I need a table saw, recommendations on this one?

[Kenazo]

Link
13A motor with 5,000 RPM
26-7/64 x 17-1/8" cast aluminum tabletop
Stamped steel stand
10" stamped steel extension wing
Adjustable rip fence for accurate cuts
Mitre gauge for angle cuts
Front control handle
Reset switch

Now, I realize that a 13a might be a little small, but realistically I might use it once a year. I'm installing laminate flooring which necessitates the purchase of one soon, and I figured this might fit the bill for that and any other renovations that I might do myself. Or, will a 13a just give me so many headaches that it's not worth it?

 

[FoBoT]

the main thing to consider in my opinion is the size of the top

you can't (well you can but it really sucks) cut 4x8 sheets of plywood on a budget saw with a small top

if you are just cutting small stuff like flooring , then you are ok. mine is a super cheapo from harbor freight, had it like ten years and it works fine, just has a very small top

 

[Kenazo]

For cutting plywood I think my skill saw should suffice anyway. I'd just use this for cutting things that need to be a bit straighter.

 

[OffTopic1]

The link doesn't get you me there. It would be better if you post the make & model number.

Most table saw is more than adequate for light duties jobs because the motor doesn't have to operate 8 hours every day. Cheaper saws have crappy rip fence that easily pop out of adjustment or require tape measurement at the fron & rear before lock down. The different between a good table saw and a cheap ones is that the higher price ones tend to have greater working surface, legs (which you can built), better motor, laser guided, accurate ripfence, and sturdier.

It would be better to get a higher quality saw with better rip fence if you are thinking long term or want to rip your own trimings (I uses 1x4 hemlock/spruce that cost about $0.28 CAD per foot & Tung oil).

Your saw above will do or an even cheaper saw at Crappy Tire/Wal-Mart is sufficient for the occasion laminate cut, because you will need to leave 1/4 inch from laminate to walls for expansion which the trimmings will cover. If your drywalls gaps are off the floors (often they are off by 1/2~3/4 inch) the laminate would have more than ample rooms for expansion and cut plays that a crappy rip fence may produce.

Too bad that you live too far away for me to come and give you a hand.

Good luck!

 

[Kenazo]

As for the saw, the model I was looking at was at Canadian Tire then search for product# 55-6885-8

Thanks for your advice. I might have to ask for more advice when I get around to installing. We went with some light oak 8mil snap lock laminate. Not sure on the brand right now. It's bevelled on both of the long edges, which I think really adds to the whole look. We're really excited to get into our house and start installing. The ppl who owned the house before us actually made an insurance claim and they let us pick the new flooring, since they wouldn't be living in the house after anyway. To go from around 15 year old carpet in only the living room (and most of the carpet is in decent shape so we'll hang onto it for the basement) to almost top of the line laminate over the entire kitchen/dining room/living room is only going to cost us around $400 out of our own pocket. (not valuing our own labour or the cost of buying a saw at anything)

 

[OffTopic1]

That saw will do, and $400 for floorings is a great deal.

Retiles one of my small bath room cost more than 3X that for materials.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Need recommendations here too. Looking to spend $300-700 USD for something.

Reason for the large range is that I'll be more than happy to pay $700 if I can get something with substantially more features or quality than a $300 saw, but if all I'm going to get even at $700 is a saw on a table, then, screw it, I'll get the cheaper.

I'm considering the Incra TSIII fence because, if I'm looking at it right, it has a slide for pushing the wood along rather than just skidding it along the top of the table which, I'm sure, produces infinitely more accurate cuts. I'm thinking of teaming it with a $300 Delta if that will work, but I think I'd be happy with any slide system like that (no idea what it's called in technical terms).

I'm just building stuff like cabinets and, soon, a greenhouse...and who knows after that.