Older 510 main table not aligned to new table extensions?

[robinson46176]

I think I saw a TS-3650 for sale recently on CL. Should I look at this saw as you seem pretty pleased with it? I have the older Delta Super 10 that I have cleaned up and it cuts great but the rip fence definitely leaves a lot to be desired as do many of the cheaper saws out there. The fence is the most important feature on any tablesaw as I see it. Power would probably be second. I was looking at the parts for one of the newer Porter Cable saws i saw at the big box store. I went to the Porter Cable parts web site and looked up all the parts for the fence on that saw as it seemed to be very sturdy and precise. I priced all the parts out for that fence and it was $133.00 for the fence system on that saw. So I was thinking of maybe purchasing all the parts for that fence system and installing it on my old Delta. As far as I can see it mounts to the table and extensions the same way but I will probably call them just to be sure it will retrofit to my saw before I actually buy it.

I had walked past the TS-3650 at Home Depot probably a dozen times on other errands and had only given it a glance. It did look good to me but I was not really in the market. Diana and I were in there one day not really busy and I wandered over and unlatched the fence and slid it across the table. I said "I think I am in love..." The more I looked the better I liked the whole saw. I had been looking at some after-market fences to maybe put on my old big table Craftsman but they were all waaaay to much money for just a fence for that kind of tired rough old saw. I have never regretted the TS-3650 and now 3 of Diana's brothers and one of her BIL's have one.

On the other hand I was really disappointed in the fence on Ridgid's newer fudge making table (granite top). Felt cheap and crappy to me. It probably works OK but I just was not impressed.

YMMV...

[dusty]

Thanks again for your donation to this experimental cause, dusty!

With those sent, I have all the confidence I need to execute the idea I had for the existing tubes. You can probably guess, based on this thread, where I'm going -- it involves a metal drill bit, small tap, tiny set screws... and irreparable damage to the main table's tubes.


Also, I'll post some preview pics that should help show WHY I'm so obsessed with cross-table flatness. Hopefully these mods, add-ons, and re-engineering projects will be much more fun than my nearly-OCD whining about millimeters of table height

I guess it would be fair to say that "I am still wondering how the replacement tubes worked out". I sure hope they were worth the cost of shipping.

[Ed in Tampa]

I had walked past the TS-3650 at Home Depot probably a dozen times on other errands and had only given it a glance. It did look good to me but I was not really in the market. Diana and I were in there one day not really busy and I wandered over and unlatched the fence and slid it across the table. I said "I think I am in love..." The more I looked the better I liked the whole saw. I had been looking at some after-market fences to maybe put on my old big table Craftsman but they were all waaaay to much money for just a fence for that kind of tired rough old saw. I have never regretted the TS-3650 and now 3 of Diana's brothers and one of her BIL's have one.

On the other hand I was really disappointed in the fence on Ridgid's newer fudge making table (granite top). Felt cheap and crappy to me. It probably works OK but I just was not impressed.

YMMV...

Not sure why Ridgid switched to the new model. But their timing was terrible. The market crashed about the time the new ones were getting to market and I don't think they have ever recovered. In fact I think they now have replacement for the replacement of the 3650. Can't tell for sure as Home Depot has taken back the floor space for all displays of stationary machines and the saw is special order only.

Interestingly Lowes and Porter Cable is pushing a rebadge of Hitachi table saw and my buddy at Lowes tells me it out sold the Delta Contractor Saw they once carried. Go figure. Has to be price.

[BigSky]

Not sure why Ridgid switched to the new model. But their timing was terrible. The market crashed about the time the new ones were getting to market and I don't think they have ever recovered. In fact I think they now have replacement for the replacement of the 3650. Can't tell for sure as Home Depot has taken back the floor space for all displays of stationary machines and the saw is special order only.

Interestingly Lowes and Porter Cable is pushing a rebadge of Hitachi table saw and my buddy at Lowes tells me it out sold the Delta Contractor Saw they once carried. Go figure. Has to be price.

Nothing in the tool business surprises me anymore. Porter Cable used to mean QUALITY. It also meant EXPENSIVE. It also meant PROFESSIONAL. Now that everyone is striving to achieve their "fair share" of the entire tool market these distinctions are becoming blurred.

The uninformed and inexperienced shopper goes out to buy tools based on reputation (name recognition) and there is no telling what they might come home with but it is almost guaranteed that it won't be an inexpensive, quality tool manufactured in the USA. Instead, it will be something aimed at the DIY market.

The professional is probably looking at imported tools (Festool, etc).

[dusty]

Boy, did this thread ever take a violent turn along the way. It started as a 510 alignment problem, pasted through a short discussion about Porter Cable, became a discussion about the TS-3650 and has now returned to Porter Cable.

If we must change subjects in mid-stream, it sure would be helpful to put titles on our postings.

Yes, I know.....another subject change......and we still don't know if cobalt60 has solved his table alignment problem.

[cobalt60]

dusty: Sorry to leave you hanging here!

I've got a bunch of pictures I meant to post weeks ago, after receiving your extra/different set of 510 tubes. Life took over and it's been a while, but I'll get them posted soon.

In short, yes things are a lot better now!

[JPG]

dusty: Sorry to leave you hanging here!

I've got a bunch of pictures I meant to post weeks ago, after receiving your extra/different set of 510 tubes. Life took over and it's been a while, but I'll get them posted soon.

In short, yes things are a lot better now!

Good to hear that!!!!!!!!! Anxiously awaiting!:)