I have a similar problem as others looking for a new TS except that my small space really restricts the size of the TS that I buy. I have an old Craftsman 10" TS that I inherited from my Dad from the 70's. It is direct drive, has a cast iron top with a stamped steel wing on the left, and a small router table mounted between the rails on the right. It can rip about 24" wide sheet stock. Splitting a sheet of plywood is about all I can ever expect to accomplish in my small shop.
I am looking for a new TS that is compact enough to fit in the same shop area. I would like the same cast iron table, but would prefer cast iron wing on the left and the ability to mount a router table to the right of the table. I would like to have a much nicer, more accurate fence than the one on the little Craftsman.
I will consider either a contractor style, cabinet style, or hybrid.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what type/brand saw would give me these compact dimensions, plus the quality features of some of the bigger saws? Am I expecting too much from a compact saw?
I am looking for a new TS that is compact enough to fit in the same shop area. I would like the same cast iron table, but would prefer cast iron wing on the left and the ability to mount a router table to the right of the table. I would like to have a much nicer, more accurate fence than the one on the little Craftsman.
I will consider either a contractor style, cabinet style, or hybrid.
Does anyone have any suggestions about what type/brand saw would give me these compact dimensions, plus the quality features of some of the bigger saws? Am I expecting too much from a compact saw?