It's time to buy a table saw, but what to buy?

[Runhard]

Hey Foggers,

First off, I know that there are many of you that do not like these types of topics, for that I am sorry.

As the title says, I want to purchase a table saw but I can't decide on what to get. I may have it narrowed down to a Hammer K3 Winner 79x48" or a SawStop. I have a Hammer N4400 bandsaw and a A3-41 jointer/planer, so the K3 seemed logical. My brother had a very bad table saw accident that partially amputated 3 of his fingers (I have a picture if anyone wants to see it), so the SawStop would give me (and especially my wife) some piece of mind. I also understand that a sliding table saw is inherently safer than a cabinet saw. If I decide on a SawStop I would probably buy the industrial 52" 5hp model with mobile base and over arm dust collection, which comes to $4,897 before taxes and shipping. The Hammer K3 would be $5,390 (with no accessories) before shipping.

Oh, I have also thought about seeing what [member=3891]WarnerConstCo.[/member] had available, but I believe most of his equipment is 3 phase.

I am a hobbyist, DIYer and tool collector, so if you were in my shoes, what would you buy?

Thanks,

Daniel

 

[jyarbrou]

I have the Sawstop PCS175 52" and love it. I've had excellent customer service from them in the past when I had a couple of issues with the saw, and would recommend and purchase again. I've thought about adding on the sliding crosscut attachment, but shop space is limited as it is.

I still treat the blade with respect, but I also have a little piece of mind that if I do have a mishap, I'm much more likely to come out of it in better shape.

I've never used a Hammer, but i'm sure experience with them is top notch as well. Tough choice.

 

[Kev]

I should be at the happy point soon as we're now hunting for a new place, either with an existing large workshop or space to build one [smile]

A Felder or Hammer slider will be my target, but I can imagine a traditional cabinet saw format being more practical if you intend to use you table saw with different jigs and sleds more often than using it to cut large pieces.

That's the problem with being a DIYer/hobbyist - we tend to have a broader range of application "possibilities" that cloud choice.

In your situation I'd probably lean towards the SS if you imagined yourself performing a lot of in close narrow rip cuts with smallish pieces (though I'd probably use the bandsaw for those).

 

[Paul G]

Either would be amazing for DIY, I too like the SS feature and you could add the slider to the SS as well. So I'd choose the SS, YMMV

 

[RussellS]

I'd vote for the Hammer.  Having the slider right next to the blade on the Hammer more or less removes the need for the Saw Stop safety feature.  In the perfect world all table saws would have both a slider and the Saw Stop safety feature.  But the slider gives you Performance and most of the safety too.

 

[luke duke]

I'd vote for the Hammer.  Having the slider right next to the blade on the Hammer more or less removes the need for the Saw Stop safety feature.  In the perfect world all table saws would have both a slider and the Saw Stop safety feature.  But the slider gives you Performance and most of the safety too.

Do you realize that a slider can be added to a SawStop?

 

[RussellS]

I'd vote for the Hammer.  Having the slider right next to the blade on the Hammer more or less removes the need for the Saw Stop safety feature.  In the perfect world all table saws would have both a slider and the Saw Stop safety feature.  But the slider gives you Performance and most of the safety too.

Do you realize that a slider can be added to a SawStop?

Apparently there is a huge misunderstanding of what a slider or sliding table saw is.  Below is the link to the SawStop slider you can attach to their table saws.  Attaching this miter gauge to the saw does not make it a sliding table saw.  A sliding table saw has the slider, up to 10 feet long, right next to the saw blade.  There is ZERO space between the slider and the blade.  The SawStop has one foot of table between the slider and the blade.  This is not a sliding table saw.  Its a fancy, built in miter gauge.
http://www.sawstop.com/crosscut

This is a sliding table saw with a built in slider.  The blade is right next to the slider.  Zero space in between.http://hammerusa.com/us-us/products/true/table-saw-k3-winner-79x48.html

 

[stvrowe]

Sliders all the way for 12 years now and I will never go back.  As far as safety is concerned, don't get fixated on 'flesh sensing technology', my grandson (4-1/2 years old at the time and with supervision) has operated my slider safely.  Your hands and digits don't need to be anywhere close to the blade with a slider.  In addition, you are not in the line of fire for kickbacks since you stand to the left of the machine. 

 

[ChuckM]

Forgot the name, SawStop is working with an Euro saw maker on a SS feature for the sliding table saw. No release date as far as I know.

Chuck

 

[Birdhunter]

I traded an old Delta Unisaw for the Sawstop Industrial saw and have been thrilled with the saw. I'd  have bought it even without the safety feature. It's a great product. For the work I do, a sled is adequate for what a slider would do.

 

[Runhard]

Thanks for all of the input, guys!

It really is a hard decision. I would probably be happy with either machine.

As others have said, the sliding attachment for the sawstop is not comparable to a true sliding TS. It is actually like the sliding attachment on my CMS. By the way, I do have the TS75 module in my CMS/VL with the Incra LS positioner, it's a decent setup.

The first project that I have lined up is to finally build my Roubo work bench with Benchcrafted hardware. Now that I have two shops, I've been thinking about building two benches, the split top Roubo and the Shaker bench.

 

[Motown]

Daniel,

Its amazing how such an exciting purchase can be so agonizing. I researched saws for about a year and just like you narrowed it down to the Sawstop and Hammer. I wound up going with a Hammer B3 (saw/shaper) and could not be happier.

I was really interested in the Sawstop technology and impressed with their build quality. That said, I've been using the Hammer for 6-7 months now and there are some great safety features that aren't really obvious......for example, being about to adjust the fence by pulling it toward the front of the saw. This helps prevent the wood from binding, during a rip cut, and kicking back. The only con that I could point to would be set up. Trying to level the table extensions and bar took me hours and its still not perfect but close enough.

Understanding that you have the 4400 and A3 there are some great benefits to of using accessories on multiple machines, just like Festool. I hope this helps and congrats on your new purchase.

 

[amt]

The sliders are quite safe of you use the sliding table every single time you use the saw.  However, if you decide to use the slider in a "cabinet saw way", then there is no safety advantage.  So, you have to ask yourself: Will I use the sliding table for every single cut I make?  Will I be tempted to rip long strips the "old" way?  I pose these questions because I still see many who have these saws but end up using them the "old" way.  Just something to think about.  In a perfect world, I would have both

 

[bkharman]

I vote slider. I have been in talks on a Felder or Hammer for a while now. I was thinking the 60th anny pricing would have put me over the edge but it really hasn't.

I am moving into my new house and dedicated shop space next week so THAT might just do it. I have also been looking at the new Laguna cyclones as well (if you want to spend more money!!)

Cheers. Bryan.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[tms0425]

I faced that same decision, where both are very good options, very high quality, and safe products in their own way when used properly. I sawed about half my thumb off years ago, with a cheap Craftsman table saw, but my lack of sense would have caused this on any saw (another story). After looking long and hard at a SS 52", realizing the slider really wasn't, I found a basically new Minimax CU300 with 8' slide in great shape. I've gradually learned how to use it properly and have been very happy with my decision and results. Unfortunately, I may be moving from where I have a spacious shop, to basically none (back to my track saw), so I may have to sell it. If you want to play with mine you're fairly close to me and are welcome any time to see what it's about.

Tom

 

[nickao]

1) Tell me why is it time to buy a table saw? Answering that question will give me a hint as to what you need as opposed to want.

I highly doubt unless you do this for a living you "need" any of the saws talked about here, wanting them is one thing, but needing?

2) What do you make?

3) How often do you woodwork?

4) What other tools do you already have?

5) What other tools do you need?

The guys here are looking at fantastic machines and we can debate all Day along which technology is better and which of those is the best made, but that has zero to do with you buying a  machine for your needs.

 

[tiki man]

Bravo Dovetail,
I worked with one of the best euro sliders in one of the best shops on the west coast for 8 years making almost anything a designer or architect could dream up. Now I use a cordless TS55 and a Delta contractors saw in my shop.
I can make all the same stuff as before and don't need the big ticket items.

What it all comes down to is understanding that the biggest and the best or most expensive are not always needed to produce high end quality work.

If you have the xtra stupid money sitting around then go for the best of everything and show off your toys. Of go simple, learn your craft and keep your money, but dont forget to spend a little on a great bottle of bourbon......

 

[Birdhunter]

For me, woodworking enjoyment has a lot to do with the quality of the tools I use. Any decent drill will make holes. I enjoy the quality built into my Festool drills enough to fully justify the cost. My old Unisaw worked just fine, but my Sawstop Industrial makes me grin like a kid every time I use it. Its quality is well worth the price. Any circular saw cuts woot. My TS55 on an MFT track is levels of quality above a big box circular saw. To me, it's worth the money.

Just a different philosophy.

 

[nickao]

This has nothing to do with philosophy.

We still dont know what he is doing or why he needs a table saw. The best sliding table saw in the world may not be the right saw for him. The best cabinet saw might not either.

If all a person does is make little boxes and never needs to cut a pice of hardwood larger than 1"x8"x24" the sliding table no matter how it makes you smile is simply the wrong tool for the job.

 

[Holmz]

This has nothing to do with philosophy.
...

It makes sense when one points it out logically.

Hoping the euro saw teaming with SAWstop is for an Erika85...