Portable Table Saw

[larry in white rock [OP]]

The problem is space BUT a table saw is needed. My 'workshop' space demands that tools need to be stored away when not in use. To me, the portable table saw appears to be a very good option. Any tips out there on manufacturers that I should be looking at? Thanks for your help.

[Frank D.]

Hi Larry,
If it's in your budget, the Bosch 4000 is a very good saw. I owned one (had to sell it for lack of space--I bought a bigger saw) and would buy another one if I needed one again.
Just ask if you want to know more.

[9dbn3jhc9]

I think from all the reviews i've read that the Bosch is the best unit. I have one, very portable and good quality. Does 4x8 nicely also. I bought extended holders for the side and rear. The blade which comes with it is crap, so buy yourself a nice freud blade right away. They have a new stand which rolls around, but takes up quite a bit of space. I have the non rolling stand (red) which I threw on the general mobile base last night. Works very nicely, and I roll it to it's place in my garage. Has a softstart engine so it dosen't blow your fuse when it starts up and increases power on demand if needed.. Popular mechanics also rated it as the best choice. Check their website..

[Woodnut]

All reviews of the Bosch I have read have given it top marks. I have also heard a few people that quite like the Ridgid(not sure if the life time warranty is available on it).

[Steve in Ayr]

Larry

Just to be the voice in the wilderness here, are you sure that you need a table saw. For lumber I use my bandsaw for ripping. If you plan on using sheet goods have you looked at the Festool system or the EZ-guide. Both are very space friendly.

Steve

[David in Mississauga]

The Bosch 4000 is available at Atlas-Machinery in Toronto with a folding stand for $569!

I've also seen great reviews on this one, however, I decided to go for an older Delta to gain some experience before buying my General or GI Table Saw.

HTH,

[Denis Chénard in Ottawa]

I'll add my vote for the Ridgid. From a Wood test from about a year ago, the Bosch has a better quality of cut, while the Ridgid had quite a bit more power (as much or more than most contractors saws), a better fence, a better guard/splitter that's very easy to put on and off (so no more excuses for not using it) dust collection (not sure if that comes with the Bosch), a larger table, and a better price. I bought the Ridgid and am plenty satisfied.

DC

[bigsteel15]

I'll add my vote for the Ridgid. From a Wood test from about a year ago, the Bosch has a better quality of cut, while the Ridgid had quite a bit more power (as much or more than most contractors saws), a better fence, a better guard/splitter that's very easy to put on and off (so no more excuses for not using it) dust collection (not sure if that comes with the Bosch), a larger table, and a better price. I bought the Ridgid and am plenty satisfied.

DC

Based on what I've seen I would agree with the Ridgid being better value. The Bosch seems way overpriced for its capacity.
If budget is of concern I would recommends the BT3100 and you can either buy the accessory kit or make your own mobile setup.
Being located in WR, you could go across to Bellingham and get it from HD at a better price or at least buy the accessory kit down there.

[Frank D.]

The Bosch has a shroud for dust collection and it works amazingly well. I'm not trying to dis the Rigid, I've never used one, but to have more power it would need a more efficient motor (which I doubt it has). The Bosch is 15A, electronically controlled, and it saws 2" maple without blinking.
The fence and guard splitter are also excellent on the Bosch.... Of course just stating that one feature on a saw is better than on the other doesn't carry much weight unless there's some explanation or qualification.

[Brian @ Muir]

I have the Bosch and echo Franks comments. One of my major concerns when purchasing tools is the dealer support which I find lacking at all the HD and similiar stores. Try HOT in Langley for the Bosch.

Brian

[Denis Chénard in Ottawa]

The Bosch has a shroud for dust collection and it works amazingly well. I'm not trying to dis the Rigid, I've never used one, but to have more power it would need a more efficient motor (which I doubt it has). The Bosch is 15A, electronically controlled, and it saws 2" maple without blinking.
The fence and guard splitter are also excellent on the Bosch.... Of course just stating that one feature on a saw is better than on the other doesn't carry much weight unless there's some explanation or qualification.

Well, not to dis the Bosch, but with the same blade on each saw the Ridgid cut much faster in that test. So the motor has to be more efficient.

As for the fence, the Bosch needs some "gymnastics" to get the fence setup past 13", from what I've read. With the Ridgid, no such fussing.

I have no doubt that the Bosch is a good saw, but the Ridgid is the better buy IMHO.

DC

[Frank D.]

Well that's fine Denis, but I've read too many horrible and weird reviews to take whatever they say as gospel truth. Just repeating what some reviewer says as if it were the truth contributes to what Ellis Walentine calls the legitimization of error by repetition. When someone who has never used my saw tells me his saw has a better guide because some reviewer was having a bad day, pardon me for being skeptical.

[9dbn3jhc9]

Here's that review I was talking about from popular mechanics.

http://www.popularmechanics.com/home...86.html?page=1

And just a snippet of what they say:

Bosch 4000
In terms of fit and finish, great features, solid feel and simple good looks, the Bosch is a winner. While other motors fire up with an ear-splitting surge, the 4000's soft-start feature gently brings the blade up to speed. An arbor lock—the only one in the group—makes blade changing a snap, and the blade insert is easy to level and remove.
This extending-table saw features an inch scale on the front rail that indicates fence location while the table is closed, and an additional scale that handles fence-to-blade distance as the table is moved away from the blade. The bevel scale ranges from -2° to 47°, but you need to reset the bevel stops to access this extended range. The guard/splitter assembly is secured with a single Allen screw, and alignment is independent so you can remove and install the assembly without any fuss. Both the Allen wrench and blade wrench fit in a blade case on the base and there's storage for the miter gauge, rip fence and 10-ft. kinkfree power cord. The table has a plastic insert in front of the blade for marking the kerf location.

[Denis Chénard in Ottawa]

pardon me for being skeptical.

So your name is Frank Thomas, and you're a baseball player?

DC

[Frank D.]

No Denis, I'm a grumpy old fox waitng for a lost squirrel to wander unawares into my den...
I knew you'd make me laugh... :lol: