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This article is from the Woodworking FAQ Collection 4, by multiple authors.

185 Re: Ryobi Rolling Table Saw

From: gph@hpcc01.corp.hp.com (G. Paul Houtz)
Date: Wed, 13 Jan 1993 20:58:33 GMT

I looked at the BT3000. The sliding table appears to be basically
a gimmick to me. The mitre guage on the Delta Contractor's saw
is just as good at cross cutting as the sliding table on the BT3000.
In fact, I think it is probably better because it is easier to adjust,
it stays that way, and it is more flexible. It is much easier to move
to the other side of the blade, for instance.

The reason why commercial shops use sliding tables is to give them
the ability to cross-cut large panels. That is why I built a 48" sliding
table for my Delta Contractor's saw.

But the sliding table on the Ryobi DOES NOT GIVE YOU THIS ABILITY.
The track isn't long enough. In fact, you can cut bigger panels
with the Delta Contractor's saw's longer miter guage slot and wider
table than you can with the BT3000. Also, the aluminum table top
is easily scratched. The Delta Cast-Iron top is not easily scratched.

It was also my intention to make kitchen cabinets for my home, so I
needed the ability to rip heavy 3/4" plywood panels, and cross-cut them.
The Ryobi just isn't heavy enough or wide enough, back to front, to give
me confidence in this kind of operation.

For my money, the Ryobi was just too expensive, too flimsey, and too
gimicky.

For the money, the Delta or AMT are probably better machines. I looked
at the Taiwanese knock-offs of the Delta Contractor's saw (Jet, in this
case) and was significantly unimpressed with the quality. I decided
that since the table saw was going to be my most important tool, it would
pay me to spend a little more and get the Delta. Unfortunately, I have
not been able to look at the Grizzley, AMT, Transpower, or other
Taiwan knock-offs, so it is possible that their quality approaches
Delat. I don't know.

I am curious about how you narrowed down the Taiwanese knock-offs,
however. I have seen the following break-down from the ads:

     Delta Cont. 1.5HP  10"        $749.00         With Unifence
     Delta Cont. 1.5HP  10"        $500.00         With jet-lock Fence
     JET:        1.5HP  10"        $459.00         With Jet Fence
     Grizzley:   1.5HP  10"        $355.00         With Grizzley fence
     AMT:        1.5HP  10"        $360.00         ?
     Transpower: 1.5HP  10"        $350.00         ?
     Delta Moto. 1.0HP  10"        $425.00         With t-bar Fence
     BT3000:     1.0HP  10"        $609.00         Ryobi Fence

I have listed these in my approximate order of preference, taking into
account price. Note that the BT3000 is powered by a UNIVERSAL motor,
rather than an induction motor. This means that it is noisey, and the
horsepower rating is skewed compared to the other motors. The Delta
Motorized saw is run by a similar motor, except the Delta has an overload
protection circuit that I believe the Ryobi BT3000 lacks.

None of the above saws except the first one has a "real" rip-fence
in my opinion. I used tables saws for years with standard rip-fences
(Sears, Delta), and when I finally got my after market fence (Delta
Unifence) I realized just how important a good rip fence is.

If you really want to get a decent saw and do some good wood-work, I
would get the Delta, or a taiwanese knock-off, and add a good aftermarket
rip fence, like a Unifence or Biesemeyer, Excalibur, Vega, etc.

If you just want a saw to cut 2X4's, look in the paper for a used
Sears Craftsman 10" Saw, the older the better.

 

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