Should You Buy A Better Saw? // Delta 36-725T2 Contractor Table Saw // RIDGID R4560

[@romanjohnston]

Not super important if the wings have a dip. They are more for support than accuracy. Now if they rise too much....THEN it can throw off the cut. But dips are really not an issue. Now the actul cast iron table....you want that to be pretty accurate. Just got my Rigid version. .005 off toward the back. For 600 bucks...I say thats close enough. It if was a Harvey saw and I paid 1800...then it would be an issue. Wings are much more off but nothing rising over the top of the cast iron table. And I used two magnetic Harbor Freight tool holders (basically long magnets for like 2 bucks each) and made quick work of keeping the wings where they needed to be during install.

[@oldrudedog]

I love mine. I had and older model for 17 years and worked fine for me, as I don't need anything fancy like saw stop. Last year I bought a new 36-725 from Lowes for $600 and gave my old one to a friend that couldn"t afford a better table saw than what he had. He loves it.

[@heut4384]

Honestly, I think most people are too worried about the small things that don't really change your finish works. At the end of the day, you have to worry if your fence and blades can cut straight and accurately. woods are always flexible; it's just us that are NOT.

[@carlosprieto773]

Just found and ordered a 30" one piece rail kit by Delta at HD that I'm going to replace the 2 piece with. I am mounting my router table to the left side and figured I'd try the one piece as I'll be drilling some holes. Thanks again for the great content!

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks Carlos!

[@noneofyourbusiness2726]

How did the router table work for you?

[@BuriedAliveBySquirrels]

I know this is late, and somebody has probably said so already, but the table for the 36-725T2 is the exact same part number as it is for the 36-5100T2, except the latter has cast iron wings (part DPEC006256). So you might check whether Delta will sell you just those wings, or tell them your 5100's wings got stolen by some woodworking gang and you need them replaced.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I haven’t tried to find just the 5100 cast iron wings but the 5100 saw is $1K more than this 725 and for the life of me I can’t find a difference other than the wing material. I know if you want to do some drilling to fit the Sawstop wings at Rockler are $316 for the pair. This make way more sense to me. Pretty sure the Sawstop router table also fits as a wing. Eventually I get around to doing this and it’ll be a vid for sure. Thanks for the comment!

[@jonathanlambeth3464]

I used the Sawstop wings. Drilled holes to match and I have a really flat table for the price.

[@rdot980]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews doesn't part of the fence system also come in 2 parts for the 725 vs 5100's 1 part?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

The rails on the 725 are two parts split in the middle. It doesn’t bother me but if it did I’d go to metal supermarket and pick up a piece of square tube and angle iron to replace it. Would be simple to do. Thanks for watching!

[@rehabitathomesolutions9125]

You might want to use tapered shims to level the wings to drop the end that is hitting. Also you can likely use a large sanding wheel to get the edges square to the top. It appears they are stamped steel and that process is known for having some defects. A machine shop could square them up without issue and probably pretty cheap too.

[@mattburns2968]

Take some blue dye that machinists use to find the high spots. Then you could either sand down or do like a machinist would do to cast iron and hand scrape it. But also you have to look at for the price its not going to be perfect. But the cast iron top even if not perfectly flat is still better than those aluminum tops on jobsite saws.

[@ScottCleve33]

I bought the Ridged version of this table saw and had the same issue with a dip in the middle of the cast iron top. Mine was probably about a 1/16 of an inch. Like you I'm not a fine woodworker and I didn't pay over $1000 for this saw so I can live with it over my $300 Craftsman that had the wings that pulled out an used the same knob that raised and lowered the blade to tilt it. It's certainly an upgrade but thought that they should have done better.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Hello Scott! At the time I bought mine it was $600. I remember thinking at the time I would have happily paid a couple hundred more for a little better quality of the top and especially the wings. A Saw Stop wing and router table are in the near future. That said this was a massive upgrade for me too and Really just happy there was a big saw option in the price range! Thanks for watching!!

[@CALDues]

Thanks for linking me to this video. I think I'm ready for one of these saws now that I've got a good idea of what to expect. I appreciate your videos and your quick response.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Your welcome! Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@Dawgsofwinter]

Just ordered one of these now I need to go find a set of these magnets for when it gets here. Thanks to you and the originator of the tip.

[@bryanharness1122]

Just picked one up today. It's gonna be leaps and bounds ahead of the harbor freight benchtop table saw I bought from them few years ago for sure

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Compared to a HF job saw this is going to blow your mind the first time you use it! I switch from random job saws back to the Delta often on the channel and am always amazed how good the Delta performs. Congrats on the new saw Bryan!

[@bryanharness1122]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews Appreciate it. Ill subscribe. Enjoy your vids

[@ChrisHornberger]

A cross cut sled alleviates those thousandths... kind of like, ALL the thousandths. Ripping might be an issue on really big glue-ups of many, many narrow boards, as that small error multiplies, but up/down cutting should resolve that, too. In short, those few thousands just aren't worth chasing. One commenter mentioned a 16th of an inch... that's 60 thousandths... that's worth chasing and trying to work around - or just returning the saw. That's a lot. But for 8 or 9...? I'd not worry at all. On the wings, it's worth it to just go buy the cast ones, or ensure you're well affixed to the table, and... ahem... manually manipulate those wings to where you want them using a rubber persuader and patience. What I saw in that video would bug the shit out of me moving the fence back and forth on that right wing.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

You make a couple really good points Chris! I also wouldn’t worry about the 9 thou on the table. My wings have a pretty good bow in them and I have them slightly below the top so the fence doesn’t hit them. I’ve read the Sawstop cast wings will fit if redrilled and we’ll do a video on that eventually. Thanks for the comment!

[@paulyosef7550]

I used the magnets and they worked great.

[@huey8431]

another great video. i have a dewault 10" jobsite saw and was considering this Delta saw as i want to upgrade. would you think it is necessary to make larger pieces of furniture and cabinets? is the cost to benefit worth it?

[@errolpereira8292]

Same situation. Wondering the same thing.

[@brianbuchanan2414]

I really enjoy your videos and perspectives

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thank you Brian!

[@evanhorton6206]

Very informative. Thank you for this great video! I think for the money this saw is awesome for what I’m looking for trying to go up a bit in precision and robustness from my job alt contractor saw (which, with appropriate setup does really nicely…the fence just sucks).

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Hello Evan! If you pick one up I’m sure you won’t be disappointed. The added size and weight makes it a pleasure to use and adds confidence when ripping big boards and sheets. But the fence is the star and man is it good. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@Duckmanloren]

I would have saved 10 bucks and just used clamps instead of magnets. I find it funny people are chasing thousandths, my bet it still will give you a straight cut and a 90° cut. Only way you would really know if the cut is off by thousandths is to have I engineering measuring tools. What you get with this saw and the ridgid r4560 clone is the best saw for the money. Also you can upgrade the sides with saws top cast iron wings for 300 bucks, just an fyi

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I agree with everything you said. ( except maybe the magnets) They worked pretty good and worth a try. For me measuring the table was more about finding the high spots to get the wings to align better with the table. It looks like the sawstop cast iron router table will also fit and they sell the wing as a single side too. They are on my short list. Thank you Loren for watching!

[@elkskiutah8204]

wish you would have tossed that straight edge back on the top after using the magnets to align the side tables. wished the dust collection was more enclosed and 4"

[@Jerguu]

I hate to be the "ackshually" guy, but I have some doubts about the precision straight edge you have. Is it from a reputable brand? 8 thou seems way too consistent and is consistent with the bow I would expect in a straight edge that was ground improperly - if the surface grinder spends the majority of the time in the center it will cause heat expansion there which when ground flat and cooled back down will result in a dip like you see. I would be curious to see the straight edge tested against a surface plate (this video is 2 years old so I get that probably won't happen).

[@DIY-Stuff87]

Well i bought the Dewalt with stand and the 12” Dewalt miter saw with stand

[@trep53]

The gaps you measure on the cast top are most likely caused by the motor hanging from the underside. As you say the gaps are irrelevant and I agree. There’s nothing really objectionable about this saw. BTW the stamped steel wings are totally OK and as you show can be set up to work fine.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I’m sure there are saws for many times the price of this that would blow it out of the water in most respects. This one such a joy to use I would really need a solid reason to spend a lot and replace it. I’m sure it’ll be in the shop for many years. Thanks for watching!

[@tomsardo6984]

Thanks Mike, Great Job!

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@jessicacooper9911]

Really informative video!

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thank you Jessica!

[@michaeljude4001]

Great video, thank you Just a thought, it looks to me like the front rail for you fence may be a tad low, adjusting the rail or the adjustment screws on your fence should stop the rubbing on the wings.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks! The Delta comes with a rail alignment tool that somehow I haven’t lost. I don’t show it in the vid but I checked the rails before I started and they haven’t moved since assembly. Good guess though. Thanks for watching!

[@paulyosef7550]

I have the 5000 series saw on order and I just ordered the magnets at 30 bucks for 2 at build-back better prices.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Good luck with the new saw Paul! Thanks for watching!

[@BubbasDad]

Should You Buy A Better Saw? The difference between a $700 Contractor Table Saw and a saw with a "perfect" table is many thousands of dollars. You would be looking at a Cabinet Saw with a real good Cast Iron table and Cast-Iron extensions. I bought a Delta Uni-Saw back in the early eighties for my cabinet making. Got a good deal. Used 25-year-old saw for $350. Great saw. Sold the saw when I closed out my business and went to the Dark Side. (Building Inspector). Always look back and miss that saw.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Hello James. For the $600 I paid for that Delta I’ve always been surprised it’s as good as it is. You can still buy a new Unisaw. Would be interesting to see how it compare to one from 50 years ago. Very good friend of mine is a city inspector, you guys are alright by me. Thanks for watching!

[@BubbasDad]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews I've reviewed the new Unisaws and the reviews are quite old. When trying to find a comparison, nothing recent is available. They are no longer made in the US. I do like some of the new features. A new 3 hp with a 52-inch fence appears to be around $5000.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I was just looking at that model it’s on Home Depot’s site for $2650. The 52 inch fence makes it a beast. I’d need a second garage

[@jeffkessel669]

Does a dip in the table after the cutting surface really matter that much? Just asking, I don't know. I would think that the surface pushing the board throught the blade (the front) would be the most important.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Depending on what your building, in these small amounts won’t matter for the vast majority of users. Doesn’t bother me in the slightest but I’m not try to build heirloom quality furniture. May not matter even if you were. Thanks for the question!

[@dontall71]

Thats for all the great tips!

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Glad the video helped! Thanks for watching!

[@seantheophil179]

I’m thinking of replacing a ridgid job side saw with the delta. But space is a concern and the delta looks twice as big as the ridgid. On top of that I’m looking for greater precision to do DIY furniture like cabinets and dressers. Do you think the delta is a good investment for somebody like me?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Definitely. These large saws are more stable and make working big sheets safer and easier. Just my opinion but I wouldn’t go back unless I had to travel. They also make considerably less noise which I also love. Good luck Sean!

[@JoshHefnerX]

My table measures almost exactly like yours. .08 bowl in the center.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@ARIVEstyle]

It would be perfect with the full rail like the undivided cabinets so the guide is more accurate and with a 4" dust collector. like the new Grizzly G0962A40

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@Joe_1776]

I bought the Delta saw a few weeks ago, and it burnt up before even finishing a sheet of 3/4 4x8 of maple plywood, I was cutting down. I cut half the sheet up 4 cuts worth, came back the next day made 1 20" rip and wen't to cut another and the motor died, hit the power button and the motor just growled and didn't move, it had it's own dedicated circuit too. Spent more time assembling it than I did using it, wasn't very happy.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

That's crazy frustrating Joe! Ive heard there has been some bad motors recently. Are you returning it or going through Delta to warranty? Let us know how the warranty process plays out if you go that route. Good Luck!

[@Joe_1776]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews I returned it to Lowes for a refund, was a no hassle return. Delta didn't want to do a warranty claim either, they said just return it. I had the option to exchange it for a replacement with Lowes, but since it burnt up so fast I just opt'd for a refund and I'm still on the hunt for a table saw.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Shame, when the Delta is good it’s really good. I’ve got a Ridgid R4520 review on here too if your considering that saw. Might be worth your while to watch that vid first.

[@Joe_1776]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews I looked at that table saw, might have to try it out. I wish, I had kept my old Delta table saw, sold it when I upgraded to the new Delta table saw. Thanks for the replies! Going to watch some of your other videos. Cheers

[@BluelightGaming1]

Hey Joe.. If you follow the instruction video from delta, they say to cut the box to get the main table out during assembly. How would you return it to Lowes in that case?

[@shawnrutherford481]

I’m looking to buy my first table saw. Would you still recommend this saw?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Yes I can still recommend it after about 5 years of ownership. Mine is showing some wear now but still works perfect. If you don’t need portability these larger, heavier and quieter saws are the way to go. Good luck and thanks for watching Shawn!

[@jcrroadie]

@@ProjectsForAllReviewsdid you ever change out the wings for the Saw Stop wings?

[@2sumu]

9:24 I have one of those magnetic bars, should buy another one, I guess...

[@johniac7078]

Does delta or anyone else sell aftermarket wings?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Check Sawstop. Last I looked they were $300 for the pair. Will need to be drilled though to fit. Thanks for watching!!

[@mattburns2968]

Grizzly also sells cast iron wings.

[@number1pappy]

I find it funny that there are actually people who have sent this saw back or got a refund because the table top was was off less than the measurements you found! Lol! You just can't get me to believe anyone is actually measuring there cuts more accurately than + or - 5 thousands of an inch. If you can than by all means go ahead and purchase a $ 10,000 dollar table saw. Funny thing is even saws at the 10 grand or more range are also going to be off a little. When your dealing with wood this small of a measurement is never going to be an issue.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I completely agree but it made an interesting topic for discussion. Thanks for watching!

[@treystills]

Nice vid! Thanks

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Glad you liked it! Thanks for watching!

[@proyectoencasa]

Por que desmontas la cubierta y lo mandas a rectificar en un torno? 🤔

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@ajiwukari]

Hi, I was wondering if you know how much current this table saw motor draw upon start-up. Do you reckon a 5000 watts generator would power it conveniently? How about a 6500 watt generator? Would you advise one to run it on a generator? Again, I've got an offer to have a table saw shipped free of charge to my country, and we run on 220v and 50Hz. I have no idea how I can safely run this table saw without compromising the motor. Any advise would be highly appreciated.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Hello! Inrush current is about 71 amps. At 115 v should be roughly 8165 watts at start up. Tested it when I bought my last multimeter. It’s a tough call with the generator. Just curious where do you live? Do you have a generator that runs 115v at 60Hz? Most generators have a running and a surge rating. I looked at voltage converters on Amazon and there’s no mention of a surge rating. Also no mention about Hz. I wish you luck. Let me know if you figure it out! Thanks for watching!

[@ajiwukari]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews 8165 watts is a lot. Means I'll be looking at getting a 10,000 watts generator set, which is a lot of money. I was thinking of getting a generator set from Canada, to have it shipped down, alongside the table saw. I live in Nigeria. Power here is rated at 220v/50Hz. I've done tons of research on how to get 110v/60Hz to work here, to no avail so far. Been watching tons of videos on woodwork over the last year, and I've come to love the craft.

[@ajiwukari]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews I'm not very knowledgeable when it comes to electricity and all. Been reading up about VFDs, but it's all jargons to me.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

@@ajiwukari Seems like a ton of trouble to go through for a table saw. Is there really nothing available like this in your country? The previous version Delta 36-725 was convertible to 220v. Try finding one of those motors and seeing if it can be installed in this saw. Seems like possibly your best option. Not sure how the Hz thing would go though

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

@@ajiwukari maybe that older version motor can be found from a county that used 50Hz?? Not sure if this saw was sold anywhere other than North America but it’s possible.

[@jk07ist]

9/1000ths of an inch?! The sawmill has yet to produce a board anywhere close to that precise. Unless you're going to use the saw to build a watch, that can't possibly matter, can it?

[@ColdWarVet607]

Great review! Even at 10 thou, its only 1/100, not much and probably far less than the average error of where you intend to cut and actually cut. I'd be fine with that, especially given the cost of the saw.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

My thoughts exactly! I doubt I’ve ever measured and cut anything to 1/100th precision in my life!! It’s a great saw with a realist price for most folks and I’be been loving using it for years! Thanks for watching!!!

[@de_41]

Great video. What's the width of the whole unit? I am trying to find dimensions to see if I can fit this in my garage and still park in it.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Your in luck I’m standing next to it. 32.5 x 62.5 inches. The front rail is the longest part. Thanks for watching!

[@de_41]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews thank you!!!!

[@morefalafel]

I should try the magnet trick, but I'm seriously considering making replacement wings out of melamine (or laminate on top of another very flat material. My wings have a twist in them, so I haven't been able to get them flat.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

It works really well. I just used the magnets again to install the wings on a Ridgid R4520 table saw I assembled yesterday. Vid on that this week. Have you tried clamping an end and bending out the twist? Thanks for watching!

[@kuehnel16]

It's meant to be a contactor saw . You more precision you'll need to open up the purse stings alot more. Or take out a second mortgage

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I agree Mark! Thanks for watching!

[@kenday7942]

Before you buy the Delta or the rigid check on the replacement cost of a motor. my research showed lowest price replacement from Delta was over $800 and I found one from my replacement company for over $1000. Same motor. I also found Delta customer support and technical support and virtually non-existent. The motor is 1.7 hp I think, they rated it 15 amp. Mine failed after about six years. And apparently this is a very common problem. I absolutely loved my Delta when it was working but the motor went out and the replacement cost more than the saw itself. I recommend checking into some other brands that cost more but offer a lot more for the money. This Delta saw was the best saw I had ever had until the motor went out.

[@Munky332]

Here's a question: Is there an easy way to take the fence tracks off? They're 2 piece on this saw? I'm torn between a portable jobsite saw like a Metabo C10RJS (which is pretty close to the Dewalt equivalent, just a bit cheaper), which I could fold up and out of the way vs getting something like this Delta. I don't plan on moving it often, but being able to tuck it into a corner with the wings off and the fence tracks off without having to spend an hour setting it up would be nice.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Hello! There really isn’t an easy way to disassemble the Delta and you would definitely spend some time setting it back up. Toughest part wouldn’t be the assembly but you would have to make sure the rails are perpendicular to the table (included tool and two piece rails) and set the wings flush. There’s a few articles online about converting to a 1 piece front and rear rail, it’s just angle iron and 2x2 square tubing. If your going to take it on and off often might benefit you to do that conversion. Good luck and thanks for watching!

[@jthepickle7]

Direct drive - no belt. Is it loud? I could kick myself for selling the one I bought in '85 !

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching!

[@nicholasmarkanjevic738]

Where did you purchase your delta table saw?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Lowes had it in stock back then but I had to drive out to the west suburbs (of Chicago). Thanks for watching!

[@JunoXL]

Thanks

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thank you 👍

[@sflagg0817]

Just picked one up from Lowes they had it for 349 so I jumped on it I didn’t really need it I have the Metabo jobsite table saw but why not

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

That’s crazy cheap!! I would have jumped on that too! Thanks for watching!

[@sflagg0817]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews I saw the post on 731 woodworking forums and people posted that Lowes was selling the Delta at a massive discount, luckily my local Lowes had one

[@josephflint9902]

Thanks good vido ....................

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Thanks for watching Joseph!

[@nwembly]

ALL: has anyone looked into what it wood cost to have a machine shop machine down the cast iron top to be dead flat? Just an idea I’ve been “toying” around with…(if it’s reasonable).

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I have not but it’s an interesting question. Possibly worth a phone call or two…

[@frankmaraschino]

I would hesitate to do that with a saw like this. Cast iron is soft and my assumption is that top is not super thick to begin with. You could make it thinner an accelerate dipping as the motor is bolted to the underside. Also you might end up with miter slots that are too shallow.

[@frankmaraschino]

If you're making 3D mechanical wooden puzzles a top curvature on a table saw of 0.008" is a total disaster. If you are making furniture then don't worry about it.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I agree Frank! Thanks for watching!

[@bryanschroeder6379]

That's the Awser

[@miketony2069]

based on the unlevelness and the horrible dust collection, I won't be getting this saw. Just going to save up and get a sawstop.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

If you have the means there’s a lot of great saw options out there. Thanks for watching!

[@GA-sb9sz]

@@ProjectsForAllReviews How is the dust collection?

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Not great but adequate. Better than a job saw with a vacuum but it’s definitely not a cabinet saw.

[@kenji6665]

.008" = 1/128" not bad

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I agree!

[@richardt6980]

its a contractors saw not the space shuttle

[@LordPadriac]

I don't think that table flatness is even worth considering. That tiny bit of deflection is from the weight of the motor pulling on the cast iron. I know a guy with more money than common sense and used part of his home equity loan to buy one of the gargantuanly overpriced SawStops and it has nearly the same bow in the cast iron in the area the motor hangs from.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

Checking a bunch of expensive saws and comparing would make an interesting video! I’ve always suspected they are more or less the same in this respect. Thanks for the comment!

[@bryanknitter8858]

On a sawstop like you describe, the motor isn't hanging from the table. It's attached to the cabinet.

[@ERone43]

I almost bought that saw from a pawnshop for $350 kinda glad I didn’t. I am starting to realize you either buy a Sawstop for $4k or just go dewalt or craftsman 113 for under $300 (craigslist). There’s no reason to shop the mid range

[@jasonfoster8249]

Those T2’s are crap. Literally just a stripped down version of the original. My 36-5152T1 came dead flat.

[@ProjectsForAllReviews]

I’ve been. Wry happy with this Delta for four years now. It’s comparable in price to a large job saw but bigger, heavier and a lot quieter. About as straight as a job saw too. For the money I think it’s still hard to beat. Thanks for watching Jason!

[@jeffhurt5835]

If you guys are machining the finest African Zebra Wood into micrometers to measure your jewels you probably shouldn’t be using a table saw.

[@kennyc388]

Hate those stamped metal wings.