What is the best table saw for non professional hobbyist?

This may help.

Table Saw Recommendations

I like the portability of the Rigid that I went with but would give serious thought to a cabinet saw with a larger table (with casters) if I was buying another one.

A 70's or 80's cast iron table saw with belt drive made by Craftsman. You can find used 10" ones on Craigslist for reasonable prices. Do not even look at the direct drive versions. The things that can go wrong are the switches, the motor and the bearings, all easy fixes.

I I’d a portable Ryobi that worked great for me. Cost around $350.00

I have a ridged....been a workhorse for me...

I looked real hard a table saws about 6 months ago but never pulled the trigger. Here are the 2 that I narrowed it down to.
I will probably get the Skilsaw brand because it is a worm drive motor
# 1....


#2

The one in your garage.

this ^^^^^^ or find an older delta or delta rockwall belt drive. either will outlast you, both are cast iron tables.

I'll add Grizzly and Jet to the list of cast iron top belt drives.
I bought a used Grizzly 1022, cast iron top, belt drive for $250 for the house. Man that thing cuts sweet.

Can I just borrow yours?

I had a ridgid that I completely wore out but it was ok for a good while. Now I have one of the older Craftsman 10 inch saws that has the belt drive. I won't live long enough to wear it out.

Powermatic. I have the 64B and used it for 11 years, real heavy use and is still las stable as new. It's a contractor style too, not the way more expensive cabinet grade. I went through 2 of the best Craftsmen table saws in less than 4 years. Trunnions and motors sucked. Alright for hobby use but not for making a living with, just my opinion.

I love my belt drive Craftsman hopper

The keyword non professional At $1600 for the Powermatic, there is a big difference in price, most non professionals cannot not wear out an old craftsman cast iron bed table saw from the 70s or 80s.

cool, gonna ask to borrow the nail gun soon, probably.

Job site Dewalt

I have the Dewalt pictured above. Does what I need it to do. No issues.

You may look at track saws as well. A table saw and track saw each have their specific jobs they each do better, but there is also a bunch of overlap.

I agree with dogcatcher.
Old tools are better built.

I wore out the cast iron crapsmans before I became a full time furniture maker. Those were from the 80's too. 1600 is on the VERY HIGH end at retail.

Go to auctions too. I have an old 14" Rockwell radial arm with 8' cabinets/table on each side that I got for 300. Was going to have to buy one new that was over 1200(Delta).

I have that Dewalt pictured above. I needed one that would fold up and store in the garage , not taking up much space.
I have had it for several years ,, I don't use it a lot , but it had done everything I have neeeded.


MO

Just out of curiosity, what is wrong with the direct-drive Craftsman? I have a 10"-direct drive Craftsman with cast iron table that was originally my dad's. It's about 40 years old and is still going pretty strong.