I'd go for the larger table/nicer rip fence. The table on the second saw
you reference is the same as mine, and I had no real problem building the
router extension for it (there should be about 6 3/8" holes on the end of
the table for adding more extensions). I think table size makes a world of
difference -- especially when dealing with a sheet of plywood. Probably
99% of my table saw cuts are either 90 degree crosscuts or rip operations,
therefore I found that the miter guage was really of secondary importance
to me. For miter operations, I use my miter saw (Sears has 10" compound
miter saws for 50% off about every 3 weeks or so) -- the miter saw is
waaaay more accurate than trying to push a 10' piece of molding across a
table.
I also find that a heavier saw is a good thing -- it doesn't move around
when you lean on it. The only advantage of aluminum body/table/extensions
that I can see is that it's easier to move the saw around -- not
necessarily a good thing if your brother-in-law is remodelling and asks to
borrow your saw. Explaining that the saw is too big and heavy to move is a
better (read more politically correct) way of saying "you don't have a
snowball's chance. . ."
Steve Dillen
E-Mail: SDILLEN@ca.ibm.com
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