uppitycats Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 OK...I'm not going to be doing MAJOR construction here...just new walls, framing, etc., for my rehabbing efforts on my Brimble and cottage... Harbor Freight has these for $50. Other "hobby table saws" run well over $100. Has anyone used this saw? Will it "do" for my small efforts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Peggi Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 The mini table saw I have is a minicraft saw and it works real well. I was surprised at how powerful it was. I got mine from minicrafttools.com. Its a little more expensive plus you have to have the transformer. Does the one you're looking at have the transformer with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ilovecats Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I think we have one of those, from Harbor Freight...Andrew is in charge of the tools and he is asleep so i can't ask him at the moment...we haven't set up our workshop in the basement yet, still need to unpack from our move 2 years ago... We plan on getting the basement inorder this spring and set up our little workshop. I say go for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uppitycats Posted January 10, 2007 Author Share Posted January 10, 2007 The mini table saw I have is a minicraft saw and it works real well. I was surprised at how powerful it was. I got mine from minicrafttools.com. Its a little more expensive plus you have to have the transformer. Does the one you're looking at have the transformer with it? No, this doesn't need a transformer. It supposedly plugs into a regular outlet. I spent some time at the minicraft site you mentioned..and a couple of others..looking at these sorts of saws, and saw how expensive they were..then ran into this one at Harbor Freight, so was wondering. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nuttiwebgal Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I have a "dumb" question what do you use a table saw for? I hear my DH talk about these things...I smile and nod but I really have no clue...I do know that when I ask his help he takes my parts and takes them out to his shop and brings them back in fitting perfectly. I know we have a circular saw and a band saw,jig saw,saws all,scroll saw. but I do not know what they do or nuttin.... ok yall can LOL now. but I was brought up girly girly...although I dont know why as my mum knows how to use all these things. nutti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IAK Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Me Me I have one of those, got if for my birthday :lol: Laughing because everybody thinks that's funny. Anyway I use if for cutting just about anything, especially trim like crown molding. Fabulous for doing this. Cuts are just about perfect. :thumb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uppitycats Posted January 10, 2007 Author Share Posted January 10, 2007 Well, I'd use a table saw to cut flat pieces of wood -- like making a wall, or panels, or house sides, or roof pieces. I suspect that's what your husband is using when he takes pieces away and comes back with them all neatly cut. My husband has all the tools in the world to do this..but when I ask, he's either not able to do it then, or says he'll do it, and disappears, not to be seen again for several days. And I'm impatient. When I want it cut, I want it cut NOW, without an hour's worth of explanations or discussion, or waiting around. Just CUT the darned thing. So if I had my own small saw, I could just DO it. All those different saws cut wood..in different ways. This seems just a basic saw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hallowell Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I had a small saw similar to this from Dremel several years ago and I used it to help build my Seaside Farmhouse. :thumb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah handley Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I don't know about the table saw you are looking at. I do know a table saw will cut wood straight and true, allow multi cuts to be accurate, angles are consistant, etc...tighter smoother fit. I used to have my own, now DH cuts for me since I can't go to the basement anymore. Besides he wants to think he's helping me, and I do all the building. If the saw fills your needs....Go for it! Happy House.. Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
barnilad Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I have the table saw from MicroMark and couldn't function without it. It is more expensive than Harbor Freight but has more accessories available. They are also very helpful with problems. I have had this saw for many years and finally decided it needed a new blade but was unsure how to change it. They were very helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathieB Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 It looks just right for dollhouse construction and other small crafts. I just emailed the url to DH. I think our workshop could use one of these. :thumb: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokelly Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Hmmm. I still have money from Christmas that I have no idea what to spend on. I know I don't want to buy any kits since I'm trying to force myself to complete what I have. That's an idea, especially since I'm making most of my own furniture for my dollhouse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 We were in Harbor Freight Monday & I looked long & hard at that little saw. I couldn't see anywhere to attach a fence or featherboard (if you want straight cuts?). There are some tools you really don't want "el cheapo" and saws are among them. I also saw a mini disc-sander, but I told DH I'm really roont by his disc- & belt-sander. I made DH teach me how to cut with the bandsaw & I have books I'm using with the scrollsaw & lathe. Now I've begun to nage him to show me his tablesaw and to build me (or help me to build) a horizontal mount for one of my Dremels to make my own mini tablesaw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bonsaikathy Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 The table doesn't tilt on it so it's straight cuts only and I really found the one from harbor freight to wear out very quickly. I had a friend send me two of them to try for her before she purchased them to sell. I wasn't happy with them. My very old jarmac did a better job. Kat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 Kat, where did y'all get your Jarmac from? I have also looked longingly at the one in the MicroMark catalogue, but if I have to make attachments to the table to keep from losing fiddly bits I may as well adapt one of the rotary tools for the job. I like the way DH can cut me down larger stock into useful sizes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uppitycats Posted January 11, 2007 Author Share Posted January 11, 2007 hmmmmmm...decidedly mixed reviews, leaning toward the negative. I'll have to think about this some.. :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jokelly Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 I'm mixed, too. I read the online instruction booklet and it says there is a straight-edge guide, but I was having trouble imagining how it worked. I showed it to my dad and he said it's not hard to make a rip fence. I showed him that and the Minicraft table saw. The jury is still out. I'll have to do some more homework. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_in_PA Posted January 11, 2007 Share Posted January 11, 2007 I have the saw from Harbor Freight & I use a piece of flat iron & 'C' clamps for a fence. I don't like the blades that came with it, so I use some of my Dremel blades. I use this saw to make tongue& grouve amd tennons. For angle cuts, I use my Dremel 580 table saw. Watch the Harbor Freight sales & you can get this saw for like $25. Harbor Freight also makes a mini cut-off saw that is great for cutting molding. I have pics of these saws in my gallery under 'how I did it' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
havanaholly Posted January 12, 2007 Share Posted January 12, 2007 Thank you Steve, for what I'd use it for I think I may have to grab one when it goes on sale. I have itty saw blades that'll fit my Dremel, but no way I'll use them except in a stationary saw! Wanna keep what's left of my body parts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve_in_PA Posted January 12, 2007 Share Posted January 12, 2007 Not the very small Dremel blades.....the 4" ones with the 1/2" arbor (hole in the center) These blades can get expensive, but you pay for quality. I use 20 , 40 , & 100 tooth blades. Depending on what I want to cut. I have also resharpened them using a fine file. Also always remember to use your safety equipment when using any power tools. I am still mending after my fight with a router last month!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sarah handley Posted January 12, 2007 Share Posted January 12, 2007 uppitycats, I would need a table or blade that tilts, has a fence, blade lowers, etc. to fill my needs. That, of course, costs more. It is worth the investment if you have those needs. I wouldn't settle for less. You get what you pay for when you choose a reputable brand. I like Craftsman Benchtop tools, probably bigger than you are looking for. Your needs may change or increase, don't choose too quickly. (just had to put my 2 cents in.) Nancy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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