Those are all brand name top notch saws. For a serious table saw plan on spending at least $500. I have a craftsman I pd $500 15 yrs ago and I still love it. Back then 24" rip capacity was the only game in town. If I was to buy a saw today it definetly would have the 30" rip capacity option.

I have the dewalt miter saw 12" and table saw. Very happy, best on the market I think. I glad I got the 12" blade for high molding and 6" boards. The slider was to heavy and big this is perfect.

DeWalt

[This message has been edited by GlennG (edited May 03, 2002).]

From what i have heard the Delta mitter is not very good, missed cuts. A contractor buddy of mine bought a delta and took it back shortly there after, was costing him $. My brother got the 12" Dewalt, so did I. My tools are Dewalt (2 drills, orbital jig saw and 12"mitter saw), Ryobi (drill), Skill(contractor series) (worm drive circ. saw), Milwalkee (sawz all, 1/2" drill), Porter cable (grinder). I guess what I'm saying is there is a reason you have to pay more for those brands, there are just better. Of my purchases I have a few regrets. My Ryobi 14.4v drill should have been a Dewalt from the start, now I have both. Cost me $80 more but has a lot more torque. The Ryobi is great for the weekend guy. Sounds like you are looking to make a serious work shop. Spending more will save you in the end, TIME and materials.

Price per value the dewalt is good. However there are better but cost twice as much. I have remodled/built most of my house with the dewalt and I would buy it again becaus of cost, ability to cut large pieces of wood and weight.

As for the table saw I also have the Dewalt portiable, it is the best out there, mainly because of it's fence. But it is $$$. I like both these tools and haven't had a problem in 2 years and several rooms and additions later. These will be the staple of your shop so get good ones.

Porter cable has the best bang for the buck when it comes to the miter saw. As far as a table saw, stay away from crapsman!!!!! I have one with the cast iron table and the damn thing is NOT flat, the fence system sucks and the motor is way under rated. In fact the bracket that holds the motor broke under heavy use. I had a drill press also from crapsman that the spindle was so sloppy I could move it side to side and back and forth when it was halfway down. the holes it driled were oblong. Needless to say I replaced it with a Delta and have not had a single issue with it. The Table saw I heavily modified to make it more accurate and hold up to heavy use. If you are looking for a good table saw look into a Delta, they make a good saw for the price. Best bet, look into old copies of Wood magazine and the tool reviews.

[This message has been edited by ACD (edited October 18, 2002).]