my portable table saw. It was pricey but if you have the saw anyway and seek quality and portability then you can hardly go wrong.

Peter
 
Stone Message said:
Hi Danny

The TS55 and MFT3 are a terrific combination - almost doing everything that can be done with a radial arm saw and out performing in terms of cutting width. Just add a couple of extra rails and you will be able to break down sheet material quickly and accurately. Do not forget the dust extractor - a CT is the unsung hero in the Festool line-up.

For cutting thin strips you may need to have some form of table saw but do not buy anything too cheap - I did and regretted it from the very start - anyone want a dusty Jet that's hardly used? I now have the CMS and TS55 combination for my portable table saw. It was pricey but if you have the saw anyway and seek quality and portability then you can hardly go wrong.

Peter
I totally agree that CMS is a great addition however the issue is CMS is not released in US market. I have couple of close friends in London and I can always ask them to get it and ship it to me over here. But not sure, if anyone has done that in US and how much the total cost will come to. Including the customs + clearance etc,.

How much did the CMS in UK costs for TS 75? I might as well as go for TS75 if I m getting it from UK but might do only if it fits my budget and also possible.
 
Danny E said:
Stone Message said:
Hi Danny

The TS55 and MFT3 are a terrific combination - almost doing everything that can be done with a radial arm saw and out performing in terms of cutting width. Just add a couple of extra rails and you will be able to break down sheet material quickly and accurately. Do not forget the dust extractor - a CT is the unsung hero in the Festool line-up.

For cutting thin strips you may need to have some form of table saw but do not buy anything too cheap - I did and regretted it from the very start - anyone want a dusty Jet that's hardly used? I now have the CMS and TS55 combination for my portable table saw. It was pricey but if you have the saw anyway and seek quality and portability then you can hardly go wrong.

Peter
I totally agree that CMS is a great addition however the issue is CMS is not released in US market. I have couple of close friends in London and I can always ask them to get it and ship it to me over here. But not sure, if anyone has done that in US and how much the total cost will come to. Including the customs + clearance etc,.

How much did the CMS in UK costs for TS 75? I might as well as go for TS75 if I m getting it from UK but might do only if it fits my budget and also possible.

Danny the ts75 module is £300.00 uk sterling
 
The CMS unit is being marketed in NA - take a look at the dealer area. I am not sure if the saw module is being shipped but the router module certainly is being marketed.

Peter
 
Danny E said:
Hi,
I m hobby woodworker and am looking to buy a contractor table saw for cutting small lumber. I think a small table saw would definitely make life little easier for cutting drawer boxes or other thin strips of lumber etc,.

I checked Bosch 4100 and DewaltDW745 and both has pros/cons. Bosch 4100 does not have rail/guide fence like Dewalt but aceept blades to cut dados. However, Dewalt does not have dado support but the rail guide is a big advantage. Bosch costs $80 more than Dewalt but I think its not that of a big deal.

Any advise which one is better to go with.

Also, if there are any easy way that this can be done with a TS-55/MFT3, please advice.

-Danny
I would go with the Bosch.There's no advantage with the Dewalt fence system.
 
Danny,

If you are comparing those two table saws then you really the comparison should be the Bosch 4100 vs the Dewalt DW744 series.  The 744 does allow for a dado blade and still has the rack and pinion fence.

I've had the original version of the DW744 for about ten years and it is finally starting to show some age but it has been been transported and not treated well.

The TS modules for the CMS are not currently scheduled for introduction in NA and with the safety mandates currently being considered I would imagine that an introduction in the future would be extremely doubtful.

I don't carry mine around anymore to jobs unless I know that I will need it, and I do tend to use my Festool MFT/3, TS55, and OF1400 more than the DW744, but thin strip ripping is easier on the table saws.

Just my thoughts.

Peter
 
If you want the nicest set up ever buy the DW745 and a Rousseau Table Saw Stand with outfeed. http://www.rousseauco.com/
Throw away the stock fence and use the Rousseau one that slides on the stand, not the saw. Took me a morning to set it up, but havent adjusted it in three years and it has extreme accuracy. Get a Forrest blade and a ZCI and you will be in business. Do your dadoing with the 1010 or 1400 with rails. Eric
 
I work with a lot of small scale (often 1/8-1/4 strips) material on my table saw and have on a bunch of different saws. About a year ago I found a 1950s craftsman 8" saw for $50 and put on a link belt and got a forrest blade for it.  Awesome.  No riving knife but it has a rack and pinion fence and cast iron table. For the money its the best table saw I've worked with.  To be fair I am now working on an Inca 259 which I do like better (and is also great for small stuff) but cost me way more.  For small stuff, low vibration and zcis are key. I have worked on dewalt and bosch contractor saws, though not extensively, and I would be terrified to use either for some of the work I can do on the craftsman with ease.  The craftsman also breaks down pretty rapidly for transport.  And the original motor, though something like 3/4hp, feels more powerful than the 1 3/4 hp I had on a Delta hybrid a few years back.  I wasn't sure about the craftsman at first but it was so cheap that I just went for it.
 
ericbuggeln said:
If you want the nicest set up ever buy the DW745 and a Rousseau Table Saw Stand with outfeed. http://www.rousseauco.com/
Throw away the stock fence and use the Rousseau one that slides on the stand, not the saw. Took me a morning to set it up, but havent adjusted it in three years and it has extreme accuracy. Get a Forrest blade and a ZCI and you will be in business. Do your dadoing with the 1010 or 1400 with rails. Eric

cool never seen them before!  

ummm....    something to keep in mind!  

 
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