Since my Delta 10 in Bench table saw died a few weeks back I have been researching for a new table saw. This time I'm looking for full size one.  At my local Lowe's store they have this PORTER-CABLE 15-Amp 10" Table Saw.  It not my first choice, but in keeping within my budget so to speak it may be what I can afford.  I do not particularly like the table top.  Mainly I just wanted to hear what some of you guys and gals think about this.  Your opinion is welcome.

 

Wayne E

 

Wayne, here's something to consider.  Times are indeed tough and others are also on a budget.  Check out your local Craigslist.  I've found some really nice bargains there.  Since you have to pick it up you can give it the once over when you're there.

 

 

 

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Ron Dudelston
Above and Beyond WoodWorks

On other forums, I've read that there may be a production problem with the motor. They've been failing after a few weeks, or in some cases, after a few cuts. And, it seems that PC does not make the motor and cannot supply a replacement, only parts. 

Others say that it's a great saw and highly recommend it. 

I own several PC products and have always been quite satisfied.

Buying from Lowes is a plus as they have an excellent return policy.

 

 

 

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Gene
'The true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.' G. K. Chesterton

Ron

 

I have been looking at local Craigslist and there were a few Craftsman contractor saw.  From the pictures they looks to be as old as I am sort of afraid you could not get parts for them.  I still got time and I'll keep looking.  

Thanks

 

Wayne E

Gene

That what I been hearing and reading about this saw.  Although some of the reviews on this saw I would put a question mark on them.  My local Lowes has one set up for display so you could actually see the thing.  I probably had gone look at it ,maybe  5 times in last 3 weeks.  Still I walk away thinking I need to check it out more before buying.

 

Thanks

 

Wayne E

 

 

Wayne..

It sounds like the PC bench top saw is one that is a direct drive, and has a "Universal" motor that's commonly known as a "screamer."  And like was already said, Universal motors are not known for longevity.

Some of the Gang here have a "Contractor's" saw, which has a FEFC induction motor that turns the saw blade through a belt system.

Top end Contractor's saws have two cast iron wings.  JET, Delta and some Grizzley's are rated pretty good. Sue wants a "Sawstop."  $$$$

Larry

 

Wayne,

Most of my machines are older than I am. With some work they will probably outlast most of what is available today.

Check rummage, and estate sales. I've ran across some very good deals, on equipment that was in good condition.

I tend to look for the orphans myself, the ones that need work. But I enjoy redoing them. I get a kick out of doing the redo, then another kick out of using the machine once it's done. I realize my approach is extreme, but I end up with a machine that I appreciate more in the end.

It all depends upon what you are looking for.

Parts can be found, or in some cases I've modified  parts from a newer model machine to replace hard to find or unavailable parts . Some parts I've fabricated from scratch.

 

Larry

 

About a year ago I needed to replace my bench-top 10" saw. Just too small to do what I needed.

Checked Craigs List and went to both Lowe's and Home Depot.

I liked the P/C but fell in love with the Ridgid 4512.

Long story short, with my wife saying if you like it that much, get it. Soooooo it followed me home!!

After a few adjustment to the fence, it cuts everything I put thru it.

 

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Harry Brink
Bulldog Woodworking
Montana

 

Larry 

This Porter-Cable is not bench model.  It bascallly a full size table saw looking like a contractor saw.  It does have belt driven motor on it.  Although from reading some of the reviews on it there is some questions about the motor.  As far as other brands saw,  Jet is little to pricey for my budget and so is some of Delta.  Grizzly has one, well two that I been looking at.  But one is about $100.00 cheaper.  If it was not been saving nickles, dimes, and pennies for 14" bandsaw I'll buy the table saw.   I'm trying to come up with someway I can get both.  I may have to keep the Delta 9 bandsaw anf get the Grizzly table saw.  Just was not expecting the old bench table saw to go out .

 

 

Thanks

Wayne  E

 

 

Larry B

 

I would consider this route.  I can usually repair  any tools if I have good parts list and good source for ordering parts.  My problem is I would not have any hint of where to look for parts on those old machines and I doubt  the source I have could even get parts for them.  I'll keep looking, like I said I got some time.

Thanks

 

Wayne E

 

HARRY

Same as the Delta Bench table saw.  Too small for working with big pieces plus the motor shaft was not long enough to take 3/4 in dado blades.  But I was working to get 14" bandsaw so I cout re-saw those rough cut lumber.  Just was not expecting the table saw to go up in smoke.  There is Home Depot about 5 miles from my house, and the last time I was there they not showing and full size saw, just bench models.  Gee I wish my wife would say if I like it soooo much just get it.  Naw she want to research hoping to find free shipping and looking for sales specials ..  Knowing her, she would take her time in searching.  Problem with that is, I been doing that for past 3 weeks.  So far it a toss between Porter- Cable or Grizzly,  they are cheaper than others I seen. 

 

Thanks

 

Wayne E

 

Wayne,

A friend of mine just picked up a plug and play belt drive Craftsman contracter saw for $40.00 at a rummage sale. As far as finding parts for the older equipment The OWWM website has a BOYD (Bring Out Your Dead) listing. www.owwm.org . Parts can also be found on ebay. Manuals for most of the older machines can be found on the Vintage Machine website www.vintagemachinery.org  .  Some prices for parts are fair, others the sellers are trying to make a killing.

 

Larry
Wayne Ellington said:

Larry B

 

I would consider this route.  I can usually repair  any tools if I have good parts list and good source for ordering parts.  My problem is I would not have any hint of where to look for parts on those old machines and I doubt  the source I have could even get parts for them.  I'll keep looking, like I said I got some time.

Thanks

 

Wayne E

Larry B

Good web site.  I file both in my folders for future reference. 

Thanks

 

Wayne E

Larry Buskirk said:

Wayne,

A friend of mine just picked up a plug and play belt drive Craftsman contracter saw for $40.00 at a rummage sale. As far as finding parts for the older equipment The OWWM website has a BOYD (Bring Out Your Dead) listing. www.owwm.org . Parts can also be found on ebay. Manuals for most of the older machines can be found on the Vintage Machine website www.vintagemachinery.org  .  Some prices for parts are fair, others the sellers are trying to make a killing.

 

Larry
Wayne Ellington said:

Larry B

 

I would consider this route.  I can usually repair  any tools if I have good parts list and good source for ordering parts.  My problem is I would not have any hint of where to look for parts on those old machines and I doubt  the source I have could even get parts for them.  I'll keep looking, like I said I got some time.

Thanks

 

Wayne E

Wayne,

You liked those sites, I thought you might.

The old saws are not impossible to find parts for, it sometimes just takes a little longer. On the OWWM website you can also post a WTB (wanted to buy) which will usually yield results. I myself check the OWWM, ebay, and craigslist etc. a few times daily.

There are parts (mostly accessories) that I have been searching years for. In the case of my Delta 700 scroll saw , I had looked for an upper chuck without success for five years. I finally redesigned the upper plunger assembly using parts from later model scroll saws. The original chucks were made from a pot-metal substance, and were prone to breaking.  I had ran accross five saws over the years, and they all had the upper chuck either broken or missing.

My Tilty table saw I got lucky finding the two parts that needed replacement. Found them on ebay in two days. For that saw the weak link is the table trunnions. As I keep looking for parts for other machines, I always check to see if there are any trunnions listed at a reasonable price. I would like to keep a spare set on hand just in case.

Some of the sellers are reasonable with thier prices, others not quite so.

If you decide to get into the older machines, reading the old woodworking machines posts here, or on the OWWM, will yield valuable information that you can use to figure out what machines you may be interested in getting. They can also teach you what machines to avoid due to the parts being hard or impossible to obtain..

The tool catalogs on the VintageMachinery website are extreamly usefull for information about the machines you may aquire. They have owners manuals, parts lists, and other information available for hundreds if not thousands of tools.

A couple of the machines that I have are somewhat rare, the others are more common. The rarer the machine, the more difficult they can be to find parts for. So I try to stay with the more common machines just to make it easier to keep them up and running. But if I happen upon a somewhat rare one for a decent price I will adopt it. I also stay with the smaller machines due to space limitations. The machines that I adopt are usually the orphans that most people think need to much work or simply think of them as junk. I myself like the challenge of taking "junk" and turning it back to a usefull item.

The machines themselves can be a hobby restoring them. It somewhat is for me, but I do it to get good tools for my own use at a reasonable (cheap) price. That and the fact that I like the looks, and quality of the old machines better.

Larry