As far as table saws go I have to get one that's compact so I can store it inside and portable.  After researching a lot on youtube reviews and different brands and models.  I think out of all of them the Dewalt 8 /14 inch will probably wind up being the better option and affordable in my case to buy out right.  I've seen a lot of good reviews on it seems like it would be worth the money in the long run and on a budget.  Its a bit over what I wanted to spend but better safe than sorry.

 

https://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-15-Amp-Corded-8-1-4-in-Compact-Jobsite-Tablesaw-DWE7485/310178475

So decision made item bought.  I think on a budget I got a decent end of the deal.  So the saw typically runs for 399 plus taxes or state taxes where ever your at so probably around 460 total.  How ever with the lovely Veterans discount home depot was I got it for a steel. The saw wound up coming out to 392.  Basically took all the taxes off of it so I got it for under 400 dollars at home depot so win win on that.  I did read a lot of the reviews before buying it and youtubes as well.  Over all seems like it will be a decent saw for what I need. 

 

Excellent Andrew! Sounds like a great bargain ya got there. What are you mainly going to use it for?

Cutting boards for lamination projects basically.  Figured it was just time to get it.

25 minutes ago, AndrewB said:

Cutting boards for lamination projects basically.  Figured it was just time to get it.

It should do a wonderful job!

Looks like a good choice.  Now for a good blade - I have my eye on this one.  It's cheaper than the recent Amazon price too.

 

https://www.sliversmill.com/product_720_10x20T_WII_For_FAST_RIP_of_Thick_Hardwood_Without_Burning__.html

The saw is finally unboxed a bit chilly this morning for a trial run and on top of that looks like I'll be re building the back wall bench again to fit for the saw itself.  So it will give me another chance to re do the design of the bench itself.  I wish I could do a bench with the saw mounted in with the top of it how ever slight problem with the adjustable fence.  Which is an extremely nice feature being able to rip a piece down to the exact dimensions I want.  So far I'm happy with the saw.  Seems like this is a great budget saw.

 

On 4/7/2021 at 7:10 AM, JimM said:

Looks like a good choice.  Now for a good blade - I have my eye on this one.  It's cheaper than the recent Amazon price too.

 

https://www.sliversmill.com/product_720_10x20T_WII_For_FAST_RIP_of_Thick_Hardwood_Without_Burning__.html

For that kind of $$, I'd go for the Tenryu. https://www.amazon.com/Tenryu-RS-25524-U-Carbide-Tipped-Blade/dp/B000G1MSLW

46 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

For that kind of $$, I'd go for the Tenryu. https://www.amazon.com/Tenryu-RS-25524-U-Carbide-Tipped-Blade/dp/B000G1MSLW

A wonderful blade IMHO, Forest has a good solid market following, but I think they are overpriced.

Only one minor problem with that.  The dewalt table saw that I bought only runs an 8 1/4 inch blade diameter.  So a 10 inch blade wouldn't work.

Walmart will ship an 8.25 Tenryu ripper.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/8-1-4-dia-18-teeth-5-8-KO-arbor-Tenryu-Power-Tool-Carbide-Tipped-Saw-Blade/138525507

I'll have to check amazon for the 8.25 I've always refused to do any sort of business from walmart.  Been that way for years now.

Okay finally got the stuff I needed to change everything out make sure the table saw blade is square, yes I finally own a square and a 90 degree square.  Either way I can't believe how stupid simple dewalt made their change outs for the saw knives.  OMG loosen the pin no more than 3 times... Push pin in.  Pull out the knife.  Insert knife with guards on it and done.  Easy as I said stupid easy.  Either way I wish most tools were as simple as this.

 

 

So I finally got all of my push sticks yesterday.  Weather is also good today so I finally decided to get the table saw set up outside and make the first couple of cuts.  The day before I checked that the blade was tight and snug in its housing.  I also checked to see that the blade was at 90 degrees.  It pretty much was like that from the manufacturer.  That I definitely cant complain about.  Long story short the last time I ran a table saw well it was a cabinet saw but was in high school wood shop and that was way back in like 2000 or something even before then.  How ever I was a bit on the nerve racked thing with anything thats quite dangerous and can cause amputations.  I just went with it.  I made the first Rip Cut and the first Miter Cut.  I can quite say that I'm over the nervousness now and quite adaptable and seeing this will be an extremely useful tool for me.  Glad I bought it.

 

As far as the cutting went.  Ripping went smoothly.  90 degree edge all the way down.  It cut through like a hot knife through butter.  Its also extremely quiet comparable to the older table saws that are extremely loud.  Didn't even need ear pro.  Same thing with the miter cut.  I needed to square the end of the board.  I made the cut with relative ease and it also cut square.  So in the end I'm very happy with this saw.  If you're looking for a budget saw this is the better one to buy if you can afford it.

 

Rip Cut

 

Squared Edge (90 degree)

 

 

Miter Cut

 

 

 

So after using the table saw a bit I'm starting to get a bit more comfortable with the tool.  How ever I did just purchase the mobile stand for the saw I am eventually planning on getting ride of my heavy duty saw horse stands and keeping the plastic ones.   In the short run or long run what ever you look at I would eventually like to start making boxes again.  I enjoyed doing that when I was younger they were simple yet nice.  I know I will eventually need to invest in a dato set for the saw.  I'm not sure if I should just go ahead and do that now or wait a bit.

My dado set is the least used things in my whole shop...why not use the table saw for those cuts?

 

This is what I use more than anything else when using the table saw. Well maybe these things are used more than the Incra.

Interesting stabilizing set up on your saw

1 hour ago, AndrewB said:

I know I will eventually need to invest in a dato set for the saw.

 

Your saw doesn't accept dado stacks. 

 

Make one of these; you will never regret it.   Useful for long pieces, short pieces, repetitive length cuts, wide pieces.

 

 

I plan on making a cross cut jig eventually.  I just gotta get materials.

 

On a second note this table saw plus stand now was WORTH EVERY PENNY I SPENT ON IT.  It was a bit challenging to get the saw mounted to the stand.  On the back side of the saw the mounting bracket didn't quite fit right even though things were properly lined up, down side to that was I had to get the old dremel and hand file out and widen out the hole just a bit to fit the screws in place.  Other than that there was absolutely ZERO hassle putting together the stand.  So even with the slight draw back on it.  WELL WORTH EVERY darn PENNY.  Money well spent.