zph0eniz Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 I am planning to get a contractor saw and it will be difficult to move inside and out. I don't have garage but I do have a little backyard space. Should I cover it a blanket or some plastic to prevent water or the sun hitting it? Put some monthly coat of wax or something? What can I do to keep it in good shape outside the best I can? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave H Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Sorry I can't even wrap my head around leaving a table saw outside. I think you'll be spending more time dealing with rust than using the saw don't do it man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wdwerker Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Maybe one of those plastic shed kits would fit over it? Still going to be a battle with rust and corrosion. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 "Before you have tools, you must have a place to put them." -kikifucius 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..Kev Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 Afraid I have to agree - Buying a tool to leave outside just doesn't seem like the right thing to do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davewyo Posted January 18, 2015 Report Share Posted January 18, 2015 contractors around here leave their jobsite saws outside and in the back of pick-up trucks all the time Although they have aluminum tables and plastic cowling, I can't imagine the saws last very long I imagine it will depend on the climate in your area. In the Arid West you can get away with it for a while I would be careful with any kind of cover. It may just trap moisture underneath rather than let the dew evaporate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhighlander Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Buy the saw. Buy some lumber. Build a shop. I can't imagine any climate where a cast iron saw top won't rust if left outdoors, even under a tarp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pwalter5110 Posted January 19, 2015 Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Bandsaws take up a lot less space, and a lot of people get by with just a bandsaw. Do you have space to store a bandsaw inside? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Dave H Posted January 19, 2015 Popular Post Report Share Posted January 19, 2015 Highlander if he's going to build a shop I think he should buy a circ saw once the shops built then buy the table saw ect. ect. but in my opinion he should just buy a skilsaw with a good straight edge a couple clamps you can build some pretty good projects. When I started out as a carpenter and, just starting out as a father and husband with a huge honey do list. I build lots of book cases, tables, bunk-beds, coffee tables with just a skilsaw on some saw horses in the back yard now I have a full shop and all the toys but, I think I made some pretty nice stuff with just a circ saw. Buying a table saw at this point is putting the cart before the horse. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
minorhero Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Tarps are not good at keeping the weather out. Rain rebounds surprisingly far. You can also end up with condensation under the tarp making direct contact with your machined surfaces. I buy a lot of old tools and restore them and many have gotten the tarp treatment. Those tools are always in the roughest shape with the need to replace all the bearings and usually the wiring as well. I second the idea of getting a circular saw and straight edge. The other option if you just want into woodworking and not furniture building specifically is to get a midi lathe. Its small enough you can pick it up and carry it outdoors then put it inside when done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted January 20, 2015 Report Share Posted January 20, 2015 Ts outside = very sad saw. ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cabinfever Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 A job site saw you can wheel in and out of the house/garage is better than a contractors saw that gets left outside. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TerryMcK Posted January 21, 2015 Report Share Posted January 21, 2015 I, like the others here, don't think it would be a good idea leaving a TS outside whether under a tarp or cover. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Athens Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 I have a table saw and I leave it outside most of the time. I bought a heavy duty gas grill cover that is waterproof and somehow breathable . it cost me $65.00 for the grill cover. I placed the tablesaw over an outdoor carpet to prevent moisture coming off the ground and covered it with the grill cover . I've been doing this for three years and no problems. I put it out at the end of the winter and I put it inside my cramped workshop before the first snowfall . My tablesaw is a very inexpensive saw that I paid a couple hundred bucks for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brendon_t Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 Rather informative first post. Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drzaius Posted June 29, 2017 Report Share Posted June 29, 2017 Yes, welcome. I think humidity conditions have much to do with whether outside storage is viable or not. Where I live (low humidity year round), as long as it's covered to keep rain off, it would be fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eric. Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Storing a table saw outside in Missouri would be as good as throwing it in a dumpster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gnarlywoodguy Posted June 30, 2017 Report Share Posted June 30, 2017 Buy a track saw. Keep it inside. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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