They are both belt drive saws I believe. -- I'm selfless because it feels so good! I saw this review and immediately thought of the Avanti Pro (reviewed by Brian on LJ). I am not a purest and have bought a lot of tools from HF including there HVLP spray guns. Do you have a favorite saw? DISCLAIMER: Any posts on LJ are posted by individuals acting in their own right and do not necessarily reflect the views of LJ. This Dewalt table saw will last for a while. The carbide (maybe its not even carbide teeth?) 2022 TractorByNet.com | TractorByNet is a registered trademark of IMC Digital Universe, Inc. Other trademarks on this page are the property of their respective owners. Table saws are a very versatile tool. Home / Blog / Table Saws / Hercules Harbor Freight Table Saw VS DeWalt. I own this same set, and it has served me well. I haven't but for $60 id save my money and get the slightly more expensive Diablo set. I am not an expert on such matters. And the smaller set would probably cut cleaner.). This allows it to power through some of the most demanding materials. Something went wrong. 8 inch dado blades are not recommended for table saws with less than 3 HP. Your post implies that there are only two choices, the cheapest possible and a $200.00 set. MrRon how many chippers does the set contain and how many teeth do the chippers have? Maybe I'll keep saving! I realize that the motors are probably junk but how is the rest of the construction. Dont lump all woodworkers together. 2) Where can I buy a set of dado blades for my 10 saw that wont cost an arm and a leg? The one thing I recently noticed though is that I can't install my Dado blade. I have one. Beth Pointer: General Contractor, Kitchen and Bath Remodels, A Modern California Home Wrapped in Rockwool Insulation for Energy Efficiency and Fire Resistance, Podcast 481: Detailing a Slab, High-Performance Water Heaters, and DIY Dense-Pack, Podcast 480: PRO TALK With Painter-Remodelers Miquel and David McCarley, Industry-First Cordless Rebar Cutter and Bender, Plus, get an extra 20% off with code GIFT20, 10 Steps to Install Crown Molding on Cabinets, Choosing the Right Construction Tape for the Job, Pretty Good House Book Excerpt: Copper Farmhouse, 10 Dos and Don'ts for Electric In-Floor Heat, Framing Stairs to an Out-of-Level Landing, Good-Looking and Long-Lasting Traditional Gutters, The Fine Homebuilding Interview: William B. And for off center tennons it is easier to adjust the height on the router table accurately, than adjust the offset on the tablesaw fence. They come in larger and smaller sizes, and they range in features. I believe there are a lot of ljocks out there that are willing to give Harbor Frieght a try, and are interested in your review. Here are a few of them: There are many pros, but there is one con that will affect peoples decision when it comes to buying a table saw: Dont forget to check out our full review on the best table saws. For smaller working spaces the preference is to have something more compact. None of the chop saws I have seen have that wide of an arbor but admittedly I haven't been paying that much attention to them. It's on clearance at $40. But one, in the end, did beat out the other. I honestly dont know if this set would produce any chipout if that wasnt my routine. I have the Freud 8 inch dado set and I have to admit that the Bat Ears that gfadvm mentioned drive me NUTS!As do the shims. I've used the Diablo at work and can agree, fantastic set. Rose, Expert insights on techniques and principles. I measured my saw blade at its highest point and it seems that an 8 wont work. If you can afford it, a CMT dado stack will be the last stack you ever buy, if you treat them well. Ive owned this stack. Probably about as useful as the eccentric 7.25 dado blades. Obviously 8" in your case. That being said all the reviews of this set say its fine. . As others have said, the electric braking can cause the arbor nut to loosen, which cold let the blade come loose and go bouncing around the shop. -- Thank you Lord for the passion and ability to make things from your creation. If it's only shallow grooves, a 4-6" will work, and your saw will work a lot less, too. HF or Top of the line. Corded table saw make moving the saw around harder but you dont have to worry about having enough batteries. Once again, both of the Hercules Harbor Freight Table Saw and The Dewalt DWE7480 Table Saw are quite similar and youll most likely be happy no matter what one you pick. If you need a flat table, bring along a straight edge and buy something in person. Out of the box the blades werent set up correctly. There are quite a few reasons to add a table saw to your workshop. It's one of those things where if it were like 30 bucks it might be a great deal for a weekend woodworker to expand their abilities but at 60 bucks down the drain for a mediocre tool you might as well just go ahead and spend another 30 to get something nice. MrRon, let us know how she performs down the road. The Hercules Harbor Freight Table Saw won because of the price. Their quality control is somewhat lacking, just double check all the brazing and get it sharpened and you should be good to go for years to come, -- Please like and subscribe to my YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/daves-workshop. That simply isnt the case. I typically do all my dadoes with the router table too (if not just on a standard table saw blade), and I might just stick with those after all. Dewalt is an American company known for power tools and hand tools. My passion for woodworking and helping others by workshops in my wood shop. The fence and cabinet will not be used. Get complete site access to expert advice, how-to videos, Code Check, and more, plus the print magazine. For more information on how much power a table saw needs, check out. It'll take more passed, but still give you nice clean flat cuts. and upon the power and other specs of your tablesaw (and recommendations of its manufacturer). The 6-inch is used for grooves and dados. The Hercules Harbor Freight Table Saw takes the top spot when it comes to these two saws. Depending on your saw, the width is small enough to get into the threads on the arbor and end up a bit out of true. I get no chipout, but I routinely run the stock backwards (toward me) at 1 to 2mm depth of cut before raising the blade(s) to the desired height for the forward cut. Do other inexpensive table saws accept Dado blades, or is there a Dado that will fit the Hercules? Portability Will you need to move your table saw often or will it be stationary? This is a dialog window which overlays the main content of the page. No because it's not a ton more money to buy Diablo or something reputable. My understanding is that this is the same as the Freud SBOX8 set. This saw comes with a 15 amp motor that provides this table saw with enough power to rip through any material it delivers 4800 RPM. They both are great for anyone who wants to create home DIY projects or are just woodworking hobbyists. I personally have both a 6-inch and an 8-inch set. I got a email notice today about a dado set on sale for $49.95,I have no clue if the sets any good or not. 40 year old Craftsman Radial Arm Saw Only thing I cut wood with is a chainsaw and they rip and crosscut just fine. You must log in or register to reply here. -- When you earnestly believe you can compensate for a lack of skill by doubling your efforts, there is no end to what you CAN'T do. [img]/ubb/images/graemlins/cool.gif"%20alt="[/img], Favorite Places to Visit In Your Area & Upcoming Events, Site Software Q&A and Maintenance Notices. Good idea I will have to take a look at those. If you will be using to cut bridle joints, and tennons you might need the extra depth of cut provided by the 8-inch. No Name blades don't have the same level of risk to the manufacturer if they shed a tooth, as the name brands, and are frequently not as well made. It can be used by professionals, woodworkers, DIYers, and construction workers on a daily basis. But when I do need one, I went with the cheapest set I could find. They also operate a chain of retail stores, a mail-order, and eCommerce businesses. -- " I'll try to be nicer, if you'll try to be smarter" gfadvm. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google. Example is their power planer. Honestly, dont waste your money. I have several tools from HF and they seem to do well. Portable table saws are the preference of most because theyre easy to use and transport. by PeteM Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:37 pm, Post Beth talks about her company's work remodeling kitchen and baths, what it's like working with the housing stock in Baltimore, and the unique goals and values that drive her business. The height would probably be adjusted to a stop so it could be retracted with an air cylinder. You'd need a swinging arm to hold it under your table, though. I've been thinking about that too. The blades and chippers fit very snugly on my saw arbor. What "won't work"?? A bit of tweaking and it works fine. That is thanks to the 15 amp motor, it delivers 4800 RPM and 3-1/8 in. I hate putting on all the shims, just something else to do to get the job done. Manage Consent. I bought this, used it and then felt regret. You are using an out of date browser. When I first saw HF in the title, I imagined a HSS or wobble stack, but the carbide w/ chippers was a nice surprise. Both of these saws are great tools. -- Tristin King -- When in doubt, sand it. Terms of Service Why is it your favorite? I have used this stack and now have the Diablo set from Home Depot. Ease of Use If youre a beginner you may want to look into a less powerful table saw, this is because when a power tool has more power, they can be hard to control. However, keep in mind that when a motor is more powerful it can sometimes make the tool harder to control. I doubt it'd be any good for my Ridgid contractor saw anyway, so I'll wait until I've got a better setup and just get a good set like the Freud or CMT. Does it come with a 3/32 chipper for undersized plywood? Box joints are my main thought for getting one of these though. There are larger table saws that would do best in a stationary place. But, I went back to doing them either on the router table or with a single blade and the tennoning jig. Latest Projects | by PeteM Tue Nov 25, 2003 6:57 pm, Post I have tried using the box joint set and the 8-inch dado set with hardened washers as spacers instead of chippers to cut tennons in a single pass. | Copyright So, to the OP: Does this saw have an electric brake? That might be a better bet since I'd mostly be using this for box joints and general joinery (not really for making dados so much). I also would like the flexibility of belt drive for ease of changing out motors or slight increase in speed. (I see Craftsman recommends 6" dado sets for some of their 10" table saws -- would still get you a 1" deep dado. I would spend the extra $$ to get the Diablo 100%. I used mine primarily for box joints and agree that they will cut acceptable dados (but not the best for box joints). Hercules HE77 Harbor Freight 2 Pack Table Saw Zero Clearance Inserts, {"modules":["unloadOptimization","bandwidthDetection"],"unloadOptimization":{"browsers":{"Firefox":true,"Chrome":true}},"bandwidthDetection":{"url":"https://ir.ebaystatic.com/cr/v/c1/thirtysevens.jpg","maxViews":4,"imgSize":37,"expiry":300000,"timeout":250}}, Add to cart to save with this special offer. Whatever the size, buy the best you can afford, even if you have to scrimp on other things for a while to do it. You might check out the Grizzly 1023s. Very versatile Table saws have many uses. I have a LARGE selection of Harbor Freight tools in my shop. by Brian_h Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:26 am, Post I have a Freud 6" set, and it's done everything I need it to do. Get home building tips, offers, and expert advice in your inbox. The 8-inch used to get quite a bit of use for cutting tennons and bridle joints. This makes it perfect for job site performance. I too am generally willing to give harbor Freight a look when I am looking for tools that I wont use often (that is a subjective term) but generally I have learned the hard way that if a tool can hurt or maim me then quality is key no matter the price. Power Source There are cordless and corded table saws out there. This is a private listing and your identity will not be disclosed to anyone except the seller. by Brian_h Tue Nov 25, 2003 10:25 pm, Post Plenty of room for your dado blade, a better spindle than most cheap table saws, and the outboard motor you want. The table might be used with a lot of modification (cut it off back to the T-slots). It is consderably less expensive and lots easier on the saw. If I were building a fine piece of furniture, I would certainly use a better set. If you'd like to get the additional items you've selected to qualify for this offer. I don't really have anything to compare it to because I haven't used someone else's dado stack. A site dedicated to enthusiasts of all skill levels and disciplines of the metalworking hobby. Same function as the name brand, for a lot less money. Most of these saws, (at least the ones I have seen),have short arbors, so that you can't fit a dado blade, and tighten the nut. Post I generally like HF stuff and Ive had good luck with most of their tools. This is my first post. -- Mistakes are what pave the road to perfection. However, some of them are the larger side and theyre not easily transported. Check out my bio for more. Just one or two of the name brand clamps would have cost as much or more than all my Harbor Freight clamps combined. They are very customizable and they are useful on job sites, in workshops, etc. Im certain the purists will condemn me for using the name Harbor Freight in connection with woodworking tools, but like it or not, here it is. If you need to move your table saw around or take it with you there are compact and portable options too. Check out the Oshlun dado blades.under $100. Alternatively, you could also get a flat tooth kerf blade. I looked at that set and the one from HF and the draw back is not having a chipper for undersized plywood. I have an 8 inch dado set on my 1 HP saw and can cut 1/4 inch dados in oak with no problem. They came back a week later and said it was backordered and had no ETA. rip capacity. So you need to decide what you will be doing with the blade, if you will be using it for grooves and dados, thena 6-inch is more than adequate. Thanks, Harbor Freight. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. At this stage in my life, I very much doubt I'll EVER be in that much of a hurry again :=) Steve. Harbor Freight does not have a good track record with saw blades, most are a sad waste of steel.