Buying a cheap table saw?

paperclap

Hi all,

Been curious to try a table saw for a while. For some tasks, a hell of a lot easier than using a circular saw. But I’m just a DIYer.

Found an old second hand Ferm FZB 720 table saw for a mere tenner. Comes with the blade cover and pusher. Could probably do with a new blade by now.

But, worth it?

Think Ferm were Screwfix’s old brand?

I think the table saw comes with a 200mm blade. Don’t know.

My circular saw uses 190mm blades, so have a handful of new blades knocking about. Could possibly put one in the table saw?

Section62

paperclap said:

Hi all,

Been curious to try a table saw for a while. For some tasks, a hell of a lot easier than using a circular saw. But I’m just a DIYer.

Found an old second hand Ferm FZB 720 table saw for a mere tenner. Comes with the blade cover and pusher. Could probably do with a new blade by now.

But, worth it?

Think Ferm were Screwfix’s old brand?

I think the table saw comes with a 200mm blade. Don’t know.

My circular saw uses 190mm blades, so have a handful of new blades knocking about. Could possibly put one in the table saw?

A second hand table saw that cheap would leave me asking two questions -

1) Is it knackered because it has been abused?

2) Are bits missing - in particular anything safety related?

The accuracy of table saws relies on how rigidly the motor/blade assembly is secured to the body of the saw.  The cheaper ones often have steel pressings which are the only means of holding the blade securely in the right place - these are particularly vulnerable to getting bent if the saw is abused or has had kickback problems.

Table saws are great, but inaccurate table saws are worse than useless.... other than for cutting firewood perhaps.

travis-powers

Done a bit of research and I think at 720w it’s very underpowered and the fence looks flimsy, so would only be suitable for light work.
 

fisher66

I'm also a DIYer and I looked at buying a table saw 10 years ago. I looked at many cheap ones but in the end stumped up for a brand new dewalt one with rack and pinion fence. I have used it extensively since and I would highly recommend it. I know the cost can seem prohibitive but it really is the case that you get what you pay for in this situation IMO.

paperclap

Thanks guys! Ended up not buying it in the end. Have got by with my circular saw so far, so will continue to do so!

FreeBear

I got a cheap table saw (Einhell from Toolstation) a while back. Whilst not the most accurate of tools, it is invaluable when ripping down smaller bits of timber.

Fitted a diamond cutting disk to it one day to take thin slices off some bricks - Not recommended, but it did the job.

WillPS

FreeBear said:

I got a cheap table saw (Einhell from Toolstation) a while back. Whilst not the most accurate of tools, it is invaluable when ripping down smaller bits of timber.

Fitted a diamond cutting disk to it one day to take thin slices off some bricks - Not recommended, but it did the job.

I have the same saw, and it's been a god send in the few months I've had it, really takes the faff out of cutting boards to size.